Nov 30, 2024  
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Agricultural Economics (B.S.)

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Agricultural Economics

The agricultural economics program balances the theoretical and practical applications of agricultural economics to give students the best grasp on emerging issues facing professionals in food and agriculture today. Students earn a BS in agriculture with a major in agricultural economics.

The requirements for the first two years are virtually the same for all options in agricultural economics. Exceptions to those requirements are noted in the discussion of the farm management, specialty pre-law, specialty pre-vet, and natural resources quantitative option.

Students must complete university general education requirements as specified by the College of Agriculture.

Bachelor’s degree requirements

Suggested schedule for first two years

First semester (13-14 credit hours)

  • *Agricultural or food science technology elective Credits: (3–4)

Second semester (15 credit hours)

  • ***Natural science elective Credits: (4)

Third semester (16 credit hours)

  • **Humanities elective Credits: (3)
  • ***Natural sciences elective Credits: (4)
  • ****Social sciences elective Credits: (3)

Fourth semester (15-16 credit hours)

  • *Agricultural or food science technology elective Credits: (2–3)
  • Communication Elective Credits: (3)
    Select from: English (above 200), Communication studies (above 300) or a modern language

Choose from:

NOTES

*Agricultural and Food Science technology electives

**Humanities elective

  • History, Music, Art, English (above 210), Philosophy, Theatre, Dance, Modern Language
    or

***Natural Sciences elective

****Social science elective

  • Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, History, Geography, Women’s Studies or American Ethnic Studies
    or

Farm Management Option

Teaches how to apply agricultural economics to the management of the farm, ranch, or commercial feedlot.  This program includes course work in livestock and crop production, agricultural technology, and agricultural economics.

Required Agricultural Sciences courses:

The suggested schedule for the first two years is the same except ASI 102 and a laboratory, ATM 160 and AGRON 220 are the required agricultural science courses. The additional requirements are listed below.

Additional Requirements:

Agricultural economics restricted electives

Choose 15 credit hours from the following:

 (at least three credit hours above 598)

Advanced agricultural and food science technology electives

Choose 9 credit hours from the following:

Free electives (9-12 credit hours)

Total including first two years (127 credit hours)

Specialty Option

By combining agricultural economics with another degree, minor, or pre-professional program, students can develop a program that fits their interests and career goals. Students have combined agricultural economics with political science, computer science, nutrition, journalism, grain science, accounting, and business.

Requirements for the first two years are the same. Additional requirements are below:

Agricultural economics restricted electives

Choose 21 credit hours from the following:

At least six credit hours above 598.

Select 15 credit hours in a secondary department or field.

At least 6 credit hours 500 level or above.

Free electives (14-17 credit hours)

Total (127 credit hours)

Three of the possibilities requiring very careful coordination are:

Specialty in Pre-Veterinary Medicine

Designed to give an understanding of the roles a veterinarian plays—such as doctor, manager, and consultant—this specialty also prepares students with all the biological science requirements  needed to apply to veterinary school.

Requirements for the first two years are much the same. Students take CHM 210-Chemistry I in place of CHM 110 General chemistry and CHM 111 General Chemistry Laboratory.

Additional requirements are below:

Agricultural Economics electives

(Include at least two numbered 598 or above)

Choose 6 credit hours from the following:

Agricultural and Food Science Technology electives

Choose 3 credit hours from the following:

Free electives (9 credit hours)

Total (127 credit hours)

Specialty in Pre-Law

While law school admission committees have no preference for undergraduate major, law schools look for breadth and depth in the curriculum and value diversity such as found in the agricultural economics major. The Association of American Law Schools emphasizes the selection of rigorous course work to develop analytical and critical thinking skills, oral and written communications skills, and an understanding of our society’s institutions and values.

The pre-law specialty in agricultural economics, with coverage from the natural sciences to applied technology (in food and agriculture) to social sciences to the humanities, provides a wide breadth of educational exposure. It also provides a strong foundation for problem solving with good analytical skills. For example, the agricultural economics curriculum with its courses in mathematics, statistics, and economics is known for providing the opportunity to develop analytical skills.

The study of economics when combined with political science and philosophy gives students excellent exposure to understanding government and private institutions and to comprehending the value systems that guide the functioning of our society.

Students in the pre-law  specialty are encouraged to select communication electives that will enhance their creative writing and speaking skills.

As an agricultural economics student in the pre-law specialty, you will be encouraged and expected to work closely with both your agricultural economics advisor and the university pre-law advisor. Our goal is to help you design your educational program to maximize your opportunities.

Specialty in Natural Resources

This secondary major focuses on environmental issues and agricultural economics. Courses in this 15-hour specialty option  include resource management and conservation. Refer to the Secondary Majors  section of this catalog.

Quantitative option

This program allows students to pursue mathematics and statistics along with the agricultural economics curriculum. With these advanced quantitative skills students will be well prepared for MS and PhD studies in agricultural economics and will have excellent opportunities in future employment, especially as an economic analyst or consultant.

Requirements

Requirements for the first two years are the same except MATH 220, 221, and 222 are required instead of MATH 100 and 205. Additional requirements are listed below.

Additional Requirements

Choose 9 credit hours from the following: (at least three credit hours above 598)

Quantitative electives (9 credit hours)

(at least six credit hours 598 or above)

Free Electives (13 credit hours)

TOTAL (127 credit hours)

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Agricultural Economics