AGRICULTURE
Introduction
The College of Agriculture provides professional education for a wide range of career opportunities in agriculture, natural resources, and in family and consumer resources. The various curricula offer professional preparation for careers in agri-business, government, public service agencies, retail and service industries, human health institutions, the food service and processing industry, financial institutions, youth development agencies, conservation and environmental organizations, farming and ranching, research, extension, communications and education. A broad education in a professional knowledge area is combined with foundation courses in the natural and social sciences, communications and the humanities to develop a well-rounded academic experience.
College responsibilities include instruction, research and extension. The academic units of the college include ten departments and two schools. The departments are Agricultural and Resource Economics, Agricultural Education, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Animal Sciences, Entomology, Nutrition and Food Science, Plant Pathology, Plant Sciences, Soil and Water Science, and Veterinary Science. The School of Renewable Natural Resources is organized into four programs: Watershed Resources, Landscape Resources, Range Resources, and Wildlife and Fisheries Resources. The School of Family and Consumer Resources is organized into the divisions of Family Studies and Retailing and Consumer Studies. The college administers the undergraduate program in microbiology under the curriculum guidance of a multi-disciplinary faculty committee. The college also participates in the management of the University departments of Biochemistry, and Molecular and Cellular Biology where several college faculty hold joint appointments.
General Education Program
All undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture are required to complete a common general education program of study.
The purpose of the general education curriculum is to establish an educational foundation that will assist students in their development as productive and effective citizens and prepare them to engage in independent and critical thought using creative and analytical skills. The general education program is also designed to develop in students an appreciation for and understanding of world cultures, societal and institutional standards and interrelationships, cultural heritage, institutional and humanistic values, the natural sciences, and the arts and humanities.
All undergraduates must complete the Writing-Proficiency Examination administered by the University Composition Board and earn a grade-point average of at least a 2.000 on all work undertaken in the major field of study.
Students are strongly encouraged to have their own microcomputer. To be compatible with College of Agriculture Computer laboratories, students should have a Windows-based, 486 or higher speed processor, with word processing, spreadsheet and communications software.
Special Undergraduate Education Programs
Agricultural Business Emphasis
The agricultural business emphasis allows students to integrate Agricultural and Resource Economics and business courses in their plans of study. Successful completion of the study plan requires 20 units of course work in Agricultural and Resource Economics and business, with 12 units from the upper division. For details, consult the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
Agricultural Technology Management
This study area is designed to prepare students to become skilled in the many aspects of agricultural technology, environmental protection, communication, business and economics. Graduates will be prepared for positions in small to large-scale operations where 1) an understanding of environmental complexities, 2) an ability to communicate, and 3) technical competence are important. Employment opportunities include: production/management/sales positions, certified plant/animal protection specialists, and many agricultural service-oriented positions. For details, consult the Department of Agricultural Education.
Biochemistry
The College of Agriculture offers a major in biochemistry in conjunction with the Department of Biochemistry. This program provides undergraduates the fundamentals to study the molecular principles in the agricultural sciences, biology, and the environmental sciences. The major provides an excellent scientific background for graduate study in biochemistry, plant science, animal science, veterinary science, pathobiology, plant pathology, entomology, soil and water science, and the environmental sciences. For further details, consult the Department of Biochemistry.
Environmental Science
The major in environmental sciences is available in the Department of Soil and Water Science. It provides students with the opportunity to integrate courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and agriculture with a set of courses involved in the study of environmental quality of our land and water resources. For details, consult the Department of Soil and Water Science.
Microbiology
The undergraduate program in microbiology is administered by the College of Agriculture under the guidance of a faculty advisory committee representing the fields of plant pathology, soil and water science, plant sciences, molecular and cellular biology, veterinary science, and civil engineering. The microbiology program offers undergraduates a core curriculum complemented by specialty areas such as the applied sciences in agriculture, biotechnology, allied health, and medicine. For further details, consult Microbiology: Undergraduate Program in the Department of Veterinary Science.
