Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog 2002-2003 Edition

Curriculum in Agricultural Science

A combination of courses in scientific agriculture, education and general studies provides students with a knowledge of scientific agriculture and the ability to work with and influence people. Flexibility in course selection allows a student to place emphasis on a particular field of agriculture or to prepare broadly in agricultural studies. This flexibility might prepare a student to teach in a particular school setting, focusing upon a certain curriculum (e.g., horticulture, animal science and agricultural business). A student majoring in agricultural science will be counseled by an advisor in the Department of Agricultural Education to ensure that the program developed with the student will satisfy his or her unique interests, needs and professional aspirations.

Many aspects of the practice of agriculture are learned through experience. Enrollment in high school agricultural science and participation in FFA and/or 4-H are encouraged and recommended.

Teaching Option 1

The Agricultural Science curriculum is designed to offer the student a combination of courses in scientific agriculture and in professional education that will meet requirements for employment and advanced study in different careers in which the emphasis is on formal and informal programs of education. Such careers may include teaching agricultural science in high schools, area vocational schools and community colleges; working as an agricultural extension agent; working as an agricultural representative for a marketing agency, an agricultural supply company or other industries related to agriculture; and serving as an agricultural technician in an international program.

A student following this curriculum may be eligible to enter public schools as a teacher of agricultural science under the Texas Education Agency. Off-campus student teaching is required.

Required Course	(Th-Pr)	Credit
AGEC 105 Introduction to Agricultural Economics	(3-0)	3
AGEC 314, 315 or 325	(3-0)	3
AGED 102 Critical Issues in Agricultural Leadership and Education	(1-0)	1
AGED 301 Topics in Agricultural Leadership and Education	(1-2)	2
* AGED 325 Instructional Design in Agricultural Science	(2-0)	2
* AGED 327 Occupational Experience Programs in Agriculture	(1-2)	2
* AGED 384 Early Field Experience	(2-3)	3
* AGED 425 Learned Centered Instruction in Agricultural Science	(3-0)	3
* AGED 436 Student Teaching in Agricultural Education	(2-12)	6
* AGED 481 Seminar	(1-0)	1
* AGED 484 Field Experience		4
AGLS 101 Modern Agricultural Systems	(1-0)	1
AGRO 105 or HORT 201	(2-2)	3
ANSC 107, 108, DASC 202, or POSC 201, 202 2,3	(3-0)	3-4
ANSC 320 Animal Nutrition and Feeding	(3-0)	3
ANSC 433 Reproduction in Farm Animals	(2-2)	3
ANSC 484 Livestock Practicum	(0-2)	1
ENGL 104 Composition and Rhetoric	(3-0)	3
* INST 210 Understanding Special Populations	(3-0)	3
* INST 301 Educational Psychology	(3-0)	3
POLS 206 and 207 American National and State and Local Government	(3-0)	6
Agricultural engineering/Agricultural systems management electives 2,3		9
Computer applications elective 3,4		3
English writing elective 2		3
History (American) electives 3,4		6
Humanities (literature) elective 3,4		3
Mathematics electives 3,4		6
Natural science electives 4		8
Plant science electives 3		6
Scientific agriculture electives 2,3,5		9-10
Social and behavioral sciences elective 4		3
Speech elective 3,4		3
Visual and performing arts elective 3,4		3
Electives 2,3,5		8
KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity	(0-2)	1
KINE 199 Required Physical Activity	(0-2)	1
		131-133

NOTES:
1. A total of 132 semester hours will be required for a B.S. degree.

2. Before registering as a junior, each student must develop a degree program in consultation with the departmental advisor and with approval of the department head.

3. All electives must be recommended by the departmental advisor and approved by the department head.

4. To be selected from the University Core Curriculum.

5. Restricted electives in scientific agriculture are required for teacher certification by the Texas Education Agency. A minimum of 24 semester hours of scientific agriculture must be at the 300- and 400-level.

* Professional development courses required for certification as a teacher of agricultural science.

The University Core Curriculum includes a requirement for 6 hours of international and cultural diversity courses. Click here for a list of acceptable courses. A course satisfying another Core category, a college/department requirement, or as a free elective can be used to satisfy these requirements.