After these deadlines, an 'INC' grade cannot be changed without permission of FGS.
Where the formal deadline for completion of work is beyond the INC deadline, the instructor can request permission from FGS to extend the INC for an approved period of time.
Where illness is involved, a certificate from the student's physician will be required. This certificate should indicate the dates and duration of the illness, when possible should describe the impact it had on the student's ability to fulfill academic requirements, and should include any other information the physician considers relevant and appropriate. To obtain a medical certificate, students who miss examinations, tests, or the completion of other assignments should contact their physician at the time they are ill and should submit a medical certificate to their instructor as soon thereafter as possible. Such certificates will not normally be accepted after a lapse of more than one week from the examination or assignment completion date.
For exceptional circumstances other than illness, appropriate documentation, depending on the situation, will be required. Requests for alternate arrangements should be made to the instructor in all cases. The deadlines for changing a grade from 'ILL' to a letter grade are the same as those listed above for changing a grade from INC to a letter grade.
All outstanding grades, including 'ILL' and 'INC', must be addressed prior to registration for the next term. If grades are still outstanding into the next term and no arrangements have been made, the student may be required to re-register in the class.

In Progress Courses
The grade of In Progress may be used only to report the thesis course, research project classes, and those designated as “open to independent completion of study”. Final submission of grades for project and independent study courses is April 30 for fall term courses and August 31 for winter term and regular session (AGRI5700, AGRI5710 and AGRI5705) courses.

Academic Standards
When the work of a student becomes unsatisfactory (including insufficient progress), or a student's attendance is irregular without sufficient reason, withdrawal from one or more courses or academic dismissal from the program may be required.

Failed Courses
A student who fails to obtain the minimum grade ('B-') in any course in any year is automatically withdrawn (academically dismissed) immediately from the program. However, such a student may apply, in writing, to the NSAC Graduate Coordinator for reinstatement. Reinstatement to the program after a failing grade must be supported by the student's Supervisor, the Graduate Coordinator, and the head of the department in which the student is registered at NSAC, and must be approved in writing by FGS. Note that any academic withdrawal and reinstatement will be recorded on the student's official transcript.

Length of Program and Extensions
Graduate students have a maximum period of time within which to complete all of the requirements for their graduate program.

Usual time limits for the completion of degrees are:
One-year M.Sc., full-time: 2 years
One-year M.Sc., part-time: 4 years
Two-year M.Sc., full-time: 3 years

Upper time limits for the completion of degrees are:
One-year M.Sc., full-time: 4 years
One-year M.Sc., part-time: 5 years
Two-year M.Sc., full-time: 5 years
Two-year M.Sc., part-time: 7 years

Students may apply for extensions beyond the upper time limits. A first extension of one year may be granted by FGS on the recommendation of the Graduate Coordinator, along with a satisfactory Progress Report Form completed and signed by the student and the supervisor. A request for a second extension, the Final Extension, must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator with a Report of Progress in the previous year together with a detailed plan and timetable for completion of the thesis within the following 12-month period. If supported by the supervisory committee, the Graduate Coordinator will forward the recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University, for approval. The student is then expected to defend and submit the approved thesis within that academic year. Further extensions will only be given for one term to provide for necessary revisions to the thesis following defence. Under no circumstances can a student be registered in a program for more than 10 years.
Withdrawal From Program
A student who decides to withdraw from the graduate program must immediately notify, in writing, his/her supervisor and the Graduate Coordinator. The Graduate Coordinator will notify the NSAC Registrar, the Dalhousie Registrar, and the Dean of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University. Refund of fees, if applicable, will be calculated from the date this letter is received by the Graduate Coordinator. A withdrawal is not official until it has been approved by FGS and is received in the Dalhousie Registrar's Office. Under no circumstances will FGS back-date a withdrawal notice.

Academic Dismissal
A student may be required to withdraw from the program for academic reasons (e.g. resulting from class failure, failure of ATC examination, or lack of academic progress), for academic offences such as plagiarism, for irregularities in the presentation of data, for non-academic reasons (e.g. breach of an NSAC or Dalhousie University regulation or Code of Student Conduct), or for failure to maintain registration status. The student will be notified by the appropriate body of the reason for the required withdrawal. The student has the right to appeal the decision to the Graduate Coordinator.

Readmission of Students
A student who is required to withdraw, who voluntarily withdraws, or whose registration has lapsed may apply for readmission within ten (10) years of initial registration. Readmission is not automatic because of the competition for places with incoming students. A student who is academically withdrawn may not apply for readmission for at least 12 months following the official date of the withdrawal.

Readmitted Students
Students who fail to register and pay tuition fees for any term before the degree requirements have been fulfilled are considered to have withdrawn, and will be required to apply for readmission. Readmitted students (except those who have been withdrawn for academic reasons) must pay fees for the terms in which they were not registered, to a maximum of three terms at the current “continuing fee” rate.
Readmitted students who were academically withdrawn will not be charged make-up fees for the three terms immediately following the official date of withdrawal. Make-up fees will be charged for any term thereafter, to a maximum of three terms, until the student is registered.
Students who have not maintained registration are normally required to have a satisfactory thesis in hand or a timetable for completion, approved by the Graduate Coordinator and signed by the student and thesis supervisor, before they can be readmitted.
Students may be readmitted only once during the course of their program. Application for readmission must meet normal application deadlines, and all outstanding fees must be paid.
Other Program Components

Demonstrating
As part of their graduate training all students must spend at least one academic term demonstrating in an undergraduate class. It is hoped that graduate students will participate in a variety of activities through the demonstrating position, such as preparing teaching materials, giving prelab presentations/instructions, monitoring student progress, and marking assignments. The demonstrating will normally occupy six hours per week for the teaching term and will be paid for by the department at the prevailing rate ($900 per term) unless payment is disallowed by the terms of a scholarship. Department heads, in consultation with the students' supervisors, are responsible for ensuring that each graduate student is assigned at least one demonstrating position during their program.
Although departments must ensure that a position is available for every student within their department so that this program requirement can be fulfilled, students may demonstrate in an undergraduate course outside of their academic department. Students are encouraged to discuss this requirement with their supervisors and the heads of their departments early in their program. Students interested in demonstrating in an undergraduate course outside of their academic department should discuss this possibility with their supervisors, the instructors of the courses in which they are interested, and the heads of the departments in which the courses are offered. Students who arrange to complete the demonstrating requirement in courses outside of their academic department must notify their supervisors and the heads of their departments. The department in which the student is registered will not pay for a graduate student to demonstrate in an undergraduate course that is offered outside his/her academic department.
The demonstrating requirement can be completed in the student's first or second year of the program. Students may demonstrate in more than one course only with permission from their supervisory committee. Students are responsible for ensuring that the instructor of the course receives, and submits to the Research & Graduate Studies Office, a Teaching Assistantship Evaluation Report form. These forms are available from the Graduate Coordinator. The performance of students as demonstrators will be evaluated by those in charge of the course. Departments are responsible for ensuring that sufficient demonstrating positions are available to their graduate students.

Admission to Candidacy (ATC) Examination
A Research Proposal must be prepared by all students as a requirement for Admission to Candidacy (ATC). The proposal should provide a suitably documented account of the project that the student wishes to undertake for the M.Sc. degree. It is recommended that the research proposal be no more than 25 pages (double spaced, including reference list, figures, tables, and appendices). Students are to develop the research proposal in consultation with their supervisor and supervisory committee members. Students should consult with their supervisory committee on issues such as the rationale behind the proposed research, important background literature, resources available, practical limitations, and the nature of the ATC examination.
Students may find the NSAC Style Manual to be a useful resource in preparing their research proposal. The aim of the style manual is to give specific guidance to students who require a standard format for writing assignments of various types. While supervisors, scientific journals, and other textbooks will provide a great deal of help, this manual will provide supplemental information to assist students in research, note taking, paper planning, and citation forms. The Style Manual is available from the NSAC Bookstore and the NSAC website at www.nsac.ca/library/ENGL1000h1132005stylemanualpdf.pdf.
It is recommended that students have all members of their supervisory committee review, comment on, edit and critique the proposal prior to submitting the proposal for the ATC examination. It should be submitted, together with a research proposal information form (ATC Form Part 1, available from the Research & Graduate Studies Office) and the ATC Planning Form, to the Graduate Coordinator (RGS) who will schedule the ATC examination. Sufficient additional copies of the research proposal must be provided to the Graduate Coordinator for distribution to the Supervisory Committee, External Examiner, and Chair of the exam three weeks prior to the ATC examination. One additional copy must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator for the student's official file.
Admission to Candidacy is based on presentation of an acceptable research proposal and successful defence of this proposal before an examining committee. The examiners will consider the merit and feasibility of the proposal as well as the student's knowledge of methodology, literature and general academic background in areas relevant to the research.
Each student must pass an Admission to Candidacy examination early in their program, normally within the first four to six months in which a student is registered. If the ATC examination is not completed within the first six months of the student's program, the student must submit a request for an extension with a detailed timeline for the completion of the examination before registration for their third term of study will be permitted. The request for the extension and timeline for completion must be approved and supported by the student's supervisory committee. Students who do not complete the ATC examination within their first year of study will not be permitted to register for their second year of study. Students in a two-year M.Sc. program or part-time program may elect to delay the candidacy examination for up to one year.

