MAJORS, SECONDARY MAJORS, &
PREPROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS IN THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
Majors
If you want to explore your options before choosing a major, consider starting your college career in Agriculture Xploration.
The curriculum in agricultural biochemistry combines training in the biological
and physical sciences and mathematics with studies in agricultural sciences.
The major provides preparation for advanced study or employment in biotechnology
and other areas of agricultural science in which biochemistry is of fundamental
importance.
In-depth course work covers topics
such as the marketing (buying and selling)
of agricultural commodities, the selling of agricultural products and services,
the managing of farm and agribusiness operations and the lending of credit to
agricultural firms. In addition, students will take courses in technical agriculture,
agricultural policy, accounting, business finance, computerized record keeping,
business marketing, agricultural law and resource economics.
Agricultural education combines training in agriculture with professional
courses designed to transfer technologies to others. About 40 percent of the
students teach upon graduation, while others enter a variety of agricultural
careers that require working with people in agriculture, such as extension,
agribusiness and government agencies.
A major in agricultural studies includes course work in agricultural economics, agricultural systems technology, agronomy and animal science. Graduates enter agricultural careers in business, sales and marketing, production management and farming.
Agricultural Systems Technology (AST), in the Department of Agricultural
and Biosystems Engineering prepares men and women for careers in agricultural
machinery industries; construction companies; governmental agencies; grain,
feed, seed, fertilizer and chemical businesses; production agriculture; and
environmental organizations. AST teaches skills in decision making, problem
solving, creative thinking, communications and technology assessment. Courses
include microcomputers, water quality, energy, electrical safety, fluid power
systems, precision farming, electrification, animal production and manure management
systems, machinery management and tractor power, as well as business, sciences,
mathematics and communications.
Agronomy integrates the science and practical application of crop production, soil management and climatology in the production and utilization of food, feed and fiber within an environmentally sound system. Agronomy majors can choose Management & Business, Agroecology, Soil & Environmental Science, Research & Development, and Plant Breeding & Biotechnology.
Animal ecology is the study of the relationships of wild animals to their
environment and the major applies this knowledge to wildlife and environmental
management. Graduates of this biological science curriculum pursue career opportunities
with natural resource and environmental protection agencies, organizations and
businesses. Curriculum emphases may be taken in wildlife biology, fisheries
biology, ecology, interpretation of natural resources, aquaculture or preveterinary
and wildlife care.
The animal science curriculum focuses on the understanding of the life-cycle
of companion and production animals, through study of the fundamentals of behavior,
growth and development, lactation, genetics and breeding, nutrition and reproduction.
The curriculum integrates enterprise management and marketing aspects of the
animal industry. In addition to animal management, career options include agribusiness,
biotechnology, dairy foods and meat science, pet food and feed industry, marketing,
or research. Many students complete their pre-veterinary medicine requirements
in the animal science curriculum.
Offered as a BS degree in both the College of Agriculture and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, our high quality academic program offers the flexibility to accommodate a range of career goals in areas like plant biology, zoology, genetics, cell and molecular biology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Our degree can prepare students for further studies in graduate school or in human medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy or pharmacy. Students who are interested in marine biology or tropical studies can participate in summer programs at affiliated institutes.
The dairy science curriculum provides training for a variety of career opportunities
in agriculture, particularly those involved with dairy cattle or associated
industries. Although many graduates own or manage dairy operations, the majority
find employment in such career areas as agribusiness management, biotechnology,
dairy foods manufacturing, marketing, publicity and promotion, or research.
Pre-veterinary medicine requirements may be completed in the dairy science curriculum.
Undergraduate didactic program in dietetics, approved by the American Dietetic Association.
Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to dietetic internships/supervised
practice programs. Upon successful completion of the experience program,
graduates are eligible to take the national examination to become a Registered
Dietitian.
Entomology is the biological study of insect life and insect relations with
plants, animals and humans. Because insects are economically and medically very
important, entomologists find jobs in industry, public health, agriculture and
regulatory institutions.
The College of Agriculture and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
offer this integrated approach to the study of environmental systems. The curriculum
is designed to prepare students for positions of leadership in this rapidly
changing discipline. Majors complete foundation courses in chemistry, biology,
physics and mathematics, plus a major consisting of an integrated core of environmental
science courses and additional advance course work from departmental offerings.
