Agricultural Science (BS)
A growing need exists for professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in the agricultural sciences. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Agricultural Science study the dynamic aspects of the food and fiber industry and pursue two agricultural specializations.
Students who major in Agricultural Science will:
- develop skills for working independently and as part of a team, communicate effectively, solve problems, and understand basic business concepts.
- pursue two of the following specializations: Animal Science, Agricultural Business Management, Agricultural Environmental Technology, Agroecology, Crop Science, Food Science, Horticultural Science, Poultry Science, Soil Science, and Feed Mill Management.
- succeed as communicators, extension agents, and leaders in the agricultural industry.
For more information about this program, visit our website.
Contact
Dr. Joseph L. Donaldson
Director of Undergraduate Programs, Agricultural and Human Sciences
919.515.1758
joseph_donaldson@ncsu.edu
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orientation | |||
| AEE 103 | Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education | 1 | |
| Communication and Social Sciences | |||
| COM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 | |
| or COM 112 | Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Mathematical and Natural Sciences | |||
| MA 107 | Precalculus I | 3 | |
| MA 121 | Elements of Calculus | 3 | |
| or MA 131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A | ||
| or ST 311 | Introduction to Statistics | ||
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 | |
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 | |
| CH 101 & CH 102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 | |
| Professional Content Courses | |||
| CS 213 | Crop Science | 3 | |
| or HS 201 | The World of Horticulture: Principles and Practices | ||
| SSC 200 & SSC 201 | Soil Science and Soil Science Laboratory | 4 | |
| Select one of the following Animal/Poultry Science Courses: | 4 | ||
| Introduction to Animal Science and Introduction to Animal Science Lab | |||
| Poultry Science and Production and Poultry Science and Production Laboratory | |||
| Select one of the following Economics Electives: | 3 | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | |||
| Principles of Microeconomics | |||
| Fundamentals of Economics | |||
| Select one of the following Introductory Agricultural Electives: | 3 | ||
| Shop Processes and Management | |||
| Introduction to Environmental Sciences | |||
| Introduction to Food Science | |||
| Agricultural and Extension Education Required Courses | |||
| AEE 230 | Introduction to Cooperative Extension 1 | 3 | |
| AEE 311 | Communication Methods and Media 1 | 3 | |
| AEE 323 | Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences 1 | 3 | |
| AEE 490 | Seminar in Agricultural and Extension Education 1 | 3 | |
| Agricultural and Extension Education Advised Electives | |||
| Select 15 hours of Agricultural and Extension Education Advised Electives | 15 | ||
| Planning and Delivering Non-Formal Education | |||
| Teaching Diverse Learners in AED | |||
| Personal Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences | |||
| Developing Team Leadership in Agriculture and Life Sciences | |||
| Practicum in Agricultural Extension/Industry | |||
| Leadership and Management of Volunteers in Agricultural and Extension Education | |||
| Professional Presentations in Agricultural Organizations | |||
| Organizational Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences | |||
| Seminar in Agricultural Education | |||
| Restricted Elective Option 1 | |||
| First of two agricultural specializations required. Select from courses in the following areas of agriculture: Animal Science, Agricultural Business Management, Agricultural Environmental Technology, Crop Science, Feed Mill Management, Food Science, Horticultural Science, Poultry Science, or Soil Science. Courses must focus on one of these agricultural disciplines. At least six (6) semester hours of course credit in this specialization must be earned in courses at the 300 level or above. | 12 | ||
| Restricted Elective Option 2 | |||
| Second of two agricultural specializations required. Select from courses in the following areas of agriculture: Animal Science, Agricultural Business Management, Agricultural Environmental Technology, Crop Science, Feed Mill Management, Food Science, Horticultural Science, Poultry Science, or Soil Science. Courses must focus on one of these agricultural disciplines. At least six (6) semester hours of course credit in this specialization must be earned in courses at the 300 level or above. | 12 | ||
| GEP Courses | |||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 | |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 5 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Free Electives | 10 | ||
Total hours of free electives vary in order to allow the minimum hours required for the degree to equal 120 credit hrs. | |||
| Total Hours | 120 | ||
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| AEE 103 | Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education 1 | 1 |
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| COM 110 or COM 112 | Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| MA 107 | Precalculus I | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ANS 150 or PO 201 | Introduction to Animal Science or Poultry Science and Production | 3 |
| ANS 151 or PO 202 | Introduction to Animal Science Lab or Poultry Science and Production Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| MA 121 | Elements of Calculus or Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A or Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AEE 323 | Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences | 3 |
| Introductory Agricultural Elective | 3 | |
| CH 101 & CH 102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| AEE 230 | Introduction to Cooperative Extension | 3 |
| AEE 311 | Communication Methods and Media | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Agricultural and Extension Education Advised Elective | 3 | |
| Economics Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2 | 3 | |
| CS 213 or HS 201 | Crop Science or The World of Horticulture: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SSC 200 | Soil Science | 3 |
| SSC 201 | Soil Science Laboratory | 1 |
| Agricultural Specialization I Course | 3 | |
| GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 3 | |
| Agricultural and Extension Education Advised Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Agricultural and Extension Education Advised Elective | 3 | |
| Agricultural Specialization I Course | 3 | |
| Agricultural Specialization II Course | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Agricultural and Extension Education Advised Elective | 3 | |
| Agricultural Specialization I Course | 3 | |
| Agricultural Specialization II Course | 3 | |
| Agricultural Specialization II Course | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2 | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Agricultural and Extension Education Advised Elective | 3 | |
| AEE 490 | Seminar in Agricultural and Extension Education | 3 |
| Agricultural Specialization I Course | 3 | |
| Agricultural Specialization II Course | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 2 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
AEE 103 Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education is the preferred orientation course. ALS 103 Freshman Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences and ALS 303 Transfer Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences are acceptable.
- 2
Total hours of free electives vary in order to allow the minimum hours required for the degree to equal 120 credit hrs.
Career Opportunities
Career Titles
- Agricultural Inspector
- Animal Breeder
- Animal Husbandry Worker Supervisor
- Aquaculture Specialist
- Bank and Branch Managers
- Buyer
- Crop Workers Supervisor
- Farm and Ranch Manager
- Farm Management Advisor
- Farm Products Purchasing Agent
- Farmers and Ranchers
- Fish Hatchery Manager
- Food & Drug Inspector
- Greenhouse and Nursery Manager
- Horticultural Worker Supervisor
- Industrial Production Managers
- Marketing Managers
- Purchasing Manager
- Sales Representative (Agricultural Products)
- Winemaker / Vinter
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