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106th Calendar
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2011-2012 calendar page

Graduate Program

Admission Requirements
Academic Deadlines
Financial Support
Programs of Full-Time and Part-Time Study
General Information
Other program Components
Registration
Full-Time, Part-Time, and Other Categories
Fees
Course Selection and Enrollment
Financial Support
Thesis Regulations
Convocation
Additional Information and Regulations
Graduate Curriculum Listing
Graduate Course Descriptions

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Graduate Program

The Master of Science (M.Sc.) program with a specialization in Agriculture is a joint program offered by the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) and Dalhousie University (Dal). Dal grants the M.Sc. degree in association with NSAC. Graduate students may take graduate courses offered at NSAC and at Dal. 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 herein. Graduate courses offered at Dal are listed in the Dalhousie University Graduate Studies Calendar 2011/2012, available on the Dal website at dalgrad.dal.ca.

Students accepted for enrollment in the M.Sc. program are registered at both NSAC and Dal, and are given a student identification number for each institution. Official transcripts for all students are produced by Dal.

For all academic matters relating to the M.Sc. program, including admission requirements, degree requirements, examinations, evaluations, and theses, students are deemed to be students of both NSAC and Dal. Students are subject to the academic regulations and rules of the Dal Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) as outlined in the Dalhousie University Graduate Studies Calendar. All academic policies are outlined in the Graduate Program Procedures Manual, available from the Research & Graduate Studies Office. The 2011/2012 edition of this manual will be available in August.

For all non-academic matters, including the payment of tuition and other fees, scholarships, bursaries, research and conference funding, athletics, and non-academic discipline, students are deemed to be students of NSAC. For further information on the rules and regulations governing the College community, graduate students are referred to the NSAC Community Standards (www.nsac.ca/communitystandards). This document describes the regulations/standards that constitute reasonable behaviour and outlines the process by which breaches of these standards are adjudicated. This document also contains the alcohol and drug policy, information on appeal processes, and the NSAC Student Code of Conduct. The NSAC Policy for Responsible Computing also applies to graduate students and can be found in the document Policy Governing Access to and Use of NSAC Academic Computing (www.nsac.ca/its/policy.asp).

All students must agree to obey all the regulations of NSAC and all academic regulations of Dal FGS. Additionally, students are advised that this Calendar is not an all-inclusive set of rules and regulations but represents only a portion of the rules and regulations that will govern the student’s relationship with NSAC and Dal. Other rules and regulations are contained in additional publications (e.g. Graduate Program Procedures Manual) that are available to the student from Dalhousie University Registry Office and Faculty of Graduate Studies as well as the NSAC Registry Office and Research & Graduate Studies Office. Students are also advised that the regulations herein are subject to change.

Students in the M.Sc. program may choose to specialize in one of the following areas:

Animal Science
(livestock, fur animals, poultry, shellfish, and finfish)

Bio Resource and Environmental Sciences

Plant Science
(fruits, vegetables, grains, forages, and specialty crops)

There are also opportunities for graduate studies in Organic Agriculture, Agricultural Economics and Engineering. Contact the RGS Office for details.

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Admission Requirements

For entry into the Master’s program, candidates must hold an Honours Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent of honours, with a minimum 73% average (‘B’ or GPA of 3.0) in the last two full years of study from a university of recognized standing. The Bachelor’s degree with Honours, or an equivalent of honours standing as granted by Dalhousie University, must be in the area in which graduate work is to be done or in an area that is relevant to the graduate work. A four-year Bachelor’s degree may be considered as equivalent of honours if there is evidence of independent research capacity (such as a research project as part of a course) or if the degree is officially approved as an honours equivalent. If a candidate has a three-year degree and an honours program was not available to them, first-class candidates will be considered for admission into the Two-year program or Qualifying Year (see Programs of Full-time and Part-time Study). In all cases, candidates for admission must possess degrees which have been granted by institutions fully recognized by Dal and which are deemed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) to be equivalent to those granted by NSAC and Dal.

English is the standard language of study at NSAC and Dal. Candidates whose native language is not English must demonstrate their capacity to pursue a graduate-level program in English before admission. The standard test is TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The minimum acceptable score for the written (paper-based) TOEFL is 580 and for the Internet-based TOEFL is 92. Official TOEFL reports are to be submitted to NSAC (institution code 0844). The following other tests will also be accepted with the following minimum scores: MELAB, 85; IELTS, 7; CanTest, 4.5; CAEL, 70; and Dalhousie’s Continuing Education ESL Placement Test with scores equivalent to TOEFL. The TOEFL requirement is considered to be met if the applicant has completed a degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English.

Further information on these tests may be obtained from:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
TOEFL/TSE Service
PO Box 6151
Princeton, NJ
USA  08541
toefl@ets.org
www.toefl.org

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
English Language Institute
TCF Building
University of Michigan
401 E. Liberty, Ste 350
Ann Arbor, Michigan
USA  48104-2298
melabelium@umich.edu
www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/testing/melab

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate
1 Hills Road
Cambridge, UK  CB12EU
ielts@ucles.org.uk
www.ielts.org

Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees (CanTest)
CanTEST Project Office
Second Language Institute
University of Ottawa
600 King Edward Avenue
Ottawa, ON  K1N 6N5
cantest@uottawa.ca
www.arts.uottawa.ca/ils/eng/cantest_register.html

Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
CAEL Assessment Testing Office
School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies
Carleton University
126 Paterson Hall, 1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON  K1S 5B6
cael@carleton.ca
www.cael.ca

Dalhousie University College of Continuing Education
Continuing Technical Education
5269 Morris Street
Halifax NS B3J 1B6
cte@dal.ca
www.cte.dal.ca

Students with diagnosed learning disabilities who meet the current admission requirements may follow the current admission procedures.

Students with diagnosed learning disabilities who do not meet the current admission requirements or who otherwise wish to have their learning disability considered may apply for special consideration, as may all other students who have extenuating circumstances. The following additional documentation must be submitted by students who wish to apply for special consideration:

All applications will be reviewed at NSAC based on the academic qualifications and record of the applicant. Application forms may be requested from the Research & Graduate Studies (RGS) Office, or downloaded from the RGS website (nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/admissions.asp). Completed applications are sent to the Department to which the student is applying. The Department representative receives completed applications, arranges for a departmental recommendation on admission for each applicant, and assists with finding a supervisor and funding support for acceptable M.Sc. candidates. In the event that a supervisor can be found but funding support is not available, the Department may recommend that the student be admitted on a self-funded basis. A recommendation on admission, signed by the Department Head, will be forwarded to the RGS Office within two weeks of receiving the completed application. Recommendations regarding admission will then be forwarded from NSAC to the Dean of Graduate Studies, Dal. At this stage, NSAC will contact applicants to inform them that a positive recommendation has been made to Dal FGS. This does not constitute official acceptance into the graduate program. Final decisions on all admissions are made by Dal FGS, and there are no appeals on admission decisions. Dal FGS reserves the sole right to reject applications from candidates who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements. Official acceptance is achieved when the recommendation has been approved by FGS and a formal letter of acceptance is issued by the Dal Registry Office. This letter is the only official notification that is sent out.

