Agriculture and Environmental Sciences: Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Concentration, PhD

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Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Louis Jackai Email: lejackai@ncat.edu Phone: (336)285-4837
Department Chair: Dr. Gregory Goins Email: gdgoins@ncat.edu Phone: (336)285-2191

Sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of plant and animal production practices with a site- specific application that will, over the long term, satisfy human food and fiber needs, enhance environmental quality, make the most efficient use of natural resources, sustain the economic viability of farm operations, and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole. The goal of sustainable agriculture is to attain healthy environment, economic profitability, and social and economic equity, with minimal negative impact on the environment.

The PhD in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences concentration ‘Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (SAES)’ is designed and delivered in a way that builds capabilities in core analytical, conceptual, communications and research skills, as well as provide the knowledge base required to develop careers in the broad area of sustainable agriculture and environmental sciences. The SAES concentration will produce scientists who will integrate knowledge in plant science, natural resources, soil science, microbiology, crop science, agronomy, Integrated Pest Management, biotechnology, economics, biological engineering, environmental science, etc., to teach, conduct research and practice agriculture that is environment friendly, while maintaining food security and profitability in the 21st century and beyond.

Additional Admission Requirements

At least one degree in a Food, Agricultural, Biological or Environmental Science or closely related discipline.
Master of Science degree from one of the aforementioned areas with a cumulative GPA of 3.3.
A Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Aptitude Exam score
A Personal Statement, current vita, and three professional letters of recommendation (at least one from a former faculty advisor)

Program Outcomes

The program will prepare graduates to:

Apply their critical thinking skills to solve complex issues impacting sustainable agriculture and environmental sciences
Demonstrate effective communication skills through project and dissertation work and conference presentations.
Conduct research or undertake advanced projects in an area of sustainable agriculture and environmental sciences
Be active and effective leaders in their professional societies and will demonstrate and model disciplinary expertise.

Core Courses

AGRI 885 - Special Topics in AGRI SCI 3 Credit(s)
FCS 736 - Res Meth in Food and Nutrition 4 Credit(s)
OR
ABM 725 - Research Methods in Food & Agricultural Sciences 3 Credit(s)
AGRI 892 - Research Tec and Proc in Ag Sc 3 Credit(s)
ABM 705 - Statistical Meth for Agri 3 Credit(s)
AGRI 880 - Agricultural Research Rotation 3 Credit(s)

Credits Hours: 15

Choose 18 Credits From Specialized Area

Credits Hours: 18

Electives*

Credits Hours: 15

Other Required Courses

AGRI 993 - Supervised Teaching/Professional Development 3 Credit(s) (New)
AGRI 992 - Graduate Seminar 2 Credit(s) (New)
AGRI 997 - Doctoral Dissertation 1 to 12 Credit(s) (New)

Credits Hours: 17

Total Degree Requirements: 65

**Students who did not take a statistics course within their Master’s Degree program will take an introductory statistics class in lieu of one Elective Area course.**

AGRI 999 - Contin of Thesis in Ag Educ 1 Credit(s)
Doctoral Qualifying Exam
Preliminary Exam
Dissertation Defense

Other Requirements and Responsibilities:

Students are responsible for reading and understanding all University, The Graduate College, CAES, and Department and laboratory policies. Students in consultation with major advisor and committee must complete all the required training including but not limited to training modules required by the Graduate College, all the appropriate safety and/or compliance training, as necessary. NOTE: Proof of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols must be submitted for all graduate student projects to be in compliance, and proof is required to be cleared for graduation.

Dissertation Research:

A student may not register for dissertation credits before passing Qualifying Examination. No more than 12 dissertation credits are counted toward the total credit hours requirement for the degree.

Qualifying Examination:

The Qualifying Examination is given to assess the student’s competence in a broad range of relevant subject areas. Only students with unconditional status and in good academic standing may take the Qualifying Examination. A student who wants to retake the Qualifying Examination must apply to retake the Qualifying Examination by the posted deadline. No student is permitted to take the Qualifying Examination more than twice. A student not recommended for re-examination or who fails the exam on a second attempt may be dismissed from the doctoral program. Passing is determined by the student’s graduate advisory committee