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New Mexico State University

PES Undergraduate Handbook

Welcome to Las Cruces and New Mexico State University's Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. This handbook will provide valuable information to answer the most commonly asked questions about undergraduate programs and departmental policies.

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences offers a Undergraduate degrees in Agriculture and Environmental Science. The faculty come from a variety of disciplines, including crop physiology, ornamental horticulture, soil science, plant breeding and genetics, nursery production, molecular biology, and forestry.

Although much of your time will be spent in class, you are encouraged to interact with other faculty members and fellow students, which are valuable sources of information. You are encouraged to join one of the undergraduate clubs and work toward certification in your area of expertise.

Degree Requirements - Check lists

Filing Notice of Degree Candidacy
Degree candidates are required to file an application for degree and pay the graduation fee for each degree sought. This fee ($10 for one-year certificates, $25 for associate or bachelor's, and $35 for graduate degrees) will be included in the total paid for the semester or session in which the candidate anticipates completing degree requirements. If degree requirements are not completed during the semester or session for which the student paid the fee, the student must reapply and pay the appropriate fees. The application for degree form is available at the Office of the Registrar and the student's advising center/Dean's Office. It must be completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the deadline for the semester/session. A $25 late fee applies to applications received after the last day to register, and no applications will be accepted after midterm.

A student must specify choice of catalog as indicated under "Graduation Requirements."

Latest date for substitution or waiver of required courses for candidates for degrees is two weeks after the last date of registration for regular or summer terms.

All fees and bills owed the university must be paid before a student may receive a diploma or transcript of credits.

All fees and bills owed the university must be paid before a student may receive a diploma or transcript of credits.

In the Plant and Environmental Sciences Department, the student goes to the associate dean of residence instructions office and applies for a degree check before filling for the degree candidacy. This should be done at the beginning of the senior year. There is a sign up sheet in the office to request a degree check. Also, the dean's office will check at the beginning of each semester and will initiate a degree check if the student has not requested one. The dean's office does the initial degree check and then sends the paper work to the department head where it is distributed to the advisors for a final check to be completed. After the final check is signed off on by the advisor, the department head signs the degree check and sends it back to the dean's office. The department has a policy of having some other advisor than the student's advisor do the check. The student should bring a copy of the catalog that they will use to graduate under if different then the current catalog that is on the internet when they meet with the person doing the degree check.

Each program in the department has a degree check form that is unique to the major. The student should indicate which major they are under when requesting a degree check in the dean's office. If the students does not request a degree check then a general form will be used and the student will have to transfer the information from that form to the specific major form before the degree check advisor and student can complete the check.

Any comments about the degree check are to be typed up and attached to the degree check form. Hand written comments are not readable and should not be used.

When desiring to substitute a course in the option list, the advisor write a letter to the dean of residence instruction college of Agriculture through the department head to substitute the course in the degree check form below. The faculty advising environmental science students have agreed that any substitution will be voted on by all faculty advising environmental students and not just the student advisor.

The Degree check forms are word documents and can be accessed below.

FInancial Assistance

Financial support is available for undergraduate students in the form of scholarships and work opportunities. Departmental gobs are posted at student employment office. DEPARTMENT SCHOLARSHIPS-The department awarded over $27,000 in scholarships in the year of 2000. Below is a description of the scholarships and the amount awarded in 2000.

In the educational services building, there is a financial aid office which helps new undergraduate students apply for many types of financial support. Perkins loans (national direct student loans), Stanford loans (GSL), and college work study are available to undergraduate students. The amount of aid awarded will be based on the financial need for each student.

New undergraduate students wanting financial support should contact the following office to get a financial advisor: Director, Financial Aid Office, New Mexico State University, Box 30001, Dept. 5100, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, Telephone (505) 646-4105.

International Students

The Center for International Programs (CIP) at New Mexico State University is the focal point for the University’s international activities. The CIP provides services and advisement to international students from approximately 72 countries.

New international students must contact an international student advisor who will coordinate admissions, provide immigration advice, enroll the student in orientation programs, provide general counseling, and develop special programs for the student. The CIP also cooperates with international student associations and community organizations to organize socio-cultural activities for international students and their families.

The CIP is in Garcia Annex, room 238, telephone (575) 646-2017.

The CIP cannot lend money to a student unless the student’s government sponsor has made arrangements with the CIP in advance.

Office Support Staff

Sally Baeza * Acct. Techn. Supervisor

  • Phone: 6-4620

Linda Meyer * Reports Layout Typist II

  • Phone: 6-3405

Esther Ramirez * Department Secretary III

  • Phone: 6-3406

Josephine Vasquez * Accounting Technician II

  • Phone: 6-1141

Jessica Phillips * Department Secretary I

  • Phone: 6-1137

Professional Societies - Certification Programs

Belonging to a professional organization while a graduate student is well worth the cost. The student has the opportunity to attend professional meetings, meet others in his/her field and present research at these meetings to gain useful experience and exposure. Below are some common professional organizations and a brief explanation of each.

  1. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    • Encompasses all fields of science and technology. Publishes the weekly journal Science. Headquarters are at 1333 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005. Membership is $82. Dr. Paul Bosland and Dr. William Lindemann are NMSU members.
  2. American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
    Crop Science Society of America (CSSA)
    Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)
    • These societies are independent, autonomous organizations, but work closely together. They share a headquarters office at 677 S. Segoe Rd, Madison, WI. 53711. Graduate student memberships range from $22-$32, depending on the journal options selected. Many agronomy and soil science professors are members
  3. American Society for Horticulture Science (ASHS)
    • Student membership is $30; membership applications are usually in the back of the organization's journal, HortScience. The local representative is Dr. Esteban Herrera. National meetings are held annually, either in the summer or fall. ASHS rewards student travel grants to attend the meetings if presenting. The Department Head submits graduate student names and abstracts to ASHS for travel grants.
  4. American Society of Plant Physiology (ASPP)
    • Publishes Plant Physiology, an international journal devoted to research on physiology, molecular biology, environmental biology, biochemistry, and cell biology of plants. For membership/subscription contact: Daisy Gorzyca, Office Administrator at 15501 Monona Drive, Rockville, MD 20855. Dr. Norm Lownds is a member.
  5. American Phyto/pathological Society (APS)
    • Standard rate is $24, includes your choice of journal and the option to receive additional journals at added costs.
  6. Association for Women in Science (AWIS)
    • Student membership is $10. Information is available through: AWIS, 1522 K Street, NW Suite 820, Washington, D.C. 20005.
  7. Society of American Foresters (SAF)
    • Student membership is $25. Dr. John Mexal is chairperson of the Southern New Mexico Chapter of SAF and has membership information

Certification programs for Agronomy and Horticulture Students.

Related files

Student Clubs (undergraduate)

  • Hort Forum Club
    Hort Forum is NMSU's horticulture club. Although highly visible each year as the purveyors of Dragon Legs at the Renaissance Fair, the club's strong focus on community service is less well known.
    There are 20 members in Hort Forum, and all are enthusiastic participants in a variety of horticulture related projects. "We actively seek out projects that provide hands-on experience, projects that help us learn more about our chosen field", says past Hort Forum president, Karen Jenerette, "and we always have lots of fun doing it".
    Club members know the importance of teamwork and welcome opportunities to work with other community groups. On behalf of the Hi-Hopes Garden Club of Las Cruces, Hort Forum has participated in "Spring Clean-Up" of the native plant garden at the Dripping Springs Natural Area. The club played an active role in the 2001 Las Cruces Tour of Gardens, a two-day cooperative endeavor of several local garden clubs that allows public viewing of some of the most beautiful private gardens in Las Cruces. Both the "Spring Clean-Up" and the Tour of Gardens have become eagerly awaited annual events for Hort Forum members.
    Hort Forum's most recent project is site preparation for the installation of a new garden at La Casa. Past club member Shanna Armenta Sanchez designed the new garden. Last April almost half of the club members traveled to Peoria, Illinois to participate in the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) 2002 Student Career Days. Club members competed with 48 other universities in 21 events including interior and exterior plant identification, plant disease identification, and landscape construction.
    Hort Forum is open to undergraduates and graduate students, and new members are always welcome. The club meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the 3rd floor study lounge in Skeen Hall. Refreshments are always served.
  • Environmental Science Student Organization (ESSO)
    Environmental issues, students helping students, and community involvement.
    These are just three of the many facets encompassing the Environmental Science Student Organization or ESSO as it is more commonly known. Since its formation in 1996, the ESSO has diversified itself by becoming more actively involved in campus and community issues. Currently, ESSO is focusing on organizing Earth Day 2003, which is their main event of the year and hope to draw involvement from both campus and community members. Through Earth Day, ESSO aims to inspire others about current environmental issues and heighten awareness of these issues.
    When ESSO members are not studying for chemistry or physics tests, they actively participate in Rio Grande clean-up days, fundraising activities, and various other environmental endeavors. Presently, ESSO officers include President Vanessa M. Sanchez (junior), Treasurer Robin Foldager (senior), and Agricultural Council Representatives Verna Patel (freshman) and Erin McSherry (senior). Its members include an assortment of NMSU students who all contribute to the diversity of ESSO.
    Through this diversity, President Vanessa M. Sanchez is motivated by her fellow environmental science peers who, together, provide a strong backbone for the club as well as their academic niche. She hopes that these aspects of the club and the environmental science program will continue to be nurtured by its academic professionals and its students.