Agricultural Studies

Undergraduate Study

For undergraduate curricula in agriculture and life sciences education, and agricultural studies, leading to the degree of bachelor of science, see College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Curricula.

The department offers two curricula for students desiring to enter careers in agriculture and related fields. These curricula are agriculture and life sciences education and agricultural studies. The agricultural and life sciences education curriculum prepares persons for careers as agricultural education instructors, and educational specialists for industry, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies. The agriculture and life sciences education curriculum has two options, teacher certification and communications. The agricultural studies curriculum prepares persons for careers in production agriculture and agricultural industry. Graduates of both curricula accept positions in agricultural business, industry, agencies, and production agriculture.

Graduates will have a broad base of agricultural knowledge, and will be skilled in decision making, planning, organizing, presenting, and evaluating information. Through the successful completion of the required coursework, active participation in clubs and organizations, and the acquisition of technical skills and experiences associated with work experiences, internships, and international travel, graduates of our baccalaureate programs meet the university, college, and departmental outcomes in the following nine areas:

1. professional, interpersonal, and cross-cultural communications
2. problem solving and critical thinking
3. leadership
4. entrepreneurship
5. life-long learning
6. ethics
7. environmental awareness
8. U.S. diversity
9. international perspectives.

More information regarding the departmental learning outcomes can be found at www.ageds.iastate.edu/.

Curriculum in Agricultural Studies

Administered by the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies. Students are encouraged to develop one or more areas of concentration in agricultural sciences and economics.

Total Degree Requirement: 120 cr.

Only 65 cr. from a two-year institution may apply which may include up to 16 technical cr.; 9 P-NP cr. of free electives; 2.00 minimum GPA.

International Perspective:

3 cr. from approved list.

U.S. Diversity:

3 cr. from approved list.

Communications Proficiency:

6 cr. of English composition with a C or better and 3 cr. of speech fundamentals with a C or better.

Communication/Library 13 cr.:

ENGL 150	Critical Thinking and Communication	3
ENGL 250	Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition	3
AGEDS 311	Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences	3
AGEDS 327	Survey of Agriculture and Life Sciences Communication	3
LIB 160	Information Literacy	1
Total Credits		13

Humanities and Social Sciences: 6 cr.

ECON 101	Principles of Microeconomics	3
Plus 3 credit hours from approved humanities list		3
Total Credits		6

Ethics: 3 cr.

3 cr. from approved list.

Math Physical and Life Sciences: 17 crs.

BIOL 101	Introductory Biology	3
or BIOL 211	Principles of Biology I
Life Science Elective from College Approved List		3
CHEM 163	College Chemistry	4
or CHEM 177	General Chemistry I
CHEM 163L	Laboratory in College Chemistry	1
or CHEM 177L	Laboratory in General Chemistry I
STAT 104	Introduction to Statistics	3
MATH 140	College Algebra	3
Total Credits		17

Agricultural Sciences and Economics: 43 cr.

AGEDS 110B	Agricultural Studies (Fall only)	1
AGEDS 215	Career Seminar	1
AGEDS 315	Personal, Professional, and Entrepreneurial Leadership in Agriculture	3
AGEDS 450	Farm Management and Operation	3
AGEDS 451	Agricultural Law	3
AGRON 181	Introduction to Crop Science	3
AGRON 182	Introduction to Soil Science	3
AGRON 280	Crop Development, Production and Management	3
AN S 101	Working with Animals	2
AN S 114	Survey of the Animal Industry	2
ECON 230	Farm Business Management	3
ECON 235	Introduction to Agricultural Markets	3
Econ 300 Level from Department Approved List		3
NREM 120	Introduction to Renewable Resources	3
or NREM 130	Natural Resources and Agriculture
And 6 credit hours from AN S, any level.		6
Total Credits		42

Other Required Course:

Electives: Select courses to get to 120 credits.

No more than 4 cr. of or 397 may count toward graduation.

No more than 6 cr. of 490 may count toward graduation.

Preveterinary Studies

Preparation for admission to veterinary medicine may be accomplished through the agricultural studies curriculum.

Agricultural Studies, B.S.

Freshman
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
AGEDS 110B	1	AN S 114	2
ECON 101	3	AGRON 182	3
NREM 120 or 130	3	AN S 101	2
MATH 140	3	STAT 104	3
ENGL 150	3	ENGL 250	3
LIB 160	1	Humanities Elective	3
AGRON 181	3
	17		16
Sophomore
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
AGEDS 215	1	ACCT 284	3
BIOL 101	3	Life Science Elective	3
AGRON 280	3	U.S. Diversity Elective	3
Intl Perspective Elective	3	AN S Elective	3
ECON 235	3	Elective	3
	13		15
Junior
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
AN S Elective	3	AGEDS 311	3
AGEDS 315	3	ECON 230	3
CHEM 163	4	Ethics Elective	3
CHEM 163L	1	Elective	7
Elective	6
	17		16
Senior
Fall	Credits	Spring	Credits
AGEDS 450	3	AGEDS 451	3
AGEDS 327	3	Elective	10
Econ Elective - Select from Approved List	3
Elective	3
	12		13

*	A 2.00 grade point average is required.