College of Agriculture
Wendy Wintersteen, Dean
www.ag.iastate.edu
Departments of the College
Students enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are provided a broad-based education that includes coursework in
communications; biological, physical, and social sciences; humanities; and technical subject matter.
Upon graduation students find diverse career opportunities because of the well balanced education they have received as
undergraduates. Opportunities for graduates include production agriculture, business and industry, public agencies, education,
biological and environmental sciences, value-added processing, natural resource management, rural development, animal and human health professions, and graduate studies.
High School Preparation
Requirements for students entering from high school or transferring with less than 24 college credits into the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences include four years of English; three years of mathematics which must include one year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra; three years of science which must include one year each of biology and chemistry, or biology and physics, or chemistry and
physics; and two years of social studies. No foreign language is required for admission to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Majors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
A student has many majors from which to choose. Each major is unique although many courses are common. This is helpful to students in that they may transfer from one major to another before the second year with little loss of credits. Options and areas of specialization further define the majors and required coursework within some majors. In all cases, majors are designed to help students succeed
in their chosen professions.
Majors in
agriculture and life sciences are:
Primary Majors
Agricultural Biochemistry
Agricultural Business
Agricultural and Life Sciences Education
Agricultural Studies
Agricultural Systems Technology
Agronomy
Animal Ecology
Animal Science
Biochemistry
Biology
Culinary Science
Dairy Science
Dietetics
Diet and Exercise
Environmental Science
Food Science
Forestry
Genetics
Global Resource Systems
Horticulture
Industrial Technology
Insect Science
Microbiology
Nutritional Science
Public Service and Administration in Agriculture
Secondary Majors
Environmental Studies
International Agriculture
Seed Science
A secondary major must be taken in
conjunction with a primary major.
Minors
Agricultural Biochemistry
Agricultural Education and Studies
Agricultural Systems Technology
Agronomy
Animal Ecology
Animal Science
Biology
Emerging Global Diseases*
Entrepreneurial Studies*
Environmental Science
Environmental Studies
Food Safety*
Food Science
Forestry
Genetics
Horticulture
Industrial Technology
Insect Science
International Agriculture
Meat Science
Microbiology
Nutrition
*The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences participates in these interdepartmental minors.
Certificate
Occupational Safety
See statement on minors in the Colleges and Curricula section of this catalog.
Special Programs
Agriculture Exploration
Agriculture Exploration is a starting place for students who wish to pursue careers in the life sciences, food science, natural resources, production agriculture, business, or
communications but who are unsure of which majors to choose. Students entering this
program will be advised in the Student
Services Office until they select their majors.
Preveterinary Medicine
Students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences may complete the requirements for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine by enrolling in any major within the college. Because a solid foundation in the sciences is basic to the program in veterinary medicine, those majors that emphasize the
sciences are usually more compatible with
preveterinary medicine (see College of
Veterinary Medicine section of this catalog for specific admissions requirements).
Students who are undecided about choice of major may enroll in general preveterinary
studies (Gen PV). These students will also enroll in an orientation course, which describes the various college majors. A Gen PV student has up to 1.5 semesters to select a major.
Preveterinary medicine students also have an opportunity, with careful planning, to complete the equirements for a bachelor of science degree in an individual curriculum within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences after admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine. This may be done by completing the prescribed course of study established by an individual major. Students also may meet degree equirements of an individual major through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Honors Program. Further details are available from an academic adviser or from members of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Honors Committee. .
Honors Program
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Honors Program provides an opportunity for students of high ability to maximize their educational experience by individualizing their program of study. (See statement on Honors Program in the Colleges and Curricula section of this catalog). For more information, contact the chair of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Honors Committee, or a department Honors contact person.
Off-Campus Programs
Coursework leading to a master of science degree in agricultural education, master of agriculture degree in professional agriculture and a master of science degree in agronomy are offered to students who choose to study off-campus; see Extended and Continuing Education for further information.
Study Abroad and International Travel Opportunities
Agriculture and life sciences are part of a highly interconnected global system; decisions made in one sector have profound impacts worldwide. It is important for students to develop an understanding and appreciation for the global system and the role that U.S. agriculture plays in providing a safe and predictable food supply for a growing world population. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences provides study abroad and international internship opportunities in more than 25 countries around the world. For additional information, contact the Office of Global Agriculture Programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Internships and Cooperative Education Programs
Practical work experience can provide a unique learning opportunity that complements
academic coursework. This experience is provided through internships or cooperative education programs. For additional information, contact a departmental adviser or internship coordinator.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Core Curriculum and Electives
All curricula in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences lead to a bachelor of science
degree. Each major has specific degree requirements for graduation based on
department and college student learning outcomes. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences core curriculum requirements for the four areas listed below are established to provide the foundation for successful
accomplishment of both departmental and
college level learning outcomes.