The purpose of the ATC examination is:
i) to evaluate the student's competency to pursue graduate studies in the student's chosen discipline within the context of the proposed research;
ii) to identify and address any specific weaknesses in the student's background relevant to the proposed research area; and
iii) to assess the merit, feasibility, and suitability of the proposed research as a graduate-level thesis.
The ATC Examining Committee will include a Chair, one External Examiner, and the members of the Supervisory Committee. The Chair will normally be the head of the student's academic department of study or his/her designate. The Chair must be a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University. In the event that the Department Head is not available to Chair the exam and a designate from the department cannot be obtained, the Vice-President Academic may act as Chair. The External Examiner may be a qualified scholar from outside NSAC, an Honorary Research Associate or Adjunct Professor of NSAC, or an NSAC Faculty member. In addition to the Chair and External Examiner, the ATC Examining Committee will normally consist of three to four examiners. Larger numbers of examiners are at the discretion of the student and the supervisor. One committee member may be replaced by an alternate examiner if it is impossible to have all members present.
The examination begins with a 15-minute verbal presentation of the proposal by the student, highlighting the goals and objectives of the research, the research strategy/methodology, and the impact, significance, or benefit of the proposed research. The Chair, Supervisory Committee members, and External Examiner then question the student on the proposal and on concepts relevant to the proposal.
The examiners will keep in mind that the ATC proposal is not a detailed description of how the research will be conducted. Thus, examiners' questions will focus on general knowledge of methodology required for the project and theory relating to it. Examiners will also keep in mind that the ATC is not a comprehensive examination. Questions will arise from the scientific content of the work presented but will not range randomly over the entire field. The student is being examined for competence by evaluating his/her ability to put together a viable research project and to defend the rationale and methodology.
The Chair is expected to intervene on behalf of the student if examiners' questions are not consistent with the purpose of the ATC examination.
Decision will be by consensus and the alternatives are Pass or Fail. The Chair will vote only if the committee vote is tied. Recommendations and/or conditions may accompany a Pass outcome. If the student requires further background preparation, the student may be required to take additional courses as a condition of passing the ATC examination. Appropriate classes or remedial effort will be assigned for the following academic year. If the research proposal is not deemed to be satisfactory, the student may be required to rewrite the research document. The Graduate Coordinator will verify that these assignments are completed. A student who fails the ATC examination is required to withdraw from the program. A failed ATC examination can be appealed to the Graduate Coordinator within three working days. The student will then be re-examined within two weeks by the Chair, the student's Supervisor, and three faculty members not on the original examining committee.

Thesis
A satisfactory thesis embodying contributions to research must be presented and successfully defended in a public oral examination.

Supervisor and Supervisory Committee
All thesis students must have a Supervisor (or co-supervisors) and a Supervisory Committee. The appointment of a supervisor is a prerequisite for admission into the graduate program.
Students are not admitted until their research areas have been identified and faculty members have agreed to supervise them. A faculty member becomes the graduate student's supervisor upon signing the Confirmation of Intention to Supervise form. The student's supervisory committee is to be in place within the first month of the student's initial registration in the program. Students are advised to meet with their supervisory committees early in their program (i.e., as soon as the committees are formed).

Supervisor
A thesis supervisor or co-supervisor must be a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University. Members holding post-retirement appointments or active in research in retirement cannot normally take on new students to supervise, but they can co-supervise with a full-time member of FGS. The supervisor is the person who will be most directly involved in overseeing the student's research program. The supervisor must obtain written approval from the Department Head for each M.Sc. student he/she intends to supervise. The following potential difficulty should be drawn to the attention of new students: Some restriction of students' freedom to follow their own lines of research may result from dependence upon supervisors' research grants for a significant portion of their income. When conflicts of interest arise, the Graduate Coordinator and the student's supervisory committee should play a significant role in overseeing the development of the research and in protecting the student against the loss of academic freedom.
The supervisor must meet with the student to select courses before classes commence. If the student is not on campus by this time, the meeting must take place within one or two days of arrival.
The responsibilities of the supervisor at the first meeting with a graduate student are:
• to check whether the student has registered and to advise on correct registration procedures, if necessary;
• to help the student plan course work, and advise on all requirements for the program;
• to determine which courses are required and whether any should be designated ancillary or audit;
• to ensure that the student has suitable working space and facilities for research;
• to assign any language or auxiliary skill requirement;
• to advise students as to where they can obtain information on matters such as health insurance, social insurance numbers, housing, and finances.
If a supervisor is not available to assist the student (e.g., the supervisor takes a one-year sabbatical leave), he/she must arrange an alternative (interim) supervisor for the student. The name and the expected duration of tenure of the interim supervisor must be reported to the Graduate Coordinator in writing.

In addition, each supervisor consents to:
• guide and assist their graduate students;
• serve on examining committees for ATC examinations and thesis defences;
• teach in a graduate module course or graduate course;
• contribute information to the annual reports of the Graduate Program;
• encourage dissemination of results and interaction of graduate students with other students and faculty through research seminars and other means.
The Supervisor and the student are responsible for recommending to the Graduate Coordinator the names of three suitable potential external examiners for the ATC examination and the names of three potential external examiners for the thesis defence.
Supervisors are responsible for initiating the thesis defence; they are also responsible for making arrangements for travel and accommodations and for hosting external examiners, if necessary. The Office of Research & Graduate Studies will assist with the costs associated with external examiners' travel expenses. Reimbursement of travel expenses of an external examiner will be to a maximum of $500 and must be in accordance with current guidelines of the Province of Nova Scotia regarding per diem rates and travel policies. Supervisors are responsible for arranging any additional expenditures to be covered through approved sources prior to the defence.

Co-supervision
Four types of co-supervision are recognized:
(i) where a co-supervisor is added because the other supervisor does not have an appropriate academic qualification (e.g., does not have a Ph.D. or equivalent);
(ii) where a student wishes to draw equally upon the expertise of two supervisors from different disciplines;
(iii) where a new faculty member is introduced to the standards of the department by providing an opportunity to work with an experienced supervisor; and
(iv) where required to conform to Dalhousie University Faculty of Graduate Studies' practice regarding external supervisors or supervisors not from the student's department of program. An Adjunct faculty member may be the academic supervisor of a student provided the student also has an internal advisor to handle the administrative details. This is usually done to support the student within the program rather than for reasons of academic need.
Students are advised to meet with their co-supervisors, together, early in their program to clarify the roles, responsibilities and expectations of each co-supervisor and to devise a communication strategy with each co-supervisor (e.g., in some instances, students with co-supervisors will be expected to work closely with only one of the co-supervisors on the thesis research project while in others a student may be expected to meet with both co-supervisors regularly regarding the thesis research).

Supervisory Committee
A Supervisory Committee is recommended by the supervisor in consultation with the student, and should complement the expertise available to the student in completing his/her research program. This committee is responsible for guiding the graduate student through the program. It consists of the Supervisor and other persons with expertise or interests relevant to the student's field of study. Its composition must be reported to the Graduate Coordinator within the student's first academic term of study or when the student applies for admission to candidacy, whichever occurs first. All supervisory committees are approved by FGS.
The supervisory committee consists of the supervisor and at least two others. Supervisory committee members may be chosen from outside NSAC; however, where the supervisor is not a full-time faculty member of NSAC, a co-supervisor from NSAC must be appointed. This person is responsible to NSAC for the student's progress. Also, the majority of committee members must be members of FGS and full-time faculty of NSAC. Additional members of the non-university/college community (such as practising professionals) may be appointed to the supervisory committee where their particular expertise makes it appropriate. The appointment of a non-member of FGS, including any non-regular appointments, requires permission from the Dean or Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University, for the individual to become a formal member of the supervisory committee. Non-members of FGS must be approved as External Scholars by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Supervisors should contact the Graduate Coordinator for more information on the approval process.

Although the Admission to Candidacy (ATC) examination is the first official meeting of the supervisory committee, supervisory committees are strongly recommended to meet before the ATC examination. It is recommended that the supervisory committee meet with the student before the ATC examination to discuss the student's program (e.g., courses) and proposed research project.
Supervisory committees are to meet at least twice a year during the thesis research period and more often in the writing stages of the student's program. Normally, the agreement of all committee members is required before a thesis is brought forward for examination.
Supervisory committees are responsible for reviewing the student's Annual Progress Report and assisting the student in completing the Annual Progress Report form, which is received and reviewed by the Graduate Coordinator prior to being submitted to FGS.
Supervisors should encourage students to consult other members of their supervisory committee, either individually or as a group, whenever it is useful. Students have the right to call a committee meeting at any time. The committee should also have opportunities to critique the work in progress and make alternative suggestions before it appears in thesis form. Students and supervisors are therefore encouraged to call the committee together to discuss research progress more often than the statutory twice per year described above. (Note: at least one meeting per academic term is recommended.)

