NC STATE UNIVERSITY CROP SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAM REVIEW

NC STATE UNIVERSITY CROP SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAM REVIEW MARCH 17-21, 2002 Prepared by David A. Danehower Director of Graduate Programs Department of Crop Science Box 7620 Raleigh, NC 27695-7620 Tel. (919) 515-3667 Fax (919) 515-7959 David_Danehower@ncsu.edu

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Crop Science Graduate Program traces its history to the origins of NC State University and the Land Grant missions of research, teaching, and extension. Master of Science, Master of Crop Science, and Doctoral degrees are offered. Students can also obtain an M.S. in Functional Genomics, Master of Functional Genomics, Master of Bioinformatics, and Doctorates in Bioinformatics or Functional Genomics. There are 52 Crop Science Graduate Faculty including 11 USDA faculty. Our Graduate Program currently has 56 students in degree programs with 55% in M.S., 5% in M.C.S., and 40% in Ph.D. programs. Females account for 29%, foreign students 15%, and minorities 4% of total enrollment. Faculty chair or co-chair an additional 18 students in programs administered in other Departments. Our Weed Science and Plant Genetics programs enjoy international reputations. The addition of faculty in molecular biology has added breadth to the genetics programs. Weed Science has been strengthened by the recent addition of a Weed Biologist/Ecologist. This position and a pool of outstanding applicants from the Center for Environmental Farming Systems Intern Program have also added strength to our programs in Agro-ecology/Sustainable Agriculture. These applicants enhance other departmental programs as well. Physiology programs have been strengthened by the addition of a graduate Crop Physiology course. Funding for graduate education includes a new training grant in plant genetics, several fellowships, and new state funding for turfgrass research. Our ability to place students in the workforce has been high in both public and private sectors. The performance and esprit de corps of Crop Science graduate students is high. The College, University, and scientific societies continue to recognize our students for the excellence of their research and training. In 2001 the Crop Science Graduate Student Association inaugurated the Wernsman Graduate Seminar, featuring an internationally recognized scientist who speaks on critical issues in the agri-sciences. Attendance is drawn from the campus and regional agribusinesses. Other student initiatives include regular faculty-student coffee hours and outreach programs in the community such as school visits and participation in service projects such as Service-Raleigh. Challenges to the department include loss of expertise in cytogenetics, crop management, crop chemistry, and weed science due to changes in positions or retirements. These losses negatively impact our ability to teach several courses and limit research opportunities for students applying to our programs. Other limitations include a shortage of student office space, and historically low funding of TAs. The current balance of U.S. and international students, numbers of NC students in our programs, and low minority enrollment are concerns. A comprehensive review and revision of Crop Science graduate curricula has been underway since the spring 2001 semester. Crop Science Graduate Programs will continue to respond to challenges in the agricultural sciences based upon continued state, commodity organization, and grant funding for research and teaching assistantships, our ability to redefine and fill vacant positions, and adaptation of our curriculum in response to those challenges and student educational needs. 2

CROP SCIENCE GRADUATE PROGRAM REVIEW 2002 I. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 1.1 Program Title: Crop Science 1.2 Department Authorized to Offer Degree Programs: Crop Science 1.3 Exact Titles of Degrees Granted: Master of Crop Science Master of Science Doctor of Philosophy 1.4 College or School: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 1.5.1 Brief History and Aims: Graduate studies in Crop Science at NCSU have a long history. The roots of the Crop Science Department trace back to 1877, when research in crop production was begun near the current site of the University. In March 1887, in accordance with the Land Grant College (Morrill) Act of 1862, the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts was designated as the institution in North Carolina "where the leading object shall be... to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and mechanic arts." At that time, programs in the areas of field crop production, soil chemistry, and crop and soil management were included under the General Agriculture unit. The Agronomy Department grew steadily in the early 20th century with several Master s degrees granted by the late 1930's. The department awarded its first Ph.D. to Roy E. Blaser in 1947. In 1956, the Departments of Field Crops and Soil Science were established as separate entities. The Field Crops Department was responsible for research and teaching of all crop-related programs including Breeding and Genetic Improvement; Forage Crop Management; Crop Physiology; Weed Control; Chemistry of Crop Quality; and Seeds. In 1962 the faculty requested that the department s name be changed to its current designation, reflecting the development of the department as a center of both applied and basic research. Graduate enrollment at the time included 33 students, some of whom held joint appointments within the Departments of Genetics, Chemistry, and Botany. Research programs and graduate education expanded with an increase in grant funding from national and international funding sources as well as from a wide variety of commodity organizations. Between 1973 and 1983 the department awarded approximately 20 graduate degrees per year. Ph.D. degrees accounted for 37% of the total, 50% were M.S. degrees, and 13% were Master of Agriculture (non-thesis) degrees. During the 1983-84 academic year the department had a total of 104 students in its Graduate Program, reflecting a broad range of basic and applied research disciplines and commodities. A gradual decline in graduate enrollment occurred during the late 1980s and 1990s, accompanied by increases in the numbers of post-doctoral positions within the department. Presently, the NCSU Crop Science Department has 52 faculty, including 40 tenure track faculty and 12 faculty with joint USDA-ARS appointments. All of these faculty hold either Associate or Full Graduate Faculty status. A number of faculty also hold joint appointments and/or have chaired graduate student committees in other disciplines including Genetics, Animal Science, Botany, Horticultural Science, Statistics, Toxicology, and Plant Pathology. In addition, several 3

