Plant Science and Landscape Architecture

• Undergraduate Programs in Plant Science
• Undergraduate Program in Landscape Architecture
• Graduate Programs
• Faculty & Staff
• Research Areas
• Extension & Outreach
• Facilities
• Resources
• Search
• Site Map
• PSLA Home

Graduate Program: Advisement

Admission is dependent on the availability of at least one faculty member in the proposed major area of study who is willing to assume the responsibility of advising the student. To expedite this step, a prospective graduate student may wish to speak directly to a faculty member prior to or during the admissions process. After admission and during the first semester of study the graduate student should visit with all the faculty he or she would be interested in working with. Not later than the end of the first semester of study the student's Advisor will be formerly assigned. If more than one faculty member is willing to serve as the student's advisor, the student has the final choice of advisor. The assignment of an Advisor is generally made by the Graduate Coordinator in consultation with the Department's Graduate Committee, the prospective Advisor, and the student. Much of the success of a graduate education is dependent upon the close and effective relationship with the student and his or her Advisor.

As soon as possible after admission to the graduate program, the graduate student should contact his or her Advisor to begin discussions regarding the plan of study and research. Selection of the research problem requires particular care and effort. The research conducted should demonstrate the student's ability to do independent research, and should be sufficiently focused to permit completion in a timely fashion and publication in a scientific journal. Research problems are developed in consultation with the Advisor and Advisory Committee in an area of mutual interest.

Specific Guidelines for Advisors and Graduate Students:

1. Advisors are responsible for appointing an Advisory Committee for each entering graduate student. This committee will assist the student with the development of a plan of study, and with the planning and organization of thesis or dissertation research. Responsibility for compliance with Departmental and Graduate School requirements rests with the student under the guidance of the Advisor and Advisory Committee. Students should be familiar with Graduate School requirements as outlined in the current issue of the Graduate Catalog.
2. The Advisory Committee should be formed as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than the end of the second semester after the student's entry into the Department. This committee will ordinarily be nominated to serve as the student's Examining Committee, so it should be appointed with attention to Graduate School requirements for the composition of an Examining Committee. The function of the Advisory Committee is to provide guidance to the student in all aspects of the graduate program. It is important to establish a strong working relationship with the Advisory Committee, and the student is encouraged to make good use of the collective expertise of this group of faculty.
3. The Advisory Committee will meet with the student at a minimum of once each year to discuss the student's progress both academically and with respect to research. The minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) required by the Graduate School for graduation is 3.0, and grades below C are unacceptable for graduate credit. If a student's cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 at any time, the student must meet with the Advisory Committee as soon as possible in the semester following the occurrence of this deficiency. The purpose of this special meeting is to discuss the situation and to help the student set guidelines for its correction. A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below a 3.0 average for two consecutive semesters of enrollment will not be permitted to re-enroll, and the Department will recommend his/her admission status be terminated by the Graduate School.
4. The Student Data Form is to be completed (insofar as possible) immediately after entrance to the program, and filed with the Graduate Coordinator. Thereafter, it is to be updated annually and filed by November 1, or whenever significant changes or additions need to be made.
5. The appropriate (M.S. or Ph.D.) Plan of Study form is to be completed by the student no later than the end of the second semester of study. It should be approved and signed by the Advisor and Advisory Committee members before filing with the Graduate Coordinator.
6. A written Research Proposal is to be developed by the student with the assistance of the Advisory Committee. This will be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator by the end of the second semester of study. The Research Proposal should include a clear statement of purpose (objectives), a brief literature review, and a description of the experimental approach. A cover sheet signed by the student's Advisor and members of the Advisory. Committee indicating their approval of the Research Proposal must be attached when it is submitted. All research at the University must be conducted in accordance with federal guidelines and University policy regarding the use of vertebrate animals, the use of human subjects, and the use of materials that may pose biological or chemical hazards. When applicable, appropriate forms must be approved by the University committee prior to the initiation of any thesis-related research, and the approvals must be provided to the Graduate School at the time the student submits the Nomination of Examining Committee form. For non-thesis M.S. students, a plan for the required seminar papers must be prepared and submitted to the Department Graduate Coordinator by the end of the second semester.
7. Graduate students are strongly encouraged to develop research presentation skills by writing abstracts and presenting oral or poster presentations at local, regional, and national meetings of scientific societies. All students are expected to publish the results of their thesis or dissertation research in an appropriate refereed journal. Parts of the graduate research may be published prior to completion of the degree. Prior to completion of the graduate program, students are encouraged to have at least one manuscript from the thesis or dissertation submitted for publication.

Download the 28 page Graduate Program Handbook in PDF format (152kb). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. If you would like more information about the Graduate Program, please contact the NRSL Graduate Coordinator at pslagc@umd.edu

.