Supervisory Committee Member's Responsibilities
Each member of a supervisory committee is responsible for:
• providing guidance to allow for the student's intellectual growth to become a competent contributor to a field of knowledge. In this context, the supervisory committee must provide constructive criticism and provocative discussion of the student's ideas as the program develops. The committee should ensure that the student is exposed to a wider range of expertise and ideas than can be provided by the advisor alone.
• being reasonably accessible to the student for consultation and discussion of the student's academic progress and research problems, and directing the student, as appropriate, to consult with experts outside the committee.
• ensuring that a “program of study” is established with the student's involvement and that it is formally approved by the committee, the student, and the Office of Research & Graduate Studies.
• as far as possible, identifying current and anticipated problems that may arise in the student's program and helping to alleviate them.
• meeting regularly to review the student's progress and constructively advance the student's research. The frequency of meetings will vary according to the stage and nature of the student's program.
• confirming and approving annual progress reports to the Office of Research & Graduate Studies and Dalhousie University Faculty of Graduate Studies.
• ensuring that progress reports include concerns or document when the progress being made is unsatisfactory.
• informing the student of the approximate time it will take for submitted written material to be returned with comments, with a normal maximum duration of two weeks.
• reading and commenting on drafts of written material and indicating whether or not a major paper is complete or a thesis ready for submission to the final examination committee.
• conforming to the basic principles of academic integrity and professionalism in the development of a mature and objective relationship with the student.
• respecting and conforming to the scholarly integrity and conflict of interest guidelines of NSAC and FGS.

REGISTRATION

It is the student's responsibility to register on the day(s) specified for graduate student registration. Students must register for each term (Fall, Winter and Summer). Registration is the process by which the student officially establishes with NSAC (through the Research & Graduate Studies Office) courses to be taken in the M.Sc. program and status (full-time, part-time), and pays the appropriate academic fees. Both aspects of the process (course registration/status and fee payment) must be completed before a student can be said to be registered.
Graduate students may take graduate courses offered at NSAC and at Dalhousie University. This provides graduate students in the M.Sc. program in Agriculture with a wide variety of courses from which to select. Graduate courses offered at NSAC are listed in the NSAC 2006/2007 Calendar, available from the NSAC Registrar or NSAC Research & Graduate Studies Office, and are listed on the NSAC web site (www.nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/courses.asp). Graduate courses offered at Dalhousie University are listed in the Dalhousie University z and are available on the Dalhousie web site at www.dalgrad.dal.ca.
Students must register for each term (Fall, Winter and Summer) at both Dalhousie University (carried out via the web at www.dal.ca/online) and NSAC (carried out via NSAC's Datatel Web Registration System at www.nsac.ca/reg/register.asp). Students are reminded that they must keep their mailing address up to date.

To register, all graduate students in their first year of study must do the following during their first three academic terms:
(i) Meet with the Graduate Coordinator for a student interview/ registration appointment to complete the relevant forms that indicate the student's presence on campus and intention to study for a graduate degree during the ensuing year. At the student interview, the student will be required to (1) identify his/her supervisor and proposed supervisory committee members, and (2) provide a list of courses, approved by the student's supervisor or committee as necessary to complete the student's M.Sc. requirements. Thus, students must meet with their supervisors prior to their registration appointment. The Graduate Coordinator will assist the student with on-line registration procedures at NSAC and Dalhousie University and with the formal completion of the Program Approval form. The completed forms will be submitted by the Graduate Coordinator to the NSAC Registrar and the Dalhousie Dean of Graduate Studies. Any change in courses after the interview must be approved by the Supervisor and the Graduate Coordinator.
(ii) Arrange for medical insurance coverage. In 2005/2006 students voted to implement a new health and dental plan. This will begin in September 2006. All full-time students at NSAC are automatically enrolled in the Student Health and Dental plans when they register for classes. The premium for each plan is an annual one; therefore the process for opting out must be done prior to the specified deadline. The deadline each year coincides with NSAC's last date to register for a course. More information regarding Student Health and Dental plans can be found at www.gallivan.ca or by visiting the on-site Student Benefits Plan Office, opening in Fall 2006.
(iii) Arrange for payment of fees through Financial Services, 2nd Floor, Cumming Hall.
(iv) Obtain a student ID card from NSAC Student Services, Dairy Building.

Graduate students in their second year of the program and beyond will receive a registration package by mail. This package will contain:
• deadline dates by which registration must be completed;
• procedures to be followed to register at NSAC via the on-line registration system;
• procedures to be followed to register at Dalhousie University via the on-line registration system;
• procedures for the payment of tuition fees; and
• specific information on procedures to follow to change academic status, program requirements, etc.

Continuing students who require an extension to their program or have an outstanding Progress Report will not be permitted to register until the extension or progress report has been officially approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Late registration is permitted until the last day for adding courses. All students must register on or before the deadline for each term. Students who do not register on or before the last day to register must apply in writing to the Graduate Coordinator for permission to register. Late fees are waived only in extenuating circumstances and at the discretion of the Vice-President Administration. Registration after the final deadline is normally only permitted in unavoidable circumstances such as illness or required absence for research at the beginning of the next academic year (in September).
Any student who fails to register and pay tuition fees by the approved deadlines may neither submit a thesis nor obtain any services from NSAC or Dalhousie University during that semester. Continuing students who fail to register by the final deadline will be automatically withdrawn from their program and will have to apply for readmission by the next available admission date.
An individual program of study must be approved for every graduate student. The program of study for each graduate student must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator and submitted for final approval to FGS. The Graduate Coordinator will enter the proposed program (with the total number of credits required, the names and numbers of courses required (including ancillary courses), and any other requirements and conditions) on the Program Form. The student, the supervisor, and the Graduate Coordinator must sign this form prior to submission to FGS. The signed form is to be submitted to FGS within the first term of the student's program of study. Once approved, the Program Form constitutes an agreed contract between the student and NSAC/Dalhousie University for the requirements to complete the M.Sc. program. Any changes to the approved Program Form must be agreed to by the supervisor, the Graduate Coordinator, and FGS by submission of a Program Update form. It is the obligation of the supervisor to inform all supervisory committee members of both the content of the original Program Form and any changes made to the original Program Form.

Concurrent Registration
A student may, with the permission of the Dean of Graduate Studies, register for two concurrent degrees, either at Dalhousie or one at Dalhousie and one elsewhere, for a maximum of twelve months, usually the first academic year of the graduate program. This does not apply to an NSAC/Dalhousie student finishing his/her M.Sc. degree who has been accepted into a Ph.D. program. In that case, the student must first complete the Master's degree and then register in the Ph.D. program in January, May or September as applicable and approved by the department. If the student fails to complete the Master's degree for a particular entry point, the onus is on the department to defer the admission to the next available start date.

Leave of Absence
Students who need to take leave from their program of study because of illness (medical reasons) or a serious problem outside the student's control may apply in writing through the Graduate Coordinator for a Leave of Absence. If NSAC recommends to FGS that the Leave of Absence be granted, and if FGS is also satisfied that the need is justified, such leave will be granted. An official Leave of Absence does not count toward time in the program. Students may not hold stipends or scholarships during a Leave of Absence. During a leave of absence, a student cannot study elsewhere for credit at NSAC or Dalhousie University. Leaves of Absence will not be approved retroactively.
An application for a Leave of Absence is available at www.dalgrad.dal.ca/forms/student/#loa and must be completed by the student, in consultation with the student's supervisor. The Graduate Coordinator must recommend the Leave of Absence to the Dean.
Leaves of Absence can be granted for the following periods: September to December; January to April; and May to August. Students may apply for successive term leaves up to a maximum of three terms (one year).
Applications for Leave of Absence (limited to a total of three terms during an individual's program) must be made by August 16 for a leave commencing September 1, December 9 for a leave commencing January 1, and April 10 for a leave commencing May 1.
A Leave of Absence not only frees the student from the necessity of paying tuition fees, it also releases NSAC and Dalhousie University from the obligation to provide the student with services. These include consultations with professors, library and computer privileges, health services, and other student services.

Suspension of Studies
Unexpected emergencies that arise during the term cannot be accommodated by a Leave of Absence. Such cases can be accommodated through a suspension of program but no fee rebate is possible. A student must apply in writing to FGS for a suspension of program stating the reasons and the length of time requested, and it must be supported by the NSAC Graduate Coordinator. A suspension relieves the student from responsibilities for completing classwork and other program requirements, but it does contribute to time in the program (i.e., the clock does not stop ticking). Normally, a suspension of studies shall be for no longer than one term. Disposition of courses registered for during a term of suspension of studies must be agreed upon by NSAC, and approved by FGS.

Parental Leave
Parental leave will be granted, without prejudice to academic standing, at the time of pregnancy, birth, or adoption. A parent may request up to three terms of leave, which must be completed within twelve months of the date of birth or custody. Where both parents are graduate students seeking parental leave, the total number of terms may not exceed four. While on parental leave, students do not register or pay fees to NSAC. Any refund of fees will be governed by university regulations. Parental leave not only frees the student from the necessity of paying fees, it also releases Dalhousie University and NSAC from the obligation to provide the student with services. These include consultations with professors, library and computer privileges, health services, and other student services. It is recommended that students planning to take parental leave not only give adequate notice to their supervisor but also discuss issues such as future plans and progress, stipend support, and research deadlines. Only under well-documented extenuating circumstances will retroactive approval be given for parental leave.