faculty hold graduate faculty appointments in the Biotechnology, Genomics, and Plant Physiology Interdepartmental Programs. 1.6 Degree Program Objectives The mission of the Crop Science Department is to conduct research on production and utilization of agronomic plants in an efficient and sustainable manner, educate students in the applied and basic sciences that relate to agronomic plants, and effectively disseminate agronomic information throughout the state, nation, and world. The diversity of graduate students from throughout the world contributes to the mission of the Department and College to expand the international emphasis of its programs. The Department s mission dovetails with that of the College of Agriculture and Life Science. That mission is to: 1) educate students for a lifetime of learning by engaging them in both the creation and acquisition of knowledge, 2) develop the knowledge and technology needed to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of industries in the agricultural and life sciences, 3) conserve and improve N.C. s natural resources and environment, and 4) improve the well being and quality of life of our citizens. The Crop Science Graduate Program includes areas of study related to row crops, forages, and turf at all levels of biological organization ranging from molecular and cellular to the whole plant and environmental levels. Research within the Department involves a mix of basic and applied studies, often within a single program. Major programmatic emphases include plant breeding, genetics, and molecular biology; plant chemistry, biochemistry, and physiology; agronomic production and management; agro-ecology and sustainable agriculture; turfgrass management; and weed management and biology. Crop Science faculty, staff, and students conduct research on important N.C. commodities including corn, cotton, forages, peanuts, small grains, soybeans, tobacco, and turfgrasses as well as several specialty crop species. Graduate education in Crop Science stresses the solution of basic and applied questions in the agronomic sciences. Crop Science faculty collaborate with faculty in other CALS departments and at other universities as well as with scientists at federal and international agencies. Crop Science graduate studies are wide-ranging and include environmental management, biotechnology, mathematical modeling of agricultural systems, the chemistry of plant natural products, turfgrass management, plant breeding and genetics, meat goat production, row crop production, and weed ecology, to name only a few. Notably, Crop Science graduate students participate in a number of inter-departmental and inter-institutional research programs. Several Crop Science graduate courses are cross-listed with other departments, indicative of the multi-disciplinary nature of the program. The educational experiences of Crop Science graduate students are grounded in the diverse research programs and the rigorous academic requirements of the department. Graduate students are expected to be creative members of professional research and education teams. Students are expected to assume responsibility for their programs of study and research immediately upon enrollment. Faculty and incoming students work together to identify research areas for investigation and determine the courses required for a successful program. Graduate students are strongly encouraged to present their research findings at regional, national, and international meetings and to publish their discoveries in peer-reviewed scientific journals. 4

The Master of Crop Science (M.C.S.) is a non-thesis degree program designed to prepare students for a career in agribusiness or extension. The degree emphasizes additional course work in lieu of thesis research. This degree is considered terminal and is not intended to prepare a student to continue his/her education toward a Ph.D. Programs in the M.C.S. are very flexible and designed to help students continue their education and find suitable employment in the job market. The Master of Crop Science degree program meets the demands of extension agents or individuals working in agriculture who are seeking the latest knowledge of modern agriculture methods for career advancement. The Master of Science (M.S.) is a research degree program that educates students through advanced studies and technical training. The degree is designed to prepare students for a Ph.D. program or to fill employment positions in research laboratories or agribusiness where advanced professional expertise is needed. M.S. graduates go on to careers as scientists, extension agents, agricultural consultants, program managers, technical representatives, and educators. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is a research degree program that prepares students for careers as leaders in academic, industrial or government research, development, or business environments. Independent and creative research is required as part of the degree requirements. The program requirements include essential course work, preliminary written and oral examinations, a dissertation based on original research, and a final oral exam. The department strongly encourages students to earn the M.S. degree before pursuing a Ph.D. degree. 1.7 Need and Satisfaction Crop Science is not a single focused discipline, but is instead an array of sub-disciplines with a common thread: a basic understanding of crop plants and the development of methods for the sustainable and profitable production of turf, field, and forage crops. The department places an emphasis on studies of the agricultural sciences and technology as they relate to the production and utilization of food and fiber by the people of North Carolina and the world. Agriculture continues to be an important contributor to the economy and well being of North Carolina. We strongly believe that continued research and sharing of our knowledge of plants and the methods for their successful agricultural production lies at the foundation of our society. There is no other graduate program in Crop Science in the State of North Carolina. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University has a Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education and a Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design. These Departments have a limited graduate program leading to Master of Science degrees in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Business, or Plant and Soil Science. Thus, the Crop Science Department and our sister department, Soil Science, play a crucial role in training and supplying agricultural scientists to our state and nation. Indicators of the high quality of the Crop Science Graduate Program include the quality of our faculty, the number and types of students that apply to the department (Appendix B, Tables 1-3), student success in their academic work, the numbers and quality of peer-reviewed publications based on the students research (Appendix O), the Awards and Honors received by our students (Appendix G), and the successful record of employment of our graduates (Appendix C and N). The department has a national and international reputation for both the quality of its Graduate Program and for the corresponding quality of its graduates. Former students hold leadership positions in academia, agribusiness, non-profit organizations, and government agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The research generated by graduate students in Crop Science ultimately leads to greater and more efficient food 5

and fiber production with benefits accruing to the farmers and consumers of North Carolina, our nation, and world. 1.8 Administration The Graduate Program is administered by the Director of Graduate Programs (DGP) with input from the Department Head, the Crop Science Academic Advisory Committee, the Graduate Faculty, and the Crop Science Graduate Student Association. A Graduate Secretary provide critical clerical and secretarial support for the program. Additional support is supplied by the Departmental Administrative Assistant who assists with the appointment and reappointment of students and other payroll-related duties. Routine tasks performed by the Graduate Office include processing graduate applications and admissions, scheduling of recruitment visits, gathering appointment and reappointment information, academic and personal counseling of students, submissions of Plans of Work and Advisory Committee appointments, and scheduling of preliminary and final examination requests. The Graduate Office works closely with the Crop Science Academic Advisory Committee on graduate course and curriculum issues. The Director of Graduate Programs provides leadership in the recruitment of new graduate students. In order to promote recruitment, the Graduate Office produces a color brochure highlighting application procedures; faculty; and departmental research, teaching and extension activities. A new departmental Website with extensive links to graduate program information enhances recruitment efforts. The DGP travels annually to the National ASA meetings to recruit students from across the country. Outstanding applicants are actively recruited and provided with travel funds to visit the department. Prior to admission, all students are encouraged to visit the department and meet with faculty working in their field of interest and with graduate students already in Crop Science degree programs. A list of student applicants is maintained on the Crop Science Administrative Intranet web site for use by faculty. All application packages are available in the Graduate Office for review by all faculty. Admissions and the awarding of departmental assistantships are determined by the Director of Graduate Programs and by ad hoc Admissions Committees consisting of three to six members of the graduate faculty with expertise in the area of interest. Each committee consists of faculty with expertise in the area of student interest. When deemed appropriate, the DGP confers with the Department Head and/or the Undergraduate Program Director concerning the applicant. Factors that are considered in the admissions process include GPA, GRE scores, three letters of reference, a statement of career goals, and faculty interest in mentoring and supporting the student. TOEFL scores are a consideration in foreign applications. Prospective student applications are compiled by the Graduate Secretary, reviewed by the DGP and by other graduate faculty, and upon recommendation for admissions, the DGP works with interested faculty to identify funding sources. A key strategy for effective utilization of departmental resources is to partner with faculty to provide partial funding from the Graduate Office to match individual project resources (i.e., grants) in order to recruit highly qualified students. Once recommendations are received and funding sources identified, the DGP forwards a recommendation to the Graduate School. The Graduate School notifies the student of their acceptance to the program. As students are accepted into the program, the department mails an offer letter specifying the stipend, tuition, and insurance support being offered, the faculty member whom the student will be working with, and the department s expectations for their performance as a graduate student. In the case of foreign students, information is also provided on immigration procedures. The Director of Graduate Programs works closely with the Department Head and the Graduate Faculty in setting departmental policies for the Graduate Program in Crop Science. The Director 6

also serves as an advisor to the Graduate Student Association in the Department and as an ex officio member of the Crop Science Academic Advisory Committee. The DGP maintains linkages between the department and the graduate programs in the Department of Animal Science, Botany, Entomology, Food Science, Genetics, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Statistics, and Soil Science because many of our students minor in these areas. A Graduate Student Meeting/Orientation is held at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. Attendance at these meetings is mandatory for all students. The Department Head and DGP speak to the students about Departmental expectations and what the students can expect from the Department. Policies and procedures are reviewed and issues of concern to the students are discussed. An emphasis is placed on adherence to the Graduate Student Support Plan, preparing the Graduate Plan of Work (POW), selection of a Graduate Committee, writing of the Project Outline, and scheduling Examination Requests. Incoming students receive Laboratory Safety Training, Hazardous Materials Safety Training, and Harassment Prevention Awareness training as part of the Orientation. The Crop Science Graduate Office produces and provides each student with a Graduate Student Handbook (Appendix P) that details departmental graduate policies and procedures. A Web-based copy of the Handbook as well as other important information including links to the Graduate Administrative Handbook, the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISSS), the Graduate Student Support Plan, tuition and insurance information, etc., can also be found at the Crop Science Website. Fellowships, graduate student stipends, out of state tuition remission waivers, and in-state tuition fellowship grants are administered through the Crop Science Graduate Office. Most graduate research assistantships are funded through research, extension, or training grants. Applications to be considered for the limited amount of departmental teaching or research assistantship funds are prioritized by the DGP based on the needs of the department and the qualifications of the student. A key strategy has been to utilize these limited monies as bridging funds to complement partial funding from faculty grants. Historically, funding of Crop Science Teaching Assistantships has been low relative to other departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. An initiative to address this issue was begun in 2001. This involves partnering with Biological Sciences to secure Teaching Assistantships within that program. Students are recruited by Crop Science and TA laboratories for the large Biological Sciences undergraduate program while conducting their thesis research in Crop Science. Faculty also aggressively seek out assistantship funding opportunities nationally through interdisciplinary training grants, and fellowships, most typically in the areas of molecular biology and plant genetics. Additional assistantship funding is available through the Philip Morris Stipend Supplement, Fred Bond scholarship, and E. G. Moss Fellowship programs in the College. At present approximately 10% of all Crop Science graduate students are supported by these types of funds. Crop Science faculty work closely with faculty in other departments and interdisciplinary graduate programs on campus. Personnel from other departments, agencies, and industry serve as associate or adjunct members of Crop Science and serve on Graduate Committees. Several Crop Science faculty also serve as associate members in other NCSU departments including Genetics, Botany, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Soil Science, Statistics, and Horticultural Science. Some of our graduate students co-major in other disciplines including Botany, Plant Pathology, Genetics, Horticultural Sciences, or Statistics. II. FACULTY 7

2.1 Faculty List and Curricula Vitae The Graduate Faculty in Crop Science are very diverse in terms of disciplines and crop species on which they concentrate their research and extension efforts. There are 32 Full Graduate Faculty and 20 Associate Graduate Faculty in the department. Appendix A lists the faculty, their rank, and the Graduate Committees chaired or co-chaired in the last five years. Faculty curriculum vitae are found in Section 12. 2.2 Visiting, Part-Time, and Other Faculty The Crop Science Department has a single Associate member (Bill Thompson, Botany). He is active on graduate committees of students who concentrate on molecular genetic problems. Twelve members of the Crop Science faculty are employed by the USDA-ARS. These faculty are treated identically to state-supported faculty and are full members of the graduate faculty. USDA faculty play a very active role in graduate education, especially in the area of plant breeding, genetics, and physiology. The Crop Science Department has a number of adjunct faculty members from other universities, governmental agencies, and agri-businesses. These adjunct faculty members often serve as members of graduate committees and assist in graduate education by providing advice and access to research expertise and laboratory facilities. The Department currently has four visiting faculty who do not assume official roles in our graduate program, but frequently interact with students in research and teaching activities and/or guest lecturing in courses. A list of these Associate, Adjunct, and Visiting Faculty can be found in Section 3 of the Departmental Review. 2.3 Faculty Quality The NCSU Crop Science Department is recognized as one of the leading departments in terms of faculty quality in the southeastern U.S. Our Plant Breeding and Weed Science programs are nationally and internationally recognized. Historically, a large number of NCSU Crop Science faculty have held William Neal Reynolds and Philip Morris Professorships. Currently, two Crop Science Professors hold William Neal Reynolds Professorships, one of whom is also a University Distinguished Professor and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Another Crop Science faculty member is a Philip Morris Professor and a fourth is a Distinguished University Teaching Professor. Crop Science faculty members have received university and national recognition as outstanding teachers. Our faculty serve as editors of scientific journals, on review panels for federal granting agencies including USDA and NSF, and in leadership positions in agricultural extension. A summary of these honors and professional activities can be found in Section 3 of the Crop Science Departmental Review. The Department Head evaluates graduate faculty in accordance with university policies through annual reviews. On-going assessments of faculty contributions to graduate education also are made by the DGP in consultation with the Department Head. Quality of graduate programs is ensured by progression of young faculty from Associate to Full Graduate Faculty status. Associate Graduate faculty may chair M.S. student committees and co-chair Ph.D. committees with a member of the Full Graduate Faculty. Once a record of achievement as a major advisor has been demonstrated, Associate Graduate Faculty are eligible for Full membership. The record of the nominee is prepared and reviewed by the DGP and Department Head. The record is then discussed and voted on at a meeting of the Full Graduate Faculty in Crop Science. Results of these deliberations are reported to the Dean of the Graduate School. 8

