Graduate Program

Welcome

The Department of Soil and Crop Sciences provides a stimulating education and research experience for students seeking M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in soil and crop sciences. Graduate programs are developed in applied and basic sciences to understand soil, crop and environmental systems, to improve production and management efficiency of food, feed, and biomass crops, and apply soil and crop sciences to problems of environmental quality.

For more information:

Contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator: Dr. Pat Byrne

Graduate Procedures Handbook - Department of Soil & Crop Sciences(PDF)

CSU Graduate School Home Page

 Apply to Graduate School

 

Fellowships Available

 

Please contact individual faculty members regarding availability of funding.

 

Programs of Study

Each student with his or her graduate advisory committee will develop a program of study including coursework and a research project in one of the following areas.

 

  • Plant Breeding and Genetics 

Graduate studies in plant breeding and genetics involve a number of crop species, with emphasis on those of major importance to Colorado and the western United States. Programs include basic genetic studies, plant breeding methods, genetic mapping of qualitative and quantitative traits, population genetics, molecular genetics, inheritance of pest tolerance and nutritional characters, biotechnology risk assessment, and statistical applications in plant breeding and genetics.

Visit the Plant Genomics, Biotechnology, Genetics, and Breeding Page

 

  • Soil Science 

Graduate programs are available in a number of specializations within the field of soil science. Included are: soil genesis and classification, soil chemistry, soil fertility and precision nutrient management, soil ecology, soil microbiology, and soil physics. A student may choose a combination of specialties to address complex issues, including those related to global climate change, environmental fate and transport of organic and inorganic contaminants, and environmental impacts of land use change.

Visit the Soil Science Page

 

  • Agroecosystems Management 

Programs in agroecosystem management emphasis a systems research approach that balances ecology and management. Students can pursue specializations in soil and crop management, dryland agroecosystems, irrigation management, precision crop and nutrient management, forage based systems, and crop development.

Visit the Agroecosystems Management Page

 

General Requirements for Admission

It is expected that students accepted into a graduate program of the department will have a strong background in the basic sciences relevant to their concentration, or make up any deficiencies after admission. A minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for admission, although the Graduate School may waive this requirement in exceptional cases. The department does not require GRE scores. Graduate applications will be evaluated based on the written statement of purpose, transcripts, and letters of reference. CSU Online Graduate Application

 

Facilities

Departmental facilities include recently renovated laboratories for research in plant genetics and genomics, grain quality, soil chemistry, soil microbiology, soil physics, and pedology. Service laboratories for soil and seed testing are part of the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, and additional campus laboratories provide biochemical analysis and genomics services. Greenhouses and growth chambers are available on campus. Facilities for field research include a 200-acre research center in Fort Collins, and additional research centers located throughout the state’s agricultural regions. Shared offices and a computer lab are available for the department’s graduate students.

 

Affiliated Programs

Several interdisciplinary programs and affiliated organizations are available on or near campus for collaborative studies. These include the following:

CSU Programs

Cell and Molecular Biology Program

Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station

Cooperative Extension

Graduate Degree Program in Ecology

Natural Resources Ecology Laboratory

Peace Corps Master’s International Program

Program in Molecular Plant Biology

Shortgrass Steppe Long-term Ecological Research Project

The Water Center


USDA Units

Central Great Plains Research Station, Akron CO

Great Plains Systems Research Unit

National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Soil Plant Nutrient Research Laboratory

Sugarbeet Research Unit

Water Management Research Unit

 

 

Local Information

About Fort Collins

 

Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, C127 Plant Sciences, (Campus Delivery 1170) Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170
Phone: 970-491-6517, Fax: 970-491-0564 Our url: www.soilcrop.colostate.edu Comments: SCS Webmaster
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Updated July 30, 2008