Students pursuing a primary major in another college and taking a second major in the
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences must fulfill the core curriculum requirements of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and all the requirements of the second major. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences core curriculum follows.
| Minimum |
|
| Credits |
Subject Area |
| 9.5 |
Interpersonal and public communication skills |
| 6 |
English composition with grades of C or better |
| 3 |
Speech fundamentals with grades of C or better; 0.5 credit in Lib 160 |
| 17 |
Mathematical physical, and life sciences
|
|
3 credits of mathematics; 3 credits of statistics; 5 credits of physical science (e.g., chemistry, geological and
atmospheric sciences, physics);
6 credits of life sciences including
Biology 101 or 211, and 3 credits of life sciences from a college-ap proved list: (http://www.ag.iastate. edu/student/student_services.php) |
| 12 |
Humanities, social sciences |
|
3 credits of humanities; 3 credits of social sciences; 3 credits of U.S. diversity from an approved list; 3 credits of international perspectives from an approved list. |
| 3 |
Ethics |
|
Requirement met in one of two ways designated by the student’s major program of study: 1) 3 credits from a college-approved list; or 2) a course in foundational elements of
ethical/critical thinking offered by the Department of Philosophy specifically to meet this requirement for College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
majors, and a course designated by the student’s major program designated to coordinate with this foundational course. Refer to the College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences web site for details of the ethics requirement. |
All students graduating with majors within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are expected to be proficient in the following college level outcomes:
Professional, Interpersonal and Cross-cultural Communications
- Speak and write clearly and persuasively.
- Prepare effective visual oral, written and
electronic presentations.
- Effectively read, listen, observe and reflect.
Problem-Solving/Critical Thinking
- Apply a holistic approach to solving complex
issue laden problems.
- Apply a rational and objective process to:
-Distinguish verifiable facts from value
claims,
-Determine the accuracy of statements,
-Identify assumptions and detect bias,
-Distinguish relevant from irrelevant
information,
-Prioritize needs.
Summarize, analyze, and interpret simple
research data and policy issues.
Leadership
- Organize, facilitate, and participate
effectively in a group, team, or organization.
- Define a problem or opportunity, implement
an action planning process, work towards a
goal and justify actions taken.
Entrepreneurship
- Demonstrate innovativeness and creativity
regardless of context.
- Identify and pursue opportunities that
produce value.
- Be persistent in shepherding necessary
resources and managing associated risk to
facilitate change.
Life-long learning
- Articulate how continued learning after
graduation will enrich their lives.
- Identify and participate in new areas for
learning beyond the classroom and after
graduation.
Ethics
- Define and assess their ethical perspective,
moral responsibility, and values.
- Identify and critically evaluate contemporary
ethical and moral issues in professional and
private life.
Environmental Awareness
- Explain the physical and biological interactions
within ecosystems
- Explain how human activities impact the
environment and how societies area
affected by environmental change.
International/Multi-Cultural Awareness
- U.S. Diversity – Students should achieve two
of the following outcomes. They should be
able to:
Articulate how their personal life
experiences and choices fit within the
context of the larger mosaic of U.S.
society, indicating how they have
confronted and critically analyzed their
perceptions and assumptions about
diversity-related issues,
Analyze and evaluate the contributions of various underrepresented social groups
in shaping the history and culture of the
U.S.,
Analyze individual and institutional forms
of discrimination based on factors such
as race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual
orientation, class, etc.,
Analyze the perspectives of groups and
individuals affected by discrimination,
Analyze how cultural diversity and
cooperation among social groups affect
U.S. society.
- International Perspectives – Students should
achieve two of the following outcomes.
They should be able to:
Analyze the accuracy and relevancy of
their own worldviews and anticipate how
people from other nations may perceive
that worldview,
Describe and analyze how cultures and
societies around the world are formed,
are sustained, and evolve,
Analyze and evaluate the influence of
global issues in their own lives,
Describe the values and perspectives of
cultures other than their own and discuss
how they influence individuals’
perceptions of global issues and/or
events,
Communicate competently in a second
language.
In addition to the College level learning outcomes,
each department within the college
has additional discipline-specific outcomes that
apply to graduates of that department.
Electives
Students use electives to broaden their
education or to strengthen an area of
specialization. Electives may be used to meet
the requirements for a double major (see
statement on double majors in this catalog).
Those who wish to change their major, or who
decide to graduate with a double major, must
be enrolled for the last two semesters in the
curriculum in which they expect to graduate.
Students in ROTC may apply ROTC credits
toward elective requirements.
Advising
Each student in the College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences works closely with an academic
adviser who is associated with the major in
which the student is enrolled.
All entering students are strongly encouraged
to participate in the summer orientation
program in which they will have the opportunity
to meet and work with academic advisers
in planning their first semester schedule of
classes.
The advisers also assist students in making
personal adjustments to university life, offer
suggestions on academic and co-curricular
choices, and provide information on career
choices. Advisers make a special effort to
adjust course schedules in accordance with
students’ interests and capabilities.
A student may wish to prepare for admission
to a professional program such as law,
medicine, or veterinary medicine while
pursuing a bachelor of science degree in the
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. This
may be accomplished through several majors;
however, it is recommended that the student
work closely with an academic adviser.
Each department prepares a guide to help
students chart their long-term programs and to
specify the exact requirements for graduation.
Visit the college web site www.ag.iastate.edu.
Graduate Study
Graduate study in agriculture is conducted
through the Graduate College. Details are
found in the Graduate College section of this
catalog.
Various departments in the College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences also participate in
the following graduate-level interdepartmental
offerings:
Biorenewable Resources and Technology
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Environmental Science
Genetics
Immunobiology
Microbiology
Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
Neuroscience
Nutritional Sciences
Plant Biology
Professional Agriculture (off-campus)
Seed Technology and Business
Sustainable Agriculture
Technology and Social Change (interdepartmental
minor)
Toxicology
For details, consult the Graduate College
section of this catalog.