2.4 Faculty Distribution There are 31 Full Professors, 15 Associate Professors and 6 Assistant Professors within the Crop Science Department. Twelve of these faculty are USDA scientists. The faculty is diverse in terms of disciplines (plant breeding, genetics, plant physiology, weed science, production agriculture, natural products chemistry, ecology, entomology, statistics) and commodities (corn, cotton, forages, meet goats, peanut, small grains, tobacco, turfgrass, and other minor crops). Many faculty have split appointments between research, extension and academics. Vacant positions are evaluated for reassignment or redirection by the department and college. III. STUDENTS 3.1 Enrollment In fiscal 2000-2001 there were 56 graduate students enrolled in the Crop Science Department according to NCSU Planning and Analysis. If the number of graduate students listing a Crop Science faculty member as a Chair or Co-chair of their Graduate Committee are counted, the total increases to 74. A noteworthy trend in graduate enrollment has been an increase in students receiving their degree in another department or in an interdisciplinary program. This mirrors the increase in interdisciplinary research and the development of new disciplinary degree programs within the College and University. An equitable mechanism of accounting for these students and corresponding resource allocation is a concern of the department. Most students are enrolled full-time in the Graduate School, with the exception being students in the Master of Crop Science program. These students are frequently Agricultural Extension Agents or full time agribusiness employees. The N.C. Cooperative Extension Service (CES) places a strong emphasis on continuing education of its employees, resulting in a significant number of CES agents in this program. Notably, these students are sometimes supported by industry grants that permit them to attend graduate school full time for at least one semester of their program. Currently, there are a total of four students pursuing the Master of Crop Science degree, a fairly representative number for this degree program. In 2000-01, 32 students were in Crop Science Master programs and 24 in the Ph.D. programs. Demographically, female students accounted for 29% of the total, roughly equivalent to figures in the previous review. There were eight foreign graduate students (15% of total), a single African- American student (2% of total), and a single Hispanic student (2%) in the program. These distributions reflect a decline in total numbers and percentages of minorities from the previous Departmental Review in 1992. The decline in foreign students, in particular, reflects faculty concerns about the Graduate Student Support Plan s (GSSP) ability to cover out-of-state tuition beyond the specified limits of 2 years for a M.S. student and 3 years for a Ph.D. candidate. The GSSP, implemented in 1997, guarantees student a waiver of tuition and insurance coverage for the specified period. Notably, for most students in Crop Science who are supported by grants, the faculty program that pays the graduate stipend is also responsible for paying the cost of in-state tuition and insurance for the student. This has effectively increased the cost of graduate support that individual programs must bear by approximately 20%. Frequently, the granting agency will not permit recovery of these costs, creating problems in identifying alternative resources for covering these costs. In addition, given the field-oriented nature of many Crop Science programs and the length of time necessary to complete a substantive plant breeding thesis, it is difficult for many students to complete quality research projects and degree requirements in the time allocated. As the GSSP has progressed, the comfort level with the ability of the College and Graduate School to 9

grant extensions has grown and an increase in enrollment of foreign students may be expected in the future. However, the impact of tuition remission concerns will continue to be felt in the Crop Science Department. The distribution in 2000-01 within the department among sub-disciplines is as follows: Sub-Disciplinary Area % of All Students no.* Plant Breeding and Genetics 30 17 Weed Science 25 14 Crop Production 23 13 Crop Physiology and Chemistry 14 8 Turfgrass Science 11 6 Sustainable Agriculture/Agroecology 7 4 * These figures total more than 55 students majoring in Crop Science due to the interdisciplinary nature of several students research programs. Enrollment declined during the 1990s from the peak enrollments experienced in the early 1980s. This is attributed in part to the excellent economy during that decade and to an increased use of postdoctoral Research and Extension Associates. The latter trend was stimulated in part by a recommendation of the previous Departmental Review Panel who encouraged increased employment of post docs. Additionally, Crop Science Faculty currently chair or co-chair 18 students in programs outside the department, including students in Horticultural Sciences, Genetics, Animal Science, Botany, Plant Pathology, and Liberal Studies. This suggests that the apparent decline in Crop Science graduate students may simply reflect a trend towards increasing flexibility in student programs. The total number of students enrolling in the Crop Science Graduate Program is approximately 65% of those who apply (Appendix B). The total number of students enrolled in both Master s and Doctoral programs ranged from 53 to 67 from 1991-2001 according to Graduate School figures. Enrollment during the last 5 years (1996-2001) has averaged 64 students. The trend for Crop Science faculty to have graduate students receiving degrees from other departments and programs is expected to increase due to the popularity of these programs. This trend will be particularly true if the proposed Plant Biology Program within CALS is implemented. Some faculty increasingly perceive that students are reluctant to obtain graduate degrees in Crop Science as they feel that this descriptor does not accurately reflect the training they have received. Increased flexibility in degree programs could help alleviate this problem. Enrollment in Crop Science Graduate Programs is anticipated to increase by 10-15% in the next five years. Increased funding for assistantships would greatly help recruitment efforts in the department. Currently, internal funding available for four departmental research assistantships. Despite a very good record of extramural support, the uncertainty of grant funding often limits flexibility and incentive for actively recruiting students. The N.C. Legislature recently allocated a significant amount of funding for turfgrass research, and these funds should stimulate recruitment of high quality graduate students in this area. In addition, an endowment fund was started in 1996 for plant breeding, and in 2002 this fund will reach more than one million dollars. A plan is in place to create assistantships for plant breeding and genetics faculty using a portion of this endowment. Lastly, efforts are being made to reorganize the undergraduate curricula in Agronomy to increase the number of NCSU graduates entering our graduate programs. Focus is being placed upon improving undergraduate education to enhance student interest and qualifications in plant breeding, plant 10

