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The Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences (TPSS) at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) offers graduate programs leading to the MS and PhD in TPSS. Students may choose to specialize in one of the two options listed below:

• Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences
  This option aims to provide a thorough understanding of the principles and techniques in the adaptation and application of biotechnology to tropical crop plant production, and of the role of soils in supporting crop production systems. Students who specialize in this option study fundamental biological processes, molecular and organic biology, genetics, plant physiology, chemistry, physics, and microbiology. They also study soil for its intrinsic properties, for its role in supporting crop growth, and as an environmental resource.

• Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences — Horticulture
  This option explores the many facets of tropical food and ornamental crop production. Students who specialize in this option acquire a thorough understanding of agricultural systems, plant production, soil fertility, and environmental protection. They also study related disciplines such as crop ecology, plant physiology and molecular biology.

Both the MS and PhD programs are designed to provide considerable flexibility, allowing students to develop programs of study that meet their career objectives. In addition to courses offered by the department, courses in botany, biochemistry, food science, genetics, microbiology, plant pathology and zoology are also available. Students are encouraged to explore disciplines related to TPSS, since problems facing agricultural plant production are complex. Solving such problems often requires the successful integration of various related disciplines.

The MS and PhD programs in TPSS participate in the Western Regional Graduate Program administered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). The program enables legal residents of WICHE member states to enroll in selected out-of-state professional or graduate programs at reduced tuition rates. For more information, see Financial Matters < WICHE Program.

Master's Degree Requirements
Students may select Plan A (thesis), Plan B (non-thesis) or Plan C (exam). All students take a written diagnostic exam the week preceding the first day of instruction. The exam consists of questions in botany, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, physics, plant science, statistics, and soil science. Results of the exam are used to determine the necessary courses for the student's program of study.

• Plan A requires 30 credits (including six credits of thesis research), a written thesis and defense of the thesis.
• Plan B requires 30 credits, a research project and a project report.
• Plan C has no minimum course work requirements. Students must demonstrate competence by passing an exam.

PhD Degree Requirements
The PhD program requires the following:

• appropriate course work as determined by the student's graduate committee and the graduate chair,
• an oral comprehensive exam covering all subjects relevant to the student's chosen concentration,
• a seminar on the proposed research topic for the dissertation (may be required by the student's committee),
• dissertation,
• final oral exam/defense of dissertation.

Courses
To view a listing of courses offered, visit www.catalog.hawaii.edu/courses/departments/tpss.htm.