Department of Animal and Range Sciences

South Dakota State University

GUIDELINES FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

(September 1996; rev. June 2005)

1.         Graduate students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in their major and minor (or supporting course work) at the end of the second semester of graduate school to be on assistantship.  If after the first semester the student has a GPA <3.0, they will be placed on departmental academic probation.  The student will receive formal notification that they are on probation prior to the start of the next semester and that the failure to raise the cumulative GPA to ≥ 3.0 by the end of the next semester will mean withdrawal of the assistantship and change to Special Status.  During the second semester, courses used to raise the student’s GPA must be on the Plan of Study.  The Plan of Study must be approved and on file no later the end of the second semester of enrollment. If after two semesters a student must be reclassified as a Special Student, the terms for being reinstated as Unconditional will accompany the formal notification.  Reinstatement of an assistantship will require re-evaluation by the Department Head after terms for meeting Unconditional status have been met.  When it is necessary to terminate an assistantship, this will occur at the end of the month that the semester ends.

2.         Expected completion time:        M.S. – 2 years

                                                            Ph.D. – 3 years

3.         Ph.D and M.S. students will have a thesis/dissertation committee organized and a Plan of Study submitted by the end of the first academic year.  The department requires that filing or changing a Plan of Study for either M.S. or Ph.D. degree requires a meeting of, and approval by, the student’s graduate committee.  

4.         Ph.D. and M.S. students will undergo yearly evaluation by their committee during the month of May.

5.         Ph.D. and M.S. students will present their proposed research project to their committee by their first annual evaluation meeting.

6.         Thesis and Dissertation Format:  The Animal and Range Sciences Department thesis/dissertation format includes a single abstract, literature review and conclusion that addresses the complete body of research and total scope of the work.  Journal manuscripts which deal with more specific areas of the research may be used as chapters in the thesis or dissertation.  Intended journal style and form will be used within this document.  However, the same journal format should be used throughout each chapter.

7.         M.S. students must present at least two seminars during their program, one for credit on a subject other than their thesis topic and one non-credit presenting their research results.  The non-credit seminar will be given after taking the written comprehensive exam and before final orals are taken.  Ph.D. students must present at least three seminars during their Ph.D. program, two for credit (non-thesis) and one non-credit on their dissertation.  Scheduling is to be as stated for M.S. program.

8.         M.S. students are required to take a written exam normally administered during their third academic semester* or as soon thereafter as determined appropriate by the committee.  The exam will be written and administered by the student’s graduate committee.  The committee will give feedback to the student on their performance in a timely manner following completion of the exam.

            The following applies to the exam:

            a.         It will primarily cover material from the student’s Plan of Study.

            b.         It is not a pass/fail exam but will be used to evaluate the student’s:

                        1)         ability to think and synthesize facts

                        2)         written expression

                        3)         potential for satisfactory completion of the degree

                        4)         basic understanding of their field

Although the M.S. written exam is not pass/fail, unsatisfactory performance as evaluated by the student’s graduate committee, together with poor performance academically and in assistantship duties, can be grounds for termination.

9.         Ph.D. comprehensive exams will follow guidelines shown in the graduate catalog.

10.       Each candidate will have their thesis/dissertation research results prepared for submission to an appropriate refereed journal (or at least have the first draft of such handed into the major advisor) at the time of signing of the final oral exam certificate.

* Academic semester is considered Fall and Spring.  Summer session does not count toward this.

(The above policy is intended to supplement the guidelines found in the current graduate catalog and not to replace them.)

Department of Animal and Range Sciences

South Dakota State University

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

(September 1996; rev. June 2005)

Welcome to the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at South Dakota State University.  The Animal and Range Sciences Graduate Student Organization has prepared this handout to help the graduate student become familiar with the rules and regulations of the department.  It is hoped that this handout may prove useful in making it easier to adjust to the graduate program here.

