Gary Pierzynski, Interim Dean and Interim Director of the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station
and the Kansas Cooperative Extension Service
114 Waters Hall
785-532-7137

Don Boggs, Associate Dean
Christine Wilson, Assistant Dean
Sharon Thielen, Assistant Dean
Zelia Wiley, Assistant Dean for Diversity Programs
117 Waters Hall
785-532-6151
Fax: 785-532-6897
www.ag.k-state.edu

The College of Agriculture offers 14 bachelor of science degree programs, 10 master of science programs, nine programs leading to the PhD, and a pre-veterinary medicine program. The programs and options provide flexibility to meet the needs of students who will enter varied careers in the food chain and related agribusinesses.

The profession

Professional agriculture is the application of the physical, biological and social sciences and the principles of management to food production, preservation and processing, crop and livestock production, marketing and processing, culture of flowers, turf grass, and ornamentals, life processes of plants and animals, natural resources management, economic development, agricultural education and communication, and related fields.

Faculty

More than 95 percent of the instructional faculty of the College of Agriculture have PhD degrees. All are actively involved in research and publish their findings regularly in scientific journals. They work closely with Extension specialists. This integration of teaching, research, and Extension helps ensure that courses are current and relevant.

Facilities

Effective instruction in the application of basic sciences to modern agricultural industries requires land, buildings, livestock, and equipment. More than 4,000 acres of land are used for experimental work and for instruction.

A feed mill, flour mill, and bakery include modern equipment from eight countries, and new facilities have recently been constructed. Colbert Hills Golf Course supports teaching and research related to the golf course management program. Greenhouses, laboratories, and field plots provide resources for horticulture and agronomy courses.

Modern animal industry and dairy and poultry units near campus contain some of the latest equipment for teaching and research in nutrition, genetics, and food processing (meat, milk, eggs). Livestock of many breeds, plus various soil types, field crops, fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals, are used in teaching and research.

Click on any of the following links for information:

• Internships and cooperative education
• Extracurricular activities
• International study opportunities
• Scholarships
• Office for Diversity Programs
• General Requirements
• General Education: K-State 8
• General Education: UGE
• Program Choices
• University Honors Program and Agriculture Scholars Program

Professional Programs

• Agribusiness—BS, MAB
• Agricultural economics—BS, MS, PhD
• Agricultural education—BS
• Agricultural communications and journalism—BS
• Agricultural technology management—BS
• Agronomy (crops and soils)—BS, MS, PhD
• Animal sciences and industry—BS, MS, PhD
• Bakery science and management—BS
• Entomology—MS, PhD
• Feed science and management—BS
• Food science—MS, PhD
• Food science and industry—BS
• Genetics—MS, PhD
• Grain science—MS, PhD
• Horticulture—BS, MS, PhD
• Milling science and management—BS
• Park management and conservation—BS
• Plant pathology—MS, PhD
• Pre-veterinary medicine—three year
• Wildlife and outdoor enterprise management —BS

Internships and cooperative education

Internships and co-op programs throughout the state and nation are available with agribusiness firms and agencies and in production agriculture to gain on-the-job experience. Specific internship and co-op requirements vary among departments and interdepartmental programs. Students may earn academic credit and salaries for approved internships and co-op experiences. The number of internships and co-op programs in the College of Agriculture is growing as companies seek to attract K-State graduates.

Extracurricular activities

Leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills are essential for today’s agriculture graduate. K-State offers many opportunities to become involved on campus through departmental clubs, service organizations, student government, agricultural competition teams, and much more. Each contributes to greater personal and professional development.

International study opportunities

The College of Agriculture supports various programs for international experiential learning through agricultural study tours, semester abroad programs, and summer internships in other countries. An international agriculture minor that requires completion of an international experience is available to agriculture majors. Students in all majors are encouraged to include foreign language and international culture and business courses in their curricula. International travel and study programs are coordinated by the associate dean in 117 Waters Hall. Additional information on international agricultural programs is provided in the Outreach  section of the catalog.

Scholarships

All students applying for College of Agriculture scholarships must complete and file electronically the K-State scholarship application. By completing the university’s scholarship application, you become eligible for all university, college, and departmental scholarships for which you are qualified. Scholarship applications for entering freshmen and transfer students should be submitted by November 1 to receive priority consideration by the university and college. The College of Agriculture also offers international study scholarships and diversity scholarships.

