COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN ECOLOGY

Donald M. Elkins, Dean
Sue Bailey, Director of Human Ecology
Wade F. Faw, Director of Agriculture

MISSION AND PURPOSES

The mission of the College of Agriculture and Human Ecology is to promote a strong academic environment for its students and to preserve and expand knowledge in the fields of agriculture and human ecology, knowledge contained in its library and in the minds and intellects of its faculty. The College is equally supportive of the education of men, women, and minorities.

Teaching, research, and public service activities form a foundation for College goals of:

1. Providing a baccalaureate degree in the fields of agriculture and human ecology that will prepare students for entry and advancement in those fields.
2. Providing curricula that will prepare agriculture and human ecology students for entry and advancement in graduate/professional programs.
3. Providing educational experiences that will enhance agriculture and human ecology student leadership and social development.
4. Conducting scholarly and public service activities that will enhance the fields of agriculture and human ecology.

ORGANIZATION

The College of Agriculture and Human Ecology consists of two schools offering curricula leading to the bachelor's degree: (1) the School of Agriculture, and (2) the School of Human Ecology.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE

Curricula in the School of Agriculture lead to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. In the School of Human Ecology, the curricula lead to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology.

The student must complete the curriculum for the major subject chosen and must comply with the university requirements for a degree. The School Director, or a faculty member designated by the Director, serves as the student's academic advisor.

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE

Professors Airhart, Byler, Elkins (Dean), Faw (Director), Narrie, Stearman, Winfree;
Associate Professors Click, Greene; Assistant Professors Branson, Young; Instructor Ligon

The curricula of the School of Agriculture are designed to prepare students for careers in the increasingly complex and scientific field of agriculture. Following completion of the B.S. degree, students may also choose to enter graduate study.

The School of Agriculture offers the following curricula and undergraduate degree:

Individual curricula
Course descriptions

AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Agribusiness Management provides training in economics and business management principles related to the production, distribution, and consumption of agricultural goods and services. Graduates enter careers in government agencies, commodity trading, communications, public relations, finance, marketing, sales, and agribusiness management.

AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATION

The Agricultural Communication Concentration prepares students for careers in agricultural communications and related fields. This curriculum provides an opportunity for students to combine technical agriculture with Agricultural Education, Journalism, Professional Communications, and Business Communications. Possible career areas include agricultural information agencies, newspaper writing and editing, magazine feature writing and editing: agricultural-related publications, public relations, advertising and sales, environmental reporting, and Agricultural Extension.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

Agricultural Education prepares students for careers as high school agricultural education instructors, Agricultural Extension agents, and other related fields. Students learn how to evaluate community needs and how to implement an education program.

AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Agricultural Engineering Technology provides basic training in engineering and agriculture. Students are prepared to solve problems related to agricultural production and processing systems, and the management and conservation of agricultural land and water resources. Graduates pursue careers in food and fiber handling and processing facilities, farm machinery sales and service, management of large mechanized farms, and other sectors of Agricultural Engineering Technology.

AGRONOMY AND SOILS

Agronomy and Soils students study the complex processes of plants, and composition of soil in which they grow.  Areas of interest are crop science and soil science. Graduates pursue careers as agronomists; Extension agents; natural resource managers; and herbicide, fertilizer, and seed industry research and development specialists and sales representatives.

ANIMAL SCIENCE AND PRE-VETERINARY SCIENCE

Option I, (Animal Science), deals with all phases of the dairy and livestock industry. Areas emphasized are the applications of nutrition, physiology, genetics, management technology, quality control, and environmental regulations. Graduates enter careers in farm management, Extension Service, food quality control, governmental health agencies, and farm credit institutions. Option II, (Pre-Veterinary Science), should enable a student to meet admission requirements for a College of Veterinary Medicine.

ENVIRONMENTAL AGRISCIENCE

Environmental Agriscience is an environmentally oriented curriculum that offers courses in soils, geology, ecology, hydrology and biology in an environmental context in addition to traditional agriculture courses. Graduates in Environmental Agriscience could work in fields such as water quality, reclamation, and developing environmental impact statements. Environmental consulting firms, the EPA, state health departments, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the Agricultural Extension Service are a few examples of possible employers.

HORTICULTURE

Horticulture combines training in the biological and physical sciences with sound plant cultural practices. Training is offered in the production and handling of greenhouse crops, containerized nursery crops, and landscape ornamentals. Graduates enter careers in management, production, processing, sales, education and in governmental agencies related to the green industries.

NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT

Nursery and Landscape Management provides students an opportunity to combine training in agribusiness management and horticulture for managerial, production, and sales positions in the nursery and landscaping industries.

TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT

Turfgrass Management provides basic training in the science and culture of managing turfgrasses and the economics and business management principles related to the turf industry. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in management of athletic turf, golf courses, municipal, industrial, home lawns and other types of turf and related business.

SCHOOL OF HUMAN ECOLOGY

Professor Bailey, Director; Professor Cunningham; Associate Professors Mullins, Plant;
Assistant Professors Anderson, Southward, Swafford

The discipline of human ecology is the study of the reciprocal relationships humans have with their environments--social, cultural, physical-and-home, work, leisure, community-and the interactions between the two. The purpose of the discipline is to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families. The knowledge base of the discipline integrates concepts of individual and family development, food and nutrition, textiles, apparel and merchandising, housing and furnishings, design, and consumer science. The curricula of the School of Human Ecology are designed to prepare students for careers in business, education, and service professions and/or for advanced studies.

The School of Human Ecology offers the following curricula and undergraduate degree:

Individual curricula
Course descriptions 

CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

The Child Development and Family Relationships concentration focuses on the preparation of students for careers with people across the lifespan.  The employer of graduates from this program is often local, state, and national government agencies.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES EDUCATION

Family and Consumer Sciences Education with optional Occupational Family and Consumer Science Education endorsements in Child Care Services, Food Services, or Fashion and Fabric Services prepares students for careers as teachers in middle and high schools, as USDA Cooperative Extension Agents, and for other positions involving human services. Licensure for teaching is available; however, it is not mandatory nor necessary for those students planning to pursue careers other than teaching.

FOOD, NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

Food, Nutrition and Dietetics curriculum offers two options. In the dietetics option, the focus of the program is on training students for careers in health care, product development and testing, research, media and communication within the complete food and nutrition industry. In the food systems administration option, the focus is on training students for careers in food production and service, management opportunities in the food industry, and entrepreneurial activities.

HOUSING AND DESIGN

Housing and Design focuses on adapting space to meet the psychological and physical needs of people in residential and commercial environments. Graduates pursue careers in planning, designing, building, display, historic preservation, workroom coordination, real estate, house management, and many more areas.

MERCHANDISING AND DESIGN

Merchandising and Design curriculum focuses on the design, production, distribution and selection of consumer products. Career opportunities include positions in management, merchandise buyer, sales representative, shopper/stylist, fashion coordinator, textile researcher, fashion designer and many others.

MINOR IN HUMAN ECOLOGY

The minor in Human Ecology consists of 15 semester hours of courses offered by the School of Human Ecology as follows: