Agriculture
Major
What
is Agriculture?
Agriculture is the scientific study
of the interaction between humans, natural resources,
and livestock. There are several concentrations for agriculture
including agricultural economics and commercial agriculture.
The agriculture major is designed for students who desire
an entry-level career in management positions in farm-related
industries such as livestock and food products. This major
combines elements of business, agriculture, and agricultural
economics. With appropriate choices of elective courses,
students can also prepare themselves for positions with
financial institutions involved with agriculture industry.
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What
are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
MyMajors.com cannot pinpoint your interests
beyond recommending this general major. Various specializations
related to this major may be offered by colleges and universities.
These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest
to you. A few of the specializations related to this field
include, but are not limited to:
Agricultural
Animal Health |
Farm
and Ranch Management |
Agricultural
Animal Nutrition |
Fishing
and Fisheries Sciences and Management |
Agricultural
Animal Physiology |
Forest
Management and Forest Sciences |
Agricultural
Business and Production |
Greenhouse
Operations and Management |
Agricultural
Economics |
Horticulture
Science |
Agricultural
Engineering |
Plant
Pathology |
Agricultural
Extension |
Plant
Physiology |
Agricultural
Mechanization |
Plant
Protection (Pest Management) |
Agricultural
Teacher Education (Vocational) |
Plant
Sciences |
Agronomy
and Crop Science |
Rural
Sociology |
Community
and Economic Development |
Soil
Sciences |
Environment
and Renewable Resources |
Wildlife
and Wild Lands Management |
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What
Kinds of Students Major in Agriculture?
Students who major in agriculture have
an interest in preserving, studying, and managing many
forms of natural resources, particularly those related
to farming and animal husbandry. These students may enjoy
learning about business strategies, supervising others,
and may seek to become managers. These students do not
shy away from learning scientific theories or conducting
research. They may also be good at hands on work such
as general repairs, drawing, and/or the use of many types
of tools. Agriculture majors should be strong in the sciences,
especially in biology. The agriculture major enjoys outdoor
activities and sports. Hobbies may include ranching, attending
rodeos, hiking, and skiing.
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What
Courses Do Agriculture Majors Take?
The required and elective courses you
would take for majors vary considerably among institutions.
Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth
of topics you are likely to experience were you to major
in this field.
Agricultural
Economics |
Farming
and Natural Resource Approaches |
Agricultural
Market and Prices |
Macroeconomic
Analysis |
Economics
of Natural Resources |
Principles
of Farm and Ranch Management |
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What
Types of Positions do Agriculture Majors Take After College?
These professions and professional organizations
illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for
if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly
related to employment than others, however. You should
consider the likelihood of employment after graduation
carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work
in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work
in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you
should determine what the prospects are for this or any
major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by
the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment
in second major or in a minor.
Business
involved in Farm commodities |
Professional
Economist in Governmental Agency |
Natural
Resource Analyst |
Farm
or Ranch Management |
Certified
Public Accounting |
Certified
Management Accountant |
Certified
Financial Accountant |
Public
or Private industry
focusing on Rural |
Development |
Are you interested in detailed information
about the forecasted demand for a particular profession?
Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions
are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you
to search on a particular job, whether listed here or
not, to give you this information.
Bureau
of Labor Statistics
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Related
Links
If you are interested in learning more
about what professionals in this field do and what kinds
of activities they engage in, you might want to begin
with the following web sites. Also check the departmental
web sites of colleges and universities, which offer this
major.
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University
Departments to Consider
The following institutions are the featured
institutions on MyMajors because they support MyMajors
and you in your search for the best major available. They
offer excellent curriculums in well-rounded programs for
you to consider.
| For
information on options available to campuses wishing
to see their majors listed on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details. |
Other fine institutions offering this
major offer excellent programs to consider.
Purdue
University (IN)
Purdue
Agriculture |
|
Cornell
University (NY)
College
of Ag.& Life Sciences |
| For
information on options available to campuses wishing
to see their majors listed on MyMajors, contact: admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Two-Year
College Curriculums to Consider
| Suggest
to your two-year college advisor that their institution's
majors be included to show you their course requirements
and unique resources. Two-year college representatives
should contact admin@mymajors.com for details. |
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Want
More Information? Look at major descriptions prepared
by university academic advisement staffs.
More on Choosing Your College Major 