Office for Diversity Programs

Zelia Wiley, Director

The Office for Diversity Programs provides support services for all students and faculty. The office provides leadership for diversity programs, educational activities, and recruitment and retention of multicultural students in the College of Agriculture. The director coordinates activities of the Kansas State University chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS). Through membership in MANRRS, students have access to enhanced professional development and career opportunities.

General Requirements

Selection of a major

Students usually select a curriculum or major when they enter the college. They are provided faculty academic advisors in their major fields. Students enroll in general agriculture if they want to enter some part of professional agriculture but are not yet ready to identify a particular major. They are assigned an academic advisor in the academic programs office or an advisor in one of the academic departments. These students are urged to choose majors before the end of the freshman year.

The curriculum or major may be changed at almost any time and with relative ease, though a change after the sophomore year may delay graduation.

Electives permit adaptation of the program to the student’s goals. The student should work with an advisor to develop the most beneficial and effective academic program.

Many students work part time at K-State laboratories, greenhouses, and farms. This experience adds greatly to students’ learning and understanding.

Selection of an option

Most major fields of study in agriculture provide for selection of groups of courses known as options. Some typical options include:

Business and industries
Students who wish to emphasize business, marketing, and management related to agribusiness firms may select an option in business and industries. Course work includes classes in business administration and economics.

Production/technical
Those who plan to enter farming, ranching, horticultural production, landscape and turf management, or other technical positions in agriculture or agribusiness may select a production/ technical option. Study in one of these options allows students to gain more depth in the technical aspects of their majors.

Sciences/professional
A science/professional option prepares students for research and graduate and professional schools. This option allows students to structure programs strong in the basic sciences and/or other areas that will enhance success in graduate and professional schools such as law and veterinary medicine. Additional options are available in certain curricula or majors to allow students to develop specific strengths or specializations.

Suggested courses

Suggested humanities and social science electives

The following list includes courses that will satisfy non-specific humanities and social science requirements for some agricultural majors. Requirements in some majors may be more specific in these areas. Students should consult their advisor for details.

(Maximum of 3 credit hours may be taken from participatory courses)
(must be taken from more than one department):

• American ethnic studies—any course
• Architecture, planning, and design—any course in history or appreciation of architecture or environmental design
• Anthropology—any course
• Art—courses in appreciation and theory
• Dance—any course
• Economics—above ECON 110 Principles of Macroeconomics
• English—any except courses in composition
• Geography—any except GEOG 221 - Introductory Physical Geography
• History—any course
• Family studies and human services—any course
• Modern languages—any course
• Music—any course in theory or appreciation of music
• Philosophy—any course
• Political science—any course
• Psychology—any course
• Sociology—any course
• Theatre—any course
• Women’s studies—any course

Suggested additional communications courses

Many majors require additional communications courses beyond expository writing and speech. The following list includes courses that will satisfy non-specific communications requirements for some agricultural majors. Requirements in some majors may be more specific. Students should consult their advisor for details.

General Education: K-State 8

IMPORTANT NOTES: Students who first enroll in Summer 2011 or later must meet the requirements of the K-State 8 General Education Program.

Students who began their programs of study in earlier terms under the University General Education (UGE) program may complete their degrees with UGE requirements or may choose to move to the K-State 8. Students should check with their academic advisors to determine which choice would be better. To switch, students must consult with their academic advisors.

Students who are readmitted in Summer 2011 and later will be designated as meeting the K-State 8 by the Office of Admissions. Deans’ offices can make an exception for the readmitted student who has completed UGE or who would prefer to complete UGE requirements.

Objective of the K-State 8

The K-State 8 General Education Program encourages students to be intellectual explorers. Students and advisors will plan programs of study to promote exposure to a breadth of learning that includes the eight areas below. The emphasis and the amount of study in each area will vary for each student, depending upon his/her choice of major and other interests.

The K-State 8 Areas: 

Aesthetic Experience and Interpretive Understanding
 

Empirical and Quantitative Reasoning
 

Ethical Reasoning and Responsibility
 

Global Issues and Perspectives
 

Historical Perspectives
 

Human Diversity within the U.S.
 

Natural and Physical Sciences
 

Social Sciences
 

The K-State 8 icons shown above are also used in Kansas State University’s student information system (iSIS).

Overview of K-State 8 requirements

The intent of The K-State 8 is for students to explore the perspectives of disciplines that may be quite different from those of their own majors. For that reason, a minimum of four different course prefixes (e.g., AGEC, MATH, FSHS) must be represented to fulfill K-State 8 requirements.

