Agricultural Science (BS): Online
A growing need exists for professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in the agricultural sciences. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Agricultural Science study the dynamic aspects of the food and fiber industry and pursue two agricultural specializations.
Students who major in Agricultural Science will:
- develop skills for working independently and as part of a team, communicate effectively, solve problems, and understand basic business concepts.
- pursue two of the following specializations: Animal Science, Agricultural Business Management, Agricultural Environmental Technology, Agroecology, Crop Science, Food Science, Horticultural Science, Poultry Science, Soil Science, and Feed Mill Management.
- succeed as communicators, extension agents, and leaders in the agricultural industry.
The Agricultural Science – Online major is the same robust major and preparation for a career in agriculture as our Agricultural Science on-campus major. The difference is the delivery mode for coursework. All courses in the Agricultural Science – Online degree program are delivered at a distance via the NC State Moodle learning management system. Students complete their coursework synchronously (scheduled class meeting times) or asynchronously (independently scheduled time) online.
The Agricultural Science – Online major offers a pathway to a degree for students who are unable to relocate to Raleigh to conduct their studies. The distance delivery mode enhances access to education and professional development opportunities in agriculture and related sciences. The Agricultural Science – Online major promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world.
For more information about this program, visit our website.
Contact
Dr. Joseph L. Donaldson
Director of Undergraduate Programs, Agricultural and Human Sciences
919.515.1758
joseph_donaldson@ncsu.edu
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | ||
| AEE 103 | Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education | 1 |
| or ALS 303 | Transfer Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences | |
| Communication and Social Sciences | ||
| COM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or COM 112 | Interpersonal Communication | |
| Mathematical and Natural Sciences | ||
| MA 107 | Precalculus I | 3 |
| MA 131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A | 3 |
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CH 101 & CH 102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| Natural Science Elective | 4 | |
| Professional Content Courses | ||
| ANS 150 | Introduction to Animal Science | 3 |
| Select one of the following Economics Electives: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Fundamentals of Economics | ||
| CS 213 | