In addition to the general graduate student responsibilities, read the section on Requirements for Graduate Degrees/GENERAL INFORMATION in the Graduate Studies Bulletin. Keep in mind that, unlike the Master of Science degree, the Doctoral degree is given primarily for the attainment of scholarship in a specialized field and for independent research in a subdivision of this field. Passing courses and fulfilling residency requirements is not enough.

Degree Requirements
Ninety credits are required for graduation with 15 to 20 (or so) being thesis hours and 20 to 30 credits (usually) being applicable from the Master of Science degree. At least half of the required course work for the Ph.D. must be taken in Horticulture. Additionally, credits must be attained in either a foreign language or by mastering a research tool. The proposed list of courses, the list of courses the student has already taken (both at UNL and elsewhere) and the research proposal should be given to the committee members in advance of the initial meeting. At this initial meeting, a qualifying exam may also be given. See your major advisor for the specifics regarding this exam.

Once a substantial part of the course and thesis work is completed, the student must take a written comprehensive exam. Questions are solicited by the major advisor. Some departments such as Biometrics hold written comprehensive exams once each semester. Call them or contact your major professor for more information. Oral examinations are at the discretion of the major advisor. Once the written comprehensive and the language or tool requirement is fulfilled, the supervisory committee recommends, via a written report to the Graduate College, that the student be admitted as a candidate for the Ph.D. degree. This report must be filed at least seven months before the final oral thesis defense.

Graduate students who are admitted to candidacy must continue to register for thesis credits until the degree is obtained. If 3 years or more elapse from the time of admission to candidacy until the final oral exam, then the written exam must be retaken. Final copies of the thesis must be submitted to members of the reading committee at least 4 weeks before the scheduled oral final exam. Also, 2 copies of the dissertation, 2 copies of the approved (by the reading committee) thesis and abstract plus the application for the final oral exam (defense) must be filed with the graduate office 2 weeks before the final exam. Other committee members should also receive a copy of the thesis at this time. See page 33 of the Graduate Studies Bulletin for specifics on the format for the dissertation. Format can be `journal article' style or standard. See your advisor as to their preference.

Once the final exam is passed two copies of the dissertation, one copy of the final abstract, a signed agreement for microfilming plus $30 must be given to the Dean of Libraries who will give you a receipt. This receipt along with the form signed by the supervisory committee should be brought back to the Graduate College. IN ADDITION, a diskette copy of the student's thesis should be given to the seminar coordinator, for filing in the department archives. A printed copy is also requested for the Horticulture Department Library currently located in the Conference room.

Major Advisor and Supervisory Committee
The major advisor and at least 3 members of the Supervisory Committee must be Fellows of the Graduate Faculty. All committee members must be Members or Fellows of the graduate faculty and at least one of the Fellows must be in a department other than Horticulture. (This committee member serves as the Graduate Faculty Representative.)