6. POSC

What is the POSC?

The Program of Study Committee - every ISU Grad Student is required to submit this form.  It consists of:

  1. Your Graduate Committee - major professor and committee member(s)
  2. Your Program of Study - list of required courses and creative component credits

Graduate Committee

All MS Agronomy student graduate committees will consist of at least 2 official members:

  1. Major professor - chosen during the 599M Seminar
    • Your Major Professor will work with you strictly on your project 
    • Your Major Professor is expected to respond in a timely manner to any drafts you send for feedback
    • Your Major Professor is the only person who can determine if your Creative Component is complete enough for Final Oral Examination (defense)
  2. Committee member - Faculty member in Agronomy who can assist you and your major professor in the development and preparation of the Creative Component. If the major professor is not a member of the Agronomy Department, the Agronomy faculty member will serve as Co-Major Professor rather than committee member.
    • Committee member(s) review the draft of Creative Component that your major professor feels is ready for Final Oral Examination (defense)
    • Committee member(s) participate in your Final Oral Examination (defense)

Note: Students can choose a third committee member if they prefer.

If the third committee member is not an ISU faculty, e.g., a work supervisor, the third member would be an informal member of the committee, since Iowa State University does not allow a non-faculty member to serve as a major professor or official committee member.

Program of Study

On the POSC form, students are required to list all MS Agronomy required coursework and 599M credits in the order they are planned to be completed.

How is the POSC completed?

During the 599M Seminar semester, you will be guided through completing the POSC.

Additional information can be found in the ISU Grad College POSC webpage.

Where is the POSC located?

In AccessPlus.  After you log in, on the left menu click Grad Stdnt Status.  On the right side of the page is a button called My POSC Form.  Also on this page is a button called My Program Audit - this page tracks your progress as you complete the courses listed on your POSC.