Please note that entry into the graduate program is very competitive and applicants who meet or exceed the minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission. Normally, successful applicants have academic records and qualifications that are well above the minimum required.

Supporting documents included in applications (e.g. transcripts, letters of reference, etc.) will be verified for authenticity. Applicants submitting fraudulent documents may have their names published on the listserv of the Association of Registrars of Universities and Colleges in Canada and may have their acceptance rescinded. Documents submitted as part of the application cannot be returned or photocopied for the student.

Dal reserves the right to rescind any acceptance of an applicant or offer of admission into the program. Such rescission will be in writing in accordance with Dal regulations (see Dalhousie University Graduate Studies Calendar).

If a conditional admission is approved, the condition must be met within the first term of initial registration, and Dal FGS may set a shorter time period. If the condition is not met by the appropriate deadline, the student’s registration will be terminated. Conditions on admission cannot subsequently be waived.

Newly-accepted applicants who, for reasons beyond their control, are unable to take up their position on the date for which they were accepted may request a deferral of their start date to a later term. Students may request a deferral of one, two, or three terms, but no student may receive more than one deferral. Students wishing to request a deferral should contact the NSAC RGS Office as soon as possible. All deferrals are subject to the agreement of the supervisor of the student’s program of study, the Head of the department to which the student has applied, and the final approval of Dal FGS. Students are advised that funding assistance provided through a research assistantship (e.g. supervisor’s research grant or contract) may be rescinded if the student is unable to register on the date for which they were originally accepted into the program. If a student requests a deferral after registration, it is the student’s responsibility to cancel his or her registration.

Application forms and information may be obtained from:
Research & Graduate Studies Office
Cumming Hall, Nova Scotia Agricultural College
PO Box 550, Truro, NS  B2N 5E3
Phone (902) 893-6502, fax (902) 893-3430
nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/admissions.asp

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Academic Deadlines

A complete list of academic deadlines for those students enrolled in the M.Sc. program can be found in the Graduate Program Procedures Manual 2011/2012 (available on the NSAC website at nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/studenthandbook.pdf). The RGS Office distributes this manual to all registrants in the M.Sc. program annually.

Starting Dates
Students may choose to begin their Master of Science in Agriculture program in the Fall (September 1), Winter (January 1), or Spring (May 1) session.

Application Deadlines


For studies commencing

Deadline

September 1

June 1

 

(non-Canadian students April 1)*

January 1

October 31

 

(non-Canadian students August 31)*

May 1

February 28

 

(non-Canadian students December 31)*

*  If visa processing is lengthy, applicants should apply at least two months before the deadline, e.g. by January 31 for September admission.

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Programs of Full-time and Part-time Study

Students holding an Honours degree or equivalent in a discipline that prepares them well for the particular area in which they wish to do graduate work may be accepted into the One-year M.Sc. program. However, if there is a significant change of discipline between undergraduate and graduate studies, the student may be required to register in a Two-year program.


One-year M.Sc. Program
Ten graduate credits are required. The thesis will count for a maximum of six credits. The remaining credits (pass grade of ‘B-’ or 70% in each course) must include AGRI5700 (Communication Skills and Graduate Seminar). The number of credits awarded for the thesis is intended to make the total number of credits equal to ten (the number required for the M.Sc. degree), and is not related to the thesis quality. The One-year program involves a program fee requirement of one year (three terms of full-time study), during which a full-time student is expected to be on campus for three consecutive terms unless otherwise given permission to take courses or undertake research somewhere else. The One-year program fee is followed by continuing fees as required. The usual time for completion of the One-year program is 24 to 28 months.


Two-year M.Sc. Program
In addition to the requirements for a One-year M.Sc. program, students must complete at least five additional credits related to their thesis work with a grade of ‘B-’ (70%) or better in each course. These additional credits may be at the undergraduate or graduate level. The Two-year program involves two years of program fees followed by continuing fees as required. If admitted to a Two-year program, full-time students are normally required to be on campus for six consecutive terms. The usual time for completion of the Two-year program is 36 months

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General Information

Graduate Courses
Graduate courses at NSAC are numbered in the 5000 series. No course can be assigned a graduate number without the recommendation of the Dal FGS Curriculum Committee and the approval of the Curriculum Committee and the Faculty Council at NSAC. The last dates for adding and deleting classes are published in the schedule of Academic Deadlines, as printed in the Dalhousie University Graduate Studies Calendar. For withdrawals within this period, the class and the withdrawal are not recorded on the academic record. After these dates, the student is responsible for the content of the class and receives a grade for it.


Advanced Placement
Upon admission, a student may be granted advanced placement credits based on courses completed previously with a course content equivalent to a graduate course at NSAC or Dal. Graduate courses that have not been counted toward a previous degree may be awarded transfer credit (see below). For courses that have been counted toward a previous degree, advanced placement normally does not reduce the overall course requirements in the program, but may replace one or more required courses. Advanced placement must be approved by the supervisor, the NSAC Faculty Graduate Coordinator and Dal FGS, and must be clearly annotated on the student’s Program Form. Students should be aware that courses approved for advanced placement will not appear on their official transcript of the NSAC/Dal M.Sc. program. Combined Advanced Placement, Letter of Permission, and Transfer Credits cannot exceed 33% of the program’s overall course requirements.


Transfer Credit
A transfer credit allows for courses completed outside the student’s program, normally at another institution, to be used as part of the student’s degree requirements. Such courses cannot have been used for credit towards another degree, and the total of Advanced Placement, Letter of Permission, and Transfer Credits cannot exceed 33% of the program’s overall course requirements. Transfer credits should be applied for within the first term following admission and must be approved by the student’s supervisor, the NSAC Faculty Graduate Coordinator, and Dal FGS. An original transcript and course equivalency is required. Approved transfer credits will appear on the student’s official transcript of the NSAC/Dal M.Sc. program. In order to be eligible, courses must satisfy any time-period restrictions.


