Agronomy at LSU has forged into exciting new, nontraditional areas in recent years. Much of the emphasis in both teaching and research has been redirected due to environmental concerns. Faculty now have active research programs in wetlands conservation, acid rain, ground water pollution, waste disposal, composting, pest-management practices, pesticide runoff, etc. Research also investigates new crops for Louisiana and the South, such as kenaf, canola, buckwheat, Stokes aster, sesame, and others. Agronomy is a blend of teaching and research in the basic and the applied, the traditional and the nontraditional aspects of agriculture.
Students receiving advanced degrees go on to rich and rewarding careers.
However, they also leave with the challenge to contribute to the world in which they live. Each student's degree program, under the direction of a major professor, requires approval of an advisory committee and the department head. The Graduate Advisory Committee is comprised of two or more faculty members from agronomy or a closely related department. Each student develops a course of study and research program, with assistance from a major professor, which is approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee and the department head. The traditional degree program requires at least 30 hours of graduate credit for the M.S. degree and at least 60 hours for the Ph.D. degree.