1) Literature Review
2) Objectives
3) Procedures (techniques, methods and materials needed to meet objectives)
4) Timetable
5) Facilities, Equipment and Budget Request

You should meet with your graduate committee at least once per year.
At the end of the first calendar year of residence, your progress will be reviewed. Should your research, class work or both prove unsatisfactory, you may be asked to leave. This decision is made by the major advisor with or without the advice of the student's committee (see Grievance Procedures).

Graduate credit is attained when a grade of B or better is earned in any 400/800 level course that is in the student's major department or area. In single-listed 800, 400/800 level courses not in the major department or area, or 900 level courses a grade of C or better is accepted for graduate level credit.

Graduate students requiring certification as full-time students (or to maintain health benefits in the summer) MUST be enrolled for at least 9 credit hours during an academic semester or at least 2 credit hours during the summer. This includes all students on graduate assistantships. The least expensive way to register in the summer is to register for one credit during the first and second 5-week sessions. The other alternative is to register for one credit during a 5-week session and one credit during the first 8-week session. Graduate students on fellowships (such as Fullbright) must register for 6 credit hours during the summer to comply with fellowship guidelines. Again it is not cost effective to register for 3 credits during each of the 5-week sessions. See Employment and Registration/GENERAL INFORMATION section (p. 17) of the Graduate Student Bulletin for further information.

Students should consult the Graduate Studies Bulletin for Masters and Doctoral Degree requirements, concerning comprehensive exam and thesis defense. Appropriate procedures and deadlines are outlined in this bulletin. Graduate students should reserve the Department Conference Room for their thesis defense. A typical thesis defense lasts at least two hours and are generally comprehensive in nature. After successful completion of the thesis defense, the student should file the final copy of the thesis with the Graduate College within the specified time limit as well as submit a diskette copy to the Horticulture Department Graduate Seminar Coordinator for the department archives. Students are also encouraged to file a bound copy in the department library.

Graduate students are expected to teach or assist in lab or lecture for at least one course per degree. The course does not have to be taught by your major professor, but must be a meaningful experience which allows the student to evaluate the experience and gain an appreciation for classroom and laboratory teaching. The experience must be acceptable to the major advisor.

Participating in Nebraska extension meetings and visitations to grower's operations can be an invaluable experience for graduate students. These opportunities, as well as more extensive involvement can be arranged on an individual basis. Please see Dr. Donald Steinegger or Dr. Laurie Hodges.
Also, graduate students can often attend free or for a minimal charge commodity group meetings for example Turf Field Day, Nebraska Florist's Society, Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association, and Vegetable Growers. Ask your major professor for the name of the individual coordinator.