Letters of Permission
Courses approved by Dal (after examination of course descriptions) can be taken at other universities on a Letter of Permission as part of the graduate degree program, provided the course is not available at NSAC or Dal. Graduate students enrolled in the M.Sc. program in Agriculture do not need a Letter of Permission to take courses at Dal. To apply to take a course outside NSAC/Dal, see Forms and Regulations at dalgrad.dal.ca/currentstudents/forms. Approval of the Letter of Permission is granted by the Dean of Graduate Studies, Dal. Graduate students must be registered and have paid appropriate fees before letters of permission will be approved. Full-time and part-time students are eligible to apply to take a course on a Letter of Permission. Students may not take classes outside the NSAC/Dal M.Sc. program for graduate credit unless prior approval has been received from Dal FGS; Letters of Permission are not approved retroactively.

Students must achieve a ‘B-’ (70%) grade or better in order to achieve a pass standing at NSAC/Dal. Grades below ‘B-’ received for courses taken on a Letter of Permission at another institution will be recorded as a failing grade (‘F’) on the student’s record. The normal regulations governing grading policy (see Grading Policy and Failed Courses) apply to classes taken at other institutions, and an ‘F’ in the student’s program will render him/her liable to academic withdrawal. Students who fail a class may not replace that class on a Letter of Permission, except with special permission of Dal FGS.

NSAC will normally reimburse up to a maximum of $500 toward the cost of a course taken on a Letter of Permission, if the course is a required course for the student’s M.Sc. program but not available at NSAC or Dal. To be reimbursed, the student must provide proof of payment for the course and official transcripts showing that the course was passed (i.e. a grade of ‘B-’ or 70%).


Ancillary Courses
A student may be directed by his/her supervisor or supervisory committee to take undergraduate courses that are advisable additional background to the degree program, but not specifically required for that program. These are termed ancillary courses and are usually taken in a department other than the one in which the student is registered. They are taken by the student for credit in order to make up deficiencies in background or to acquire important skills of an ancillary nature. The pass grade in ancillary courses taken at NSAC is 60%. Ancillary classes must be listed on the Program Form but do not count toward the required number of credits for the M.Sc. degree. Normally students are limited to one ancillary class (six credit hours) during their program. Undergraduate courses taken at NSAC will not appear on the student’s official transcript of the M.Sc. program issued by Dal and will not be included as part of the student’s graduate program. Students who take ancillary courses at another institution are responsible for the tuition fees at the other institution and the courses will not appear on their M.Sc. transcript. The NSAC Registry Office will record ancillary courses.


Additional Undergraduate and Audit Courses
As part of their regular fees, graduate students may take up to two NSAC undergraduate courses for credit and two for audit, in addition to their 10 required program credits. Approval is required from the student’s supervisory committee for the additional undergraduate credit and audit courses.

Students may also take one audit at Dal (equivalent to six credit hours) in each year of residency of their formal program. Audits at Dal must be listed on the Program Form and must be relevant to the student’s program of study. Audits cannot be taken on a Letter of Permission and will not be approved as part of a Qualifying Program.


Independent Study, Directed Readings, and Special Topics
Students may not register for more than two independent study, directed studies, or special topics courses in any graduate program.


Passing Grade for Required Courses
Classes may be designated by the candidate’s committee as “Required” (pass mark is ‘B-’) or “Ancillary” (pass mark of 60% unless otherwise specified). Some graduate courses are cross-listed with senior undergraduate courses, in which case the requirements for graduate students are more demanding than those for undergraduates. If a student takes a cross-listed course as part of the graduate course work, the minimum ‘B-’ grade also applies.


Grading Policy
Graduate students must achieve a minimum passing grade of ‘B-’ (70%) in all classes required as part of their degree program. Any lower grade will be recorded as a failure. Note that there is no withdrawal (WD) grade for graduate students (see grading chart below), except where a student formally withdraws from the program.

Dalhousie University’s FGS uses the following grading scheme:


Letter Grade

Numerical (%) Equivalent

A+

90–100

A

85–89

A-

80–84

B+

77–79

B

73–76

B-

70–72

F

<70


Academic Transcript
The academic transcript is a reflection of academic progress and therefore reflects both passes and failures. It cannot be altered after the fact. Accordingly, it is essential that students be fully aware of the deadlines for adding and withdrawing from graduate classes. Except for university purposes, transcripts (both official and unofficial) will be issued only at the request of the student and, where appropriate, upon payment of the required fee. A student can receive only an unofficial transcript. Upon a student’s request, official transcripts will be sent to other universities or to business organizations. Graduate students are reminded that their official academic transcript must be requested directly from Dal. Official transcripts can be requested through Dal’s online system.


Incomplete Courses
A student who fails to complete the required work for a particular class during the normal period of the class will receive a grade of ‘F’ (Fail). However, where circumstances warrant it, a grade of ‘INC’ (Incomplete) may be assigned. Subsequent completion of the work following the end of the class may result in a change of grade by the class instructor, as long as the work is completed before the following deadlines:

Fall term classes

February 1

Winter term classes

June 1

Full academic year classes (e.g. AGRI5710)

June 1

Summer term classes

October 1

After these deadlines, an ‘INC’ grade cannot be changed without permission of Dal 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, and when possible should describe the impact it had on the student’s ability to fulfill academic requirements, as well as any other information the physician considers relevant and appropriate. To obtain a medical certificate, a student who misses examinations, tests, or the completion of other assignments should contact the physician while ill and should submit a medical certificate to the 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 alternative 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 ‘ILL’ and ‘INC’ grades 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 ‘IP’ (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 module courses (AGRI5710 and AGRI5705) is April 30 for fall term courses and August 31 for winter term.

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-’ or 70%) in any course in any year is immediately and automatically withdrawn (academically dismissed) from the program. However, such a student may apply, in writing, to the NSAC Faculty Graduate Coordinator for immediate reinstatement (see Readmission below). 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 NSAC Faculty 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 NSAC Faculty Graduate Coordinator with a Report on Progress for 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 Faculty Graduate Coordinator will forward the recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies, Dal, 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 defense. Under no circumstances can a student be registered in a program for more than ten years.


Withdrawal from Program
A student who decides to withdraw from the graduate program must immediately notify, in writing, his/her supervisor and the NSAC Faculty Graduate Coordinator. The Faculty Graduate Coordinator will notify the NSAC Registrar, the Dalhousie Registrar, and the Dean of Graduate Studies, Dal. Refund of fees, if applicable, will be calculated from the date this letter is received by the RGS Office. A withdrawal is not official until it has been approved by Dal FGS and is received in the Dalhousie Registry 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. course 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 Dal 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 NSAC Faculty Graduate Coordinator. Academic work completed at another institution while on Academic Dismissal cannot be used for credit at NSAC/Dal.


Readmission of Students
A student who is academically dismissed may appeal in writing to the NSAC Faculty Graduate Coordinator for immediate reinstatement. Upon the recommendation of the student’s supervisor, the Faculty Graduate Coordinator and Dal FGS, a student may be immediately reinstated once during the course of their program.

