Administrative Officers
Vice Chancellor
and Dean - Edward A. Hiler, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Associate
Vice Chancellor and
Executive Associate Dean - Fuller Bazer, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Associate
Vice Chancellor and
Associate Dean for Continuing Education - Robert E. Whitson, B.S., M.S.,
Ph.D.
Associate
Vice Chancellor and
Associate Dean - Clarence R. Creger, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Associate
Dean for Academic Affairs - Karen S. Kubena, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Associate Dean
for Student Development - Joe D. Townsend, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
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 27 majors and 15 minors in 14 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, 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. Learning how to relate 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.
College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Baccalaureate Degree Programs
Each major can be planned
to prepare students for graduate study or admission to professional schools
in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, other health professions and
law. Students in programs, such as biochemistry and nutritional sciences,
are highly recruited for medicine and other health professions. Animal
science and wildlife and fisheries sciences are among several excellent
choices for students interested in veterinary medicine. Students with a
background in natural resources, the agricultural industry, or life sciences
can use that knowledge well if they choose to enter law school. An environmental
lawyer with a degree in a natural resource area understands the science
and the law.
The knowledge of other
cultures is valuable in understanding our own. Therefore, students are
encouraged to consider spending a summer term or semester studying outside
of the United States. Study abroad courses, offered through several departments
in the College, allow students to travel to another country with a faculty
member for course work in contemporary agricultural sciences. Programs
in recent years have been based in countries such as Australia, New Zealand,
Dominica, South Africa, France and Vietnam. Career opportunities are plentiful
in the international agricultural industry, and background from an international
educational experience is invaluable in preparing for such positions.
The College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences participates in the University Honors Program, and honors
courses are offered across the College. Because of the opportunities to
participate in basic and applied research in most majors, many students
in the College are selected for the University Undergraduate Research Fellows
program. Research projects conducted by faculty members are as varied as
the degree programs and focus on discovering new knowledge and developing
new techniques in areas from genomics and biotechnology to education and
human or animal behavior.
Advising is provided
for each student in the college through offices in the individual academic
departments. The departmental faculty and professional advisors provide
assistance on course selection and other academic issues and serve as mentors
for career planning and admission to graduate or professional school. Advisors
serve as professional consultants for students in the College with the
objective of avoiding problems if possible and solving problems if needed.
College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences
|
Interdisciplinary
Programs
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|
Environmental
Studies--University-level program
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Renewable
and Natural Resources--Institute of Renewable Natural Resources
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Agricultural
Journalism
|
| |
Department
of Agricultural Economics
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Agribusiness--offered
in conjunction with the Mays Business School
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|
Agricultural
Economics
|
|
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Finance
and Real Estate Option*
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Food
and Marketing Systems Option*
|
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Policy
and Economic Analysis Option*
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Rural Entrepreneurship
Option*
|
| |
Department
of Agricultural Education
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Agricultural
Development
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Agricultural
Science
|
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Teaching
Option--offered in conjunction with the College of Education and
Human Development |
| |
Department
of Animal Science
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Animal
Science
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Production/Industry
Option
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Science
Option
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Dairy
Science
|
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Dairy
Manufacturing Option
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Dairy
Production Option
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Food
Science and Technology
|
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Food
Science Option
|
|
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Industry
Option
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Nutritional
Sciences
|
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Didactic
Program in Dietetics
|
| |
Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics
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Biochemistry
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Genetics
|
| |
Department
of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
|
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Agricultural
Engineering--offered in conjunction with the Dwight Look
College of Engineering
|
| |
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Agricultural
Systems Management
|
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Biological
Systems Engineering--offered in conjunction with the Dwight Look
College of Engineering
|
| |
Department
of Entomology
|
|
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Entomology
|
| |
Department
of Forest Science
|
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Forestry
|
|
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Forest
Resource Management Option
|
|
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Urban
Forestry Option
|
| |
Department
of Horticultural Sciences
|
|
Floriculture
|
|
Horticulture
|
| |
Department
of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
|
|
Bioenvironmental
Sciences
|
| |
Department
of Poultry Science
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|
Poultry
Science
|
| |
Department
of Rangeland Ecology and Management
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|
Rangeland
Ecology and Management
|
| |
Department
of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences
|
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Recreation,
Park and Tourism Sciences
|
|
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Park
and Natural Resources Management Option
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Recreation
and Park Administration Option
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Tourism
Resources Management Option
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Department
of Soil and Crop Sciences
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Agronomy
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Agro-Industry
Option
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Soil
and Crop Management Option
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Turfgrass
Management Option
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Plant
and Environmental Soil Science
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| |
Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
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Wildlife
and Fisheries Sciences
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Aquaculture
Option
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Biology/Science
Composite Teaching Certification Emphasis--jointly administered with
the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture
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Conservation
Biology and Biodiversity Option
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Fisheries
Ecology and Management Option
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Natural
Resource Collections and Museums Option
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Urban
Wildlife and Fisheries Option
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Wildlife
Ecology and Management Option
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Wildlife/Fisheries
Management Option
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Vertebrate
Zoology Option
|
Minors
in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Minors consist of a
group of specified courses totaling between 15 and 18 credit hours. Students
who are eligible to enroll in a minor should contact an advisor in the
department offering the minor. Minors available in the college are listed
below.
