The Master in Plant and Soil Studies (MPSS) is to prepare students to enter the advanced workforce, with careers in education, agribusiness, extension service, and other agricultural-related occupations. The Plan B path is regarded as a terminal degree in this Master Level graduate program and does not require a written thesis.
Student Learning Objectives
General Expertise
Demonstrate proficiency in evaluating, synthesizing, and applying theoretical and technical knowledge to advance solutions to societal problems, particularly in the context of tropical regions in the pacific realm.
Scientific method
Conceptualize and construct scientific hypotheses, define and conduct original research to critically evaluate them, analyze and synthesize experimental results, and derive appropriate conclusions that advance tropical plant and soil sciences.
Effective Communication
Effectively present research and results in written and oral forms to both general and scientific audiences.
Ethics
Demonstrate personal characteristics in ethics, leadership, management, and human relations appropriate to professional and community-based practice in careers related to tropical plant and soil sciences.
Graduate Advisor and Committee
MPSS students must secure a Graduate Advisor as soon as possible. The Graduate Chair will act as the default advisor until a suitable advisor is identified. The student must form a committee by the end of the second semester. If a committee has not been established by the end of the second semester, the advisor, with the approval of the Graduate Chair, shall guide the student on course selection, research projects, and all other requirements to ensure successful progression in the program until a permanent graduate program committee is established.
Degree Requirements
Master in Plant and Soil Studies | Plant B
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Coursework
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits as follows:
- A minimum of 18 credits from courses numbered 600 and above (core courses)
- 12 elective credits, with at least 6 credits from 600 level courses
- A minimum of 3 credit hours of TPSS 695 Plan B Master’s Project
Core Courses
All MSS students are required to complete the following core course:
- TPSS 603 Experimental Design
- TPSS 614 Molecular Genetics of Crops
- TPSS 652 Information Research Skills
- TPSS 654 Communications in the Sciences
- TPSS 674 Plant Growth and Development
- TPSS 604 Advanced Soil Microbiology OR TPSS 650 Soil Plant Nutrient Relations
Seminar
All students must take Graduate Seminar (TPSS 667) once every academic year in which they are registered as full-time student or equivalent. An exception can be made during the final semester in which the dissertation or thesis defense is given.
Lecture Requirement
All MSS students are required to lead one instructional activity in a UHM course during their program. This activity cannot be a presentation of the student’s graduate research. The student will be evaluated by the faculty teaching the course, and this evaluation will be added to the student’s file.
Research Ethics Training
All graduate students are required to take UHM’s Responsible Conduct of Research, an online
research ethics training. Please refer to the Office of Research Compliance website for more information
Capstone Project
The deliverable(s) of the capstone should consist of a product that reflects the experience of the capstone in a rigorous way, and may be met activities such as: extensive literature review, art exhibition, produced video, art work, poster, exhibition, protocol, extension material (e.g. article, bulletin, recommendation), or research report.
The specific format and deliverable(s) of the capstone must be developed in conjunction with, and approved by, the student’s graduate committee.
Final Examination
MPSS students are required to pass a final examination. A final oral examination on a course of study and project is required. The first part of the examination consists of a public seminar presentation and defense of the research, which is open to the public and is one hour in length. Following the presentation, the student will be examined in detail on the thesis content by their Graduate Committee. Students must work with office staff to advertise their final public seminar no later than two weeks prior to the exam.
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