Program Overview

Agricultural Science (BS): Online

Overview

A growing need exists for professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in the agricultural sciences. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Agricultural Science study the dynamic aspects of the food and fiber industry and pursue two agricultural specializations.

Program Description

Students who major in Agricultural Science will:

• develop skills for working independently and as part of a team, communicate effectively, solve problems, and understand basic business concepts.
• pursue two of the following specializations: Animal Science, Agricultural Business Management, Agricultural Environmental Technology, Agroecology, Crop Science, Food Science, Horticultural Science, Poultry Science, Soil Science, and Feed Mill Management.
• succeed as communicators, extension agents, and leaders in the agricultural industry.

Delivery Mode

The Agricultural Science – Online major is the same robust major and preparation for a career in agriculture as our Agricultural Science on-campus major. The difference is the delivery mode for coursework. All courses in the Agricultural Science – Online degree program are delivered at a distance via the NC State Moodle learning management system. Students complete their coursework synchronously (scheduled class meeting times) or asynchronously (independently scheduled time) online.

Program Goals

The Agricultural Science – Online major offers a pathway to a degree for students who are unable to relocate to Raleigh to conduct their studies. The distance delivery mode enhances access to education and professional development opportunities in agriculture and related sciences. The Agricultural Science – Online major promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world.

Plan Requirements

Course List

The following courses are required for the program:

• Orientation: AEE 103 Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education or ALS 303 Transfer Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Communication and Social Sciences: COM 110 Public Speaking or COM 112 Interpersonal Communication
• Mathematical and Natural Sciences:
  • MA 107 Precalculus I
  • MA 131 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A
  • BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity
  • BIO 183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • CH 101 & CH 102 Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory
  • Natural Science Elective
• Professional Content Courses:
  • ANS 150 Introduction to Animal Science
  • Economics Elective: ARE 201 Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics, EC 201 Principles of Microeconomics, or EC 205 Fundamentals of Economics
  • CS 213 Crop Science or HS 201 The World of Horticulture: Principles and Practices
  • SSC 200 Soil Science
  • ES 100 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
  • FS 201 Introduction to Food Science
• Agricultural Extension Education:
  • AEE 311 Communication Methods and Media
  • AEE 323 Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • AEE 350 Personal Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • AEE 360 Developing Team Leadership in Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • AEE 435 Professional Presentations in Agricultural Organizations
  • AEE 460 Organizational Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • AEE 490 Seminar in Agricultural and Extension Education
• Restricted Elective Option 1 and 2:
  • First of two agricultural specializations required. Select from courses in the following areas of agriculture: Animal Science, Agricultural Business Management, Crop Science, Food Science, Horticultural Science, Poultry Science, or Soil Science.
• GEP Courses:
  • ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research
  • GEP Humanities
  • GEP Health and Exercise Studies
  • GEP Elective
  • GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives
  • GEP Global Knowledge
  • GEP Foundations of American Democracy
  • World Language Proficiency
• Free Electives: 11 hours

Total Hours

Total hours required for the degree: 120 credit hours.

Career Opportunities

Career Titles

The following career titles are available to graduates of the Agricultural Science (BS): Online program:

• Agricultural Inspector
• Animal Breeder
• Animal Husbandry Worker Supervisor
• Aquaculture Specialist
• Bank and Branch Managers
• Buyer
• Crop Workers Supervisor
• Farm and Ranch Manager
• Farm Management Advisor
• Farm Products Purchasing Agent
• Farmers and Ranchers
• Fish Hatchery Manager
• Food & Drug Inspector
• Greenhouse and Nursery Manager
• Horticultural Worker Supervisor
• Industrial Production Managers
• Marketing Managers
• Purchasing Manager
• Sales Representative (Agricultural Products)
• Winemaker / Vinter

Career Resources

For more information on career opportunities, visit the following resources:

• NCcareers.org
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Career One Stop Videos
• Focus 2 Career Assessment (NC State student email address required)
• Focus 2 Apply Assessment (Available to prospective students)
• AgCareers.com

Plan of Study Grid

The plan of study grid is as follows:

First Year

• Fall Semester:
  • AEE 103 Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education or ALS 303 Transfer Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity
  • ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research
  • MA 107 Precalculus I
  • COM 110 Public Speaking or COM 112 Interpersonal Communication
  • GEP Health and Exercise Studies
• Spring Semester:
  • BIO 183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • MA 131 Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A
  • GEP Humanities
  • GEP Health and Exercise Studies
  • Introductory Agricultural Elective
• Summer:
  • ANS 150 Introduction to Animal Science

Second Year

• Fall Semester:
  • AEE 323 Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Introductory Agricultural Elective
  • CH 101 & CH 102 Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory
  • Free Elective
  • GEP Humanities
• Spring Semester:
  • AEE 350 Personal Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Economics Elective
  • Natural Science Elective
  • CS 213 Crop Science or HS 201 The World of Horticulture: Principles and Practices

Third Year

• Fall Semester:
  • AEE 311 Communication Methods and Media
  • SSC 200 Soil Science
  • Agricultural Specialization I Course
  • GEP Elective
  • Free Elective
• Spring Semester:
  • AEE 435 Professional Presentations in Agricultural Organizations
  • Agricultural Specialization I Course
  • Agricultural Specialization II Course
  • GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives
  • Free Elective

Fourth Year

• Fall Semester:
  • AEE 360 Developing Team Leadership in Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Agricultural Specialization I Course
  • Agricultural Specialization II Course
  • Agricultural Specialization II Course
  • Free Elective
• Spring Semester:
  • AEE 460 Organizational Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • AEE 490 Seminar in Agricultural and Extension Education
  • Agricultural Specialization I Course
  • Agricultural Specialization II Course
  • GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives