Plant and Soil Sciences (PhD)

Program Educational Goals:

Scientific Competency

1. Students will demonstrate a high level of knowledge in their respective subject area (i.e., plant science and/or soil science) and appropriate subdisciplines (e.g., biogeochemistry, ecosystem ecology, molecular plant biology, plant pathology, soil chemistry, soil microbiology, soil physics, etc.) through analysis of literature, integration of their research into the context of previous work, and critical thinking about the broader implications of their work as it pertains to their field of study.
2. Students will develop and use appropriate field or laboratory procedures, protocols, and experiments along with computational tools to collect, analyze, and report their data and/or research results.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the scientific method by formulating hypotheses, designing relevant experiments, validating methodology, and critically evaluating and interpreting findings appropriately.
4. Students will produce a significant, novel research contribution to their discipline.

Communication Skills

1. Students will demonstrate an ability to write scientific documents, manuscripts and reports, organizing their data in a well interpreted clear fashion - with the ability for adaptation to various audiences.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate orally or visually (in-person) and defend their hypotheses, concepts, and ideas through various demonstration methods, such as talks, posters, and presentations.
3. Students will demonstrate proficiency in and awareness of appropriate software use for their discipline.

Ethics and Professional Development

1. Students will have a clear understanding of the importance of ethical practice in scientific research in all steps of experimentation and methodology. 
2. Students will demonstrate proper research ethics in their data collection, analysis, and reporting.
3. Students will develop unbiased critical thinking skills and will understand the role that ethics play in the societal view of science and research.
4. Students will gain personal and professional skills through individual and team-based research, teaching, or extension activities. 
5. Students will develop professional empathy and openness to diverse ideas and perspectives.
6. Students will develop additional social and professional skills through networking, seminar presentations, presentations to scientific or general audiences, and/or attendance at professional meetings.
7. Students will participate in career exploration in academics, government, industry, and allied occupations.
8. Students will participate in a teaching experience (e.g., teaching assistant, guest lecturer, course or curriculum design, development of teaching materials, instruction of peers, or extension/outreach education) to increase communication skills and improve marketability of graduates.