Identification Cards
Full-time and part-time students will receive both NSAC and Dalhousie ID numbers. Students will receive NSAC ID cards that will entitle them to Novanet library services. The Novanet consortium comprises ten (10) postsecondary institutions: AST, Cape Breton University, Dalhousie, SMU, MSVU, St FX, Kings, NSCC, NSCADU, and NSAC. Students will have borrowing privileges at all of the above-listed institutions. Contact the NSAC MacRae Library for more information. Please note that because students are registered at Dalhousie University and are also given a Dalhousie ID number, NSAC graduate students can access the proxy server at Dalhousie University that allows access to the Dalhousie Library databases and electronic journals. Students will need their Dalhousie ID number to access their grades, and to update their personal information on Dalhousie's on-line access system at www.dal.ca/online.

Notification of Address
Correspondence from Dalhousie University and NSAC will be sent to the most recent address on file at these institutions. Students will be held responsible for complying with all notifications sent from either institution. Non-receipt of material because of failure to report a change of address will not excuse students from program responsibilities.
All students must report their local address while attending the M.Sc. program to the Research & Graduate Studies Office, upon registration or as soon as possible thereafter, and subsequent changes must be reported promptly. Changes of address must be reported to the Graduate Coordinator and a Change of Address form must be completed. The Graduate Coordinator will notify the NSAC Registry and Financial Services of the change in address.
Students are also required to ensure that Dalhousie University has their current mailing address, by updating their address on Dalhousie's on-line system (www.dal.ca/online—select “Update Address(es) and Phone(s)” from the Personal Information menu and add a new address, select the type to add and click the “Insert” button). Students will need their Dalhousie ID number and a password to enter the system.

E-mail
E-mail is an authorized means of communication for academic and administrative purposes within Dalhousie University and NSAC. All students will be assigned an official e-mail address by both Dalhousie University and NSAC. Both the Dalhousie University and NSAC e-mail addresses will remain in effect while the student remains a student. These e-mail addresses will be used for communication with students regarding all academic and administrative matters. Any redirection of e-mail will be at the student's own risk. Each student is expected to check both his or her official NSAC and Dalhousie University e-mail addresses frequently in order to stay current with program communications.

Change of Name
Students who change their name while attending the M.Sc. program must provide proof of name change (e.g. marriage or divorce certificates, official name change form, etc.). Students are to contact the Research & Graduate Studies Office for additional information.

FULL-TIME, PART-TIME, AND OTHER CATEGORIES

A full-time student is a student who has been approved by NSAC and FGS as working full-time on a graduate degree. A student may register full-time and hold a job simultaneously only if the job involves no more than 16 hours' work per week, including the hours worked as a teaching assistant.
A part-time student is a student who has been approved by NSAC and FGS as working part-time on a graduate degree. A part-time graduate student cannot carry more than 8 credit hours per term. International students are not admitted to the M.Sc. program on a part-time basis.
A continuing student is one who has completed the program fee and residency requirements but has not yet finished all the degree requirements (usually the thesis). The student is required to pay a continuing fee on a per-term basis.
A qualifying student is a person with a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent who meets normal admission standards and in whom NSAC has expressed an interest as a potential graduate student, but who is without sufficient academic background in a particular discipline to be enrolled directly into the Master's program. For example, a Qualifying Year may be used for a student to take an Honours equivalency certificate, or to take a year of senior undergraduate courses in an area of deficiency in their undergraduate degree. Only in exceptional circumstances may a student be admitted to a Qualifying Year to upgrade a below-standard undergraduate degree or academic record.
Qualifying students can be full-time or part-time. Because it is a prerequisite, a qualifying program cannot be used to reduce the length of a subsequent regular graduate program. Qualifying students are not eligible for scholarship or bursary support, and must apply for admission to the graduate program in the usual way toward the end of the qualifying period. They must pass all classes with an average of at least 'B' and no grades below 'B-', and fulfill any other requirements in order to be considered for admission.
Special students are those students who are permitted to take a graduate class outside the Master's program. Such students, who have not been admitted to the Master's program, may normally take a maximum of two full-credit classes with the permission of the class instructor and the Graduate Coordinator. Because all graduate classes must be taught at a consistent standard to graduate level students, non-program students must have records which meet the minimum entrance requirements for the graduate program (hence they must be approved by FGS, as admissible to the graduate program). Students are ineligible to apply for Special Student status in a class if they have been rejected from the program on account of academic standing, or have been withdrawn from the program. Students trying to qualify for entry to a graduate program must follow a different route: either a Qualifying Year program, if eligible, or a program of study as a Special Student in an undergraduate faculty. Classes completed as a Special Student may not be used for credits toward the formal graduate program unless approval has been granted by FGS at the time of admission.
A letter confirming a student's registration and/or scholarship or stipend status can be produced on request. Students should contact the NSAC Research & Graduate Studies Office for information on this service.

FEES

Graduate students pay “program fees” for fixed periods, either as full-time or part-time students, followed by “continuing fees” until all program requirements have been completed. The current fee schedule is available each year in July. It can be obtained from the NSAC Research & Graduate Studies Office or the NSAC web site at www.nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/fees.pdf.

Program Fees for Full-Time Students
Full-time graduate students pay program fees for a specific number of years depending on the program, after which they pay continuing fees until all the program requirements are completed. The one-year M.Sc. program involves a program fee requirement of one year (i.e., students admitted to the one-year program are required to pay three consecutive terms of full-time program fees). The two-year M.Sc. program involves a program fee requirement for the first two years of study. If students have to continue beyond the program fee requirement period to complete their degree, additional (continuing fees) are required.

Program Fees for Part-Time Students
Part-time graduate students pay the same program fees as full-time students, spread over three part-time years of study for every full-time year. If a part-time student completes the requirements for the degree before the full program fees have been paid, the balance of those fees must be paid prior to graduation.
In other words, a part-time student entering the one-year M.Sc. program will pay 9 consecutive terms of part-time fees, and a part-time student in the two-year program will pay 18 consecutive terms of part-time fees. Students who complete their part-time programs in less time will still be required to pay part-time program fees for the outstanding terms before they are approved for graduation.

Continuing Fees
Students who have completed the required program fee period and have paid all their fees, but are still short of completing their program, must pay a continuing fee until all the academic requirements of the program have been completed. Students are assessed continuing fees on a per-term fee basis. Usually, continuing fees are paid by students who are in the process of completing their thesis.
Graduate students must maintain continuous registration until their program requirements are complete, unless they are granted a formal Leave of Absence. Payment of fees is required for students to maintain their status in the program.

Procedures for Payment of Fees
Students will be billed in September for the Fall term; January for the Winter term; and May for the Summer term. Payment in full is due on the last day for registration (as published in the Graduate Program Procedures Manual) in each of the Fall, Winter and Summer terms. Fees not paid by the last day for registration will be subject to interest charges, and the student's registration may be cancelled. NSAC has the right to deduct tuition fees directly from a student's stipend, NSERC PGS, IPS, or Canada Graduate Scholarship award (or any other outside scholarship paid to NSAC to administer on behalf of the funding agency).
Graduate students may not submit their approved thesis to Dalhousie University for binding nor will they be granted their degree or official transcripts until outstanding fees are paid in full. Any late fees and interest charges that apply to undergraduate students also apply to graduate students.
Students who have outstanding balances are not permitted to register for a further term unless they have received permission to register from the Vice President Administration. Students with outstanding account balances are required to meet with the Vice President Administration to sign an Outstanding Fee Form detailing in what manner the fees are to be paid and from which sources the funds are expected to arrive.


COURSE SELECTION AND ENROLLMENT

Selecting a Program
Students should meet with their supervisors before classes begin and design a complete program of suitable courses for each year of study. It is the student's responsibility to arrange this meeting. In selecting appropriate courses, the student must bear in mind the following:
• All graduate students must enroll for Thesis Research (AGRI9000) every semester even though they may expect to make little progress in that semester.
• Students in the one-year M.Sc. program are strongly encouraged to take all course work during their first year. However, if necessary, courses may be spread over more than one academic year.
• Graduate credit is obtained only for graduate courses, which are denoted by a 5000 number or above.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

NSAC offers numerous entrance scholarships and research assistantships to eligible graduate students. All applicants to the Master of Science program are automatically considered for scholarship eligibility. The availability of research assistantships varies annually and from one area of research to another. Many research assistantships are posted on the Research & Graduate Studies web site at www.nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/assistantship.asp. We encourage you to check the site regularly for opportunities in an area of research that may be of interest to you.
Several Differential Fee Waivers are awarded to international students annually. All international applicants are automatically considered. Differential Fee Waivers are awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need.
The M.Sc. program requires that students assist in the teaching of at least one undergraduate course. Not only do students gain teaching experience but they are also reimbursed financially in the form of a Teaching Assistantship.

