College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Administrative Officers
Vice Chancellor and Dean - Patrick J. Stover, Ph.D.
Executive Associate Dean - Clare A. Gill, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs - Mary Bryk, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence - Craig Coates, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Student Development - Chris L. Skaggs, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs - X. Ben Wu, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Student Success - Danielle A. Harris, Ph.D.
General Statement
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is widely recognized as a leader in the academic programs offered by its departments. The students we educate and the scientific advancements we make and share improve the lives of Texans and people around the world through agriculture. Our faculty members and students are breeding crops to help conserve water, unlocking genetic mysteries to cure diseases, fostering best practices in environmental stewardship, and improving the safety, healthfulness, and abundance of the world’s food supply. Through innovative curricula, we prepare students for careers as scientists, business leaders, engineers, educators, physicians, affiliated health professionals, sales representatives, and other professionals.
Our academic programs focus on high-impact learning experiences and the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) courses that prepare students for a variety of careers. Students gain technical expertise, learn to think creatively and critically, solve problems, make decisions, communicate effectively, and learn how to work effectively with people of varied backgrounds. Faculty members who teach undergraduate classes include many who are recognized nationally and internationally for research and other accomplishments in their disciplines. Undergraduates also have opportunities to participate in research themselves.
All students are encouraged to participate in at least three high-impact experiences before graduation, such as undergraduate research, field study, an internship, or international experience. The college has study abroad programs in the Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Africa, and the Caribbean. Honors programs are available in many of the college’s academic departments. There are numerous student organizations that are sponsored by departments or the college such as the Freshman Leadership Experience and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council. These organizations promote interaction among students who share interests and foster leadership skills.
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and its departments offer a variety of scholarships to students on a competitive basis. Many are reserved for incoming freshmen or transfer students. Additional information and application forms for college-level scholarships for current students can be obtained from the Scholarships & Financial Aid Office. Information about departmental scholarships can be obtained from the departments directly.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Baccalaureate Degree Programs
Each major can be arranged to prepare students for graduate study or admission to professional schools in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, other health professions, and law. Students in programs, such as biochemistry, genetics, and nutritional sciences, are highly recruited for medicine, nursing, and other health professions. Animal science and wildlife and fisheries sciences are among several excellent choices for students interested in veterinary medicine. Students with a background in natural resources, the agricultural industry, forensics, or life sciences can use that knowledge to their advantage if they choose to enter law school. An environmental lawyer with a degree in a natural resource area is better equipped to incorporate the science with the law.
Advising is provided for each student in the college through offices in the individual academic departments. Departmental faculty and professional advisors assist with course selection and other academic issues. They also serve as mentors for career planning and admission to graduate or professional school. Advisors serve as professional consultants for students in the College with the objective of avoiding problems if possible and solving problems if needed.
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation are listed in the Texas A&M University Student Rules and this catalog. With the exception of general elective requirements, courses taken to satisfy degree requirements must be taken for letter grades.
Internships
Internships provide real-world experience in industries related to a student’s education and professional career preparation. Students return to campus with a broader perspective and more intense interest in their education. The experiences are so valuable that many students complete more than one internship. Most departments in the College offer academic credit for the satisfactory completion of an internship. In fact, an internship is required for graduation in some degree programs.
The Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy (ANRP) Internship Program places students from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in policy-based internships in Austin, TX, Washington, D.C. and Rome, Italy for a semester or summer. Selection for the program is based upon factors such as academic performance, leadership, and a student’s general interest in learning the policy process.
Graduate Study
All departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offer graduate degrees at the masters and doctoral levels. Many departments offer courses and programs online.
Students are encouraged to contact the department in which they wish to obtain information about graduate study. Information on admission, programs available, etc., can be found in the Texas A&M University Graduate and Professional Catalog.