physiology, and sustainable agriculture. This will complement our current ability to place N.C. students in our weed science, crop management, and turfgrass science programs. Given sufficient funding, we could increase our numbers of graduate students to about 90 students. While good quality office space for graduate students remains a problem, other space issues are becoming less of a limiting factor for admission due to the movement of some faculty from Williams Hall to other facilities. The number of faculty in the department is large enough to support more students than we currently have in Crop Science. 3.2 Quality Students applying to the Crop Science Graduate Program are evaluated according to their official transcripts from all previous academic work, references from three individuals, GRE general test scores, and a statement of their career goals. In addition, international students receiving a degree from a non-english speaking university must submit TOEFL scores. Students are asked, but not required to submit a resume. Recommendation for admission or denial is based on this information and the department s ability to accept additional students in a given field of study. Consideration is also given to space, finances, and the willingness of a faculty member to mentor the student. In general, students with GPAs exceeding a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), GRE scores of 1000 or better on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GRE, strong letters of recommendation, and a well-written statement of career goals will be recommended for full admission to the program. Students with less than a 3.0 GPA and those who have scored poorly on the GRE may be admitted provisionally if marked improvement is indicated in the latter years of their undergraduate transcripts, they have strong letters of recommendation, and show potential for succeeding in the Crop Science Graduate Program. Such students are typically asked to take courses at the Baccalaureate or Graduate level or to use the Post Baccalaureate Studies (PBS) program to make up deficiencies in education and demonstrate their ability to handle graduate level course work before being admitted to the department. Data indicate that the quality of entering students has not changed substantially in the last five years (Appendix B, Tables 1-3). The average GPA of entering students in 1991-92, 96-97, and 2000-01 were 3.26, 3.47, and 3.40, respectively. The average GPA for entering students over the past five years is 3.25. Similarly, GRE scores (Verbal + Quantitative) over the last 10 years has remained relatively constant. The GRE of entering students was 1127 in 1991-92, and 1214 in 1996-97. From 1996-2001 entering students GRE scores have averaged 1208. The number of applications per year has declined slightly in the past 10 years. This is attributed to the excellent economy during much of that period. Measures of student quality within the program include graduate GPA, awards, publications, and successful employment in the job market. Student GPAs are typically well above the minimum 3.0 required for continued graduate studies. The large number of inductees into Gamma Sigma Delta, which requires a 3.5 GPA in order to be nominated, is indicative of the excellent academic performance of our students. NCSU Crop Science graduate students in the past ten years have been recognized by regional, national, and international societies and organizations for their work. Awards over that time include multiple winners of the Ken Keller Award given to the student with the outstanding Ph.D. thesis in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. NCSU Crop Science Graduate students have also been recognized with Outstanding M.S. and Ph.D. Student Awards from the Weed Science Society of America and the Southern Weed Science Society, the Gerald Mott Award given for the outstanding Ph.D. student working in Agronomy, and an American Society of Agronomy Congressional Fellowship. Student research is routinely published in numerous peerreviewed scientific journals. Student awards are listed in Appendix G, graduate student publications 11

over the past ten years are listed in Appendix O, and the record of student employment from 1987-2001 in Appendix N. 3.3 Degrees Granted From 1991-92 through 2000-01 the Crop Science Department awarded a total of 100 Master s degrees and 87 Doctoral degrees. The number of degrees awarded each year has remained relatively constant, ranging from 17 to 20 per year. This number can be expected to drop slightly in the next few years, paralleling the modest decline in enrollment. Attrition from graduate programs is low; one or two students (2-4% of total enrollment) leave the program every year without a degree due to academic difficulty or for personal reasons. Most students, apart from M.C.S. students, are enrolled full-time in the graduate program. As noted elsewhere, M.C.S. students tend to be drawn from either the Cooperative Extension Service or private industry. The average time to complete a degree program in the past five years was 2.9 years for all Master s students and 4.4 years for all Ph.D. students. The former number is skewed due to those students enrolled in M.C.S. degree programs and due to technical support staff seeking Master s degrees. These students are employed full time and therefore have extended degree programs. The Graduate Student Support Plan restricts most student enrollment in summer session courses to CS596 Summer Research. A small number of students enroll in ENT 641 Entomology Practicum during the summer. The limited tuition remission available for summer enrollment limits students flexibility in taking other summer courses. The data in Appendices A and B summarize the number of faculty chairing advisory committees, degrees awarded, and the time for completion. Current graduate students, their degree program, advisor, starting date, nationality and source of support are listed in Appendix F. 3.4 Need The Department has been successful in placing its graduates locally, nationally, and internationally in academic, industrial, non-governmental, and governmental positions (Appendices C and N). The demand for students in our degree programs has remained relatively constant over the past 10 years. Estimates of the future job market for our graduates is clouded by issues including the consolidation of agri-science companies, uncertainty about the future of genetically engineered crops, and continued regulatory and public pressure on the agri-chemicals industry. Similarly, the decline in rural populations has led to less legislative support of agricultural programs at the federal, state, and local levels including support for the more traditional departments, such as Crop Science, within the land-grant system. Collectively, these factors create uncertainty about future jobs in academia and government. Areas where agri-science job opportunities will likely increase, albeit modestly, include positions in non-governmental organizations, the environmental sciences (including regulatory agencies), and sustainable agriculture. Significantly, the events of September 11, 2001 have raised serious concerns about the safety and security of the nation s food supply. These same events may also spur renewed interest in international agricultural development by both governmental and non-governmental organizations, creating new job opportunities for our graduates. Trends amongst applicants include a decline in interest in traditional plant breeding programs. This trend has been accompanied by increased interest in molecular genetics. We believe that job markets are shifting towards graduates trained in both traditional and molecular plant genetics. Our Department is well positioned in this regard since many of our programs provide training that balances both traditional and molecular plant genetic techniques. Interest in and need for weed science graduates is uncertain given the many mergers in this segment of agribusiness. We anticipate that the market for traditional weed science graduates will decline slightly, but will be offset by an increase in demand for students trained more broadly in weed biology/ecology as well as 12

