Agroecology

Overview

Students in the Agroecology concentration learn about the interactions between agriculture and our environment. They study ways in which commercial agriculture affects managed and unmanaged ecosystems through courses on plants, plant pests, ecology and environmental issues. The Agroecology concentration addresses ecologically based management of cropping systems, stewardship of the environment and sustainable food production systems.

Graduates in Agroecology are prepared for a variety of career opportunities in integrated pest management, public policy, crop consulting, agrochemical management and merchandising. Graduates find employment in production agriculture; with input suppliers; with local, state or federal agencies; and in research. Some students elect to continue their education in a graduate program in an area such as agronomy or integrated pest management, or in law school.

Opportunities for Study

Students in the Agroecology Concentration learn how agriculture affects ecosystems through courses on plants, plant pests, ecology, and environmental issues. When you complete your B.S. degree in Crop Sciences, you will have 40 semester hours of agriculture courses and 126 total hours, which means that you will take about 16 hours of classes each semester. Here is a possible pattern of science and math courses for the first two years (hours for each course are in parentheses):

Freshman Year	Soils (4) Calculus (3) Chemistry (4)	Plant Biology (4) Crop Sciences (4) Issues in Agriculture (3)
Sophomore Year	Statistics (3) Chemistry (7) Entomology (3)	Microbiology (5) Ecology and Organisms (3) Horticulture or Animal Sciences(3)

The pattern of courses for the junior and senior years is more variable and depends on the student's interests. Requirements in cultural studies (6 hr.), humanities (6 hr.), social sciences (6 hr.), and speech/composition (10 hr.) are the same for all concentrations.

Career Opportunities

The Agroecology Concentration prepares students for a variety of job opportunities in integrated pest management, crop consulting, agrichemical management, and merchandising. Graduates may find employment in production agriculture with input suppliers, with local, state, or federal agencies, or in research. Students also can choose to continue their education in graduate or professional studies in areas such as agronomy, integrated pest management, or law.