Major in Agricultural Biology

Tuition Fee

Not Available

Start Date

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Medium of studying

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Duration

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Details

Program Details

Degree

Bachelors

Major

Agricultural Science | Agronomy

Area of study

Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries

Course Language

English

About Program

Program Overview

The Agricultural Biology major provides a strong scientific foundation in entomology, plant pathology, and weed science to address challenges in natural and managed systems. Students will gain tools to foster sustainability and address pressing issues involving biophysical and sociocultural components of these systems. The concentration features courses in agriculture, biology, and ecology as well as practical training through internships and/or research experiences.

Learning Objectives

Integrate skills and knowledge to solve problems related to plants, insects, and microbes in natural and managed ecosystems
Demonstrate understanding of social, economic, and biophysical aspects of the management of biological problems in natural and managed ecosystems
Describe, assess, analyze, and synthesize knowledge from across the curriculum to create solutions for pests and beneficial species in natural and managed ecosystems
Promote and practice inclusion to form effective teams that solve complex problems in natural and managed ecosystems
Communicate effectively with diverse audiences regarding sustainable pest and pathogen management in natural and managed ecosystems

Potential Occupations

This major will be an excellent choice for students interested in careers as researchers, crop advisors, extension educators, growers, agriculture consultants, production managers, inspectors, diagnosticians, regulatory professionals, and for those who wish to pursue careers in academia.

Concentrations

Entomology Concentration
Plant Pathology Concentration
Weed Science Concentration

Advising

Our majors and minors have no competitive entry requirements. Courses to take if you are interested in the programs include AB 111, BSPM 102, BSPM 302, BSPM 308, and BSPM 361. Students interested in our program should ideally declare in the first two years, but exceptions can be made depending on the student's previous coursework.

Effective Fall 2025

Freshman

AB 1201, 2: Agricultural Biology--Freshman Orientation, 1 credit
AB 1301, 2: Working with Agricultural Biology Data, 1 credit
CHEM 107: Fundamentals of Chemistry (GT-SC2), 4 credits
CHEM 108: Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory (GT-SC1), 1 credit
CO 150: College Composition (GT-CO2), 3 credits
Select one group from the following:
- Group A:
  - LIFE 102: Attributes of Living Systems (GT-SC1)
  - LIFE 103: Biology of Organisms-Animals and Plants (GT-SC1)
- Group B:
  - BZ 110: Principles of Animal Biology (GT-SC2)
  - BZ 111: Animal Biology Laboratory (GT-SC1)
  - BZ 120: Principles of Plant Biology (GT-SC1)
Select one course from the following:
- ATS 150: Science of Global Climate Change (GT-SC2)
- BSPM 102: Insects, Science, and Society (GT-SC2)
- HORT 100: Horticultural Science
Total Credits: 30-31

Sophomore

AB 2301, 2: Becoming an Agricultural Biology Professional, 1 credit
AB 3031: General Entomology Laboratory, 2 credits
BSPM 3021: Applied and General Entomology, 2 credits
CHEM 245: Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, 4 credits
CHEM 246: Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory, 1 credit
SPCM 200: Public Speaking, 3 credits
Select one course from the following:
- CO 301B: Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3)
- JTC 300: Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)
- LB 300: Specialized Professional Writing
Select one course from the following:
- LAND 220/LIFE 2201: Fundamentals of Ecology (GT-SC2)
- LIFE 320: Ecology
Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following:
- MATH 117: College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1)
- MATH 118: College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)
- MATH 120: College Algebra (GT-MA1)
- MATH 124: Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1)
- MATH 155: Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1)
Select one course from the following:
- STAT 301: Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods
- STAT 307: Introduction to Biostatistics
Social and Behavioral Sciences, 3 credits
Total Credits: 28

Junior

AB 3301: Applications in Agricultural Biology I, 2 credits
BSPM 201 or 308: Weed Management and Control/Ecology and Management of Weeds, 3 credits
BSPM 3611: Elements of Plant Pathology, 3 credits
BSPM 487: Internship, 3 credits
BZ 220: Introduction to Evolution, 3 credits
SOCR 2401: Introductory Soil Science, 4 credits
Select one course from the following:
- BZ 3501: Molecular and General Genetics
- SOCR 330: Principles of Genetics
Agricultural Biology Elective (see list below), 3 credits
Electives, 4-5 credits
Total Credits: 29

Senior

AB 410: Understanding Pesticides, 3 credits
AB 4301: Applications in Agricultural Biology II, 3 credits
AB 451: Integrated Pest Management, 3 credits
Agricultural Biology Electives (see list below), 9 credits
Historical Perspectives, 3 credits
Electives, 11-12 credits
Total Credits: 32-33

