V. Advisor and Advisory Committee - Return to Index

Prospective students should contact individual faculty members to explore the possibility of conducting research under the direction of that investigator. During the first quarter of registration, students must also meet with other members of the graduate faculty to discuss research objectives and Student Advisory Committee (SAC) involvement.

A. Choice of Advisor. When choosing an advisor:

• The decision is often made prior to enrolling in graduate school and must be made during the first quarter of enrollment.
• The decision must be communicated in writing to the GSC by the student.
• Any changes in advisors also must be communicated to the GSC by the student.

          Choosing the academic advisor is an extremely important step in establishing a student's graduate program. Several important factors to consider in selecting an advisor include intellectual interest in a given research area, the presence of an ongoing research program, and availability of funding for support of research. Some of the responsibilities of the academic advisor include:

• Promote innovative research and set appropriate standards for the quality of research and coursework.
• Critically review the thesis research proposal, seminars, manuscripts, presentations, and final thesis.
• Serve as the Chair of the Student Advisory Committee (see SAC discussion section V,B; and Graduate Faculty Status section II).
• Define the amount of time the student must devote to non-thesis related research.

          Communication between advisor and student is vitally important. Dissatisfaction by the student with the advisor/student relationship should be voiced to the GSC Coordinator. One purpose for the Graduate Student Progress Report is to identify and correct potential problems. It is occasionally necessary to change advisors and such changes should be handled through the GSC Coordinator in a way that all interested parties (student, old advisor, new advisor, and GSC) are aware of the desired changes. Students wishing to change advisors must notify the GSC.
          The Horticulture and Crop Science Department has not traditionally required graduate students to obtain direct experience with different research groups prior to choosing an advisor. Individual faculty or faculty working groups may arrange for a research rotation whereby students work for a predetermined time under the supervision of different faculty advisors. The purpose of such a rotation is to expose the student to research strategies and techniques while having the opportunity to evaluate possible permanent advisor/student relationships. If a rotation is desired, the student should identify at least two graduate faculty members who will allow the student to undertake a trial research period in their group by the beginning of the second quarter of enrollment. The GSC should be notified of the student's intentions. Students can obtain up to 5 hr credit for HCS 993 (Individual Studies) during their rotation.

B. The Student Advisory Committee.
          The student and advisor must select additional graduate faculty to constitute the Student Advisory Committee (SAC). The selection of the SAC should be completed by the end of the first quarter (M.S. students) or second quarter (Ph.D. students) of enrollment. Selection of a SAC is an important task that will have a major influence on the direction of the student's course work and research program. Careful consultation with the adviser is required before the SAC is assembled so that both student and adviser are satisfied with the committee composition. The final composition of the SAC must be approved by the GSC, and the GSC should be advised in writing of any appointments, resignations, etc. from the SAC.

There are specific guidelines for SAC selection and approval:

1. The Master of Science SAC (MS)
    - Consists of at least three(3) members holding Category M or P
      status on the graduate faculty.
    - One member is suggested to be from outside the department.
2. The Doctor of Philosophy SAC (PhD)
    - Consists of four(4) or more faculty members.
    - At least one member must be from outside the Department.
    - Chair of this committee must have Category P status.
    - Additional members must have Category M or P status.

The SAC will:
    - Provide guidance and advice in the development of a course program.
    - Ultimately approve a course program.
    - Provide input and review the research proposal and thesis or       dissertation.
    - Meet to resolve matters concerning the student's graduate program       whenever necessary.

          The student is required to keep the SAC informed as to the progress of research and coursework. Both the Candidacy exam Committee and the Final Oral Exam Committee must include a faculty representative appointed by the Graduate School. The Graduate Faculty Representative for general and final examinations may be recommended to the Graduate School by the student's advisor, but cannot be a member of the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science or of the SAC.
          It is important to keep the SAC informed of the student's progress in both coursework and research. It is recommended that the student meet twice each year with their advisory committee, but there are times when the student is required to meet with the assembled SAC:

1. to prepare the Graduate Course Program (prior to the end of the second quarter)
2. to present the research proposal (may be combined with #1)
3. for the Candidacy Exam (PhD only)
4. two quarters prior to graduation
5. for the final oral exam (PhD) or the Master's Exam
6. or thesis or dissertation approval (usually combined with #5)

          The SAC is expected to continue as the PhD Candidacy exam Committee, the MS Thesis or PhD Dissertation Reading Committee, and the Master's Exam or PhD Final Examination Committee, but the membership of these committees can be altered following approval by the GSC. Students receiving the MS degree and continuing study for the PhD degree may have an entirely different SAC for the second degree.
          The student is ultimately responsible for scheduling SAC meetings, oral and written exams, distributing manuscripts to the reading committee, and for obtaining appropriate forms from the Graduate School and for returning them.