Agricultural Science Major (Bachelor of)

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Program Contact
Donald Marshall, Associate Dean
College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
Agricultural Hall 156
605-688-5133
e-mail: Donald.Marshall@sdstate.edu
Click here for additional information.

Program Description
The Agricultural Science curriculum is designed for the student undecided as to a specific major field of study within the area of agriculture, or who may want to combine multiple fields of study within agriculture, or plans to return to the farm or ranch after college. A large number of free electives are available allowing the student to take courses in the different disciplines needed for a diversified career or to manage a production unit.

General electives may be selected from any area and allow students to develop special competencies or interests. When qualifying for a Bachelor of Science degree a student may, through a choice of electives, complete courses in business, prepare for graduate study, or enroll in special areas of study such as plant and/or animal science.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the BS Degree in Agricultural Science, students will:

Have broad knowledge of animal science, agronomy, agricultural systems technology, and agri-business.
Have an in-depth understanding of the principles underlying a chosen area of emphasis.
Be prepared to manage a farm or ranch enterprise or for a career in agribusiness.
Locate and evaluate information to aid in decision making.
Have sufficient core competencies for effective lifetime learning.
Have a broad understanding of global challenges and issues related to food systems and agriculture
Demonstrate effective written and oral communications skills
Demonstrate critical thinking and decision making skills

Course Delivery Format
Courses are delivered in lecture, laboratory, and field-based formats, and some are offered by online delivery.

Requirements for General Agriculture Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

System General Education Requirements*: 31

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
and
ENGL 201
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101*
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity
:
ECON 201
or
ECON 202
Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity
Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 102
Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
BIOL 101-101L
and
CHEM 106-106L
Credits: 7

Elective Coursework

Agriculture Electives: 6

Select at least six credits from the following courses.

Any course with the prefix(es) of ABE, ABS, AS, AST, DS, EES, HO, LA, NRM, PR, PRM, RANG or VET

Ag Product Electives: 2-4

Select at least one class from the following courses.

AS 241-241L - Introduction to Meat Science and Lab Credits: 3
AS 285-285L - Livestock Evaluation and Marketing and Lab Credits: 4
AST 443-443L - Food Processing and Engineering Fundamentals and Lab Credits: 3
DS 231 - Dairy Foods Credits: 3
PS 303-303L - Seed Technology and Lab Credits: 3
PS 308-308L - Grain Grading and Lab Credits: 2
PS 312 - Grain and Seed Production and Processing Credits: 3

Capstone Elective: 3-4

Select one of the following courses.

ABS 475-475L - Integrated Natural Resource Management and Lab (AW) Credits: 3
AGEC 421-521 - Farming and Food Systems Economics Credits: 3
AS 474-474L - Cow/Calf Management and Lab Credits: 3
AS 477-477L - Sheep and Wool Production and Lab Credits: 3
AS 478-478L - Swine Production and Lab Credits: 3
AST 303-303L - Design Management Experience and Lab Credits: 3
DS 412-412L - Dairy Farm Management and Lab Credits: 4
PS 440-440L - Crop Management with Precision Farming and Lab Credits: 3
RANG 485-485L - Advanced Integrated Ranch Management and Lab Credits: 3

Communication Elective: 3

Select one of the following Advanced Writing courses.

ABS 475-475L - Integrated Natural Resource Management and Lab (AW) Credits: 3
ENGL 379 - Technical Communication (COM) (AW) Credits: 3

Program Concentration Electives or General Electives: 31-36

Total Required Credits: 120

Curriculum Notes

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.