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M.S. Degree Requirements

The M.S. program is intended to provide a student with training in the fundamental skills and knowledge required of a research scientist in a chosen scientific discipline, an opportunity to develop and demonstrate these skills by completing a research project and thesis based on the project, and an opportunity to acquire limited teaching experience.

Students in the M.S. program are required to: 1) complete the 30-credit requirement established by the Graduate School, including a minimum of 6 credits (10 maximum) of PBIO 899 (Master's Thesis); 2) write a thesis based on original field and/or laboratory research; 3) present a seminar based on the thesis research at a departmental seminar; and 4) pass an oral thesis defense.

GUIDANCE COMMITTEE

Each student must consult with his or her M.S. program advisor at or before the beginning of their first semester to arrange a course schedule for the semester. A Guidance Committee of three members will be appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School upon recommendation by the advisor and Graduate Program Coordinator (see Master's Supervisory Committee Form, p. 19). This committee will be established during the student’s first semester of residence in the department. The committee will assist the student in designing a complete program of courses and supervise the direction of the research. The student is required to schedule meetings at least once each year to review the student’s academic and research progress and to discuss whether adjustments in the program are necessary. Research and courses accepted by the Guidance Committee shall be included in the “Report of the Guidance Committee” (form attached), which must be signed by the student and committee members and submitted to the Graduate Program Coordinator for filing in the department’s graduate student files.

TEACHING REQUIREMENT

All M.S. students are required to assist in teaching a minimum of one semester in a Plant Biology or Biology course. A student may satisfy this teaching requirement either through an appointment as a TA or, in the event no teaching assistantship is available, by registering for PBIO 995R (Teaching in Plant Biology) for one semester.

MASTER'S THESIS

A thesis is required of all M.S. students. The format of the thesis is determined by guidelines printed in the “Thesis and Dissertation Manual” available from the Graduate School Office and/or web site (www.gradschool.unh.edu). Five bound copies of the thesis are required: two for the Graduate School (to be deposited in the UNH library, one for deposit in the department's collection of theses, one for the student’s advisor, and one for the student. These copies are submitted to the Graduate School unbound, along with a check to cover the binding fee).

The department maintains a collection of theses in Spaulding G-28 (meeting room). Perusal of past theses is helpful as models for presentation styles.

THESIS DEFENSE

Each student must pass a thesis defense, which will be administered by the Guidance Committee. The thesis defense lasts approximately two hours and will cover the thesis research and related literature. The thesis defense must be completed at least two weeks before the thesis submission deadline set by the Graduate School for a particular semester.