Race Track Industries Option
Students may select the race track industries option under the major in animal sciences. The option requires the completion of specialized courses in race track industries, in conjunction with business courses. For details, consult the Department of Animal Sciences.
General Information
The College of Agriculture participates in several international programs. Activities include projects in Cape Verde, Brazil, Morocco, Mexico, Senegal, Lesotho, Mauritania, and Egypt. Interaction with Peace Corps, the Agency for International Development, and the U.S. State Department through the Office of International Programs provides unique opportunities for student and faculty evaluation of world resource problems.
The college includes the following resource facilities: Agricultural Sciences Communications, Agricultural Statistics, Remote Sensing, Computer Applications, Advanced Resource Technology, and the Office of Arid Lands Studies.
FELLOWSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND AWARDS-The college awards numerous scholarships and fellowships to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in programs of study in agriculture, natural resources, and family and consumer resources.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARDS-Each year the faculty selects an outstanding senior in each department and school.
DEAN'S LIST-This honor is reserved for students who carry no fewer than 15 units of work in a semester and attain a grade-point average of 3.5000 or better.
SCHOLASTIC SOCIETIES-The college recognizes the scholarship societies of Alpha Tau Alpha, Alpha Zeta, Gamma Sigma Delta, and Kappa Omicron Nu.
HONORS PROGRAM-The college participates in the University-wide Honors Program.
INTERNSHIP-The College of Agriculture provides internship opportunities to qualified students who wish to receive training and practice in actual service with technical, business, or government establishments.
PEACE CORPS-The Peace Corps office at The University of Arizona is a function of the Office of International Agriculture Programs in the College of Agriculture. The Peace Corps Office provides international volunteer placement counseling and processes Peace Corps and United Nations Volunteer Program applications from University students and staff.
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION-The college participates in the University Cooperative Education Program.
School of Family and Consumer Resources
The Family Studies Division is concerned with personal and group values that are desirable outcomes of successful family life through the use of personal, family and social resources for the attainment of these values. It deals with social, economic, aesthetic, technological, managerial, health, and ethical aspects of family relations, and human development.
The Retailing and Consumer Studies Division is committed to excellence in education by preparing students to serve consumers in a culturally diverse society through careers in a global retailing industry. Our students are actively recruited by successful retail firms across the nation.
The undergraduate program has as its major objectives: (1) general education for personal and family living, (2) specialization in various aspects of family and consumer resources in preparation for professional positions, and (3) courses to enrich the professional preparation of students in other colleges.
Students enrolled in majors in the School of Family and Consumer Resources may elect to choose a minor subject area with the approval of the student's advisor.
Family and Consumer Resources Organizations
Family and Consumer Resources student organizations are The U A Retailing Association, The Southwest retail Center Student Advisory Board, Future Focus and Kappa Omicron Nu
School of Renewable Natural Resources
The principal goals of the school are (1) to provide students with educational opportunities that will enable them to assume positions of responsibility and leadership in management, planning, design and study of renewable natural resources; and (2) to provide a foundation of basic general education that will enable graduates, regardless of their professional pursuits, to function as responsible citizens in their communities.
The school is organized into four programs: Watershed Resources; Landscape Resources; Rangeland and Forest Resources; and Wildlife and Fisheries Resources.
The school offers the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Renewable Natural Resources with a major in wildlife, watershed, and rangeland resources and the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with a major in landscape architecture. The landscape architecture major is being phased out and is not available to new students. Minors are available in watershed management, range management, and wildlife and fisheries science.
Honors Information
The school encourages outstanding students to participate in the University-wide Honors Program.
Student Organizations
Students in the school are encouraged to actively participate in their respective student chapters of national organizations and to attend and participate in national and local meetings of the professional societies whenever possible.
Active student chapters of the Society for Range Management, the Wildlife Society, the American Fisheries Society, and the American Society of Landscape Architects are available to students in the school. The Natural Resource Student Association is an organization open to graduate and undergraduate students with an interest in natural resources. This group is active in many activities associated with the school's programs.