Crop and Soil Sciences > Degree Programs and Courses > Soil Science Courses > Soils 494
Soils 494 - Senior Thesis
- Instructor: Dr. Daniel D. Fritton
- Credits: 1-6
- Semesters Offered: Fall and Spring
- Texts: None required.
- Prerequisite: Permission of the course coordinator.
- Syllabus: Link to PDF file.
Course Description
Continuing written and oral presentations developed by students in consultation with the course instructor.
This senior thesis course is designed for students majoring in Environmental Soil Science. The course will be taken over three consecutive semesters. In the first semester, the student will identify a problem, start a literature search, and write a proposal. In the second semester, the student will design and execute a data collection activity to test a scientific hypothesis on their selected problem. In the third semester, the student will analyze and interpret their data, finish the literature review, and write a formal thesis. the course evaluation will be based on the quality of the thesis that is produced. An R grade will be given in the first and second semesters as long as reasonable progress is being made. A letter grade will then be given in the third semester once the thesis is finished and evaluated. Students desiring to take this course must demonstrate adequate knowledge in the soil science specialty they choose to investigate. This will normally mean that they have completed the 400-level course in that area prior to starting this course. Students will be teamed with a faculty member with adequate resources to execute the students research and this relationship will be arranged and documented as part of the student's proposal. Students may start this course in any semester after they demonstrate competency in the subject area.