ACADEMIC STANDING
Students in the Graduate Program are expected to maintain a "B" average (3.0). Failure to do so can result in dismissal from the Program. Students are placed on probation by the Graduate College when their GPA falls below 3.0. A student whose cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters will be converted to non-degree status. Programs may allow students to take additional course work while in non-degree status. In order to graduate, the student must apply for readmission to the Graduate College through their graduate department. Readmission is not guaranteed. Students who do not maintain a 3.0 GPA are not eligible for assistantships of any kind, cannot be recommended for scholarships and cannot be recommended for the award of an advanced degree. The Graduate College expects the Department to monitor any remedial/corrective measures to ensure that the students address their problems.

ROTATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
The Department of Plant Sciences offers the opportunity for rotations in faculty research programs. In consultation with their Provisional Advisory Committees, students should contact the prospective faculty hosts either prior to or very early in the first semester to schedule rotations. It is essential for the student and the Rotation Hosts to spend time defining the specifics of the rotation.

The Purpose of rotating through various host laboratories is to:

1. Enable the student to identify a suitable laboratory for thesis/dissertation research,

2. Expose the student to various disciplines within the field of plant sciences and to techniques that may be useful in the course of her/his research, and

3. Enable the student to identify faculty who might be suitable members for the student's preliminary examination and thesis/dissertation committees.

These rotations will also aid the student in the selection of a Major Advisor.

Receive Credit for Lab Rotations:

Ph.D. and M.S. students receiving departmental funding are required to rotate labs prior to selecting a major advisor. Specific dates will be set for the beginning and end of the rotation period. Students may receive up to three (3) units of credit per semester for work completed during the rotations, and will receive a grade of S,P,C,D,E,I or W.

In addition, at the end of each rotation, the student and the Rotation Host will meet to discuss various aspects of the rotation. At this meeting, results will be presented to the Rotation Host either orally or in written form. A summary of each rotation will be included in the student's Annual Graduate Student Progress Report. The Provisional Mentor will consult with the rotation host(s) to assign the grade for the lab rotation(s).

Number and duration of lab rotations:

M.S. students should complete two, seven-week rotations by the end of the first semester in residence.

PhD students should complete three nine (9) week rotations by the end of their first academic year in residence.

Students receiving funding from a faculty grant are also encouraged to consider rotations, however, the student and the Major Advisor will make the final decision.


LANGUAGE SKILLS
One of the most important factors affecting the success of students who are not native English-speakers in graduate studies is their language ability. Consequently, it is the obligation of students with English as a second language to strive to improve their skills as soon as possible during their stay in the Department. International Teaching Assistants are required to pass a TSE test. Many faculty consider success in meeting the University and Departmental language proficiency requirements to be a necessary criteria for acceptance into their programs. Failure to do so may not only impact their academic performance but also might mean that students are unable to find a Major Advisor by the end of their first year.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE POLICY
Graduate students may request a temporary leave of absence from the Graduate Program.

Leaves of Absence (LOAs) may affect the status of a graduate student’s financial aid. Students are responsible for determining the requirements of their funding agency and/or academic unit prior to applying for a Leave of Absence. Failure to obtain a Leave of Absence or remain in continuous enrollment will result in penalties, as described in the Continuous Enrollment policy requirements.

Academic Leaves
Academic LOAs (i.e., leaves to take course work at another university, for research, field work, internships, professional development, etc.) are handled on a case-by-case basis by the student’s department and the Graduate College.

Medical Leaves
With appropriate documentation from their medical provider, graduate students in degree programs may be granted a Medical Leave of Absence by the Dean of the Graduate College. Under extraordinary circumstances, LOAs may be granted retroactively for up to one year. Students will be readmitted without reapplying to the department and the Graduate College. Only when the LOA is approved prior to the beginning of the semester for which the LOA is being sought will students be exempted from fees for that semester. Only academic services or facilities available to the general public can be used during the LOA.

Personal Leaves
Graduate students in degree programs may be granted a Leave of Absence for a maximum of one year throughout the course of their degree program by the Dean of the Graduate College. LOAs may be granted retroactively for up to one year. LOAs are granted on a case-by-case basis for compelling reasons including birth or adoption of a child, personal or family reasons, medical reasons, military duty, or financial hardship. Students will be readmitted without reapplying to the department and the Graduate College at the expiration of the LOA. Only when the LOA is approved prior to the beginning of the semester for which the LOA is being sought will students be exempted from fees for that semester. Only academic services or facilities available to the general public can be used during the LOA.

LEAVING THE PROGRAM
Students may resign from the Graduate Program at any time. To reenter the program, the student must petition the Graduate Program Oversight Committee; acceptance will depend upon issues such as past performance, funding availability, and whether there is an advisor willing to accept the student in his/her laboratory.

DISMISSAL FROM THE PROGRAM
Students can be dismissed from a faculty member's research program at any time their Major Advisor (in consultation with the student's Advisory Committee) determines that the student is not making acceptable progress.

Students can be terminated from the Graduate Program of this Department by their Advisory Committee for the following reasons:

1. Failure to meet minimum academic standards
2. Failure to make acceptable progress in their degree work
3. Failure to meet generally acceptable ethical standards of the University
4. Failure on the comprehensive exam
5. Failure during the thesis/dissertation defense

It is the obligation of the student to ensure that they are complying with University and Departmental guidelines with respect to these aspects of their education. If students are unsure or concerned about their status within the Department, they should consult with their Major Advisor, the Graduate Program Coordinator, or the Department Head.

GRADUATE STUDENT CLUB
The Department of Plant Sciences encourages all graduate students to participate in The Plant Sciences Graduate Student Club. In addition to holding several social events throughout the year, the Club has monthly meetings to discuss matters of interest to graduate students in the Department.