College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
General Statement
Ensuring an adequate and safe food supply for a rapidly expanding world population, succeeding in a global economy, and maintaining our planet’s natural resources and biodiversity are some of the challenges that are being met by graduates from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Our students are educated to apply their knowledge to solve problems as scientists, business leaders, engineers, educators, and other professionals. Majors focus on the food systems and agricultural industry, life sciences, the environment and natural resources, and leadership development. Enthusiastic and competitive students, a distinguished faculty, innovative teaching methods, outstanding advisors, and abundant experiential learning opportunities, including undergraduate research, result in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences being considered one of the top colleges of agriculture in the country.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers exceptional academic programs that have their foundation in basic and applied biological science, social science, technology and business. A total of 28 majors and 15 minors in 15 academic departments offer a wide range of opportunities from which students can select to prepare for a future that fits their interests and abilities. Students with career plans that include the agricultural industry can choose animal, poultry, plant or food sciences; agronomy; engineering; business or management; and education. While almost all disciplines include life sciences, majors that focus on this area include biochemistry, genetics, nutritional sciences and entomology. Studies in natural resources include bioenvironmental sciences, wildlife science, forestry, plant and environmental soil science, rangeland ecology, recreation and tourism, and environmental studies. Leadership development has a home in agricultural development but is located in majors and other experiences across the college.
All degree programs are designed to allow students to obtain technical expertise within the major and to be educated broadly so that they can meet the challenge of a rapidly changing world. Abilities of thinking creatively and critically, solving problems, making decisions and communicating effectively are developed, along with learning how to work with and appreciate the value and belief systems of people from a variety of backgrounds. Relating well with others, leadership and followership are vital to success in the “real world.” Faculty members who teach undergraduate classes include many who are recognized nationally and internationally for research and other accomplishments in their disciplines. This means that students may gain new knowledge from those who played a role in its discovery. Interested undergraduates also have a chance to be a part of research projects themselves.
Student organizations that are sponsored by departments or the college include the Agricultural and Life Sciences Student Council, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) and more than 30 others. They promote interaction among students who share interests in the field, such as wildlife biology, master gardening, biochemistry and genetics, agricultural engineering, conservation and the environment, nutrition and dietetics, recreation and parks, horsemanship, and agrimarketing, while developing leadership skills.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and its departments offer a variety of scholarships to students on a competitive basis. Many are reserved for incoming freshmen or transfer students. Additional information and application forms for college-level scholarships for current students can be obtained from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Academic Office, 109 Kleberg Center. Information about departmental scholarships can be obtained from the departments directly.