Each student must successfully complete credit-bearing courses to cover all of the K-State 8 areas. Some of the K-State 8 areas may be covered in the student’s major.

Departments have decided which courses to designate for one or two K-State 8 areas. K-State 8 designations are noted both in the Undergraduate Catalog and in iSIS.

When a course is tagged for two K-State 8 areas, the student may count that course toward both areas. However, students are strongly encouraged to enroll in a variety of courses and experiences that offers them a genuine breadth of perspective.

For more information

• Consult your advisor.
• Check each term’s Course Schedule.
• More information about The K-State 8 is available on the web.

K-State 8 policy for changing majors

Changing majors will not affect students’ general education requirements in the K-State 8.

K-State 8 policy for double majors and dual degrees

A student must meet K-State 8 requirements for only one degree/major.

Transfer students

Transfer students are required to cover all eight (8) of the K-State 8 areas and should check with their academic advisors to determine how best to apply transfer credits to the K-State 8.

General Education: UGE

University General Education Requirements

IMPORTANT NOTES:  This section does not apply to students who first enroll in Summer 2011 or later. Those students must meet the requirements of The K-State 8 General Education Program.

Students who began their programs of study in earlier terms under the University General Education (UGE ) program may complete their degrees with UGE requirements or may choose to move to The K-State 8. Students should check with their academic advisors to determine which choice would be better.  To switch, students must consult with their academic advisors.

Students who are readmitted in Summer 2011 and later will be designated as meeting the K-State 8 by the Office of Admissions. Deans’ offices can make an exception for the readmitted student who has completed UGE or who would prefer to complete UGE requirements.

The College of Agriculture university general education program assures that all undergraduate programs provide breadth through the completion of at least 18 semester hours of approved courses/experiences, of which one-third of those credits will be at the 300 level or higher.

To ensure breadth, UGE courses are required in at least four of the following areas (a course may be used in only one category):

• Economics
• Social sciences
• Humanities
• Communications (e.g., writing or verbal intensive courses)
• Quantitative sciences (e.g., statistics, mathematics)
• Biological sciences (e.g., biology, botany)
• Physical sciences (e.g., chemistry, geology, physics)
• Professional college courses: architecture, agriculture, business, education, human ecology, engineering. Acceptable courses will be determined by each department and approved by the dean’s office.

Only one agriculture course can be used to meet general education requirements. The agriculture course must be from outside the student’s departmental major, and it may only be used as a free or restricted elective in the curriculum, with the following exception:

Agriculture undergraduates may include, as part of their UGE requirements, a maximum of 3 credit hours from specifically designated upper-division (300 and above) major-specific courses or experiences. Such courses or experiences will be specifically designed for majors, incorporate the three UGE benchmarks plus a significant advanced writing experience, and must be approved by the UGE Council. Should this option be used, this course will count as the one allowable agriculture course.

Departments within the college may specify which of the eight areas their students can use to satisfy UGE requirements. The program is designed to take advantage of the strong tradition of excellence in advising to determine the specific UGE courses that are best suited to each individual.

Transfer students will follow the university general education policy in effect for this population. See the Undergraduate Admission  section of this catalog for details.

Program Choices

General agriculture

Students who are undecided regarding the selection of a major in agriculture may want to enroll in the general agriculture exploratory program. Courses taken in this area are selected with the help of an advisor to meet basic requirements and expose students to potential areas of study in agriculture through introductory course work in one or more departments. Examples of course selections for first semester follow:

Various foundation and agriculture courses can be substituted in the examples above, depending on the student’s interest.

Natural resource management

Students interested in natural resource management can pursue programs in park management and conservation; environmental communications; range management; or soil and environmental science.

A major in park management and conservation with options in law enforcement, park manager, recreation business, or interpretation can be earned in the Department of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources.

Range management and soil and environmental science options are available through the Department of Agronomy.

Students may major in agricultural communications and journalism with an environmental option through the Department of Communications.

These programs provide training for individuals interested in interpretation and application of ecological principles to environmental problems involving natural resources. Each program contains courses in the social sciences and humanities to help students become sensitive to the interactions between humans and their environmental surroundings. Courses in the physical and biological sciences help students understand and solve environmental problems, and courses in communications assist them in interpreting, conveying, and employing solutions. Many students in these programs also complete the secondary major in natural resources and environmental sciences .

