Agricultural Science (B.S.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Coordinator/Contact

Mary Christensen, Coordinator
Agricultural Leadership, Education, Communication and Science (ALECS)
Berg Agricultural Hall 156
605-688-5133

Program Information

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 B.S. degree in Agricultural Science, students will:

Integrate knowledge across various academic disciplines and apply to agricultural careers.
Locate and evaluate information to aid in decision-making.
Recognize the importance of continued learning in relation to their profession.
Consider diverse perspectives and understand global challenges in agriculture.
Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Explain benefits of an agricultural minor or chosen emphasis.
Articulate their role in the agricultural industry through effective written and oral communication skills.

Course Delivery Format

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

Requirements for Agricultural Science Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
and
ENGL 201 - Composition II (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
CMST 101 - Fundamentals of Speech (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity:
SGR #3 Elective Credits: 3
  and
ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
  (recommended) or
ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity:
SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: SGR #5 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
BIOL 101-101L - Biology Survey I and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 3
and
CHEM 106-106L - Chemistry Survey and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 3, 1

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 11

Students who wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences must complete a minimum of 11 credits from the approved list of Group 1 courses. Some departments require specific courses from the list, whereas others leave the selection entirely to the student and the advisor.

System General Education Requirements and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Please review major requirements and the Group 1 list to determine if additional courses are required.

AGEC 271 - Farm and Ranch Management Credits: 3
AS 101-101L - Introduction to Animal Science and Lab Credits: 3, 1
or AS 102 - Fundamentals of Animal Science Credits: 3
or DS 130-130L - Introduction to Dairy Science and Lab Credits: 3
PS 103-103L - Crop Production and Lab Credits: 2, 1
PS 213-213L - Soils and Lab [SGR #6] Credits: 2, 1

Major Requirements

Agriculture Electives

Complete six credits with the prefix(es) of ABE, ABS, AST, DS, EES, FS, HO, NRM, PRAG, RANG, VET, or WL. Credits: 6

Ag Product Electives

Select at least one class from the following courses. Credits: 2-3

AS 241-241L - Introduction to Meat Science and Lab Credits: 3
AS 285-285L - Livestock Evaluation and Marketing and Lab Credits: 3
DS 231 - Dairy Foods Credits: 3
FS 101 - Introduction to Food Science Credits: 3
PS 308-308L - Grain Grading and Lab Credits: 1, 1
PS 312 - Grain and Seed Production and Processing Credits: 3
PS 403-403L/503-503L - Seed Technology and Lab Credits: 2, 1

Business Electives

Select one of the following courses. Credits: 3

AGEC 274 - Agribusiness Sales Credits: 3
AGEC 352 - Agricultural Law Credits: 3
AGEC 462-562 - Environmental Law Credits: 3
AGEC 364 - Introduction to Cooperatives Credits: 3
AGEC 366 - Food Law Credits: 3
AGEC 371 - Agricultural Business Management Credits: 3
FIN 280 - Personal Finance (COM) Credits: 3
MGMT 334 - Small Business Management (COM) Credits: 3
MKTG 474 - Personal Selling (COM) Credits: 3

Capstone Electives

Select one of the following courses. Credits: 3-4

ABS 475-475L - Integrated Natural Resource Management and Lab Credits: 3
AGEC 471-571 - Advanced Farm & Ranch Management Credits: 3
AS 389 - Current Issues in Animal Science Credits: 3
DS 480-480L/580-580L - Dairy Farm Operations I and Lab Credits: 4
DS 481-481L/581-581L - Dairy Farm Operations II and Lab Credits: 4
HO 434-534 - Local Food Production Credits: 2
HO 435 - Local Food Production: Harvest and Storage Credits: 2
PRAG 440-440L/540-540L - Crop Management with Precision Farming and Lab Credits: 3
RANG 374-374L - Habitat Conservation and Management and Lab Credits: 4

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements	31 Credit Hours
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements*	11 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	30-34 Credit Hours
Electives**	42-47 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.