Stipends (Research Assistantships)
All graduate student stipends will be classified as scholarships regardless of their source. Graduate students are to be informed of the rate of the stipend prior to registration. Once a stipend rate is selected, that rate normally remains in effect for the duration of the stipend payment (usually 24 months). However, the rate of the stipend may be renegotiated if there is any change in the student's official academic status (e.g. change from full-time to part-time status) or if the student receives a major scholarship (e.g. NSERC PGS A, NSERC IPS, etc.). NSERC scholarship holders are expected to adhere to NSERC's Award Holders Guidelines (see www.nserc.ca). NSERC expects award holders to devote the majority of their time to the expeditious completion of their degree program. As a guideline in this context, NSERC strongly suggests that award holders limit the number of hours of employment per 12-month period to 450. Award holders may not accept remuneration or supplements paid from other NSERC grants, whether paid as a scholarship or salary. Part-time NSERC PGS holders are not permitted to be employed during tenure of the award without NSERC's prior authorization.
Stipend payments are managed by and distributed from the Research & Graduate Studies Office. Students receiving stipend support will receive stipend cheques on a monthly basis, at the beginning of each month. For these students, the first cheque will be issued 30 days following initial registration (e.g., if the program start date is September 1, the first stipend cheque will be issued on October 1). Graduate students funded under national scholarships (e.g. Canada Graduate Scholarships, NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS), NSERC Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (IPS), etc.) will also receive their scholarships on a monthly basis at the beginning of each month. NSAC has the right to deduct tuition fees directly from the student's scholarship. Students with questions regarding their stipend payments are encouraged to contact Marie Law at the Research & Graduate Studies Office (mlaw@nsac.ca; 893-6502).
Stipends and scholarships are considered taxable income, and must be reported on annual income tax returns. Students will receive the forms necessary to complete their income tax returns (T4 and/or T4A slips, and tuition credit receipts) from NSAC Financial Services annually. For tax purposes, stipends are considered scholarships rather than payment for work, and income tax is not withheld. It is advised that students set aside a portion of their income to pay income taxes that may be owing.

Research Costs
A student's supervisor is responsible for costs directly associated with research for the thesis, but all costs associated with writing and presenting the thesis are the student's responsibility.

Self-support
On the few occasions when a student is accepted to the M.Sc. program with no financial support, NSAC requires that the student submit a letter waiving any responsibility on the part of NSAC for financial support for the duration of the given program. However, this does not negate the possibility that support funding may subsequently be procured during or after the initial year.

Conference Grants
Students planning to present their research at a scientific meeting may apply to the Graduate Coordinator for a grant towards their expenses. Application forms are available from the Graduate Coordinator or on the NSAC website at www.nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/forms/default.asp. A student may expect only one conference grant (up to a total of $500) during the course of the M.Sc. Program, subject to the approval of the Graduate Coordinator, as financing permits. Receipts for expenses are required.

THESIS REGULATIONS

Ethical Review
Research Involving the Use of Animals
Research involving the use of animals must be approved by the NSAC's Animal Care & Use Committee (ACUC). The two key functions of this committee are:
(i) to ensure that NSAC is in compliance with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) with respect to standards and guidelines for the use of animals in research, teaching, and testing, and
(ii) to monitor the numbers of animals used in research, teaching and testing according to purpose and level of invasiveness. This latter information is compiled with information from other institutions across the country by CCAC to provide accurate reports on the use of animals in research, teaching, and testing.

Approval by the ACUC is REQUIRED for all animal use, on or off campus, in which NSAC faculty, staff, or students are involved. Any teaching, research, or testing use of animals requires an “Animal Care & Use Protocol”, signed by an authorized representative of the ACUC, prior to assignment of animals to the project. The student's supervisor is responsible for completing and submitting the form.

The CCAC (www.ccac.ca) has mandated that all personnel involved with the use of animals in research, teaching, and testing must be adequately trained in the principles of laboratory animal science and the ethical issues involved in animal use. Graduate students who will be working with animals are required to complete a short course entitled “Experimental Animal User Training” within six months of registering at NSAC. The course is a WebCT computer-based package comprising background reading and a series of multiple-choice questions. Contact Ms. Jack (ljack@nsac.ca; tel 893-8209) to get a WebCT username and password. The Research & Graduate Studies Office checks that all students working with animals have completed the mandatory training at the time of the Admission to Candidacy examination. Students must submit proof of completion of the required animal training modules with their research proposal for the ATC examination.

Research Involving Human Subjects
All thesis research involving human subjects must be approved by the NSAC Research Ethics Board (REB). Projects which might typically arise at NSAC and which would require REB review are questionnaires, surveys, or interviews of individuals, where the human being is the subject of the investigation and personal opinions and practices are documented. Graduate students are to submit their proposals to the Graduate Coordinator who will, in turn, forward it to the REB Chair. The REB meets regularly, and the schedule of REB meetings is available at the Research & Graduate Studies Office. All proposals being submitted to the REB must be received at least 7 working days before the REB meeting in which they are to be reviewed. Meeting this deadline does not guarantee the review of the proposal at the next REB meeting; the REB is, however, committed to efficiently reviewing proposals. Students should allow six to eight weeks for processing. A copy of the NSAC letter of ethics approval will be forwarded to Ms. Lindley, Office of Research Services (Room 337, Arts and Administration Building, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4H6) to put in the student's official file at Dalhousie University. Complete details on the NSAC's REB Policy and Process can be found on the Research & Graduate Studies Office website at www.nsac.ca/research/researchers/ethics.asp. For further information contact the Research & Graduate Studies Office, Cumming Hall, NSAC (893-6360 or 893-6502) or Lauranne Sanderson, Chair, Research Ethics Board, Department of Business and Social Sciences, Humanities House (lsanderson@nsac.ca).

Research Involving Biohazards
Researchers, graduate students, and instructors who are conducting, or propose to conduct, research involving biosafety hazards (e.g. infectious agents of animals including bacteria, viruses, prions, fungi, and parasites; infectious agents of plants including bacteria, viruses, viroids, and fungi; recombinant DNA, cell lines, and microbial toxins) must adhere to the standards outlined in the Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, 3rd ed. 2004, which can be obtained in electronic copy from Dr. Glenn Stratton (gstratton@nsac.ca), NSAC Biosafety Officer, Department of Environmental Science, or from:
Office of Biosafety
Population and Public Health Branch
Health Canada
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0L2
Telephone: (613) 957-1779
Facsimile: (613) 941-0596
www.hc-sc.gc.ca

Graduate students and researchers must obtain certification from Dr. Stratton that the laboratory procedures being used comply with the safety precautions necessary for the level of containment required by the research. Researchers who are proposing to work with biosafety hazards are asked to contact Dr. Stratton for specific details regarding the approval process, as certificates are customized for each research project. To streamline the approval process, researchers may send their approved research proposal to Dr. Stratton for consideration. No additional forms are required.

If, during the course of a grant, the research changes enough to require new or modified certification, the NSAC RGS Office must be informed promptly and the appropriate certification must be obtained and forwarded to the RGS Office.
Research must comply with federal, provincial, and municipal requirements for the use of hazardous materials and chemical and biological wastes in the workplace, and for their disposal.

Research Involving Radioactive Materials
Researchers, graduate students, and instructors using or proposing to use radioactive materials must obtain permission and approval from the NSAC Radiation Safety Officer, Department of Environmental Sciences. The NSAC Radiation Safety Officer is Dr. Robin Robinson (rrobinson@nsac.ca); the Assistant Radiation Safety Officer is Anne Swan (aswan@nsac.ca). The following forms are available from the Radiation Safety Office:
• Application for Internal Permit for Acquisition and Use of Radioactive Materials
• Application for Internal Permit for Use of Radioisotope Using Animals.
All researchers, graduate students, and staff using radioactivity must provide proof of completion of a radiation use and safety training program to the NSAC Radiation Safety Office. For information on the radiation use and safety training program offered at NSAC please contact Anne Swan.

Preparation of the Thesis
An acceptable thesis will describe in clear and concise language a contribution to knowledge of sufficient value to merit publication. It must be prepared according to instructions published by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and conform to Dalhousie University's requirements for thesis. The FGS Regulations for the Submission of Theses is available from the NSAC Research & Graduate Studies Office and from the FGS website. All thesis students must obtain a copy of these regulations, and students are responsible for ensuring that their thesis complies with all aspects of these regulations. Failure to do so may cause delays in completion, and may even result in the cancellation of a scheduled defence. Students and supervisors are referred to the CBE Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Publishers as a possible resource for guidelines of thesis style.
The thesis must be written by the student, but advice and constructive criticism from members of the supervisory committee should be sought during its preparation. Students are also encouraged to present a synopsis for discussion and conditional approval before beginning to write, but formal approval by the supervisory committee is not mandatory. Responsibility for the document presented rests with the student. The examining committee, in judging the thesis, is concerned primarily with the quality of the work and evidence of research contributions to knowledge. Students are encouraged to publish the results of their work at any stage of their graduate program but must avoid conflict of copyright or contractual agreement. Students who have concerns regarding conflict of copyright or contractual agreement are urged to discuss these issues with their supervisor or to contact the NSAC Research & Graduate Studies Office for further information.

Thesis Originality and Editing
A thesis must present the student's own work, and all students are advised to read the university's regulations on plagiarism (including self-plagiarism). Dalhousie University's regulations on plagiarism can be found in the FGS Policy on Integrity in Scholarly Activity (available from Dalhousie University).
All students are expected to write their theses (and indeed, all their papers) in excellent English. While editorial correcting occurs as part of the supervisory process (as sections of the thesis are read and commented upon by supervisory committee members), faculty are not expected to have to make excessive correction to the standard of English. A committee member may refuse to read materials if they are not of an adequate standard of writing and expression for a graduate-level program. Supervisors should identify English problems early on and ensure that the student takes corrective measures, such as attendance at writing workshops. Requirements to improve a student's standard of English can be made compulsory if the student's language deficiencies are problematic to the progress and success of the research.
Just as the academic content of the thesis must reflect the student's own work, so must the standard of writing and expression. While students are encouraged to make use of standard spelling and grammatical checkers within their word processing software and to have individuals proofread their papers and draft manuscripts, the use of "professional" editorial services (other than strict proofreading and formatting) is prohibited. The use of editorial services which provide substantive rewriting and/or improvement of the written English within a thesis is a form of academic fraud (similar to plagiarism) because it presents a standard of work that has not been achieved by the student and is therefore giving a false impression of the quality of the student's work. If the use of any professional services is contemplated, students must consult with their supervisor and Graduate Coordinator before taking any action. The Graduate Coordinator will contact the FGS office for advice if needed.

