Agricultural Science (BS)

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Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science
Minors Offered: Agricultural Business, Agricultural Studies, Equine Science

THE MAJOR

Pursuit of an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science affords the opportunity for students to experience a holistic approach to the study of food and fiber production and their association and interaction with societal concerns. Our focus is on a sustainable agricultural system. For majors, the goals of the agriculture program are:

To offer students a unique, liberal arts and sciences-based preparation for advanced study in graduate school, veterinary medicine, or other professional schools. A solid foundation in basic agricultural concepts along with advanced focus courses also prepare students for entry-level positions in business, agriculture production or government settings where a multidisciplinary, problem-solving approach is useful. Areas of specialization within Agricultural Science include:

Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Animal Science
Equine Studies
Agricultural Business
Horticulture/Agronomy

To graduate students possessing a multidisciplinary understanding of agriculture. Students will gain philosophical, historical, sociological, political, economic, business, scientific, technical, and multicultural perspectives on the mobilization of agricultural inputs and their relationships with the production, processing, and delivery of food and fiber and the intricate association with society and the environment.
To graduate students with proficiency in basic skills, higher order thinking and problem-solving skills, leadership and management capabilities, and an appreciation for the need for collaboration.
To empower students with a well-developed understanding of their personal values.
To graduate students with the technical skills and scientific knowledge needed for entry into the agriculture industry and to foster a life-long approach to learning.

For students seeking a minor or students with non-degree seeking interest in Agricultural Science, the goals of the program are twofold. The first is to educate students about the agrarian contributions to human culture, about food and fiber production, and about the environmental and social consequences of using agriculture-related technology. The second goal is to promote and foster skills and attitudes associated with a liberal education and to utilize those skills on multidisciplinary investigations concerning science and society as a whole.

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Students who excel in all areas of scholarly activity may be eligible for Departmental Honors. Recipients of Departmental Honors must meet all of these criteria:

3.50 or above cumulative GPA.
Complete an individual research project (as approved/supervised by a faculty member) and present at the Student Research Conference or appropriate professional meeting or submit a paper for publication in an appropriate journal or research bulletin.
Achieve 75th percentile or above on ACAT or other approved senior test for agriculture.
Approval of a majority of non-abstaining AGSC faculty.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

Liberal Studies Program Requirements: 34-58 Credit Hours

Missouri Statute Requirement: 1-3 Credit Hours

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 8-9 Credit Hours

Option 1: Agricultural Science:

CHEM 121 - Chemical Principles II with Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 5 hours
CHEM 320 - Foundations of Organic Chemistry Credits: 4 hours
Or
CHEM 329 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3 hours

Option 2: Agricultural Business:

ECON 200 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3 hours

One course from the following list:

Any 200-level or above MATH.
BSAD 357

BSAD 352 - Production/Operations Management Credits: 3 hours
BSAD 360 - Marketing Research Credits: 3 hours
ECON 300 - Intermediate Microeconomics Credits: 3 hours
ECON 302 - Industrial Organization and Public Policy Credits: 3 hours
ECON 303 - Intermediate Macroeconomics Credits: 3 hours
ECON 304 - Mathematical Economics Credits: 3 hours
ECON 306 - Economics of Law Credits: 3 hours
ECON 307 - Natural Resources Economics Credits: 3 hours
ECON 344 - Cost-Benefit Analysis Credits: 3 hours
ECON 345 - Economic Analysis of Social and Policy Issues Credits: 3 hours
ECON 372 - Money and Banking Credits: 3 hours
ECON 402 - Economic Development Credits: 3 hours
ECON 403 - International Trade Theory and Policy Credits: 3 hours
STAT 375 - ANOVA/Experimental Design Credits: 3 hours
STAT 376 - Nonparametric Statistics/Sampling Credits: 3 hours
STAT 378 - Linear Regression/Time Series Credits: 3 hours

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

The Agricultural Science Major consists of three (3) parts: Required Support, Major Requirements, and the Learning Plan. Each student must complete all parts.

Part I: Required Support: 12 Credit Hours

BIOL 107 - Introductory Biology I Credits: 4 hours
May be used to fulfill LSP Requirements.
CHEM 120 - Chemical Principles I Credits: 5 hours
May be used to fulfill LSP Requirements.
ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics Credits: 3 hours
May be used to fulfill LSP Requirements.

Part II: Major Requirements: 27 Credit Hours

AGSC 108 - Introduction to Agricultural Systems Credits: 4 hours
AGSC 110 - Principles of Plant Agriculture Credits: 4 hours
AGSC 215 - Principles of Animal Agriculture Credits: 4 hours
AGSC 260 - Agricultural Markets and Products Credits: 3 hours
AGSC 314 - Principles of Soil Science Credits: 4 hours
AGSC 415 - Ethical Issues in Sustainable Agriculture Credits: 3 hours
AGSC 420 - Seminar in Agriculture Credits: 1 hour
AGSC 490 - Agriculture Practicum I Credits: 2 hours
Serves as the Capstone Experience.
AGSC 491 - Agriculture Practicum II Credits: 2 hours
Serves as the Capstone Experience.

Part III: Learning Plan***: 30 Credit Hours

Electives in Agricultural Science: 15 Credit Hours
Area of Specialization: 15 Credit Hours

***LEARNING PLAN

Agricultural Science is a very broad and diverse field of study, with many possible areas of focus and career opportunities. The Learning Plan allows students to select courses which will broaden their knowledge and skill in one or more areas of study, with four primary areas of specialization supported: 1) pre-veterinary medicine/animal science, 2) equine studies, 3) agricultural business, and 4) horticulture/agronomy.

Each student will consult with his/her faculty advisor to develop a written Learning Plan consisting of a list of courses plus a rationale statement explaining how the course selections are consistent with the student’s career and learning objectives. A template for this purpose is available on the Agricultural Science website or can be obtained from the faculty advisor. Students should submit their Learning Plan for faculty approval during the spring semester of the sophomore year (or transfer students during the second semester at Truman). Learning Plans must be approved by a majority of non-abstaining Agriculture faculty members.

The Learning Plan consists of two sections, Electives in Agricultural Science (15 credit hours; courses must be designated with the AGSC prefix) and Area of Specialization (15 credit hours; courses can come from AGSC or from any discipline(s) related to the student’s future goals). Completion of minors within the Learning Plan is encourages, as is inclusion of internship and research experiences completed for credit. A maximum of 5 credit hours of Internship (AGSC 391-392), 6 hours of Special Problems (AGSC 301), and 3 hours of Research (AGSC 441/442/443) can be included in the Learning Plan.