the traditional weed science areas. Students trained at the interface of molecular biology and weed science may also do well in the job market. Applications in the area of crop production are expected to be level or decline in the next 10 years paralleling current undergraduate enrollment trends and funding limitations for fundamental, long term applied research. There has been a trend for increased education at the undergraduate level in turfgrass management, and modest to significant increases are expected at the M.S. level in future years. This will be supported by recent state appropriations for turfgrass research. Modest growth also is anticipated in plant physiology and biochemistry as well as in sustainable agriculture and turfgrass science. Expertise in plant physiology and biochemistry will be required as the techniques for plant metabolic engineering mature and plants become a greater source of renewable industrial resources. This fact was spelled out in a recent report by faculty from 16 U.S. public universities (including NCSU) with major programs in whole plant physiology (Wayne R. Jordan. 2001. Assessment of Graduate Training Capacity for Integrative Plant Biology at U.S. Public Institutions. Report of a Workshop held at Providence RI, July 25-26, 2001). Agro-ecology/sustainable agriculture graduates should see slightly increased job prospects in areas such as environmental management and with NGOs. We have an outstanding pool of sustainable agriculture students to draw upon via the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Summer Internship Program. Students in this program have excellent credentials. It is imperative that we recruit students from this program for graduate education in both sustainable agriculture as well as other programmatic areas of the department. Although we expect some shifts in sub-discipline enrollments within the department, we anticipate maintaining or increasing a strong graduate program in the future. Projected increases in plant breeding and genetics, turfgrass science, whole plant physiology, and sustainable agriculture will help increase enrollment. 3.5 Funding Information on financial support for graduate students is found in Appendix B, Table 6. Historically, the average half-time assistantship was $10,790 in 1991-1992, $14,259 in 1996-97 and $17,015 in 2000-01. The current stipend level, coupled with tuition remission ($2511 for in-state tuition and $12,822 for out-of-state tuition) and a comprehensive health insurance package ($820/year), make the Department s financial package extremely competitive with peer institutions. Approximately 80% of our students receive financial support. The Department has been an active participant in the McKnight Program in Molecular Biology, the Triagency (NSF/USDA/DOE) Interdisciplinary Training Grant in Plant Molecular Biology, and the NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training in Gravitational Biology (NSCORT) Program. Recently, faculty have participated in development and funding of the new Knowledge-based Plant Improvement Opportunities for Graduate Education Program. Another important source of funding available for graduate student support comes from fellowships and stipend supplements available from corporate and foundation sources through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Current examples include the Muskie and Pioneer Seed Fellowships (national); the NCBC Biotechnology Fellowship Program (statewide); and the Fred Bond Scholarship; E.G. Moss Fellowship; and the Philip-Morris, R.J. Reynolds, Brown and Williamson, and Lorillard Graduate Stipend Supplements (administered through CALS). The vast majority of Crop Science graduate students receiving a stipend (>80%) are supported by grants and fellowships obtained by faculty. This compares very favorably with other departments in CALS. Historically, the NCSU Crop Science Department chose to place much of its personnel funding in technical staff positions in order to address the constant needs of agricultural research, which often do not coincide with graduate student class schedules. This has placed the department well behind sister departments in the College in terms of College funding of RA and TA positions. 13

As staff support has eroded due to budget reductions in the last two decades, the Department has reached equal footing with other departments in this area, but has not seen any increase in graduate funding from the College to offset these losses. IV. CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION A summary of Crop Science degree programs is given in Appendix D. Crop Science degree programs include the non-thesis Masters of Crop Science program and thesis-based MS. and Ph.D. programs. In addition to these core degree programs, the Crop Science Department participates in several inter-disciplinary programs leading to either the M.S. or Ph.D. degree or in recognition of competency in a particular area. These programs include the Genomic Sciences Program that offers an M.S. degree in Functional Genomics, a non-thesis Master of Functional Genomics, a non-thesis Master of Bioinformatics, and Doctoral degrees in Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics. Organized programs of study that students in Crop Science may pursue include Plant Physiology, Biotechnology (Minor program), and Geographic Information Systems (Minor and Certificate programs). Students also may pursue Co-majors or Minors in other departments, typically Plant Pathology, Genetics, or Statistics. Students choosing to co-major and/or minor in a particular department must meet the requirements specified by that department for the co-major or minor degree. The Plan of Work (POW) and a Thesis Project Outline are developed jointly by the student and their Graduate Advisory Committee in the second semester in residence and must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Programs for approval and transmittal to the Graduate School. Any changes to the Plan must be submitted in writing to the DGP for approval. The Graduate Advisory Committee reviews the candidate s progress at regular intervals during the program. The Crop Science Department views the POW as a contract between the student and their Committee. Most Crop Science graduate courses have enrollments of 5-20 students. A list of graduate courses in Crop Science and enrollment in individual courses from 1991 to 2001 is given in Appendix K. Enrollment in Crop Science graduate courses has been relatively constant over the past five years. 4.1.a. Master of Science Degree The Master of Science is a research-oriented degree requiring a thesis. Advanced study opportunities include weed science; plant breeding, genetics, and molecular biology; sustainable agriculture and agro-ecology; field crop, forage, and turf management; and plant physiology and biochemistry. General Requirements for the Master of Science Program are in accordance with the those of the NCSU Graduate School and include: 1. A minimum of one full academic year or its equivalent in residence as a graduate student at the University, 2. A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work on the Plan of Work including a minimum of 20 hours of 500-800 level course work; the Graduate Committee may require more hours, 3. No more than six hours of research (695) in a minimum 30-hour program, 4. Completion of a thesis, 14

5. A comprehensive final oral examination, 6. A minimum of 1 hour of Crop Science Seminar (CS 601), 7. Enrollment in ST 511 and ST 512 (or equivalent), 8. Presentation of an Exit Seminar to the Department, 9. Courses taken for credit only (S/U) may apply towards degree only if item (2) has been met, 10. 400 level courses cannot be taken for credit within Crop Science, 11. MS candidates in the Plant Physiology program must meet the core requirements for that program. 12. A maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate coursework may be transferred from other accredited U.S. institutions. Transfer credit must be from courses with "A" or "B" grades and cannot be from undergraduate classifications or by extension. A typical student in a Crop Science M.S. program will complete at least 36 hours of combined course work and research hours. Due to problems with course availability (most notably with graduate plant physiology courses in Botany and some weed science courses within Crop Science), core requirements in Crop Management/Physiology and Weed Science concentrations were suspended in the last five years. Students in Plant Genetics, Sustainable Agriculture, and Turfgrass Sciences have no core course requirements. Master of Science students participating in the interdepartmental Plant Physiology Program are required to meet that program s core requirements. 4.1.b Master of Crop Science The Master of Crop Science (M.C.S.) is a non-thesis degree program designed to address the needs of Agricultural Extension Agents and other professionals who are seeking an advanced degree, but are limited by time and/or location. Additional course work, reports, or special problems are required in place of a thesis. The M.C.S. degree program is considered to be a terminal degree program. Requirements for the Master of Crop Science Program are in accordance with those of the NCSU Graduate School and include: 1. A minimum of one full academic year or its equivalent in residence as a graduate student at the University, 2. A minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate work on the Plan of Work including a minimum of 20 hours of 500-800 level course work, unless the student s Graduate Committee requires more hours, 3. A minimum of 4 and no more than 6 hours of Special Problems (CS590 or 620), 4. A minimum of 1 hour of Crop Science Seminar (CS 601), 5. Enrollment for 3 credit hours of Statistics (ST 511 or equivalent), 6. Presentation of an Exit Seminar to the Department, 15