Submission of Thesis for Examination: M.Sc. Thesis
All students must refer to the schedule of Academic Deadlines in the Dalhousie University Graduate Studies Calender 2006/2007 for submission deadlines and registration deadlines. Students must be registered for the term in which they present their approved unbound theses to FGS, Dalhousie University, and for the term in which they have their defence. Students will not be permitted to submit their theses or proceed to defence until they have appropriately registered and all fees have been paid. Deadlines for the submission of fully completed and approved theses (following examination and revision) are final in all cases. Failure to meet the deadlines will result in additional registration fees being applied. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all regulations have been met. Failure to comply with the regulations can result in delay in graduation.
Students must submit a completed Thesis Defence Planning form, signed Supervisor Thesis Defence Signature form (available from the NSAC website at www.nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/forms/default.asp), and sufficient copies of the M.Sc. thesis for each member of the examining committee (including the supervisor, supervisory committee members, external examiner, chair, and graduate coordinator) to the Graduate Coordinator before the date of the thesis defence is finalized. The thesis must be complete and suitable for printing, if accepted. The defence date is set for a minimum of three weeks following the receipt of the thesis and accompanying documentation at the Research & Graduate Studies Office. (The Thesis Defence Guidelines document is available at the Research & Graduate Studies Office.) Graduate students are encouraged to meet with the Graduate Coordinator six weeks prior to their intended defence date to discuss preparations required for the defence and to obtain the necessary forms (Thesis Defence Planning form and Supervisor Thesis Defence Signature form).

Thesis Defence
Appointment of Examiners
The Thesis Examining Committee is usually the Supervisory Committee, an External Examiner, and the Department Head, who chairs the examination. The external examiner is recommended by the student's supervisor in consultation with the student. In selecting the external examiner, the following priority should be used: (a) qualified scholars outside of NSAC (e.g., member of a graduate faculty of another university), (b) Honorary Research Associates and Adjunct Professors of NSAC, (c) NSAC Faculty from a department other than that with which the student is most closely associated, (d) NSAC Faculty from the department with which the student is most closely associated, but not on the student's supervisory committee. The external examiner must not have been involved with the supervision or direction of the thesis, and must be in a position to render an objective and impartial assessment of the quality of the work. The external examiner may be a non-faculty member (such as a practising professional who does not hold an Adjunct appointment with a university) when it is deemed that they have the appropriate professional and academic qualifications and expertise to assess a graduate thesis. In all cases, the external examiner must be approved by the Vice President Academic, NSAC. The external examiner does not necessarily attend the defence but may instead submit a written report and questions prior to the examination.
The main role of the Chair is to ensure that the procedures are carried out in an appropriate manner, to record the examiners' written comments and the results of the examination for inclusion in the student's file, and to inform the NSAC Research & Graduate Studies Office of the outcome.
Supervisors, in consultation with their students, are responsible for completing the Thesis Defence Planning form (available from the Research & Graduate Studies Office). The Thesis Defence Planning Form must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator at least four weeks prior to the intended defence date. The Thesis Defence Planning form serves to:
• notify the Graduate Coordinator when the student is ready to defend;
• provide administration with the names of three potential External Examiners; and
• provide the Graduate Coordinator with all relevant information regarding the proposed date of the defence, and the availability of supervisory committee members.

Examination Format
The thesis shall be defended orally before the Thesis Examining Committee and any other interested persons who choose to attend. A public announcement of the examination shall normally be posted at least two weeks before the event. A defence consists of a 10- to 20-minute survey by the candidate of the scope of the problem and main achievements in the research. This is followed by questions and comments from the external examiner and the student's response. After the members of the Thesis Examining Committee and the audience have questioned the candidate, the Thesis Examining Committee deliberates in camera, basing the decision on both the quality of the thesis and the candidate's ability to defend it.

Examination Results
The outcome is decided by consensus of the members of the Thesis Examining Committee present. Theses are either approved or not approved. The categories are:
• Approved as submitted.
• Approved upon specific corrections being made. A clear timetable for completion of the revisions must be presented to the student, normally with a maximum of one month to complete the revisions. The supervisor is usually asked to monitor the required changes. Usually at least two members of the Examining Committee read the revised thesis to provide final approval.
• Rejected but with permission to re-submit a revised thesis for re- examination. A clear timetable for completion must be presented, normally with a maximum of one year to resubmit. Major revisions may be on grounds of form as well as content. When re-submitted, the thesis will be re-read by an examining committee that includes at least two members from the original Thesis Examining Committee. The thesis shall be sent to an external examiner who may be the original external examiner if the Chair of the examination considers this desirable. The revised thesis shall be defended in the usual way.

• Rejected outright. The rejection may be on grounds of form as well as content. The candidate or supervisor may appeal this decision to the Chair of the examination in writing within five working days of the decision. If the Chair deems the evidence to be sufficiently strong, the Chair of the examination shall initiate the procedure for a re-examination. No more than one appeal may be entertained, and the examination Chair's decision shall be final.
In all cases, all members of the Examining Committee must submit written examination reports, dated and signed, which shall become part of the candidate's file. The Chair's written report shall summarize the outcome of the examination process, the final decision, and any conditions attached. In the case of an outright failure or failure with a right to submit by a specific date, the Graduate Coordinator must send a written notification of failure to FGS.

Presentation of Thesis for Graduation
Deadlines
Students are responsible for presenting to FGS one copy of the corrected and approved thesis for a formal check at least one week before the deadline date for submission of approved theses to FGS (the deadline date is published annually in the Dalhousie University Graduate Studies Calendar and the NSAC Graduate Program Procedures Manual). Following a format approval by the FGS, students are responsible for presenting to the FGS six unbound copies of the corrected and approved thesis. Only good quality photocopies or printed copies will be accepted. In addition, each student is to present a corrected and approved copy of the thesis to the Research & Graduate Studies Office.

Binding and Distribution
NSAC students must submit six copies (original plus five copies) of the approved unbound thesis to FGS. The Dalhousie Faculty of Graduate Studies will arrange for binding of the six copies of the thesis and its subsequent distribution as follows:
• one copy to the author
• one copy to the student's supervisor
• one copy to the student's department
• one copy to the NSAC Library
• one copy to the Dalhousie University Library
• one copy to the National Library of Canada.

The Dalhousie University Library arranges for the production of a microform copy to be retained in the National Library, Ottawa, and listed in Dissertation Abstracts International or Masters Abstracts International. The National Library can then circulate such copy according to the International Inter-Library Loan Code, with full copyright protection; it also guarantees a permanent record of the thesis. The Dalhousie University Library retains one bound copy in the University Archives.

At the time of submitting the unbound, approved thesis (original and five copies) to the FGS office, the student will present a cheque for $120* payable to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Office, Dalhousie University. This sum will cover the cost of binding. The cost of binding each additional copy of the thesis is $20*. An additional charge will be made (where appropriate) to cover mailing costs.
*Binding cost is subject to change without notice.

CONVOCATION

Graduate students have the option of attending convocation ceremonies at either NSAC or Dalhousie University. Convocation ceremonies are held at NSAC in May and at Dalhousie University in May and October. Students must fulfill all requirements including the payment of all fees prior to graduation. Applications to graduate are available at the Research & Graduate Studies Office and must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator by July 1 to graduate in October and by November 15 to graduate the following May.
Any graduating student who is unable to appear at convocation is expected to notify the Graduate Coordinator in writing prior to April 15 for Spring convocation (or October 1 for Fall convocation at Dalhousie University). Students whose accounts are delinquent on April 15 will not receive their degree parchment or their transcripts. For October graduation the date is September 1.
When a student has fulfilled all the requirements for the degree (including payment of all program fee requirements and any continuing fees) in advance of the official graduation date, a letter to that effect can be obtained from the Faculty of Graduate Studies Office, Dalhousie University. The Confirmation Letter Request form is located on the FGS website under "Forms and Documents of Students".

GRADUATE CURRICULUM LISTING

Graduate Courses
Graduate courses are intended for students registered in the M.Sc. program and may be taken by undergraduate students only under exceptional circumstances.

Required Regular Courses
These courses are restricted to graduate students.
AGRI5700: Communication Skills and Graduate Seminar
AGRI9000: Graduate Thesis

Recommended Regular Courses
Where an undergraduate student wishes to take one of these graduate courses, the following signatures are required for approval: the instructor(s), the relevant Department Head(s), and the Graduate Coordinator.
AGRI5710: Module Course I
AGRI5630: Intermediate Statistical Methods (STAT4000)
AGRI5720: Applied Statistics and Experimental Design for Agriculture (The prerequisite for this course is AGRI5630 or STAT4000.)