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


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 at the current “continuing fee” rate for the terms in which they were not registered, to a maximum of three terms.

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 NSAC Faculty Graduate Coordinator and signed by the student and the 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.

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Other Program Components

Demonstrating
As part of their graduate training, all students must spend at least one academic term demonstrating in an undergraduate class. 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. Students must discuss this requirement with their supervisory committees and the Departments Heads early in their program. It is hoped that graduate students will participate in a variety of activities through the demonstrating position such as preparing teaching materials, giving pre-lab 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 ($1,275 per term) unless payment is disallowed by the terms of a scholarship. The precise requirements of each graduate teaching assistantship differ according to what the individual professor determines to be appropriate to provide the experience necessary. Although departments must ensure that a position is available for every student within their department so that this program requirement can be fulfilled, on occasion students demonstrate in an undergraduate course outside of their academic department. A student who is interested in demonstrating in an undergraduate course outside of his/her academic department must discuss this possibility with the supervisory committee and the instructor of the course, and must have the approval of the Head of the department in which the course is offered. If a student is able to arrange to complete the demonstrating requirement in another academic department, he/she must notify the supervisory committee and the Head of his/her department. 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 that 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 RGS Office, a Teaching Assistantship Letter of Reference form. This form is available at nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/forms/default.asp. The students’ performance as demonstrators will be evaluated by those in charge of the course.


Admission to Candidacy (ATC) Examination

The purpose of the ATC examination is:

Each student must pass an Admission to Candidacy examination early in the 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 his/her 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 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 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 an NSAC faculty member, a qualified scholar from outside NSAC, an honorary research associate or adjunct professor of NSAC. The Chair, Supervisory Committee members, and External Examiner then question the student on the proposal and on concepts relevant to the proposal.

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. The research proposal must be no more than 25 single-sided pages (in 12-point font, double-spaced, with 2.5-cm/1” margins on all sides), including the cover page, table of contents, reference list, figures, tables, appendices and a time-line detailing the completion of all program requirements. 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. The style manual is available from the NSAC Bookstore and the NSAC website at nsac.ca/stylemanual/2008StyleManual.pdf.

It is recommended that students have all members of their supervisory committee review, comment on, edit and critique the proposal prior to submitting it for the ATC examination. It should be submitted, together with a research proposal information form (ATC Form Part 1) and the ATC Planning Form, to the RGS Office to schedule the ATC examination. The ATC Form Part 1 and the ATC Planning Form are available on the RGS website at nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/forms/default.asp.

Three weeks prior to the ATC examination, sufficient additional copies of the research proposal must be provided to the RGS Office for distribution to the Supervisory Committee, External Examiner, and Chair of the exam. One additional copy must be submitted to the RGS Office 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.

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 NSAC Faculty 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 NSAC Faculty 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.


Annual Progress Report
Annual Progress Report forms, available on the Dal website at dalgrad.dal.ca/currentstudents/forms, must be completed, submitted and approved each year in order for students to register for their next year of study. This report is due one month prior to the anniversary of the student’s admission date, i.e.,:

Every graduate student must present a written progress report to the supervisory committee each year and arrange a meeting with the supervisory committee to discuss it. At this meeting, the Annual Progress Report form should be completed. The student must then ensure that the completed Progress Report form is submitted through the supervisor to the NSAC RGS Office by the set deadline.

Students who are planning to defend their theses and complete their programs prior to their anniversary date and who do not believe they will need to register for another year of study are still required to submit an Annual Progress Report that indicates the date of their defence and program completion date. However, should such a student miss the intended defence date, a full Annual Progress Report will be required prior to registration for another term of study. Failure to submit this report may result in delays in registration and funding.


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 FGS, Dal. 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. 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. 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 Faculty 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:

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 NSAC Faculty Graduate Coordinator in writing.

In addition, each supervisor consents to:

The supervisor and the student are responsible for recommending to the NSAC Faculty 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. The RGS Office 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 $700 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:

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.

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 NSAC Faculty Graduate Studies Coordinator within the student’s first academic term of study. All supervisory committees are approved by the FGS, Dal.
                 
The supervisory committee consists of the supervisor and at least two others. Supervisory committee members may be chosen from outside NSAC; however:

Additional members of the non-university/college community (such as practicing professionals), may be appointed to the supervisory committee where their particular expertise makes it appropriate. The appointment of a non-member of the FGS, including any non-regular appointments, requires permission from the Dean of Graduate Studies, Dal 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, Dal. Supervisors should contact the RGS Office for more information on the approval process.

It is recommended that supervisory committees 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 Faculty Graduate Studies Coordinator prior to being submitted to FGS, Dal.

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.

Supervisory Committee Member’s Responsibilities
Each member of a supervisory committee is responsible for:

respecting and conforming to the NSAC and FGS guidelines regarding scholarly integrity and conflict of interest.

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Registration

Registration is the process by which students officially establish their status (full-time or part-time), list their courses to be taken in the M.Sc. program, and pay the appropriate academic fees. Both the course registration and the fee payment must be completed before a student can be officially registered.

Graduate students must register via the website for each term (Fall, Winter, and Summer) at both Dal and NSAC. It is the student’s responsibility to register on the day(s) specified for graduate student registration. Students are reminded that they must keep their mailing address up to date.

Graduate students may take graduate courses at NSAC and at Dal. Graduate courses offered at NSAC are listed in the NSAC 2011/2012 Calendar, available from the NSAC Registrar or the RGS Office, and on the NSAC website (nsac.ca/reg/calendar.asp). Graduate courses offered at Dal are listed in the Dalhousie University Graduate Studies Calendar and on the Dal website at gr.cal.dal.ca.

To register, all graduate students in their first year of study must do the following during each of their first three academic terms:

NSAC International is responsible for administering International student health insurance. Please contact the International and Exchange Student Coordinator if you have any questions or if your status changes. All International students will be automatically enrolled in StudentGuard for the first year of their stay at NSAC.

Students at NSAC for longer periods will remain on StudentGuard unless MSI coverage has been arranged. International students will be billed for StudentGuard by the Finance Office through their student account. This is usually done once a year. Costs and dates may change from year to year, and are based on rates set by the insurance company.

Graduate students in the second year of their program and beyond will receive a registration package by mail. This package will contain:

                 
In addition to courses and thesis (AGRI9000), students must register at Dal for REGN9999 in all three terms. REGN9999 is listed in the Academic Timetable as “Registration Course – Graduate” on Dal’s website (dal.ca).

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 FGS. Late registration is permitted until the last day for adding courses. Students who do not register on or before that date must apply in writing to the RGS Office for permission to register. Late fees are waived only in extenuating circumstances and at the discretion of the Vice-President Administration. 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 Dal during that semester.