7. Courses taken for credit only (S/U) may apply towards degree if item (2) has been met, 8. No credit for CS695 (Research) may be counted towards the M.C.S. degree, 9. 400 level courses cannot be taken for credit within Crop Science, 10. A maximum of 6 credit hours of graduate level work may be transferred from other accredited U.S. institutions. Transfer credit must be from courses with "A" or "B" grades and cannot be from undergraduate classifications or by extension. 4.2 Doctoral Degree Candidates for a Doctoral degree in Crop Science must demonstrate an ability to conduct original research and scholarly work at the highest levels with minimal supervision. The doctoral degree is not simply granted upon completion of a stated amount of course work but rather upon demonstration by the student of a comprehensive knowledge and high attainment in scholarship. Doctoral degrees at N.C. State University do, however, require a minimum of 72 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. For a student with a Master's degree from another institution, a maximum of 18 hours of graduate credit from the Master's degree may be applied toward this minimum, upon recommendation of the student's Graduate Committee. If a student completes a Master's degree at N.C. State and continues for a Doctoral degree without a break in time, up to 36 credit hours taken while in Master's status may be used to meet the minimum requirements for the doctoral degree. Other requirements include: 1. Continuous registration throughout the Doctoral program (registration for a minimum of six semesters is expected), 2. A minimum of 72 semester hours of graduate work on the Plan of Work, 3. A minimum of 1 hour of Crop Science Seminar (CS 801), 4. Enrollment in ST 511 and ST 512 (or equivalent), 5. Successful completion of preliminary comprehensive written and oral examinations 6. Completion of a thesis dissertation, 7. A final oral thesis defense, 8. Presentation of an Exit Seminar to the Department. Note: Students seeking an exception to the continuous enrollment requirement (1) may obtain a leave of absence or an exception in extenuating cases. Requests must be submitted in writing o the DGP who will then forward to the Graduate Dean. For further information see the Graduate School Website at: http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/grad_publicns/handbook/chap4.htm#chap4_2 16

Graduate Advisory Committees Master and Ph.D. students are expected to select a Graduate Advisory Committee by the end of the first regular semester of study in the department. The Graduate Committee is the principal focal point for governance and oversight of the student s program and is composed of the student and members of the Graduate Faculty. The student and the Advisory Committee work closely to prepare the Plan of Work (POW). A Master s Committee consists of a minimum of three members, one of whom must come from outside the department. This member represents the minor area should the student choose a minor. A Doctoral Committee consists of four members, one of whom must come from outside the Department. In addition to the regular members of the Ph.D. Committee, a Graduate School Representative is also appointed by the Graduate School to ensure that the Committee s deliberations are fair and impartial. The student s major advisor serves as the chair or co-chair of the committee. Associate members of the Graduate Faculty may chair a Master s Committee or co-chair a Ph.D. Committee with a Full member of the Graduate Faculty. Committee members may come from other Universities, the agri-science industry, or government agencies provided that they have presented their credentials to the Department and Graduate School for approval. Once chosen, the student and their Committee work closely to ensure that appropriate progress is made towards the degree. Periodic meetings are held to monitor progress. 4.3 Instructional Relationship to Other Programs Graduate Faculty teach most graduate courses in the Crop Science Department as well as many undergraduate courses. Faculty from Plant Pathology and Horticultural Sciences assist with several cross-listed courses (CS502 - Plant Disease: Methods & Diagnosis, CS715 - Weed Science Research Techniques, CS717 - Weed Management Systems, CS718 - Biological Control of Weeds, CS725 - Pesticide Chemistry, CS727 - Pesticide Behavior & Fate in the Environoment, CS729 - Herbicide Behavior in Plants, CS741 - Plant Breeding Methods, CS745 - Quantitative Genetics In Plant Breeding, and CS 860/61 - Plant Breeding Laboratory). A number of Crop Science graduate courses are cross-listed with other departments including Plant Pathology, Botany, Horticultural Science, Biochemistry, Forestry, Toxicology, Soil Science, and Genetics. Several Crop Science faculty guest lecture in undergraduate and graduate courses in both Crop Science and other departments. Many faculty participate in undergraduate student advising. A small number of students from other departments, particularly Plant Pathology and Animal Science, co-major or minor in Crop Science. 4.4 Teaching and Research Participation All students who are enrolled in either the M.S. or Ph.D. program are required to participate in a teaching experience for a minimum of one semester during their degree program. A teaching experience is defined as: a) serving as a TA in a laboratory section or discussion section for courses in Crop Science or another appropriate department, b) participating in a series of Extension-related activities such as grower meetings, c) participating in Preparing for the Professoriate, d) taking a course such as AEE 635 (Effective Teaching in Agric. and Life Sciences), or e) other activities as approved by the Director of Graduate Programs. 17

All M.S. and Ph.D. students have major research responsibilities. Those appointed to graduate research assistantships are expected to participate in research projects related to their thesis and/or their advisor s research program. Students learn research methods and techniques through courses and from their mentors as they carry out their individual research projects. Research assistantships are awarded for a period of 2 years for M.S. students and for 3 years for Ph.D. students, but extensions of one or two semesters are not uncommon due to the unpredictable nature of field research and the desire to address a substantive thesis problem. 4.5 Program Review The NCSU Graduate School and a CSRS Review team conduct an external review of Crop Science Graduate Programs every 10 years. The Director of Graduate Programs tries to conduct exit interviews with all graduating students, using an in-house questionnaire as part of this process. Information is obtained on the degree of satisfaction with their education and training, adequacy of facilities, relationships with faculty, etc. The Graduate School also queries graduating students for similar purposes. The Department Head and DGP meet formally and informally with Crop Science Graduate Students to gather information about courses and the functioning of the department s graduate programs. Meetings with alumni and employers have been held in recent years to receive input on how the department can improve its programs to better serve our students and the organizations that employ them. The DGP reviews the student s Plan of Work and Project Outline upon submission. The major professor and the Graduate Advisory Committee review the student s progress on a regular basis. Interim and final student grade reports are reviewed by the DGP each semester. The DGP may also perform an ad hoc review of the performance of a student and/or their Committee as the need arises. This review usually entails a meeting with the student, the Committee, or both. Problems are discussed with the Department Head when required. Courses are evaluated by the students at the end of each semester. These evaluations are compiled by the University and returned to the Department for review by the Department Head, Director of Graduate Programs, and the course instructor. The Department Head and DGP utilize this information to address valid student concerns about teaching methodologies and/or course content. In accordance with University Policy, all Crop Science courses undergo peer evaluation every other time they are taught. This policy was implemented in 1998 at which time all courses were peer evaluated. The evaluation procedure consists of a review of the course syllabus, handouts, and copies of tests followed by two visits to the classroom. Each reviewer then provides written feedback to the instructor on course quality and teaching effectiveness. A copy of this document is forwarded to the Department Head. The Crop Science Graduate Program periodically reviews its courses according to sub-discipline. The last such review was in 1997. The departmental Academic Advisory Committee plans a comprehensive review of graduate curricula by sub-discipline in the coming year. This will follow the ongoing review and revision of our undergraduate curricula begun in 2000. 18

