Students can also design a strong basic science education in crop science, soil science, agricultural meteorology, or biotechnology to prepare themselves for science-based jobs, graduate study, or for research careers. Minor work is offered for students with majors in other departments. An M.S. nonthesis option is available for students desiring a general degree program with additional coursework and a written creative component substituting for thesis research. Graduates have a broad knowledge base germane to their area of study. They are trained to integrate and apply knowledge to different situations.
Students develop skills in scientific reasoning, organization, and logical presentation of ideas.
The department also offers a master of science degree in agronomy designed for the continuing education of professional agronomist. The program is taught at a distance using computer-based instructional media. It is a nonthesis degree requiring completion of a written creative component. Prerequisite to major work in this department is completion of an undergraduate degree program with emphasis on agronomic, biological, and physical sciences. The foreign language requirement, if any, for the Ph.D. degree is established on an individual basis by the program of study committee appointed to guide the work of the student.