Pre-veterinary medicine program

Pre-veterinary medicine requirements may be completed in the College of Agriculture or the College of Arts and Sciences. Students who satisfactorily complete the pre-veterinary medicine program and the first two years of the curriculum in veterinary medicine and who complete their PVM requirements in the College of Agriculture will be eligible for a bachelor of science degree in the College of Agriculture.

Dual degrees/dual majors

The agribusiness complex of industries (processing, preservation, distribution, and retailing of farm-produced food, and manufacture and sale of farm equipment, feeds, and agricultural chemicals) employs a variety of professionally trained personnel. The type of education required varies with the nature of the work performed. A dual degree or a dual major may be appropriate, depending on the student’s occupational objectives.

Dual degrees may be earned by a student who desires a BS degree in some discipline in agriculture along with a BS degree in some other college at K-State. To earn a dual degree, the student must complete the requirements for each degree. Dual degrees may also be earned by a student in two separate degree programs in some disciplines in agriculture. The student must complete all course requirements for each degree. Within the College of Agriculture, most majors receive a BS in Agriculture. Major specific BS degrees are awarded in Agribusiness, Bakery Science and Management, Milling Science and Management, Feed Science and Management, Food Science and Industry, and Wildlife and Outdoor Enterprise Management.

Dual majors are completed by students who wish to complete two different programs of study in the College of Agriculture while earning a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. This approach allows the student to select two majors to give greater depth and breadth to the educational program. The student is required to complete the requirements for both majors and earns a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. Notation of a Dual Major will be made on the student’s transcript, however, only one BS in Agriculture will be awarded.

Secondary majors

Certain departmental courses have been approved for credit toward secondary majors in gerontology , international studies , and natural resources and environmental sciences . A popular choice that links well with several agriculture majors is the natural resources and environmental sciences secondary major.

Minors

To pursue a minor in the College of Agriculture, students must: (1) file a declaration of intent to pursue a minor with the minor-granting department, and (2) consult with an advisor in the minor-granting department prior to enrolling in the last three courses used to satisfy minor requirements. See departmental listings for more information about requirements for those minors.

• Agribusiness 
• Agricultural economics 
• Agricultural technology management 
• Agronomy 
• Animal sciences and industry 
• Applied genomics and biotechnology 
• Entomology 
• Food science 
• Grain Science and Industry Minors (bakery science, cereal chemistry, and feed science) 
• Horticulture 
• International agriculture 
• Leadership studies 
• Plant pathology 
  

Certificates

Five undergraduate certificate programs are offered in the college. For details on the requirements and verification of completion, see the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and the Food Science and Industry program.

• Equine science 
• Food science 
• Meat science 
• Beef Cattle Feedlot Management 
• Beef Cattle Ranch Management 

University Honors Program and Agriculture Scholars Program

The K-State University Honors program and the College of Agriculture Scholars program both enable capable students to expand their skills and stimulate their curiosity for continual learning. Objectives are to offer special recognition for outstanding scholastic achievement, foster sustained interest in advanced education and research, and promote social interaction in the academic community and campus leadership. Graduates are well prepared for professional or graduate schools or the career of their choice.

University Honors Program

Kansas State University’s Honors Program is designed to provide exceptional students with an understanding of contemporary concepts of common and diverse intellectual traditions, as well as discipline-specific knowledge and abilities. Through completion of required course work, students gain global awareness and competence in dealing with an increasingly diverse world. By the time they graduate they will have had educational experiences that emphasize scholarship, critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. A total of 15 credit hours, an honors research/creative project and a student portfolio must be completed to graduate in the honors program.

Eligibility - University Honors Program

To be admitted to the University Honors Program students must have a high school (weighted or unweighted) GPA of 3.75 and an ACT score of 28 or above. Qualified students must submit an application form with an accompanying essay or project and turn in one letter of support from an individual who is familiar with the student’s record.  Students with notable extracurricular experience and/or leadership activities who do not achieve the GPA and ACT requirements are encouraged to apply.

Students are also encouraged to contact their academic advisor, members of the Agriculture Faculty Advisory Committee, or the University Honors Program Director to learn more about the benefits of honors or scholars participation.

For more information about the university honors program, available to all students entering K-State in fall 2006 or later, see the Undergraduate Degrees  section of this catalog. Check the honors program web page for applications, requirements, current classes, and more.

