College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Dean: Kenneth L. White
Location: Stan L. Albrecht Agricultural Sciences Building 431
Phone: (435) 797-2201
FAX: (435) 797-3268
E-mail: ken.white@usu.edu
WWW: http://caas.usu.edu

Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Services:

Mateja Savoie Roskos, Agricultural Sciences 415, (435) 797-5777, mateja.savoie@usu.edu

Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Student Services:

Abby Benninghoff, Agricultural Sciences 427, (435) 797-8649, abby.benninghoff@usu.edu

The College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences includes the following departments:

Today’s agriculture is a dynamic, rapidly changing industry. In addition to contributing toward a better understanding of the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products, the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences at Utah State University is focused on the application of information and technology that affects our everyday lives. Education, research, and community outreach are at the center of our interests and successes. The College of Agriculture and Applied Science’s curricula teach students how to link knowledge of soil, water, plants, animals, and design to human health and well-being. Through hands-on experience, students learn how to clone animals, create new snack foods, deal in futures markets, design communities, and develop technology that ensures a safe and productive food supply. Through a variety of curriculum options, students are able to research and communicate ground-breaking ideas to the world. We are dedicated to improving lives through the development and use of technology and impacting the future by training teachers in program areas relating to agriculture, quality of life and technological development.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate students accepted in good standing by the university are eligible for admission to the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences.

Facilities and Equipment

The Department of Applied Economics is located in the Stan L. Albrecht Agricultural Sciences Building.

The Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences personnel and labs are located in the Stan L. Albrecht Agricultural Sciences Building, the Biotechnology Center, the Veterinary Science Building, the South Farm, the Matthew Hillyard Animal Teaching and Research Center, the Equine Science Center, the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and the Utah State Technology and Research building.

The Department of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education is located in the Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Building, the Family Life Building, and the Industrial Science Building.

The Department of Aviation and Technical Education offices and programs are located in  Industrial Science Building and Technology Building on the Logan Campus, at the Logan-Cache Airport in Logan, at the Carbon County Regional Airport/Buck Davis Field in Price, and in buildings on the USU-Eastern campus in Price, USU Moab campus, USU Blanding campus, and on other Statewide campuses.

The Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences is housed in the C. A. Ernstrom Nutrition and Food Sciences Building.

The Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning is housed in the Fine Arts Visual Building.

The Plants, Soils, and Climate Department is housed in the Stan L. Albrecht Agricultural Sciences Building, the Dale and Adele Young Teaching Greenhouse, the Skaggs Laboratory, and the Research Greenhouse Complex. Some classes and laboratories are located on Agricultural Experiment Station facilities near the campus. Research units located throughout the state provide research opportunities for graduate students and faculty members.

Curricula in Agriculture

The Department of Applied Economics is located in the Stan L. Albrecht Agricultural Sciences Building.

The Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences personnel and labs are located in the Stan L. Albrecht Agricultural Sciences Building, the Biotechnology Center, the Veterinary Science Building, the South Farm, the Matthew Hillyard Animal Teaching and Research Center, the Equine Science Center, the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and the Utah State Technology and Research building.

The Department of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education is located in the Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Building, the Family Life Building, and the Industrial Science Building.

The Department of Aviation and Technical Education offices and programs are located in  Industrial Science Building and Technology Building on the Logan Campus, at the Logan-Cache Airport in Logan, at the Carbon County Regional Airport/Buck Davis Field in Price, and in buildings on the USU-Eastern campus in Price, USU Moab campus, USU Blanding campus, and on other Statewide campuses.

The Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences is housed in the C. A. Ernstrom Nutrition and Food Sciences Building.

The Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning is housed in the Fine Arts Visual Building.

The Plants, Soils, and Climate Department is housed in the Stan L. Albrecht Agricultural Sciences Building, the Dale and Adele Young Teaching Greenhouse, the Skaggs Laboratory, and the Research Greenhouse Complex. Some classes and laboratories are located on Agricultural Experiment Station facilities near the campus. Research units located throughout the state provide research opportunities for graduate students and faculty members.

Science

Students who choose the science curriculum learn the fundamentals of physical and biological sciences that are significant to agriculture and food science, including biotechnology and genomics. In the basic science courses, students prepare for graduate work and eventually research and teaching careers in the biological and natural sciences. Graduates in science curricula are also prepared to do research or technical work in agriculturally oriented businesses such as farm chemicals, livestock health, feed processing and marketing, crop breeding, water use, and food processing. Science curricula are offered in the Departments of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences; and Plants, Soils, and Climate.

Production and Sustainability

The production and sustainability curriculum is designed to educate students to meet the special demands of today’s agriculture. Successful modern agricultural production requires an understanding of the latest scientific knowledge and an ability to apply the information to facilitate change. The production curriculum will satisfy the needs of a student who plans to be involved in sustainable production practices, to be a farm manager, or to work directly with farm operators as a businessman or as a government or farm organization employee. Production and sustainability curriculum is offered in the Departments of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education; Plants, Soils, and Climate; and in the animal and dairy science emphasis in the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences.

