Distance Education Program in Agronomy and Soils: FAQs
When can I enroll in distance education courses in Agronomy and Soils?
You will be able to enroll in our distance learning courses at any time., Courses are currently available for Fall Semester 2009 and Spring Semester 2010.
When can I enroll as a distance education graduate student in Agronomy and Soils?
Our goal is to enroll our first group of distance education graduate students in Spring 2010. However, this will depend upon how fast our program proposal goes through the approval process and if it is approved in time for to allow potential graduate students to be admitted by the Department and the Graduate School in time to enroll at that time.
How many courses will be offered by distance education?
So far, 12 faculty have committed to offer 15 existing courses in distance education format. We expect that number to increase over time.
How will these courses be given?
The courses will be web-based, using a learning management system called Blackboard. Once you have enrolled in a course, you will be given access to the course website, where you will access most or all of the course materials, including lectures, some of the readings, and exams. The courses will be asynchronous, which means that you can log on any time of day or night, whenever it is convenient to you. You will still be required to complete the course within the semester of enrollment in order to obtain credit for the course.
Lectures will be provided as narrated Powerpoint slides or by video streaming. Laboratory sessions will be provided in different manners depending upon the nature of the material. Demonstrations and field visits will be videotaped so you can watch on your computer. Where calculations are required, you will be provided with instructions. Simulations may be used. Where hands-on experience is required, we may require a short visit to campus or to another location at a time suitable to all students just to carry out the laboratory portion of the course. Another option under discussion is the use of kits. We will seek out the most appropriate solution for the problem based upon the nature of the material to be taught.
How will I submit assignments and take exams?
Most of the assignments and exams will be submitted in electronic format through Auburn’s Blackboard course website. Sometimes you might have to mail them.
What if I am not very computer literate? Can I get help when I have problems with accessing course materials or turning in assignments?
Yes, the Distance Learning and Outreach Technology have staff who can assist with computer-related problems.
Are the Distance Education courses as good as the classroom classes?
Yes, you will be learning exactly the same material, have the same assignments and the same examinations. The only difference is the mode of delivery. We will make every effort to make the on-line courses as good as or better than the respective classroom courses.
How do I register for a distance learning course?
How you register for a course depends upon your status.
Auburn students: If you have been admitted as an Auburn student, click on the following link to register: https://banssb.prod.auburn.edu/pls/PROD/bwskalog.P_DispLoginNon. Please note that if you are an on-campus student, the tuition you pay as a full-time on-campus student does not cover distance education courses. You will be charged separately for your distance education courses.
Grad student at another university: If you are a graduate student at another university and want to take courses from Auburn that you can transfer to your university, click on this link for transient students: http://www.grad.auburn.edu/forms/graduate_transient_begin.html
Have BS or BA and not presently a student: If you are not enrolled in graduate school anywhere and want to take a graduate-level course, please go to this Web site: https://fp.auburn.edu/gradschl/public_html/GWAAP3/default.htm. You will need to create a user account to apply. You should choose the option 'graduate studies' in the application instead of selecting a program.
Please note: If you think you may want to enroll in the graduate school at a later date, the graduate school will allow you to take courses for up to two semesters before being admitted to the graduate school and have those courses apply to your degree. However, for those credits to count, you must be admitted by the third semester. In that case, you should apply for admission to the graduate school no later than the beginning of the second semester.
Do not have Bachelor’s Degree: If you do not have a BA or BS degree and wish to obtain credit for undergraduate courses, you need to be admitted as a student in the undergraduate program. To be admitted through the regular application process takes at least 6 months, and requires submission of SAT or ACT test results, official transcripts, etc. If you just want to take one or a few courses by distance education, please contact Dr. Dennis Shannon at least six weeks before the start of the semester to indicate your intent. You will be asked to provide following information:
- Current academic status
- If you have already taken college courses, send a copy of you college transcripts (unofficial is acceptable)
- If you have only completed high school, provide
- Name and location of high school
- Copy of transcript (unofficial is OK)
- Copy of High School diploma or GED
- Information on whether you have taken ACT or SAT exams
General Information
You will be required to pay an application fee of $40 ($50 for international students). You will need to fill out and fax or scan an application form.
If the course in which you plan to enroll requires a campus visit, you may be required to submit the following medical form and proof of vaccinations: http://www.auburn.edu/au_medical/med_info.pdf. Please check the course description to determine if the course requires a campus visit.
How do I enroll as a distance education graduate student in Agronomy and Soils?
You will need to apply to the Graduate School, through their website: http://www.grad.auburn.edu/prospective.html. In order to be admitted into the graduate school, you will need to have passed the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). If English is not your mother tongue, you will need to pass the TOEFL examination as well. For more information, see the website indicated above. Once the Graduate School has assessed your application, they will forward it to the Head of the Department of Agronomy and Soils for a decision.
What is the difference between Master of Agriculture and Master of Science degrees?
To obtain a Master of Science degree, students must submit a thesis based upon original resarch carried out by the student. Master of Agriculture students must submit a professional report instead of a thesis and must take at least two additional courses. For more information, see the Agronomy and Soils Graduate Student Handbook under Graduate Courses on the Agronomy and Soils Web site.
How will I carry out my research?
Those wishing to obtain a Master of Science or PhD degree must carry out research and publish the results in a thesis. The student will need to identify a faculty member who will serve as major professor and supervise the student’s research program. There must be funding available to support the research program, as is the case with any other graduate student pursuing a MS or PhD degree. The research program must be arranged on a case by case basis, and must be approved by students’ graduate committee. If your research site is far from campus, we may need to arrange for a local researcher or faculty member to help with on-site support to your research. A Master of Agriculture degree does not require a thesis, but requires additional courses.
How do I find a faculty member to be my major professor?
A list of faculty members and their research interests are given on the department website: http://www.ag.auburn.edu/agrn/faculty_list.htm. Or, you may contact the Department Head, Dr. Joseph P. Touchton, who can direct you to the faculty member most suited to your area of interest.
How do I find more information about the Agronomy and Soils Distance Education Program?
You may contact Dr. Dennis A. Shannon, who is Chair of the Distance Education Committee. His email address is shannda@auburn.edu.