The Department has 50 graduate faculty members, about 65 graduate students, and various postdoctoral fellows and visiting scientists. The faculty have national and international reputations in their specialties and are dedicated to providing students with individualized training to address the many challenges that face agriculture today and in the future. Students work closely with major professors in their specialty and supervisory committees to plan and complete the graduate program. The large number of faculty and the diversity of their research interests permit substantial flexibility in graduate training.
Graduate programs impart a broad spectrum of knowledge and develop independent thought.
They combine academic courses, individualized study, and original research to accommodate the interests and objectives of students. The programs provide firm backgrounds in subject matter principles and investigative techniques, which students use to conduct research that advances knowledge and understanding of the subject. Research findings are prepared in thesis or dissertations for graduate degrees and are published in scientific journals.