Agricultural Science

In this major, you can design a program of study to serve your individual needs by assembling courses selected from various departments within the College of Agricultural Sciences. You can develop either a broad background in agriculture or a special program of study not currently offered within departments of the college. Students are expected to focus study on one or more disciplines of the agricultural sciences by selecting a minor from the approved list of minors offered by the College of Agricultural Sciences. In consultation with an adviser, you have considerable flexibility to select courses that will satisfy your individual interests and aspirations. This major can help prepare you for careers in agricultural and natural resource-related sales and/or public relations; food, agricultural and natural resource commodity groups; agricultural finance; governmental and conservation agencies; cooperative extension; land use and appraisal; and international agriculture agencies.

Why Major in Agricultural Science?
Consider majoring in Agricultural Science if you

• want to combine a broad agricultural background with an area of interest not available in one of the more specialized majors
• want to become part of a dynamic, progressive industry that is a world leader in providing food and fiber to millions of people
• want to prepare for careers in agribusiness or production agriculture
• want to prepare for advanced studies in graduate or professional schools

Career Opportunities for Agricultural Science Graduates
Many agri-industrial firms seek graduates who combine a general knowledge of agriculture with another discipline for jobs in personnel, sales, management, and public relations. Agriculture-related businesses need field personnel with training in general agriculture. Graduates also find employment in cooperative extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Many return to family farms to become partners or owners of the farm enterprise.

Some graduates combine the general agriculture background from this major with journalism for a career in agricultural communications. A combination of agriculture and government, languages, education, or one of many other fields might lead to a career with private firms in international trade and marketing or in government organizations with worldwide responsibilities.

For more information about this major, contact:
DR. DENNIS C. SCANLON
337 AGRICULTURAL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA 16802

Phone: 814-863-7441
E-Mail: DScanlon@psu.edu
Website: aee.cas.psu.edu/ugrad/uagsci.html