Other Regular Courses
Where an undergraduate student wishes to take one of these graduate courses, signatures of the following are required for approval: the instructor(s), the relevant Department Head(s), and the Graduate Coordinator.
AGRI5270: Economic Entomology
AGRI5350: Animal Research Methods
AGRI5360: Protein Nutrition
AGRI5380: Quantitative Genetics
AGRI5390: Molecular Genetic Analysis of Populations
AGRI5440: Organic Environmental Analysis
AGRI5520: Plant Breeding Methods
AGRI5530: Nitrogen in Crop Production
AGRI5560: Advanced Crop Physiology
AGRI5705: Module Course II
AGRI5740: Advanced Studies in Food Chemistry

Special Topics Courses
Special Topics courses may be taken by undergraduate students only under exceptional circumstances. The following signatures are required for approval: the instructor(s), the relevant Department Head(s), and the Graduate Coordinator.
AGRI5210: Special Topics in Environmental Microbiology
AGRI5220: Special Topics in Weed Science
AGRI5240: Special Topics in Environmental Impact
AGRI5260: Special Topics in Plant Pathology
AGRI5310: Special Topics in Applied Ethology
AGRI5320: Special Topics in Animal Nutrition
AGRI5340: Special Topics in Animal Physiology
AGRI5370: Special Topics in Animal Breeding and Genetics
AGRI5410: Special Topics in Soil Fertility
AGRI5430: Special Topics in Environmental Analysis
AGRI5460: Special Topics in Soil and Water Management
AGRI5470: Special Topics in Analytical Instrumentation for Researchers
AGRI5510: Special Topics in Plant Breeding
AGRI5540: Special Topics in Crop Physiology
AGRI5570: Special Topics in Agricultural Biotechnology
AGRI5610: Special Topics in Animal Product Technology

Cross-referenced Courses
Cross-references with undergraduate courses are shown in brackets ( ).
AGRI5250: Soil Microbiology (MICR4000)
AGRI5450: Environmental Soil Chemistry (SOIL4000)
AGRI5620: Ruminant Digestive Physiology and Metabolism (NUTR4000)
AGRI5750: Biotechnology (GENE 4003)

GRADUATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

AGRI5210 (AG521): Special Topics in Environmental Microbiology
Instructor: Prof. Stratton
This course will allow students to study a particular topic in the field of environmental microbiology in more depth than would be practical in a general course. The student will choose a topic in consultation with the instructor. An in-depth literature search will be required, and the material gathered will be discussed in weekly tutorial sessions. Laboratory work will be conducted when required and if appropriate to the topic chosen. Topics for study can be of either a theoretical or applied nature, with the needs of the student being a primary factor in finalizing the topic.
Fall semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5220 (AG522): Special Topics in Weed Science
Instructor: Prof. Sampson
Topics might include: evolution of weeds, impact of weeds on human history, weed ecology and physiology, crop/weed interactions, herbicide chemistry, physiological and biochemical behaviour of herbicides in plants, environmental fate of herbicides, mycoherbicides, and biorationals. Two term projects and a research critique will be required.
Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5240 (AG524): Special Topics in Environmental Impact
Instructor: Prof. Stratton
This course will allow students to study a particular topic in the field of environmental impact or environmental toxicology in more depth than would be practical in a general course. The student will choose a topic for study in consultation with the instructor. An in-depth literature search will be required, and the material gathered will be discussed in weekly tutorial sessions. Laboratory work will be conducted when required and if appropriate to the topic chosen. Topics for study should be related to the student's area of research or interests.
Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5250 (AG525): Soil Microbiology
cross-referenced as MICR4000
Instructor: Prof. Stratton
This course is designed to provide an intensive study of the microbiology of soils and will emphasize nutrient cycling and biodegradation. Topics covered include the relationships between the abiotic and biotic components of soils, the microbial biochemistry of the carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, and selected micronutrient cycles, heavy metal cycling, and the microbial degradation of industrial wastes and pesticides. The laboratory classes will concentrate on techniques to monitor the microbial biomass in soil and the microbial components of nutrient cycles. These include new advances in bacterial taxonomy and identification and the use of gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography in quantitating nutrient cycling. In addition to a major term paper, a comprehensive laboratory report on the entire term's lab work, and a single take-home examination, graduate students will be required to:
• modify the term paper into a critical review of some aspect of soil microbiology (chosen in consultation with the instructor); the review must be current and in depth; it must be written in manuscript format and will be graded accordingly;
• perform additional laboratory exercises not assigned to undergraduate students; use more replicates; perform a full statistical analysis of data; provide a report in manuscript format;
• give a seminar to the class on their term paper topic.
Fall semester – to be arranged with the instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2006/2007.

AGRI5260 (AG526): Special Topics in Plant Pathology
Instructors: Profs. Gray and Singh
This course will be custom-designed to meet the specific needs of graduate students specializing in the area of plant pathology who need further specific knowledge and/or skills.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5270 (AG527): Economic Entomology
Instructor: Prof. Le Blanc
Insect pest management in agriculture with emphasis on a selection of non-chemical approaches to insect control, e.g. natural, mechanical, physical, cultural, biological, biochemical, and/or legal control. According to the student's interest, a section on chemical control can be included. This course is consistently in accord with the theory and principles of integrated pest management (IPM) and consequently, the term assignments will incorporate the study of sampling techniques and monitoring methods of insect pests and related beneficial arthropods. Attendance at certain relevant seminars may be required and directed readings may be assigned.
A case history of a major agricultural insect pest will be prepared to satisfy the course requirement. The material will be submitted in term paper format and also delivered in an oral presentation. The case history will include the life cycle, host plants, pest status, damage, losses, control measures, research needs, and IPM programs pertinent to the particular species.
Winter semester – 2 lecs and 1 tutorial per week.

AGRI5310 (AG531): Special Topics in Applied Ethology
Instructor: Prof. Tennessen
Course content will vary. Topics covered will be chosen so as to meet the requirements of individual graduate students. Aspects could include the assessment of farm animal welfare, foraging behaviour, environmental enrichment, social dynamics of livestock, and early rearing environment and the effect on later behaviour.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5320 (AG532): Special Topics in Animal Nutrition
Instructors: Profs. Anderson and Fredeen
The course is designed to provide an opportunity to study specific aspects of animal nutrition. Aspects could include study of a particular nutrient, a process in nutrition, a nutritional state, or nutrient metabolism of a specific species, with focus on the research method. Students are advised to consult with their supervisors to determine the specific scope of the topic to be studied.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5340 (AG534): Special Topics in Animal Physiology
Instructor: Prof. MacLaren
This course is for students with a major interest in animal physiology. The course will consist of discussions, term papers, and presentations. Students will be expected to nominate topics for consideration and to prepare major reviews and class presentations of selected topics.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5350 (AG535): Animal Research Methods
Instructors: Dept. of Plant and Animal Sciences Faculty
This course is designed for students who are, or expect to be, working in Animal Science, or who have an interest in the methodology and ethics of animal research. The course will include consideration of some of the common or promising laboratory and field methods associated with domestic animal research, ethics of animal research, and the analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results. Students will be expected to participate in exercises, to contribute to discussions, and to present reviews on various aspects.
Fall semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5360 (AG536): Protein Nutrition
Instructor: Prof. Anderson
A study of the sources, availability, and metabolism of protein and amino acids for the domestic animal. Subjects addressed include sources of protein, factors affecting digestibility of protein, digestion and absorption of protein and nitrogen, urea recycling, individual amino acid metabolism, excretion of nitrogenous wastes in birds and mammals, and protein and amino acid requirements of animals.
Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2006/2007.

AGRI5370 (AG537): Special Topics in Animal Breeding and Genetics
Instructors: Dept. of Plant and Animal Sciences Faculty
Provides students with an opportunity to pursue more detailed studies in Animal Breeding/Genetics. Topics will be decided on by the student in consultation with faculty members for the purpose of meeting the student's specific needs as defined by the thesis research. Delivery will be a combination of directed reading and tutorial discussions.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5380 (AG538): Quantitative Genetics
Instructor: Prof. Patterson
An introduction to quantitative genetics theory and to statistical techniques used in domestic animal improvement. Computing and statistical techniques will be demonstrated and presented, and relevant literature will be surveyed. Reference will be made throughout to performance recording programs used in Canada and throughout the world.
Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5390 (AG539): Molecular Genetic Analysis of Populations
Instructor: Prof. Farid
This course is designed to give graduate students some understanding of the theoretical aspects of population and molecular genetics. Various DNA fingerprinting techniques, such as minisatellites, microsatellites, RAPD-PCR, FRLP-PCR and SSCP-PCR, and their applications in population genetic studies will be discussed. Students will acquire hands-on experience with some of these techniques. Analysis of molecular data to estimate intrapopulation populations (heterozygosity, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium) and interpopulation parameters (test of heterogeneity of allele frequency distributions, genetic distances, phylogenetic analysis, bootstrapping, F-statistics) will be covered.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5410 (AG541): Special Topics in Soil Fertility
Instructor: Prof. Percival
The course is designed to provide an opportunity to study specific aspects of soil fertility. Topics may include the influence of soil biological, chemical, and physical properties and processes on nutrient absorption and plant growth, with emphasis on essential plant nutrients in the soil and methods for evaluation, as well as the use of inorganic and organic amendments.
Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5430 (AG543): Special Topics in Environmental Analysis
Instructor: Prof. Hoyle
Students may apply to undertake either a specially designed course in environmental analysis, or to undertake additional work further to Organic Environmental Analysis. This may be facilitated with written consent from the instructor who then assumes personal responsibility for supervising the work.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5440 (AG544): Organic Environmental Analysis
Instructor: Prof. Hoyle
This course has limited enrollment.
The course will involve the study of the analytical chemical techniques used in the analysis of environmental samples obtained from the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Included in this study will be the sampling methods used for air, water, soil, food, and wastes, and modelling of environmental contamination. In addition, government regulations, hazard assessment, and public awareness of these issues will be discussed. In addition to successfully completing examinations, graduate students will be required to:
• write a major paper on an important topical issue;
• present that paper as a seminar before departmental faculty, staff, and students; and
• write a research proposal prior to starting the laboratory project.
Fall semester – to be arranged with the instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2006/2007.