Food science is a discipline in which the principles of biological and physical
sciences are used to study the nature of foods, the causes of their deterioration,
and the principles underlying the processing and preparation of food. It is
the application of science and technology to the provision of a safe, wholesome,
and nutritious food supply.
The program in forestry provides you with an understanding of the following
areas: forest ecosystems, wood technology and products, forest resource management,
agro-forestry, urban and community forestry, biodiversity, water quality, wilderness
areas and wildlife. One of the best features of the program is the fall forestry
sequence, where you take 15 credits of forestry classes, including a 16-day
off-campus forestry camp held at one of several locations across the country.
This experience introduces you to practical techniques and exposes you to new
landscapes and cultural circumstances. The four options that are available in
the program are Urban & Community Forestry, Forest Ecosystem Management,
Wood Products and Natural Resource Conservation.
The curriculum in genetics is based on preparation in biology, chemistry and biochemistry, as well as genetics. Students receive an understanding of modern methods of genetic engineering and are prepared for jobs in industry and for further work in the biological sciences, including graduate, veterinary or medical school.
The horticulture curriculum is the part of plant agriculture concerned with
turfgrasses, nursery crops, greenhouse crops, fruits, nuts and vegetables. Also,
it involves landscape horticulture and management, interiorscaping, botanic
garden management, public garden management, plant breeding and molecular biology.
Course subjects vary from understanding the mechanisms of the cell to production
and management of horticultural crops.
The industrial technology curriculum prepares students for professional positions that emphasize technical management, applications, development, and engineering in industry, business, or government. Options within the program focus on manufacturing technology and occupational safety technology. The Industrial Technology program provides a hands-on, collaborate learning environment that helps our graduate develop the workplace competencies necessary to be successful in today's competitive world. Graduates obtain high paying jobs with a wide variety of companies and agencies.
Microbiology is the study of the biology of microorganisms and how they
interact with their surroundings. Microbiologists work in areas related to agriculture,
the environment and medicine. The major provides a strong background in the
basic sciences with flexibility for development of individualized interests.
Offers students a strong basic science and general education which enables
them to gain knowledge and skills necessary to work in research laboratories;
curriculum can serve as a preprofessional program for medicine, dentistry, veterinary
medicine, or graduate study in nutrition or biological sciences.
PSA is an interdisciplinary major with an emphasis on social sciences. It
prepares students for careers with public and private agencies concerned with
public services in rural and agricultural areas.
If you want to explore your options before choosing a major, consider starting your college career in Agriculture Xploration.
This area of study is available within the biology major.
Secondary Majors
A secondary major is taken
in conjunction with a primary major in another agricultural or life-science
discipline.
Environmental studies deal with the relationship between humans and nature,
or between humans and natural systems. The curriculum is designed to give students
a broader appreciation of the environment and an overview of critical environmental
issues.
The international agriculture secondary major provides students with a global
perspective. Students will prepare for careers overseas or for careers in the
United States with multinational companies and agencies like the Foreign Agricultural
Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Agency for International
Development.
Administered by the Departments
of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant
Pathology. The seed science program is designed for students with career interests
in one or more aspects of the seed industry. Areas of study include: seed production,
conditioning, pathology, physiology, quality control, and marketing, as well
as seed plant designs.
Advisor: Sherry Pogranichniy (515) 294-3273
Preprofessional Programs
Preprofessional course requirements
can be completed while students pursue coursework for their primary major.
Premedicine
The courses suggested
for premedicine are mainly from the basic sciences with the addition of communications,
social sciences, and humanities. Students may enroll in any curriculum in the
College of Agriculture to complete these courses.
Prelaw
The courses suggested for prelaw are mainly from the social sciences and
humanities with the addition of science courses and agriculture courses. Students
may enroll in any curriculum in the College of Agriculture to complete these
courses.
Preveterinary Medicine
Preveterinary medicine prepares students for application to the College
of Veterinary Medicine. Course work is mainly from the basic sciences with the
addition of communications, social sciences and humanities. Students may enroll
in any curriculum in the College of Agriculture to complete these courses.
Advisor: Douglas Kenealy (515) 294-6022 |
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