Major in Agricultural Biology, Entomology Concentration
Program Overview
The Agricultural Biology major with a concentration in Entomology equips students with a solid scientific foundation in entomology to solve challenges in natural and managed systems. They will gain expertise in integrating knowledge and skills to address complex problems, such as sustainable pest management and ecosystem interactions. The program fosters sustainability, addresses sociocultural components, and prepares students for diverse careers in agriculture, research, and conservation.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Agricultural Biology major with a concentration in Entomology provides a strong scientific foundation in entomology to address challenges in natural and managed systems. Students will gain tools to foster sustainability and address pressing issues involving biophysical and sociocultural components of these systems. The major features courses in agriculture, biology, and ecology as well as practical training through internships and/or research experiences. Students will learn the complex interactions that occur among microbes, insects, and plant species in natural and managed ecosystems and develop skills to use systems thinking to solve real-world problems. Knowledge and skills gained from the major will enable students to identify and solve complex problems in natural and managed systems, especially implementing effective and sustainable pest management.
Learning Outcomes:
- Integrate skills and knowledge to solve problems related to plants, insects, and microbes in natural and managed ecosystems
- Demonstrate understanding of social, economic, and biophysical aspects of the management of biological problems in natural and managed ecosystems
- Describe, assess, analyze, and synthesize knowledge from across the curriculum to create solutions for pests and beneficial species in natural and managed ecosystems
- Promote and practice inclusion to form effective teams that solve complex problems in natural and managed ecosystems
- Communicate effectively with diverse audiences regarding sustainable pest and pathogen management in natural and managed ecosystems
Careers:
This major will be an excellent choice for students interested in careers as researchers, crop advisors, extension educators, growers, agriculture consultants, production managers, inspectors, diagnosticians, regulatory professionals and for those who wish to pursue careers in academia.
Other:
- Students interested in the program should ideally declare in the first two years, but exceptions can be made depending on the student's previous coursework.
- A minimum grade of 'C' (2.000) must be obtained in each course used to satisfy requirements of the major.
- To prepare for the first semester: The curriculum for the Agricultural Biology major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. Entering students who are not prepared to take calculus will need to fulfill pre-calculus requirements in the first semester. Those pre-calculus requirements are listed as benchmark courses in Freshman Semester 1 below.
- Transfer students are required to take AB 270 in lieu of AB 120, AB 130, and AB 230.