4.6 Recent Changes The Crop Science Graduate Program has seen significant change in the past ten years. Molecular biology, functional genomics, and sustainable agriculture/agro-ecology have become important subdisciplines. The first two areas now offer a formal graduate minor and majors, respectively. These changes are in response to student interest and markets for such skills. A graduate minor in Agroecology is being developed. Crop Science faculty have been active participants in these efforts. A pool of highly qualified students from the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Summer Intern Programs offers the possibility of enhancing student quality and quantity in both the sustainable agriculture/agro ecology and crop management sub disciplines. The following graduate courses have been added and/or significantly revised during the past ten years: Course Course Title Hours Sem. Instructor CS (SSC) 495G* GIS in Agriculture and Engineering 3 S Crouse/Weisz/Heiniger CS (HS) (PP) 502* Plant Disease: Methods & Diagnosis 2 F Benson-Grand (PP) CS (FOR) (SSC) 577* Conservation & Sustain. Development I 3 Mueller CS 590C* Crop Physiology 3 F Wells CS 590D* Crop Physiology Lab 1 F Wells CS 590J* Environmental Issues in Turf 3 F Peacock CS 590K* Weed Team 3 S/Su/F Wilcut CS 620 F* Professional Ethics Var. S Weissinger/Rufty CS (HS) 716** Weed Biology 1 F Burton CS (HS) 717* Weed Management Systems 1 F Monks (HS) CS(BO)(HS) 718 # Biological Control of Weeds 1 Odd S Kay CS (GN) (HS) 719 # Origin & Evolution of Cult. Plants 1 Even S Stalker CS (GN) (HS) 720* Molecular Biology in Plant Breeding 3 Even S Dewey/Qu CS 795J* Environmental Issues in Turf 3 F Peacock CS 820Q* Chromatographic Tech. In Plt. Sci. 3 Even S Danehower CS 820R* Chromatography Tech. In Plt. Sci. Lab 1 Even S Danehower CS (GN) (HS) 860# Plant Breeding Laboratory 1 1 Even S D. T. Bowman CS (GN) (HS) 861# Plant Breeding Laboratory 2 1 Even F D. T. Bowman Note: * = New; # = Revised V. CURRENT RESEARCH 5.1 Current Research Details on Crop Science Research Programs can be found in Section 8 of the Review Document. Crop Science Graduate Programs have significant linkages with both University and College-level Initiatives. These initiatives include genomics, computer information technology, environmental sciences, plant biology and physiology, specialty and value-added crops, meat goat production, and integrated pest management. As previously noted, Crop Science plant genetics students can received either a Master s or Doctoral Degree in Functional Genomics. The department has several research programs involving the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), i.e. the application of computer technology to improve agricultural efficiency. A certification program in GIS technologies is being pursued by several students. Programs in basic and applied plant physiology complement the burgeoning Plant Biology initiative in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Faculty and 19

students are working on the production and products of value-added and specialty crops including medicinal plants, soybeans with modified fatty acid composition, food-grade soybeans, and bioprocessed tobacco. Other programs are studying best practices for the composting and use of animal manures, the use of allelopathic cover crops to complement and reduce herbicide inputs, and sustainable foraging systems for livestock. 5.2 National Comparison As previously noted, Crop Science is not a single focused discipline, but an array of sub-disciplines. Over the past 10 years the Department has continued to place significant focus on applied research on crop, forage, and turf management; plant breeding, and weed science while moving into emerging areas including plant molecular biology, geographic information systems (GIS), the bio-processing and utilization of crops as renewable resources, and weed ecology. Ranking of Crop Science programs are complicated by the fact that land-grant departments across the country frequently incorporate soil science, basic plant biology, and horticultural sciences as well as the crop sciences. A 2001 SRAC-1 Survey of land grant institutions across the southeastern U.S. indicates that the NCSU Crop Science program compares quite favorably with these institutions in terms of enrollments, enrollment history, extramural funding, and graduate stipends (Appendix Q). A recent survey of Graduate Programs (M. Kang, LSU Agronomy Dept., 2001) indicates that our department ranks near the top nationally in stipend level, tuition support, and health insurance. In 1993 Agricultural College Deans rated NCSU amongst the top ten agricultural programs in the nation along with Michigan State University, the University of Minnesota, Texas A&M University, Purdue University, University of California-Davis, Cornell University, University of Illinois, Iowa State University, and the University of Wisconsin. Perhaps the best objective measure of our success as graduate educators is the success of our graduates. Appendix C indicates that Crop Science graduates have been successful in obtaining leadership positions in agri-business, academia, nongovernmental organizations, and government. 5.3 Interdisciplinary Projects Crop Science faculty and graduate students have participated in a number of privately and federally funded interdisciplinary research programs including the McKnight Foundation Program in Plant Biology, the Tri-Agency (NSF/USDA/DOE) Training Grant in Molecular Biology, the NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training in Gravitational Biology (NSCORT) Program, and the recently funded Knowledge-Based Plant Improvement Opportunities for Graduate Education Program. As noted previously, the department also participates in interdepartmental curricula including the Plant Physiology, Biotechnology, and Genomics programs. We have strong linkages with other departments in CALS including Botany, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Animal Science, Genetics, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Horticultural Sciences, Food Science, and Soil Science. Many of our research programs are linked with U.S. Universities and with national and international agricultural centers including the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the International Potato Center (CIP), the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CYMMIT). These relationships are highly valued as they bring international recognition, funding, and students to our program. Refer to Sections 8 and 11of the Crop Science Review Document for details of these programs. 5.4 External Research Support Refer to Section 5 of the CS Review for detailed information on External Support. Foundation, Grant, and Contract support for Crop Science research programs has grown from $1,272,979 in 20