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Return
to Official Publications Blue Text Reflects Updates to the Printed Catalog Catalog Contents Introduction |
College
of Agricultural Sciences
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| General Information: | Departments: |
Office
of the Dean |
 Dr. John M. Burns, Ph.D. Dean |
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About the College
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is dedicated to providing programs of excellence in teaching, research, and outreach. These educational programs are designed to prepare the student for the dynamic agricultural and renewable natural resources industry—an industry that encompasses five closely related segments: (1) producing agricultural products; (2) supplying agricultural chemicals, feed, seed, and other production resources; (3) processing, storing, distributing, and other marketing functions for agricultural products; (4) planning and managing programs for renewable natural resources; and (5) providing technical assistance, financing, services, education, research, and communications in all sectors of the food, feed, fiber, and natural resource complex.
As the size and complexity of farms and ranches continue to increase, students who plan careers as producers of agricultural products need more technology and management information. Through proper selection of courses, students have the opportunity to train in the business aspects of agriculture in several subject-matter departments. Most students interested in scientific aspects of the industry will receive more training in mathematics, computers, and the basic sciences, followed by well-planned courses in agricultural technology. Students interested in natural resource use will receive training in the ecology and conservation of natural resources, various facets of environmental quality, and issues involving food safety and quality. Microcomputer laboratories allow students to use the latest information-processing technology for class exercises and research projects.
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Teaching and Research Facilities
The college provides excellent teaching, research, and outreach facilities. These include a large number of well-equipped laboratories, design studios, and classrooms. A research-teaching land site adjacent to the campus, a livestock arena, a meat laboratory, a campus greenhouse-experimental garden complex, and an equestrian center are used as teaching laboratories as well as for research in plant and soil science, animal science, plant biotechnology, horticulture, and range management. The agricultural field laboratories in northeast Lubbock County include the Burnett Center for Beef Cattle Research and Instruction; a 980-acre experimental farm; and facilities for teaching and research in swine, horses, sheep, feed manufacturing, and crop production. Laboratory facilities also include a 15,822-acre unit at the Texas Tech University Center at Amarillo. Field trips and participation in intercollegiate contests are also a part of the training program.
The research program in agriculture and renewable natural resources complements the teaching mission of the college by providing the information and knowledge necessary to keep faculty members current in their respective fields. Research projects provide essential training for graduate students and advanced undergraduates as well as solutions to problems facing the industry. Various forms of outreach are provided by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources through numerous short courses, conferences, and workshops conducted throughout the year.
Core Curriculum Requirements. The university has established Core Curriculum requirements for all students in order to ensure breadth in each academic program. Students may consult their academic dean regarding specific Core Curriculum requirements; however, these requirements are incorporated in each major in the college. Students may find a listing of Core Curriculum requirements in the Undergraduate Academics section of this catalog.
Academic Counseling. Each student in the college is assigned an academic advisor. Students who have not selected a major will be assigned an academic counselor by the dean’s office.
Selecting a Major. If students know which course of study they wish to pursue, they should select that major field when they enroll initially. Students who are undecided about a major will be classified as agriculture-undecided but will be assigned to a department and an academic advisor. During the first semester, several introductory courses in agricultural sciences and natural resources should be selected to assist in determining or confirming the preferred area for a major. Students who enter as freshmen should select a major by the end of their fourth semester. Transfer students will be required to make a major selection within two semesters after entering Texas Tech. Some departments offer the opportunity for a dual major program. Students interested in such a program should contact the chairperson of the specific departments involved.
Selecting a Minor. Minors are available in all departments for students with majors in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources as well as those majoring in other colleges within the university. Minors are offered in the following areas: agribusiness management, agricultural leadership, animal science, food science, landscape studies, environmental crop and soil sciences, horticultural and turfgrass sciences, and natural resource management. A minimum of 18 hours is required for a minor. At least 9 hours in a minor must consist of upper division courses. The maximum number of transfer hours in any minor is 9. Courses in a major but outside a student’s department may be used in the minor. A student must earn a grade of C or better in each course counted toward a minor. Students are encouraged to seek early advisement from the chair of the minor department to plan for courses that will best meet their educational and career objectives.