University Honors Program Requirements - College of Agriculture

1. University Level - 7 credits required
   
   
   1. RETREAT for new students prior to fall semester (optional)
   2. GENAG 020  Students enroll in program each semester - 0 credit
   3. GENAG 189  Introduction to University Honors Program - 1 credit
   4. Other Requirements - 6 credits

Select from university honors courses generated by the University Honors Program Director each semester. These courses can be honors sections of required courses or elective seminars (most are 3 credit hours).

Alternative opportunities (e.g., study abroad) to generate university level honors credit hours must be approved by both the Director of the University Honors Program and the College Coordinator (or appropriate college representative). Under no circumstances will students be allowed to arrange for credit after the experience is completed.

II. College Level - 8 credit hours or equivalent required

GENAG 515  Honors/Scholars Project (2 credits). Written and oral report required upon completion of research or creative project, AND

Two of the following options (6 credits):

Option 1:

GENAG 295  SPRING ONLY: Introduction to Scholarship and Discovery (1 credit); AND

GENAG 395  FALL ONLY: Research Topic Development (1 credit) OR

ASI 200  FALL ONLY: Introduction to Research in Animal Science (1 credit); AND

GENAG 396  Research Proposal and Methods (1 credit)

Option 2:

GENAG 780  International Ag Seminar (1 credit); AND

GENAG 505  Comparative Agriculture (2 credits) OR other approved equivalent international study experience credit (2-3 credits)

Option 3:

Course(s) numbered 600 and above (3 credits)

Option 4:

Course(s) meeting university honors requirements (3 credits); must be approved by honors program director

Note: To complete the honors program, a student must complete a total of 15 credits and may not use any course to count toward both the university and college requirement sections.

Program Benefits

Students can explore a career area by working closely with a faculty member on a research/creative project and completing upper-level courses. They may present their research at professional meetings and publish the final paper in a student or professional research journal. Participants are recognized at the College of Agriculture honors recognition ceremony and commencement, and completion of the university honors program is noted on the K-State diploma and transcript.

III. Total UHP Requirements - 15 credit hours or equivalent required

College of Agriculture Scholars Program

The College of Agriculture Scholars Program enables capable undergraduate students to expand their skills and stimulate their curiosity for continual learning. Several unique benefits result from participation in the Honors and Scholars Programs. Students can explore a career area of interest through working closely with a faculty member on a research/creative project or other scholarly activity. Students may have an opportunity to attend professional meetings to give presentations and have the potential for publication of the final paper in a student or professional research journal. Participants are recognized at the College of Agriculture student recognition program and at commencement. Funding for undergraduate research project expenses are also available.

Students, on advice from faculty members, propose, prepare, and conduct a project of their choice. This activity provides students with hands-on experience in the functioning of persons in academia and, therefore, must be of a creative nature. This project will be relevant to one or more of the missions of land-grant institutions: research, Extension, and/or instruction. The research project is typically completed during the junior or senior year. Supporting courses taken during the freshman and sophomore years are designed to build toward the development of a successful project proposal.

Eligibility - Agriculture Scholars Program

New freshman agriculture students with a 28 ACT (or equivalent SAT) or in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class, new transfer students with a 3.5 GPA on 24 hours or more of transfer credit, and continuing students with a 3.5 or above K-State GPA are invited to join the Agriculture Scholars Program.

College of Agriculture Scholars Program Requirements

To graduate as a College of Agriculture scholar, students must have a cumulative K-State GPA of 3.4 or higher and complete the following course and credit requirements (total of 5 credits):

• GENAG 000  Agriculture Scholars Program (0 credit) Enroll each semester
• GENAG 515  Honors/Scholars Project (2 credits) Required. Written and oral report required upon completion of research or creative project. Project must be approved by college advisory committee and supervised by a faculty mentor.
  AND complete three additional credits of course work related to topic identification, project development, and/or conducting undergraduate research. The recommended courses to fulfill this requirement are:
• GENAG 295  Introduction to Scholarship and Discovery (1 credit)
• GENAG 395  Research Topic Development or ASI 200  Introduction to Research in Animal Science (1 credit) and
• GENAG 396  Research Proposal and Methods (1 credit)

Research/Creative Project

The core of the both the College of Agriculture Scholars Program and the University Honors Program is the Research/Creative project.  Working with a faculty mentor, students propose, prepare and conduct an honors/scholars project of their choice. The intent is to provide a creative academic experience relevant to the land-grant missions of research, Extension and instruction. The project is typically completed during the junior or senior year.  Additional information on the program and examples of previous honors projects is available here.

Questions about membership and requirements should be directed to the College of Agriculture Academic Programs Office in 117 Waters Hall.