Agricultural Biology Electives

Group 1: General and Plant
- BC 351: Principles of Biochemistry, 4 credits
- BZ 223: Plant Identification, 3 credits
- BZ 331: Developmental Plant Anatomy, 4 credits
- BZ 338: Comparative Morphology of Vascular Plants, 4 credits
- BZ 440: Plant Physiology, 3 credits
- BZ 450: Plant Ecology, 4 credits
- HORT 221: Landscape Plants, 4 credits
- HORT 231: Landscape Graphics Studio, 4 credits
- HORT 232: Principles of Landscape Design, 4 credits
- HORT 260: Plant Propagation, 4 credits
- SOCR 460/HORT 460: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, 3 credits
Group 2: Plant Pathology
- AB 521: Forest Health Issues, 2 credits
- AB 555: Topics in Plant Pathology--Plant Virology, 2 credits
- BSPM 365: Integrated Tree Health Management, 4 credits
- BSPM 450: Molecular Plant-Microbe Interaction, 3 credits
- BZ 333: Introductory Mycology, 4 credits
- MIP 300: General Microbiology, 3 credits
- MIP 432/ESS 432: Microbial Ecology, 4 credits
- MIP 433/ESS 433: Microbial Ecology Laboratory, 4 credits
- SOCR 455: Microbiomes of Soil Systems, 4 credits
- SOCR 456: Soil Microbiology Laboratory, 4 credits
Group 3: Entomology
- AB 340: Insect Biotechnology, 3 credits
- AB 420: Horticultural Entomology, 2 credits
- AB 523: Advanced Evolution/Classification of Insects, 5 credits
- BSPM 365: Integrated Tree Health Management, 4 credits
- BSPM 462/BZ 462/MIP 462: Parasitology and Vector Biology, 5 credits
- NR 312: Applied Insect Ecology, 3 credits

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program

A minimum grade of 'C' (2.000) is required for each course designated by footnote 1 on the Program Requirements tab.

Program Total Credits

120 credits

Semester Plans

Semester 1
- AB 120: Agricultural Biology--Freshman Orientation, 1 credit
- CO 150: College Composition (GT-CO2), 3 credits
- 1C, 3 credits
- Arts and Humanities, 6 credits
- Total Credits: 13
Semester 2
- AB 130: Working with Agricultural Biology Data, 1 credit
- CHEM 107: Fundamentals of Chemistry (GT-SC2), 4 credits
- CHEM 108: Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory (GT-SC1), 1 credit
- Select one group from the following:
  - Group A:
    - LIFE 102: Attributes of Living Systems (GT-SC1)
    - LIFE 103: Biology of Organisms-Animals and Plants (GT-SC1)
  - Group B:
    - BZ 110: Principles of Animal Biology (GT-SC2)
    - BZ 111: Animal Biology Laboratory (GT-SC1)
    - BZ 120: Principles of Plant Biology (GT-SC1)
- Select one course from the following:
  - ATS 150: Science of Global Climate Change (GT-SC2)
  - BSPM 102: Insects, Science, and Society (GT-SC2)
  - HORT 100: Horticultural Science
- Total Credits: 17-18
Semester 3
- AB 230: Becoming an Agricultural Biology Professional, 1 credit
- AB 303: General Entomology Laboratory, 2 credits
- BSPM 302: Applied and General Entomology, 2 credits
- SPCM 200: Public Speaking, 3 credits
- Select one course from the following:
  - CO 301B: Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3)
  - JTC 300: Strategic Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)
  - LB 300: Specialized Professional Writing
- Select one course from the following:
  - LAND 220/LIFE 220: Fundamentals of Ecology (GT-SC2)
  - LIFE 320: Ecology
- Total Credits: 14
Semester 4
- CHEM 245: Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, 4 credits
- CHEM 246: Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry Laboratory, 1 credit
- Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following:
  - MATH 117: College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1)
  - MATH 118: College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)
  - MATH 120: College Algebra (GT-MA1)
  - MATH 124: Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1)
  - MATH 155: Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1)
- Select one course from the following:
  - STAT 301: Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods
  - STAT 307: Introduction to Biostatistics
- Social and Behavioral Sciences, 3 credits
- Total Credits: 14
Semester 5
- BSPM 201 or 308: Weed Management and Control/Ecology and Management of Weeds, 3 credits
- BZ 220: Introduction to Evolution, 3 credits
- SOCR 240: Introductory Soil Science, 4 credits
- Select one course from the following:
  - BZ 350: Molecular and General Genetics
  - SOCR 330: Principles of Genetics
- Total Credits: 13-14
Semester 6
- AB 330: Applications in Agricultural Biology I, 2 credits
- BSPM 361: Elements of Plant Pathology, 3 credits
- BSPM 487: Internship, 3 credits
- Agricultural Biology Elective (see list on Program Requirements Tab), 3 credits
- Electives, 4-5 credits
- Total Credits: 15-16
Semester 7
- AB 410: Understanding Pesticides, 3 credits
- AB 430: Applications in Agricultural Biology II, 3 credits
- Agricultural Biology Elective (see list on Program Requirements Tab), 3 credits
- Electives, 6-7 credits
- Total Credits: 15-16
Semester 8
- AB 451: Integrated Pest Management, 3 credits
- Agricultural Biology Electives (see list on Program Requirements Tab), 6 credits
- Historical Perspectives, 3 credits
- Elective, 5 credits
- The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.
- Total Credits: 17
Program Total Credits: 120 credits

Major in Agricultural Biology

Program Overview