Graduate students must maintain their registration on a continuing basis or they will be considered to have withdrawn and will be required to apply for re-admission. Continuing students who fail to register by the final deadline will be automatically withdrawn from their program and will have to apply for re-admission at 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 NSAC Faculty Graduate Coordinator and submitted for final approval to Dal FGS. The Faculty 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 Faculty Graduate Coordinator must sign this form and the signed form is to be submitted to Dal 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/Dal for the requirements to complete the M.Sc. program. Any changes to the approved Program Form must be agreed to by the supervisor, the Faculty Graduate Coordinator, and Dal FGS by submission of a Program Update form.


Concurrent Registration
A student may, with the permission of the Dean of Graduate Studies, register for two concurrent degrees, one at Dal and one elsewhere or both at Dal, for a maximum of twelve months, usually the first academic year of the graduate program. This does not apply to an NSAC/Dal 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.


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 RGS Office for a Leave of Absence. If NSAC recommends to Dal FGS that the Leave of Absence be granted, and if Dal 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 Dal.


Leaves of Absence will not be approved retroactively.
An application for a Leave of Absence is available at dalgrad.dal.ca/currentstudents/forms and must be completed by the student, in consultation with the student’s supervisor. Leaves of Absence can be granted for a full semester. Students may apply for successive term leaves up to a maximum of three terms (one year).

Applications for Leave of Absence must be received according to the deadlines listed in the schedule of Academic Dates and Deadlines.

A Leave of Absence not only frees the student from the necessity of paying tuition fees, it also releases NSAC and Dal 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 the Faculty Graduate Coordinator stating the reasons and the length of time requested. A suspension relieves the student from responsibilities for completing classwork and other program requirements, but it does contribute to time in the program. 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 Dal 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 Dal 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.


Identification Cards
Full-time and part-time students will receive both NSAC and Dal ID numbers. Students will receive NSAC ID cards that will entitle them to Novanet library services. The Novanet consortium comprises ten post-secondary institutions: AST, CBU, Dal, Kings, MSVU, NSAC, NSCADU, NSCC, SMU, and St. FX. 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 Dal and are also given a Dal ID number, NSAC graduate students can access the proxy server at Dal that allows access to the Dalhousie Library databases and electronic journals. Students will need their Dal ID number to access their grades and to update their personal information on Dal’s online access system at dal.ca/online.


Notification of Address
Correspondence from Dal 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 NSAC RGS Office, upon registration or as soon as possible thereafter. Subsequent changes must be reported promptly to the RGS Office and a Change of Address form must be completed. The RGS Office will notify the NSAC Registry Office and Financial Services of the change in address.
                 
Students are also required to ensure that Dal has their current mailing address, by updating their address on Dal’s online system. Students will need their Dal 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 Dal and NSAC. All students will be assigned an official e-mail address by both Dal and NSAC. Both the Dal and NSAC e-mail addresses will remain in effect while the student remains a student. NSAC allows students to maintain their @nsac.ca e‑mail address after graduation as a service to alumni. This means that students will be able to access their NSAC e-mail accounts via webmail after graduation just as they did before. 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 Dal 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 RGS Office for additional information.

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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 full-time student may hold job(s) simultaneously only if the job(s) 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 Dal FGS as working part-time on a graduate degree. A part-time graduate student cannot carry more than eight 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, and in whom NSAC has expressed an interest as a potential graduate student, but who does not meet all admission requirements for the program. Admission to a qualifying program may be recommended for students in the following circumstances:

  1. The student has the required GPA in a recognized undergraduate degree program but may not have the required background for graduate studies in a specific discipline. The required advanced undergraduate courses that must be completed with ‘B-’ or higher marks to qualify for admission to the graduate program must be specified.
  2. The student does not meet the overall GPA requirements for admission to the graduate program. A set of advanced undergraduate courses that, upon satisfactory completion, will raise the GPA to the minimum acceptable level must be specified.

Qualifying students can be full-time or part-time. If advanced placement for the graduate classes is anticipated, this information must be specified in the comments section of the application form. As 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. Qualifying students must pass all classes with no grades below a ‘B-’ (70%) and an average of at least ‘B’ (73%), 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 Faculty Graduate Coordinator. As all graduate classes must be taught at a standard consistent with graduate-level studies, non-program students must have records which meet the minimum entrance requirements for the graduate program (hence they must be approved by Dal FGS as being 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. Exceptions can be granted only by Dal FGS at the time of admission.

A letter confirming a student’s registration and/or scholarship or stipend status can be produced on request. Confirmation letter request forms are located on the NSAC web site at nsac.ns.ca/gradstudies/forms/default.asp. Students should contact the NSAC RGS Office for information on this service.

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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 RGS Office or the NSAC website at nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/fees.pdf.


Program Fees for Full-Time Students
The One-year M.Sc. program involves a program fee requirement of one year (three consecutive terms). The Two-year M.Sc. program involves a program fee requirement for the first two years of study (six consecutive terms). If students have to continue beyond the program fee requirement period to complete the 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.

In other words, a part-time student entering the One-year M.Sc. program will pay nine 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.


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 may 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 or any other outside scholarship administered by NSAC on behalf of the funding agency.

Graduate students may not submit their approved thesis to Dal for binding nor will the degree or official transcripts be released until outstanding fees are paid in full. Students who have outstanding account 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 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.

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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:

Graduate credit is obtained only for graduate courses, which are denoted by a 5XXX number or above.

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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. Many research assistantships are posted on the RGS website at nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/assistantship.asp. The availability of research assistantships varies annually and from one area of research to another. 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.

Stipend payments are managed by and distributed from the NSAC RGS Office. Please contact the RGS Office for paperwork required to initiate stipend payments. Students receiving stipend support will receive payment on a monthly basis at the beginning of each month, via direct deposit to their bank account. For these students, the first payment will be issued 30 days following initial registration (e.g., if the program start date is September 1, the first stipend payment will be issued on October 1, etc.). Graduate students funded under provincial or national scholarships 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 should the student’s account go into arrears. Students with questions regarding their stipend payments are encouraged to contact the RGS Office.


Research Costs
A student’s supervisor is responsible for all costs directly associated with the thesis research project. Sometimes, the student must incur costs for the research project (e.g. costs associated with field travel, and purchase of supplies) and in these circumstances, the student is reimbursed for the expense by the supervisor. Students must always receive the prior approval of their supervisor for costs associated with the research project.

