College of Agriculture

Dean: Noelle E. Cockett
Location: Agricultural Sciences 431
Phone: (435) 797-2201
FAX: (435) 797-3268
E-mail: noelle.cockett@usu.edu
WWW: http://www.ag.usu.edu

Associate Dean for Academic Programs:

Janet B. Anderson, Agricultural Sciences 415, (435) 797-2104, janet.anderson@usu.edu

The College of Agriculture includes the following departments:

Agricultural Systems Technology and Education/School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education (ASTE)
Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences (ADVS)
Applied Economics (APEC)
Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning (LAEP)
Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences (NDFS)
Plants, Soils, and Climate (PSC)

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 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’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.

Facilities and Equipment

The Agricultural Sciences Building houses the administrative offices of the College of Agriculture; the Agricultural Experiment Station; University Extension; the Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences Department; the Plants, Soils, and Climate Department; and the Applied Economics Department.

The Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Department/School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education is located in the Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Building. The Agricultural Communication and Journalism program operates in the Agricultural Sciences building. The Family and Consumer Sciences Education faculty and classes are located in the Family Life Building. Technology and Engineering Education faculty and classes are located in the Industrial Science Building, and Aviation is housed in the Technology Building and at the Logan-Cache Airport.

The Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences Department personnel and labs are located in the Agricultural Sciences Building, the Animal Sciences Building, the Biotechnology Center, the Veterinary Science Building, the South Farm, the Matthew Hillyard Animal Teaching and Research Center, the Equine Science Center, and the George B. Caine Dairy.

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 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

Undergraduate students may work toward the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in all of the college’s departments, with the exception of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, which offers an accredited Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) degree.

A Bachelor of Art (BA) degree is available through the Department of Applied Economics in International Agribusiness and in Plants, Soils and Climates in Environmental Soil/Water Science.  The Department of Agricultural Systems Technology and Education offers a certificate and an Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) in Agricultural Machinery Technology.  The Department of Plants, Soils and Climate offers a certificate and an Associate of Applied Sciences Degree (AAS) in Ornamental Horticulture.  We also offer various associate degrees and certificates through the USU Eastern campus. 

Preveterinary training is offered in the Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences with veterinary training available through the School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM). Teacher licensure can be completed through the School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education in Agricultural Education, Technology and Engineering Education and Family and Consumer Sciences Education.

There are seven basic curricula offered in the college: (1) science, (2) production and sustainability, (3) business and management, (4) community resource development and technology transfer, (5) design and planning, (6) applied sciences and technology, and (7) education.

Departmental listings detail the requirements for earning a degree in these curricula.

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 Agricultural Systems Technology and Education/School 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; Agricultural Systems Technology and Education/School of 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, Resource and Regional 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 and the Department of Plants, Soils and Climate (PSC). The LAEP Department workse 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 Bachelors 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. For further information about the RLDC Major and its requirements see PSC Department .

Applied Sciences and Technology

The School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education expands the College of Agriculture’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 and technology.  The School of Applied Sciences, Technology & Education is accessible to students throughout Utah with faculty members located in Logan, Price and Blanding, Utah.  Additionally, the College of Agriculture serves various industries by providing vocational certifications through the Workforce Education division at USU Eastern.

Education

The education curricula is offered through the School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education and includes Agricultural 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 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 participates in the Interdisciplinary Studies Major, Bachelor of Arts  and Bachelor of Science , 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.  For further information contact Lisa Allen, (435) 797-0454, lisa.allen@usu.edu   .

USU Eastern Degree Programs

The College of Agriculture also encompasses two units at Utah State University- College of Eastern Utah (USU-Eastern), including the divisions of Professional and Technical Education and Workforce Education.

The Division of Professional and Technical Education as USU-Eastern in Price and Blanding provides a comprehensive set of programs that offer Associate of Science degrees, Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates. Workforce Education at USU Eastern offers noncredit programs t hrough local agencies, businesses and industries with short- and long-term certificate training. It provides the Price community with the resources needed to meet targeted workforce needs. For more information, visit ceu.edu    

Financial Support

The College of Agriculture and the agricultural industry in the Intermountain West annually sponsor up to 200 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 Associate Dean’s Office (Agricultural Science 415) and/or individual department offices.