Agroecology Major

A B.S. degree in agroecology, the study of agricultural ecosystems, prepares students for various careers in agriculture, natural resources, environmental and life sciences and for advanced graduate studies in specific sub-disciplines within these areas. It is a broad, interdisciplinary, undergraduate curriculum that combines and integrates courses in the plant, soil and insect sciences and is supported by a sound science based curriculum and general education. Students majoring in agroecology retain the option to emphasize a specific discipline and thereby balance the breadth of the curriculum with greater depth in such areas as biology, chemistry, crop science, entomology, environmental studies, natural resource management, soil science, plant pathology, weed science and horticulture. A liberal number of electives permits design of a program that best meets individual career and educational objectives. The agroecology program is well suited for students of urban or rural backgrounds who possess an aptitude for science and interest in agriculture, the environment, life sciences or natural resources.

The agroecology core curriculum is comprised of freshman through senior level courses which, like an ecological web, illustrate dynamic and complex interactions of plants, soils, insects and plant pests (diseases, insect pests, weeds) in the agricultural environment. Academic training is enhanced with experiential learning through research apprenticeships, summer internships and special agroecology capstone courses. Special emphasis is given to development of critical thinking and communication skills, problem solving and practical application of science. It is a richly interdisciplinary program to prepare productive citizens for "real world" situations and life-long learning.

Agroecology B.S. degree recipients are prepared for graduate school and advanced studies or careers with private and public institutions in such areas as: agricultural production or sales, research, product development, education, extension education, international programs, and scientific and technological support; and with professional titles such as: soil scientist, conservationist, entomologist, consultant, plant scientist, integrated pest management specialist, ecologist, research associate or technician, agronomist, biotechnician, and agroecologist.
 

Course Requirement for Agroecology Majors (B.S)

Course		Credit Hourse
AECL1000 (S1)	Agroecology	4
AECL 2010 (S3)	Ecological Web: Intro to Soil Science (SOIL 2010)	4
AECL 2020 (S1)	Ecological Web: Agronomic and Horticultural Plant Biology	4
AECL 3030	Ecological Web: Ecology of Plant Protection	3
AECL 4990 (W3)	Agroecology Seminar	3
SOIL 4140	Soil Microbiology	4
A minium of 4 credits from either:		4
AECL 4920	Research Apprenticeship (2-3 hrs)
and/or
AECL 4930	Internship in Agroecology (1-3 hrs-- maxium of 6 hrs)
and/or
AECL 4960	Agroecology Field Laboratory (2 hr)
Select either:		3-4
ENTO 1000 or 1001 (SB)	Insect Biology (3 or 4 hrs)
or
REWM 3020	Nutritional Management of Grazing Ungulates (3 hrs)
or
ANSC 1010 (IL)	Livestock Production (4 hrs)
Economics--Select either:
AGEC 1010 (Cs)	Agricultural Economics I (3 hrs)
or
AGEC 1020 (CS)	Agricultural Economics II (3 hrs)
Math and Statistics:
MATH 1000 (QA)	Problem Solving (3 hrs)
or		3
MATH 1400 (QA)	College Algebra (3 hrs)
STAT 2050 (QB)	Fundamental of Statistics	4
Biology/Chemistry:
BIOL 1010 (SB)	General Biology I	4
BIOL 3400	General Ecology	3
CHEM 1000 (SP)	Introductory Chemistry	4
CHEM 2300	Introductory Organic Chemistry	4
Communications:
CO/M 1010 (D)	Public Speaking	3

Directed agriculture science electives: 9 upper division credits (3000 or above) selected from within ONE of the following disciplines: Animal Science (ANSC), Botany (BOT), Crop Science/Horticulture/Plant Pathology (CROP/PLPA), Entomology (ENTO), Molecular Biology/Microbiology (MOLB/MICR), Pest Management (CROP/ENTO/PLPA), Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management (REWM), Soil Science (SOIL).	9
Supporting Electives: 9 upper division credits (3000 or above) selected from within the following categories: Agroecology (AECL), Argiculture Economics (AGEC), Animal Science (ANSC), Biology (BIOL), Botany (BOT), Chemistry (CHEM), Communication (CO/M), Crop Science (CROP), Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), Entomology (ENTO), Food Science (FDSC), Geography/Recreation (G&R), Molecular Biology (MOLB), Microbiology (MICR), Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management (REWM), Renewable Resources (RNEW), Pathobiolgoy (PATB), Plant Pathology (PLPA), Soil Science (SOIL), Zoology (ZOO).	9
Agroecology Discipline Requirements	75-76
University Studies (maxium) WA WB WC, CA, CH, V,G,P (some of these may be satisfied through university placement criteria or course selections in the agriculture or life science electives)	14-23
Free electives	21-31
Total Hours	120

 

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