To be reimbursed for travel costs, students must complete either a Travel Expense Claim Form or a Cheque Request Form. Students who are on casual payroll at the time of expense submission (e.g. completing their TA) would complete a Travel Expense Claim; students who are not on casual payroll (e.g. receiving stipend only) would complete a Cheque Request Form. Travel expenses are to be submitted monthly, for a full month’s travel costs. Claims received in Financial Services, with appropriate approvals and documentation requirements are posted daily and included on the next regular travel cheque run. Students are advised that if they are required to travel out of province and/or country, they must first obtain permission to do so by completing an Out-of-Province/Country Travel Form. Out-of-Province/Country Travel Forms are available from the Department administrative assistant or on the website at nsac.ca/research/researchers/forms.asp. The approved Out-of-Province/Country Travel Form must be attached to the Travel Expense Claim (or Cheque Request). Both Travel Expense Claim and Cheque Request Forms and detailed instructions are available on the NSAC website at nsac.ca/finance/forms.asp. The Travel Expense Claim Form must be certified to be accurate by the Department administrative assistant and signed by the student and the student’s supervisor. The Cheque Request Form must be signed by the student’s supervisor. Please contact the RGS Office for assistance in determining which format you are to use for your travel expenses and for any clarification in completing the form.

Students can be reimbursed for a research purchase up to $50 in value via petty cash provided that the purchase has been authorized by the student’s supervisor and the transaction complies with the Nova Scotia Purchasing Agency regulations. Petty Cash expenses are not to be accumulated. The Petty Cash form is available on the website at nsac.ca/finance/forms.asp. Original receipts must be attached (detailed receipts showing the tax breakdown are required; credit card slips are not acceptable) and the supervisor’s signature is required. The form and original documents are to be taken to Financial Services, 2nd Floor Cumming Hall, for reimbursement. Petty Cash cannot be used to reimburse travel expenses. If the student’s supervisor has authorized that the student be reimbursed for a purchase or accumulated receipts totalling over $50, the Cheque Request Form should be used for reimbursement purposes. Students are advised to seek the assistance of the administrative assistant within their department of study for the completion of financial forms (travel expense claims, cheque requests, etc.) for reimbursement purposes.

Students are responsible for all costs associated with writing and presenting the thesis.

Students are encouraged to meet with the Heads of their departments of study to obtain their department’s policies and procedures on photocopying within the department, availability of office supplies from the department, etc.

Students are encouraged to discuss with their supervisors what financial assistance is available to assist with miscellaneous costs associated with their programs, such as photocopy charges (e.g., photocopying of journals at the library, etc.), printing charges (e.g., of the ATC research proposal and thesis), and NSAC MacRae Library charges (e.g., Novanet document delivery and interlibrary loan charges). While some supervisors may be able to assist students with printing, photocopying and library charges, others will not have the financial resources to do so. If the student’s supervisor can provide financial assistance toward photocopying and interlibrary loan charges at the NSAC MacRae library, a form is available at the Library Circulation Counter that advises the Library of the amount of support available, the time during which support will be available, and which research account is being used. The signature of the student’s supervisor is required. Students are to mention that a form is on file when they go to pick up a Novanet or Interlibrary loan item.


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.

The student is required to pay the first year’s tuition in advance.


Conference Grants
Students planning to present their research at a scientific meeting may apply to the RGS Office for a grant towards their expenses. An application form (Travel Bursary Form) is available from the website at nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/forms/default.asp. Proof that an oral or poster presentation of the student’s research has been accepted at the conference must be submitted with the completed Travel Bursary Form. A student will receive a maximum of one conference grant up to a total of $500 during the course of the M.Sc. program, subject to the approval of the RGS Office, as financing permits. Students will only be reimbursed for actual expenses paid, and receipts are required. Normally, students are reimbursed for expenses upon return from the conference and upon submission of a Travel Expense Claim form (or Cheque Request Form) and attached receipts. If the student’s supervisor has paid all of the student’s travel and conference expenses from a research project account, the travel bursary will be transferred to the supervisor’s account from which the travel was paid.

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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 Canadian Council on Animal Care (www.ccac.ca) requires all animal users in government-funded institutions to be properly trained. Graduate students working with animals must complete a short course entitled “Experimental Animal User Training”. This course on the background theory of animal care is a ”self-taught” package comprised of reading and multiple-choice questions. Instructions for completing this training are available at nsac.ns.ca/pas/animalcare. To obtain a username and password, contact Linda Jack (ljack@nsac.ca). Successful completion of this course is a mandatory component of the Admission to Candidacy requirements.


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. Students whose research requires REB approval must provide proof of completion of the Tutorial for the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. This tutorial is available online at pre.ethics.gc.ca/english/tutorial. A copy of the certificate of completion must be submitted to Carolyn Terry (cterry@nsac.ca), RGS Office at the time the student submits his/her research for the approval of the NSAC REB. Graduate students are required to review their proposals with their supervisors before submission to REB. Submission deadlines, procedures, guidelines and forms are available on the website at nsac.ca/research/researchers/ethics.asp. Students should allow six to eight weeks for processing. A copy of the NSAC letter of ethics approval will be forwarded to Dalhousie University to be put in the student’s official file.

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, which can be obtained in electronic copy from Dr. Glenn Stratton, NSAC Biosafety Officer.

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. Research must comply with federal, provincial, and municipal requirements for disposal of hazardous materials and chemical and biological wastes, and for their use in the workplace.

Research Involving Radioactive Materials
Researchers, graduate students, and instructors proposing to use radioactive materials must obtain permission from the NSAC
Radiation Safety Office. The NSAC Site Radiation Safety Officer is Anne LeLacheur, Department of Environmental Sciences (alelacheur@nsac.ca). The following forms are available from the Radiation Safety Office:

All researchers, graduate students and staff who wish to use radioactivity must provide proof of completion of a radiation use and safety training program to the NSAC Radiation Safety Office.

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 Dal FGS and conform to Dal’s requirements for a thesis. The FGS Regulations for the Submission of Theses is available from the NSAC RGS Office and from the FGS website (dalgrad.dal.ca/currentstudents/thesesanddefences/forms). The regulations give details on originality, format and style, the order of contents, mailing costs, and other pertinent information. 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 RGS Office for further information.

Manuscripts in Thesis (Submission of Papers to Journals Prior to Defence or Completion)
It may be appropriate for the thesis to include published or accepted manuscripts, papers or reports authored or co-authored by the student. Students who wish to pursue this option must have the prior consent of their supervisory committees, and must obtain appropriate copyright permission.

It is expected that the student has made a substantial contribution to any such manuscripts. Where a co-authored manuscript is
included in the thesis, the student’s contribution must be clearly indicated on the Student Contribution to Manuscripts in Thesis form.