Teacher Certification
Texas teacher certification in agricultural science is available through the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications. Certification is granted through the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) upon a student’s completion of the course of study administered by the department. The undergraduate major in agricultural science includes all coursework required for teacher certification. The requirements can be completed with any major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. See an advisor in Agricultural Science, Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications, for more information.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Agricultural Economics
- Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, Finance and Real Estate Option
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, Food Marketing Systems Option
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, Policy and Economic Analysis Option
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, Rural Entrepreneurship Option
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Master of Public Service and Administration, 5-Year Degree Program
Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications and Journalism
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership and Development
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science
- Bachelor of Science in University Studies, Leadership Studies Concentration
Department of Animal Science
- Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Production/Industry Option
- Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Science Option
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Systems Management
- Bachelor of Science in Biological and Agricultural Engineering — offered in conjunction with the College of Engineering
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology
- Bachelor of Science in Ecological Restoration
- Bachelor of Science in Forestry
- Bachelor of Science in Renewable Natural Resources
- Bachelor of Science in Spatial Sciences
Department of Entomology
- Bachelor of Science in Entomology
- Bachelor of Science in Forensic and Investigative Sciences, Pre-Law Emphasis
- Bachelor of Science in Forensic and Investigative Sciences, Science Emphasis
Department of Food Science and Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology, Food Industry Option
- Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology, Food Science Option
- Bachelor of Science in Food Systems Industry Management
Department of Horticultural Sciences
Department of Nutrition
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Didactic Program in Dietetics Track
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, General Nutrition Track
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Molecular and Experimental Track
Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
- Bachelor of Science in Bioenvironmental Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies
- Bachelor of Science in University Studies, Environmental Business Concentration
Department of Poultry Science
- Bachelor of Science in Poultry Science, Industry Emphasis
- Bachelor of Science in Poultry Science, Technical Emphasis
Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
- Bachelor of Science in Rangeland Ecology and Management, Ranch Management Option
- Bachelor of Science in Rangeland Ecology and Management, Rangeland Resources Option
- Bachelor of Science in Renewable Natural Resources
- Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences Track
- Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Vertebrate Zoology Option
- Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Option
- Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and Master of Public Service Administration, 5-Year Degree Program
Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences with Certificate
- Bachelor of Science in Renewable Natural Resources
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Minors consist of a group of specified courses totaling between 15 and 18 credit hours. Students who are eligible to enroll in a minor should contact an advisor in the department offering the minor. Minors available in the college are listed.
Department of Agricultural Economics
- Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Minor
- Agricultural Economics Minor
- AgriFood Sales Minor
- Financial Planning Minor
Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications
- Agricultural Communications and Journalism Minor
- Extension Education Minor
- International Agricultural Development Minor
- Leadership Minor
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology
Department of Entomology
Department of Horticultural Sciences
Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Department of Poultry Science
Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Science
- Park and Natural Resource Management Minor
- Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences Minor
- Tourism Management Minor
- Youth Development Minor
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Certificate programs document expertise in an area beyond a major or minor. Information on requirements for certificate programs is available from the advisor of the department offering the certificate. Certificate programs available in the college are listed.
Department of Agricultural Economics
Department of Animal Science
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology
Department of Entomology
Department of Food Science and Technology
Department of Horticultural Sciences
Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Science
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Master of Natural Resources Development in Natural Resources Development
- Master of Science in Plant Breeding
Department of Agricultural Economics
Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications
- Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Development
- Master of Education in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications
- Master of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications
Department of Animal Science
- Master of Agriculture in Animal Science
- Master of Equine Industry Management in Equine Industry Management
- Master of Science in Animal Breeding
- Master of Science in Animal Science
- Master of Science in Physiology of Reproduction
Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Systems Management
- Master of Engineering in Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Master of Science in Agricultural Systems Management
- Master of Science in Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology
- Master of Agriculture in Ecosystem Science and Management
- Master of Science in Ecosystem Science and Management
Department of Entomology
Department of Food Science and Technology
- Master of Agriculture in Food Science and Technology
- Master of Science in Food Science and Technology
Department of Horticultural Sciences
- Master of Agriculture in Horticulture
- Master of Science in Horticulture
- Master of Science in Plant Breeding
Department of Nutrition
- Master of Clinical Nutrition in Clinical Nutrition
- Master of Science in Nutrition
- Master of Science in Nutrition and Master of Science in Kinesiology Combined Degree Program
Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology
Department of Poultry Science
Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
- Master of Natural Resources Development in Natural Resources Development
- Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
- Master of Wildlife Science in Wildlife Science
Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences
- Master of Recreation and Youth Development
- Master of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department of Agricultural Economics
Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications
- Doctor of Education in Agricultural Education
- Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications
Department of Animal Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Breeding
- Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology of Reproduction