Department
of Agricultural Economics
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Agricultural
Economics and Agribusiness
|
| |
Department
of Agricultural Education
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Agricultural
Communications and Journalism
|
| |
Department
of Biochemistry and Biophysics
|
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Biochemistry
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Genetics
|
| |
Department
of Entomology
|
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Entomology
|
| |
Department
of Forest Science
|
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Forest
Science
|
| |
Department
of Horticultural Sciences
|
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Horticulture
|
| |
Department
of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
|
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Bioenvironmental Sciences
|
| |
Department
of Poultry Science
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Poultry
Science
|
| |
Department
of Rangeland Ecology and Management
|
|
Rangeland
Ecology and Management
|
| |
Department
of Recreation, Park and Tourism Science
|
|
Park
and Natural Resources
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Tourism
Resource Management
|
| |
Department
of Soil and Crop Sciences
|
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Agronomy
|
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Environmental
Soil Science
|
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Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
|
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Wildlife
and Fisheries Sciences
|
Certificate
Programs
Certificate programs
document expertise in an area beyond a major or minor. Currently, certificates
can be earned in International Trade and Agriculture (Department of Agricultural
Economics) and Watershed (Department of Rangeland Ecology and Management).
Information on requirements for certificate programs is available from
the advisor of the department offering the certificate.
Internships
and Cooperative Education
Internships provide
real-world experience in industries related to agriculture, life sciences
or natural resources. Students return to campus with an interest in course
work from the perspective of knowledge and skills needed to succeed. The
experiences are so valuable that many students complete more than one internship.
Most departments in the College offer academic credit for the satisfactory
completion of an internship course. In fact, an internship is required
for graduation in some degree programs.
The Agriculture and
Natural Resources Congressional Internship Program places students from
the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Washington, D.C., or Austin
in the office of a legislator or government agency for a semester or summer.
Selection for the program is based upon academic performance, leadership
and other factors.
Cooperative education
is an alternating semester program of work and study that allows students
to gain practical experience in their chosen field while pursuing a degree.
Students interested in information should write the Texas A&M University
Office of Cooperative Education.
Graduate
Study
All
departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offer graduate
degrees at the master's and doctoral levels. The Master of Science usually
includes a research component while original research is required for
the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Professional studies in the College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences lead to the Master of Agriculture in
several areas, the Master of Education in agricultural education, and
the Master of Agribusiness in that major. The Master of Agriculture degree
generally requires an internship experience in an industry or agency.
Students receiving one of these degrees may continue study for the doctor
of philosophy degree.
Students are encouraged
to contact the department in which they wish to major to obtain information
about graduate study. Information on admission, programs available, etc.,
can be found in the Texas A&M
University Graduate Catalog.
Environmental
Sciences
Professional development
in the environmental sciences should consist of education and training
in a diverse array of interdisciplinary subjects. These may include environmental
planning; environmental education and communications; management of land,
water, and air, as well as fisheries and wildlife management; solid and
hazardous waste management; parks and outdoor recreation; and forestry.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences sponsors curricula that address
the scientific and engineering components of each of these subjects. Programs
and emphases, such as Bioenvironmental Sciences, Plant and Environmental
Soil Science, Environmental Studies, and Environmental and Natural Resources
Engineering, have evolved. In addition, traditional environmental fields,
including Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences; Rangeland Ecology and Management;
Forestry; and Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, provide environmental
policy, technology and management. Further, environmental stewardship and
conservation of natural resources are the focus of the Institute of Renewable
Natural Resources. For a listing of these programs and career emphases,
refer to the index of this catalog, obtain further information from the
Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences, or visit the website coals.tamu.edu.
Teacher
Certification
Texas teacher certification
in agricultural science is available through the Department of Agricultural
Education. Certification is granted through the State Board of Educator
Certification (SBEC) upon a student's completion of the course of study
administered by the department. The undergraduate major in agricultural
science includes all course work required for our recommending a student
to SBEC for teacher certification. The requirements can be completed with
any major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Normally, completion
of those requirements results in a student completing a second B.S. degree
or a double major. Requirements can be completed by graduate students in
the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as well. See an advisor in
Agricultural Science, Department of Agricultural Education, for more information.
International and Cultural
Diversity Requirement
Texas A&M University
requires its students to meet an International and Cultural Diversity requirement
as part of the University's Core Curriculum. Meeting this requirement will
require the careful selection of courses. The student is directed to of
this catalog for detailed information regarding this requirement and also
is encouraged to seek the advice of the student's academic advisor.