Students are strongly encouraged to publish their M.Sc. research in refereed journals before, during or after their defence. However, if a student has submitted the thesis or chapters of the thesis in identical text as a manuscript to a journal prior to submitting the approved thesis to FGS for binding, the student must complete the Manuscripts in Thesis form and obtain a Copyright Release from the journal to which the manuscript has been submitted. The Student Contribution to Manuscripts in Thesis Form and the Copyright Release Request template letter are available at dalgrad.dal.ca/currentstudents/thesesanddefences/forms.

A Copyright Release Request template letter must be sent to each journal to which a manuscript has been submitted, regardless of whether it is accepted for publication either before or after the defence. Please include an appropriate letter to present to the journal publishers with the first draft of each journal manuscript submitted. The signed Copyright Release Request letters must be included in an Appendix at the end of the thesis. In addition, the first page of each chapter that has been accepted for publication must state “This chapter has [or Parts of this chapter have] been accepted to be included in the ... [title of publication]”.

All papers accepted by journals are to be summarized on the Manuscript in Thesis form. Thus, there must be a signed Copyright Release form to match each entry on the Manuscript in Thesis form. Note that the Manuscript in Thesis form is not to be included in the thesis for binding. Rather, it is to be submitted to Dal FGS at the same time that the thesis is submitted for binding.

The publication or acceptance of such manuscripts before the thesis defence in no way supersedes the examination committee’s evaluation of the work, including requesting revisions.


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 Dal).

All students are expected to write their theses 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 extensive correction to the standard of English. 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.

Writing and expression, as well as academic content of the thesis, must reflect the student’s own work. 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.


Submission of Thesis for Examination: M.Sc. Thesis
All students must refer to the Schedule of Academic Deadlines in the Dalhousie University Graduate Studies Calendar for submission deadlines and registration deadlines. Students must be registered for the term in which they have their defence and for the term in which they present their approved unbound theses to FGS. Students will not be permitted to submit their theses to RGS NSAC 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 and a delay in graduation. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all regulations have been met.

Students must submit a completed Thesis Defence Planning form, a signed Thesis Submission form, and sufficient copies of the M.Sc. thesis for each member of the examining committee to the NSAC RGS Office before the date of the thesis defence is finalized. Both the Thesis
Defense Planning Form and Thesis Submission Form are available on the RGS website at nsac.ca/research/graduatestudies/forms/default.asp. 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 RGS Office.


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. 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 faculty of another university or may be a non-faculty member (such as a practicing 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 RGS Office of the outcome.

Supervisors, in consultation with their students, are responsible for completing the Thesis Defence Planning form. This form must be submitted to the NSAC RGS Office at least four weeks prior to the intended defence date and serves to:

Students and supervisors are advised that they are not to arrange for an external examiner for the thesis defence. The external examiner will be arranged by the RGS Office in cooperation with the Office of the Vice President Academic. Room bookings and notices for thesis examinations are arranged by the graduate program assistant of the RGS Office, in consultation with the supervisor and student. The student is responsible for booking any AV equipment (e.g. computer projection unit, laptop computer, overhead, etc.) needed during the examination.


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 15- to 20-minute presentation by the candidate of the scope of the problem and the main achievements in the research. This is followed by questions and comments from the external examiner and committee members, and by the student’s responses. After the members of the Thesis Examining Committee and the audience have questioned the candidate, the Thesis Examining Committee deliberates in private, 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. The thesis will be either approved or not approved, in one of the following categories:

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 re-submit by a specific date, the Faculty Graduate Coordinator must send a written notification of failure to Dal FGS.

Presentation of Thesis for Graduation

Deadlines
Students are responsible for presenting to Dal 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).

Binding and Distribution
Students must now submit an electronic file in PDF/A format for the Dalhousie and National Libraries. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the PDF/A formatted thesis displays properly. PDF/A formatted documents can be exported from the latest versions of Microsoft Word and many other software platforms. As well, the full version of Adobe Acrobat can convert ordinary PDF documents to the PDF/A format. The Dalhousie Libraries have provided a basic PDF/A converter at dalspace.libary.dal.ca:8080/converter. Support for the PDF/A format is available from NSAC IT Services.

Please note that the electronic copy of the thesis CANNOT contain any signatures. The original signature page will be retained in paper files at FGS after the required paper forms have been submitted. Full Instructions on the electronic thesis submission process can be found at dalgrad.dal.ca/currentstudents/thesesanddefences/etheses.

NSAC students will be required to arrange to bind four paper copies (for student, supervisor, Department and NSAC library). Students can arrange for binding online at www.pageforpage.com or at another bindery of their choice. Students are required to submit one copy of the approved unbound thesis to the RGS Office.

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Convocation

Graduate students have the option of attending convocation ceremonies at either NSAC or Dal. Convocation ceremonies are held at NSAC in May and at Dal in May and October. Students must fulfill all requirements, including the payment of all fees, prior to graduation. Applications to graduate (Intent to Graduate form) are available at the RGS Office or on Dal’s website (registrar.dal.ca/forms) and must be submitted to the RGS Office by July 2 for graduation in October and by December 1 for graduation the following May.

Any graduating student who is unable to appear at convocation is expected to notify the RGS Office in writing prior to April 15 for Spring convocation (or October 1 for Fall convocation at Dal). Students whose accounts are delinquent on these dates will not receive their degree parchments or their transcripts.

When a student has fulfilled all the requirements for the degree (including payment of all fees) in advance of the official graduation date, a letter to that effect can be obtained from the FGS, Dal. The Confirmation Letter Request form is located on the FGS website (dalgrad.dal.ca/currentstudents/forms).

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Additional Information and Regulations
For additional information pertaining to the graduate program (e.g. academic deadlines, mandatory training requirements, change
of supervision, rights and responsibilities of students and supervisors, appeal processes, etc.), graduate students are advised to consult the Graduate Program Procedures Manual, available at nsac.ca/gradstudies/studenthandbook.pdf.

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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 required by all graduate students and enrollment is restricted to graduate students only.
AGRI5700: Communication Skills and Graduate Seminar
AGRI9000:  Graduate Thesis


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


Regular Courses
Where an undergraduate student wishes to take one of the following graduate courses, signatures of the instructor(s), the relevant Department Head(s), and the Faculty Graduate Coordinator are required for approval.
AGRI5270: Economic Entomology
AGRI5350: Animal Research Methods
AGRI5360: Protein Nutrition
AGRI5365: Vitamins in Animal 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 and Directed Studies Courses
These courses may be taken by undergraduate students only under exceptional circumstances. In those cases, signatures are required from the instructor(s), the relevant Department Head(s), and the Faculty Graduate Coordinator before registering.
AGRI5230: Directed Studies in Environmental Sciences
AGRI5260: Special Topics in Plant Pathology
AGRI5280: Directed Studies in Pest Management
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
AGRI5400: Directed Studies in Soil Science
AGRI5460: Special Topics in Soil and Water Management
AGRI5480: Directed Studies in Analytical Instrumentation
AGRI5510: Special Topics in Plant Breeding
AGRI5540: Special Topics in Crop Physiology (A)
AGRI5570: Special Topics in Agricultural Biotechnology
AGRI5610: Special Topics in Animal Product Technology
AGRI5730: Directed Studies in Food and BioProduct Science


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)
AGRI5630: Intermediate Statistical Methods (STAT4000)
AGRI5750: Biotechnology  (GENE4003)

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Graduate Course Descriptions

AGRI5230: Directed Studies in Environmental Sciences
Coordinator: Prof. Stratton

Prerequisites: permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator
This course aims to provide to graduate students an opportunity for detailed study and critical thinking in an environmental sciences research area of interest. Through individual study and research, with guidance and instruction provided by a professor, students will leave the course with comprehensive knowledge of a contemporary topic(s) in the discipline, with improved skills in comprehension, problem formulation, writing/communication and critical thinking.

Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor (individual work/lectures and discussion with instructor).

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AGRI5250: Soil Microbiology
Cross-referenced as MICR4000
Instructor: Prof. Burton

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:

Fall semester – to be arranged with the instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2012/2013.

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AGRI5260: Special Topics in Plant Pathology
Instructors: Dept. of Plant and Animal Sciences Faculty

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 instructors.

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AGRI5270: Economic Entomology
Instructor: Prof. Cutler

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); 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 – Lecture 2 hours, tutorial 1 hour per week.

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AGRI5280: Directed Studies in Pest Management
Coordinator: Prof. Cutler
Prerequisites: permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator

This course aims to provide to graduate students an opportunity for detailed study and critical thinking in a pest management research area of interest. Through individual study and research, with guidance and instruction provided by a professor, students will leave the course with comprehensive knowledge of a contemporary topic(s) in the discipline, and with improved skills in comprehension, problem formulation, writing/communication and critical thinking.

Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor (individual work/lectures and discussion with instructor).

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AGRI5310: Special Topics in Applied Ethology
Instructor: Prof. Jendral

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.

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AGRI5320: Special Topics in Animal Nutrition
Instructor: Prof. Anderson, Fredeen or Rouvinen-Watt

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.

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AGRI5340: Special Topics in Animal Physiology
Instructor: Prof. Duston, MacLaren or Rouvinen-Watt

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.

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AGRI5350: 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 instructors.

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AGRI5360: 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 2012/2013.

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AGRI5365: Vitamins in Animal Nutrition
Instructor: Prof. Anderson

Vitamins and vitamin-like compounds are discussed in relation to the normal function of the animal. Vitamin metabolic interrelationships, assessments of adequacy, treatments of deficiency, and sources both natural and synthetic are addressed for all vitamins. Current literature relating to each vitamin as bioactive molecules is discussed.

Winter semester – to be arranged with instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2011/2012.

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AGRI5370: 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 and 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 instructors.

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AGRI5380: Quantitative Genetics
Instructors: Dept. of Plant and Animal Sciences Faculty

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 around the world.

Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructors.

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AGRI5390: 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 (e.g. 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.

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AGRI5400: Directed Studies in Soil Science
Coordinator: Prof. Burton
Prerequisites: permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator

This course aims to provide to graduate students an opportunity for detailed study and critical thinking in a soil science research area of interest. Through individual study and research, with guidance and instruction provide by a professor, students will leave the course with comprehensive knowledge of a contemporary topic(s) in the discipline, and with improved skills in comprehension, problem formulation, writing/communication and critical thinking.

Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor (individual work/lectures and discussion with instructor).

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AGRI5440: 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:

Fall semester – to be arranged with the instructor. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2012/2013.

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AGRI5450: Environmental Soil Chemistry
Cross-referenced as SOIL4000
Instructor: Prof. Hoyle
Minimum enrollment: 10 students

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 2011/2012.

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AGRI5460: Special Topics in Soil and Water Management
Instructors: Profs. Havard and Madani

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.

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AGRI5480: Directed Studies in Analytical Instrumentation
Coordinator: Prof. Pitts
Prerequisites: permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator

This course aims to provide graduate students with an opportunity for detailed study and critical thinking in specific areas of analytical instrumentation as it relates to their research area. Through individual study and research, with guidance and instruction provided by a professor, students will leave the course with comprehensive knowledge of a contemporary topic(s) in the discipline, and with improved skills in comprehension, problem formulation, writing/communication and critical thinking.

Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor (individual work/lectures and discussion with instructor).

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AGRI5510: Special Topics in Plant Breeding
Instructor: Prof. McLean

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.

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AGRI5520: 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 instructors.

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AGRI5530: Nitrogen in Crop Production
Instructors: Profs. Li, Lynch and Burton

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 instructors. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2012/2013.

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AGRI5540: 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.

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AGRI5560: 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 2011/2012.

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AGRI5570: Special Topics in Agricultural Biotechnology
Instructor: Prof. Benkel

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.

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AGRI5610: 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 instructors.

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AGRI5620: 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 – Lecture 3 hours, lab 2 hours per week. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2011/2012.

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AGRI5630: 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 – Lecture 3 hours, computer lab 1 hour per week.

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AGRI5700: Communication Skills and Graduate Seminar
Instructor: Prof. Lynch

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 – Lecture 2 hours, seminar 1 hour per week. Enrollment per term may be capped.

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AGRI5705: Module Course II
Coordinator: Prof. Corscadden
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).

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AGRI5710: Module Course I
Coordinator: Prof. Corscadden

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).

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AGRI5720: 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 – Lecture 3 hours per week.

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AGRI 5730: Directed Studies in Food and BioProduct Science
Coordinator: Prof. Rupasinghe
Prerequisites: permission of the instructor and Faculty Graduate Coordinator

This course aims to provide to graduate students an opportunity for detailed study and critical thinking in a food and bioproduct research area of interest. Through individual study and research, with guidance and instruction provided by a professor, students will leave the course with comprehensive knowledge of a contemporary topic(s) in the discipline, and with improved skills in comprehension, problem formulation, writing/communication and critical thinking.

Fall or Winter semester – to be arranged with the instructor (individual work/lectures and discussion with instructor).

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AGRI5740: Advanced Studies in Food Chemistry
Instructor: Prof. Pitts
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 – Lecture 1 hour, discussion 1 hour per week.

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AGRI5750: Biotechnology
Cross-referenced as GENE4003
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. Nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications will also be discussed.

Winter semester – Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours per week. Offered in alternate years; next offered in 2012/2013.

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AGRI9000: Graduate Thesis

Students register for this course when they are engaged in research work for credit towards the M.Sc. in Agriculture degree.