Most of the statements apply to the students on assistantship.  However, unsupported graduate students should consider themselves guided by many of the same rules and regulations.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE DEPARTMENT

Most of the graduate assistantships in this department are awarded on a one-half time basis.  This means that half of the student’s time should be devoted to efforts on behalf of South Dakota State University.  In terms of hours per week, this would approximate 20 hours of work based on a 40-hour week, not including course work, study time or thesis research efforts.

Graduate students are generally expected to be in the office between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm during the Fall and Spring school terms and during the summer unless in class or participating in research projects.  Whenever a student must depart from this normal schedule, he/she should keep his/her major professor informed.

In most instances the graduate student’s contribution to the ongoing program of the department will center primarily on research relating to his/her thesis problem and closely allied research.  Frequently the graduate student may be asked by the major professor for help with other research and in the classroom.  This should be considered a part of the student’s training as well as a responsibility.  Many former graduate students find themselves in teaching positions following graduation and in these instances have found this experience most helpful and adds strength to their resume.  Generally speaking, most graduate students will help teach one course per semester.

HOLIDAYS

Graduate student holidays are the same as the staff and not those of the students.  These holidays include:  Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Native American Day, President’s Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.  The Governor may also declare other days as holidays such as the day after Thanksgiving.

SALARY

Pay day is the last working day of the month.  Pay checks are automatically deposited and check stubs are placed in the student’s mailbox.  The level of the stipends of assistantships will vary from year to year.

ASSIGNMENT OF OFFICE SPACE

The graduate offices consist of two large rooms located on the second floor of the Animal Science Complex in which individual cubicles and conventional desks are available.  When a space becomes available, assignment is based on seniority, with those graduate students on assistantships having priority.  The attitude among the graduate students is to have these rooms remain clean, pleasant and conducive to studying.

DEPARTMENTAL PRIVILEGES

In addition to the vehicles present at each livestock unit, the department has a pickup truck available for hauling supplies to and from the units and the Animal Science Complex.  The key for this truck may be obtained from a departmental secretary.  Individuals must have a valid driver’s license.

A copy machine is available.  Personal copies for faculty and graduate students are 10¢ per copy.  Copies used for projects or teaching may be charged to those accounts.  The supply room has paper, pencils and other articles available for use in carrying out teaching and research responsibilities.

Each graduate student is given a key to the Animal Science Complex which will provide access to the building as well as the graduate student office.  Other keys to various parts of the building may be secured as they are needed for research and teaching responsibilities.

Graduate assistants will be supplied with secretarial assistance for the following situations:

1.  For course work when serving as a teaching assistant.  Work through the secretary assigned to the faculty member in charge of the course.

2.  For course work when the graduate assistant is the lead instructor.  The secretary will be assigned depending on other work loads.

3.  For research materials that are done at the request of the major professor and is to be given to the information assistant.

4.  For slides and posters that are being prepared for presentation at meetings.

Secretarial assistance will not be supplied by the department for:

1.  Tables and graphs for seminar presentations, classes outside of the department and theses/dissertations.

2.  Personal non-job related correspondence.

3.  Job applications, resumes, etc.

If there are questions about what is appropriate, please bring them to the attention of the major professor.

Graduate students are eligible for per diem expenses which may occur from travel to outlying research stations.  Check with your major professor about the procedures.  Per diem from central departmental funds is not provided to attend professional meetings, but may be provided by the major professor from other appropriate sources.  However, departmental funds are often provided to cover group graduate student transportation.

DEPARMENT LIBRARY

A limited reference library in the Animal Science Complex is available during office hours.  Consult the secretary in charge about checking out material.  Prompt return of this material will minimize frustrations over references that are temporarily unavailable due to their use by others.

Graduate students are urged to consider membership in the American Society of Animal Science, the Society of Range Management, or the American Meat Science Association at a reduced student affiliate rate.  Your major advisor can aid in your application for membership.

SEMINARS

All Plans of Study include seminar credit.  Due to the diversity of interests in the department, not all seminar topics may pertain directly to one’s area.  Nevertheless, all graduate students are expected to attend regularly as this is an excellent time and place to broaden one’s knowledge in animal and range sciences.

GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION