The Master of Science (MS) is a research degree that requires the submission of a written thesis. The Plan A program is intended to further a student’s graduate studies, either leading to a PhD or successful entry to careers as researchers and technicians.
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
MS Plan A students must secure a Graduate Advisor by the end of the first semester, or will default to a Plan B. Students must form a committee by the end of the second semester. For MS students, committees should consist of three or more members.
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.
Summary of Degree Requirements
Master of Science | Plan A
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Coursework
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits as follows:
- A total of 24 credit hours of coursework, with at least 12 credits from courses numbered 600 and above (excluding TPSS 699 and 700)
- A minimum of 6 credit hours of thesis preparation TPSS 700
Core Competencies
All MS students are required to complete at least:
- At lease one course that meets the Statistical and Quantitative Reasoning (QR) competency.
- At least one course that meets the Molecular, Chemical or Biochemical competency (MB).
These competencies are broadly defined and the student and their Graduate Committee can choose from a number of suggested courses that will meet these competencies.
Required Courses
- Communications in the Sciences (TPSS 654)
- Information Research Skills (TPSS 652)
Seminar
All students must take Graduate Seminar (TPSS 667) every academic semester in which they are registered as full-time or equivalent for up to 4 semesters.
Lecture Requirement
All MS 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.
Proposal Defense
MS Plan A students are required to give a public thesis proposal seminar, preferably by the second semester. Students should schedule the proposal with their full committee and work with the department secretary to appropriately publicize the seminar.
Thesis Defense and Final Examination
MS Plan A students are required to pass a final examination. 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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