Agricultural Biology (Environmental Biology) - Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

The agricultural biology course work prepares you for a variety of careers in the biological sciences and agriculture. You will develop your curriculum with an academic advisor to attain your individual goals. Many will pursue advanced degrees in the sciences or prepare for admittance to professional schools (medical, dental, etc.). A diverse program is offered with five separate concentrations that allow you to tailor your program for careers in the commercial sector, such as agricultural consulting, and pest management or for careers with county, state, or federal agencies, such as research technicians, land managers, and extension agents.  A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for graduation. Any undergraduate student majoring in Agricultural Biology must earn a grade of C- or higher in core (EPWS prefix) courses to satisfy degree requirements. Students earning a D or F in a core (EPWS prefix) course will be expected to repeat that course until the student earns a grade of C- or higher. The following courses are required for a major in Agricultural Biology.

The Environmental Biology concentration prepares you for professional positions in environmental impact, regulation, compliance and improvement.

Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 120 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.

Prefix Title Credits
General Education
Area I: Communications
English Composition - Level 1
ENGL 1110GComposition I4
English Composition - Level 2
Choose one from the following:3
Advanced Composition3
Professional and Technical Communication Honors3
Professional and Technical Communication Honors3
Advanced Technical and Professional Communication3
Oral Communication
Choose one from the following:3
Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture3
Introduction to Communication3
Public Speaking3
Area II: Mathematics
MATH 1220GCollege Algebra 13
Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences11
General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors4
General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors4
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (3 credits) 2
Area V: Humanities 23
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 23
General Education Elective
BIOL 2610GPrinciples of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution3
Viewing a Wider World 36
One must be from outside of the College of ACES
Departmental/College Requirements
A ST 311Statistical Applications3
AGRO 305Principles of Genetics3
BIOL 2110GPrinciples of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology3
BIOL 311General Microbiology3
BIOL 313Structure and Function of Plants3
or BIOL 322 Zoology
EPWS 1110Applied Biology3
EPWS 1110LApplied Biology Lab1
EPWS 301Agricultural Biotechnology3
EPWS 302General Entomology4
EPWS 310Plant Pathology4
EPWS 311Introduction to Weed Science4
EPWS 447Seminar1
Concentration Coursework
ENVS 301Principles of Ecology3
CHEM 2120Integrated Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (CHEM 2120 must be taken in association with 1-cr Lab))3
EPWS 380VScience & Society3
EPWS 314Plant Physiology3
EPWS 455Advanced Integrated Pest Management3
EPWS 492Diagnosing Plant Disorders3
MATH 1430GApplications of Calculus I3
PHYS 1230G
PHYS 1230L
Algebra-Based Physics I
and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab
4
SOIL 2110Introduction to Soil Science3
TOX 361Basic Toxicology3
Select at least two courses from the following:5-8
Principles of Crop Production4
Plant Mineral Nutrition3
Environmental Soil Science3
Biochemistry I3
Environmental Behavior of Pesticides3
Special Topics1-4
Cartography and GIS4
Soil Management and Fertility3
Basic Toxicology3
Second Language: (not required)
Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 47-10
Insects, Humans, and the Environment (recommended)3
Total Credits120
1

MATH 1220G College Algebra is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter MATH 1220G College Algebra first.

2

See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses

3

See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses

4

Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor

A Suggested Plan of Study for Students

This roadmap assumes student  placement in MATH 1220G College Algebra  and ENGL 1110G Composition I. The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester 1Credits
ENGL 1110G Composition I 1 4
MATH 1220G College Algebra 1 3
EPWS 1110
1110L
Applied Biology
and Applied Biology Lab
4
ACES 1120 Freshman Orientation 1
Area IV: Social and Behavioral Science Course 2 3
 Credits15
Semester 2
ENGL 2210G Professional and Technical Communication Honors 1 3
MATH 1430G Applications of Calculus I 1 3
BIOL 2610G Principles of Biology: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Evolution 1 3
ACOM 1130G Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture 3
Area V: Humanities Course 2 3
 Credits15
Second Year
Semester 1
CHEM 1215G General Chemistry I Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors 4
CHEM 1121 General Supplemental Instruction I 1
BIOL 2110G Principles of Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 3
EPWS 380V Science & Society 3
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts Course 2 3
Elective Course 1
 Credits15
Semester 2
CHEM 1225G General Chemistry II Lecture and Laboratory for STEM Majors 4
CHEM 1122 General Supplemental Instruction II 1
BIOL 311 General Microbiology 1 3
BIOL 313
Structure and Function of Plants (Fall Only) 1
or Zoology
3
VWW: Viewing a Wider World Course 3 3
 Credits14
Third Year
Semester 1
CHEM 2115 Survey of Organic Chemistry and Laboratory 4
AGRO 305 Principles of Genetics 3
SOIL 2110 Introduction to Soil Science 3
EPWS 310 Plant Pathology (Fall Only) 1 4
A ST 311 Statistical Applications 1 3
 Credits17
Semester 2
PHYS 1230G
PHYS 1230L
Algebra-Based Physics I
and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab
4
EPWS 301 Agricultural Biotechnology (Spring Only) 1 3
VWW: Viewing a Wider World Course 3 3
Departmental Elective Course 4 3
Elective Course 3
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Semester 1
EPWS 311 Introduction to Weed Science 4
EPWS 302 General Entomology 4
EPWS 492 Diagnosing Plant Disorders 3
TOX 361 Basic Toxicology 3
Elective Course 1
 Credits15
Semester 2
EPWS 447 Seminar 1
EPWS 455 Advanced Integrated Pest Management (Odd Year Spring Only) 1 3
ENVS 301 Principles of Ecology 3
EPWS 314 Plant Physiology 1 3
Departmental Elective Course 4 3
 Credits13
 Total Credits120
1

These courses have prerequisites and it is the students responsibility to check and fulfill all course prerequisites listed for these courses.

2

See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

3

See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

4

Departmental Elective Course LIst (two required):

  • AGRO 365 Principles of Crop Production (Odd Years Fall Only)
  • AGRO 471 Plant Mineral Nutrition (Odd Years Spring Only)
  • EPWS 325V Insects, Humans, and the Environment
  • EPWS 420 Environmental Behavior of Pesticides
  • EPWS 451 Special Topics (Spring Only)
  • ENVS 370 Environmental Soil Science
  • GEOG 381 Cartography and GIS