General Standards and Requirements. Minimum standards and requirements of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources are the same as those for the university, with certain additions. In addition to the requirements stated in the Undergraduate Academics section of this catalog, other requirements include the following:
Students must file an application for a senior audit with the dean’s office before or during the semester in which they are enrolled for their 90th semester hour. Substitution and elective sheets also must be filed prior to or during the semester the students are enrolled for their 90th semester hour.
Transfer students who plan to request the use of provisional elective transfer courses as a substitution for required courses must make such a request by the end of their first semester in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
Any deviation from the approved curriculum for a particular degree must have prior approval from the chairperson of the department and the dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
New Students. All new students should carefully read the catalog sections entitled Undergraduate Admissions and Registration. Entering freshmen should give special attention to course credit that can be obtained by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations usually given prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Transfer students should read the paragraphs dealing with admission of transfer students and transfer of credits from other colleges and universities in the Undergraduate Admissions section of this catalog.
Distance Degree Program. One program is available at the undergraduate level as a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture and is detailed in the catalog under the Department of Plant and Soil Science.
Programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources lead to the following graduate degrees:
Master of Science with majors in agricultural and applied economics, agricultural communications, agricultural education, animal science, crop science, entomology, fisheries science, food science, horticulture, range science, soil science, and wildlife science.
Courses for the Master of Agriculture degree program may be taken from offerings in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and from other colleges within the university. A minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate coursework is required for this nonthesis degree. For a specific option a student would normally take 18 hours in the department concerned with the emphasis area and the balance in at least two other areas. An oral or written comprehensive exam as specified by the emphasis department is required.
Texas Tech recently became a member of the Peace Corps Master’s International Program (PCMI) allowing students to earn graduate degrees in the agricultural and natural resource sciences while serving as Peace Corps volunteers abroad.
Master of Agribusiness is designed to meet the growing need for agribusiness professionals with advanced conceptual and quantitative training, The degree program provides a unique blend of analytical and business capability from both the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and the Rawls College of Business.
Master of Landscape Architecture is a terminal professional degree for students with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree or equivalent and a first professional degree for students with any other professional degree.
Doctor of Education with a major in agricultural education.
Doctor of Philosophy with majors in agricultural and applied economics, agronomy, animal science, fisheries science, range science, and wildlife science.
The graduate program also offers a university-wide interdisciplinary program leading to the Ph.D. degree in land-use planning, management, and design. A Doctor of Education degree is available from the College of Education for students who wish to have agricultural education as a support area.
Applicants who meet the admission standards of the Graduate School also must receive formal approval from a departmental committee. Admission standards of some departments exceed those of the Graduate School.
Advisory committees for the M.S., M.Ag., and M.L.A. degrees consist of at least three faculty members. Advisory committees for the Ph.D. degree in agricultural and applied economics consist of four or five faculty members. Advisory committees for Ph.D. degrees in the Departments of Natural Resources Management; Plant and Soil Science; and Animal and Food Sciences consist of five faculty members.
A preliminary examination is required of all doctoral students before the end of the second semester of work. The student’s progress will be evaluated and recommendations will be made concerning continuation of graduate studies and leveling work necessary to remove any deficiencies revealed by the examination.
No specific language or tool requirements exist for the graduate programs. However, such requirements may be incorporated when deemed appropriate. Other requirements for the degree programs are specified in other sections of this catalog.
Distance degree programs are offered at the graduate level in agriculture, agricultural education, horticulture, and crop science. The Master of Agriculture program is discussed in this section of the catalog. The Master of Science degrees in horticulture and crop science are detailed in the catalog under the Department of Plant and Soil Science. The Department of Agricultural Education and Communications offers two distance degree programs: Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Doctor of Education in Agricultural Education. The Doctor of Education is delivered as a joint program with Texas A&M University. Both degree programs are referenced in the catalog under the department.
Click here to see a complete list of courses in agricultural science.
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