Business and Management

The businesses and industries that buy from, sell to, and provide service for people involved in production agriculture are expanding the need for employees educated in agriculture. These enterprises include feed, fertilizer, machinery, and chemical firms that supply the producer’s needs, as well as marketing firms that assemble, process, ship, and merchandise agricultural products. Managers of large-scale and small-scale farm enterprises also profit from the kind of education provided by the business and management curriculum. Students who want to capitalize on their agricultural background while pursuing a business, management, or industrial career should consider the business option. This curriculum is offered in the Departments of Applied Economics; Applied Sciences, Technology and Education; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences; Plants, Soils, and Climate; and in the animal and dairy science emphasis in the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences.

Community Resource Development and Technology Transfer

The community resource development and technology transfer curriculum allows for skill advancement in serving communities through teaching, research, entrepreneurship, leadership, and resource management. Agribusiness management and regional community development serves to enhance communities, especially rural, agrarian locations. A degree in Agribusiness, Applied Economics, or Agricultural Systems Technology will position a graduate to assume a leadership position in communities.

Design and Planning

The design and planning curricula are offered through the Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (LAEP) Department, the Department of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education, and the Department of Plants, Soils and Climate (PSC).

The LAEP Department works to (1) provide an educational and technical program responsive to current societal needs related to environmental planning, landscape architecture, and urban design; (2) give students the opportunity to participate in collaborative learning experiences with other disciplines on campus; (3) prepare students for professional careers in the private or public sector; and (4) conduct original research to advance the body of knowledge in landscape architecture, environmental planning, and design.

For students primarily interested in careers in the design, construction, and maintenance of small-scale, residential landscapes, PSC offers the Residential Landscape Design and Construction (RLDC) Major. This 4-year program leads to a Bachelor of Science, and the overall curriculum strives to balance both landscape horticulture and landscape design. The RLDC Major is complementary to the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) program, with the two degrees sharing certain core courses. 

The Outdoor Product, Design and Development program prepares students for an exciting career bringing innovative, sustainable, and impactful products to market in the dynamic sports, outdoor, and active industries. Students learn design tools, techniques, and methodologies, preparing them to develop products through hands on learning experiences. This program brings together industrial design, engineering, digital design, fashion, sustainability, business, supply chain management and many other concepts important in the creation of consumer products.

Applied Sciences and Technology

The Departments of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education and Aviation and Technical Education expand the College of Agriculture and Applied Science’s mission by offering innovative degree programs to students seeking certification, associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees. Students have the ability to gain expertise in the fields of agriculture, applied sciences, aviation (professional pilot and maintenance management), business, health, machinery, transportation, and technology. The Department of Aviation and Technical Educaiton is accessible to students throughout Utah with faculty members located in Logan, Price, Blanding, and other Statewide campuses. Additionally, the Department of Aviation and Technical Education serves various industries by providing technical certifications through the Workforce Education division at USU Eastern.

Education

The education curricula is offered through the Department of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education and includes Agricultural Education, Business Education, Family and Consumer Sciences Education, and Technology and Engineering Education. Agricultural Education curriculum provides the knowledge of basic agricultural concepts and technologies needed for teaching at the secondary and postsecondary levels. Coursework covers topics in such fields as agricultural economics; agricultural mechanization; animal, dairy and veterinary sciences; plant and soil science; and natural resources.

The Business Education curriculum combines the fundamentals of business with skill in teaching those principles to junior high and high school students. Coursework includes accounting, management, marketing, web design, image and video editing. Through Student teaching, students gain hands-on experience in teaching and classroom management. The program focuses on helping students explore and apply concepts in the business field and instruction skills. This program is ideal for those with a desire to educate young students and inspire them to build business careers of their own. 

The Family and Consumer Sciences Education curriculum provides professional preparation for secondary and postsecondary teaching, as well as opportunities in business, government agencies, and the media. Students explore and apply concepts related to financial and resource management; health, foods, and nutrition; wellness; child development, parenting, and family life; clothing and textiles and interior design and housing. An added benefit for Family and Consumer Sciences Education majors is the increased knowledge which supports the health and well-being of individuals and families as they manage work and home.

The Technology and Engineering Education curriculum prepares students for teaching in junior and senior high schools. Coursework covers hands-on experiences in communication, manufacturing, energy, power, transportation, and trade and technical studies. Students are exposed to extensive practical classroom experience through role-playing and video-laboratory activities.

Students choosing these majors must also be admitted to the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) administered by the College of Education and Human Services.  

Interdepartmental Degree Programs

Interdepartmental and intercollege cooperation facilitates the development of various other curricula. Students should not hesitate to inquire about the possibilities of following a curriculum that would allow for special interests. The College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences participates in the Interdisciplinary Studies Major, which offers flexibility for qualifying students who are interested in blending two disciplines to meet their career goals. A General Studies, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, is also offered through the college. Please contact Dawnetta Mahnken (435-797-3096, dawnetta.mahnken@usu.edu) for more information on both ITDS and General Studies.

An Associate of Science (AS) degree in Agricultural Science is offered to students in this college. Please contact the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Student Services Center at (435) 797-2282 for assistance with contacting the appropriate advisor for this degree.

Financial Support

The College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences and the agricultural industry in the Intermountain West annually sponsor up to 250 scholarships for undergraduate students and, numerous internships, and assistantships. The college, state and federal agencies, and the local agribusinesses also support many students through internship programs. For further information, contact the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Associate Dean’s Office (Agricultural Science 421) and/or individual department offices.

FACULTY - College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences  
 

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