Observations and practical experience in control techniques for major pests are obtained in laboratory experiments, on university field facilities, and through field trips to appropriate farm and commercial operations. Instructional facilities available to students include laboratories, greenhouses, a modern computer laboratory, and the Central Crops Experiment Station, located 15 miles from campus. In addition to regular classroom instruction, students also use these facilities for study on special projects with faculty members. Also, students take field trips to nearby grain and feed companies, commercial farming enterprises, and state government agricultural support agencies. Laboratory facilities for chemical, microbiological, flavor, color, and texture testing are used for an important part of the training program.
Students use microcomputers for various courses, and they have access to the Internet.
Facilities on the N.C. State University campus, as well as in regulatory agencies located in the Raleigh area, provide real-life learning experiences. University farms, located near the central campus, afford students the opportunity to acquire practical experience in applying technical knowledge to farming systems. The General Agriculture curriculum has a high degree of flexibility so that students may choose to emphasize livestock, field crops, or agricultural business management classes in their plan of study. The livestock industry in North Carolina creates demand for trained personnel in fields of production and processing. The General Livestock Option, coordinated by the Department of Animal Science, is designed to offer students the knowledge and education to pursue a career in the animal industries.