AGRI5450 (AG545): Environmental Soil Chemistry
cross-referenced as SOIL4000
Instructor: TBA
The course is designed to provide an opportunity to study specific aspects of environmental soil chemistry. Topics may include the chemical composition of soils with special attention to soil biochemistry and soil organic matter with an emphasis on organic matter—clay interactions, soil organic N, P, and S, and soil enzymology. Graduate students will be expected to participate in lecture/discussion sessions and complete required reading assignments. In addition, graduate students will be required to complete research papers and present their findings at in-class seminars.
Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2006/2007.

AGRI5460 (AG546): Special Topics in Soil and Water Management
Instructors: Profs. Havard, Madani, and Gordon
This course will discuss the state-of-the-art soil and water management practices in either humid or arid regions, depending on the specific needs of the graduate students. Topics may include: fundamentals of soil and water properties; drainage and water table control; management of farm irrigation and draining systems; salinity control; irrigation water requirements; drainage requirements for humid and arid regions; soil conservation; and computer modelling of irrigation and drainage systems. Guest speakers will be invited to share their experiences with the students.
Fall or winter semester – to be arranged with the instructors.

AGRI5470 (AG547): Special Topics in Analytical Instrumentation for Researchers
Instructors: Profs. Crowe, Hoyle, and Stratton
This course is designed to meet the needs of graduate students who are using analytical instruments in their research. The course will provide the graduate student with specific theoretical knowledge and the necessary practical skills required to properly use these instruments. The student will select either one of the following areas for detailed consideration, or two to three of the following areas for a more general coverage: gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, atomic analysis, DNA or protein electrophoresis, infrared or fluorometric analysis, NMR, mass spectrophotometry, and microscopy.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructors.

AGRI5510 (AG551): Special Topics in Plant Breeding
Instructors: Dept. of Plant and Animal Sciences Faculty
This course is designed to meet the specific needs of graduate students specializing in the area of Plant Breeding who need further specific knowledge and/or skills.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5520 (AG552): Plant Breeding Methods
Instructors: Dept. of Plant and Animal Sciences Faculty
Genetic and statistical principles underlying modern plant breeding methods are introduced. Those principles will be reinforced through the use of computer models. Cultivar development techniques for self- and cross-pollinated species are examined in detail. Applications of tissue culture, genetic engineering, and marker-facilitated selection are discussed. This course is open to students who have had introductory courses in genetics, plant breeding, statistics, and molecular biology.
Fall semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5530 (AG553): Nitrogen in Crop Production
Instructor: Prof. Martin
Students will study the transformations of N in air, soil, water, and plants, and consider crop requirements for N. Topics include the chemistry of N, the N cycle, N transformations in soil, N metabolism in plants, N transport in plants, N-fixation, N losses in agricultural systems, and an evaluation of N fertilizer in these systems.
Fall semester – to be arranged with the instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2006/2007.

AGRI5540 (AG554): Special Topics in Crop Physiology (A)
Instructors: Profs. Caldwell, Asiedu, Goodyear, Lada, and Martin
This course is designed to meet the specific needs of graduate students specializing in the area of Crop Physiology who need further specific knowledge and/or skills.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructors.

AGRI5560 (AG556): Advanced Crop Physiology
Instructor: Prof. Caldwell
Physiological processes relevant to crop plant development and production of harvestable yield will be examined.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2007/2008.

AGRI5570 (AG557): Special Topics in Agricultural Biotechnology
Instructor: Prof. MacLaren
This course is designed to meet the specific needs of graduate students specializing in the area of Agricultural Biotechnology who need further specific knowledge and/or skills.
Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5610 (AG561): Special Topics in Animal Product Technology
Instructors: Dept. of Plant and Animal Sciences Faculty
This course will review areas important in the technology of foods derived from animals (meat, fish, eggs, milk). Such areas could include chemistry (lipid oxidation, Maillard reactions), physics (changes caused by freezing, sol-gel conversion, colour) and microbiology (spoilage, pathogenic organisms, modified-atmosphere packaging, HACCP). Each student will be expected to present a review of a particular topic.
Fall semester – to be arranged with the instructor.

AGRI5620 (AG562): Ruminant Digestive Physiology and Metabolism
cross-referenced as NUTR4000
Instructor: Prof. Fredeen
Prerequisites: NUTR3000, CHEM3006
This course is designed to provide an intensive study of food intake and digestion, and nutrient absorption and metabolism, in the ruminant animal. The course details current knowledge and focuses on aspects of future research interest. Students are expected to contribute to discussions and present reviews to the class on various aspects of the subject.
Fall semester – 3 lecs and 2 labs per week. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2006/2007.

AGRI5630 (AG563): Intermediate Statistical Methods
cross-referenced as STAT4000
Instructor: Prof. Astatkie
Prerequisite: STAT3000, or permission of the instructor
Analysis of single-factor experiments, randomized blocks, latin squares, and factorial and two-level fractional factorial designs.
Fall semester – 3 lecs and 1 computer lab per week.

AGRI5700 (AG570): Communication Skills and Graduate Seminar
Instructors: TBA
Through practical assignment, students will be able to test and develop their communication skills. Topics will include review, criticism, and writing of journal papers, grant applications, posters, seminars, lectures, and interviews. This course is required for students enrolled in the M.Sc. in Agriculture program.
Fall and Winter semesters – 1 lec per week.

AGRI5705 (AG573): Module Course II
Coordinator: Prof. Caldwell
Prerequisite: AGRI5710
This course normally consists of three modules. Each module consists of one month of lectures or assignments dealing with a topic in the lecturer's area of expertise. Research interests of incoming students are taken into account each year when module topics are solicited. Students should not apply to take a module unless they have at least a second-year undergraduate background in the focus area. A formal evaluation is made at the end of each module.
Fall/Winter semester: Students registering for the module course in September must complete three modules between September and April (8 months).
Winter/Summer semester: Students registering for the module course in January must complete three modules between January and August (8 months).

AGRI5710 (AG571): Module Course I
Coordinator: Prof. Caldwell
This course normally consists of three modules. Each module consists of one month of lectures or assignments dealing with a topic in the lecturer's area of expertise. Research interests of incoming students are taken into account each year when module topics are solicited. Students should not apply to take a module unless they have at least a second-year undergraduate background in the focus area. A formal evaluation is made at the end of each module.
Fall/Winter semester: Students registering for the module course in September must complete three modules between September and April (8 months).
Winter/Summer semester: Students registering for the module course in January must complete three modules between January and August (8 months).

AGRI5720 (AG572): Applied Statistics and Experimental Design for Agriculture
Instructor: Prof. Astatkie
Prerequisite: STAT4000, AGRI5630, or equivalent
This course is designed to provide practical skills in statistical methods and experimental designs, and an appreciation of situations when more complex models and methods are required. Topics include linear and nonlinear regression, split-plot designs, repeated measures, and response surface methods. Students will be expected to successfully complete practical exercises and a project involving real experimental problems and data sets. Students will also be expected to acquire proficiency in at least one advanced statistical software package.
Winter semester – 3 lecs per week.

AGRI5740 (AG574): Advanced Studies in Food Chemistry
Instructor: Prof. Crowe
Prerequisite: one undergraduate food science course or equivalent
This course is designed to allow graduate students to explore in detail various aspects of the chemical nature of agri-food products. This may include but is not limited to a study of naturally occurring components (functional foods and nutraceuticals), nutritional changes during value-added processing, and product formulation. The exact focus of the course will depend on the expressed interest of students in the course.
Fall or Winter semester, to be arranged with the instructor – 1 lec and 1 discussion per week.

AGRI5750: Biotechnology
cross-referenced as GENE 4003
Instructor: Prof. Wang-Pruski
Prerequisite: GENE2000 or equivalent
This course is to provide students with general information on the theory and technologies that are currently used in biotechnology. Course topics will include gene identification, transformation and expression regulations, tissue culture and cell culture techniques, and other genomics related agricultural applications. Nutriceutical and and pharmaceutical applications will also be discussed.
Winter semester. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2007/2008.

AGRI9000 (AG900): Graduate Thesis
Students register for this course when they are engaged in research work for credit towards the M.Sc. in Agriculture degree.
Fall and Winter – for duration of program.

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