The candidate may not take the final examination until all requirements for the degree have been satisfied. A student must submit a petition to graduate to the Department within the first 6 weeks of the semester they plan to complete their final exam. At least 3 weeks before the exam, the student should request the Graduate School via a Department secretary to issue a warrant authorizing the final examination. The results of the examination are recorded on the warrant and the warrant is returned by the student to the Graduate School. A copy of the signed warrant must be given to the Department.
Original research includes comprehensive and original interpretations of the literature.
It must be approved by the Major Advisor under whose guidance it has been produced and by the Examination Committee. For a major in Soil Science the Master's examination is conducted by the Major Advisor and two other Department of Soil Science faculty members subject to approval by the Certification Committee. At least three different subject matter areas in Soil Science must be represented. More than three committee members may be needed to satisfy this requirement. Candidates for a joint major need at least two faculty members from the Department of Soil Science.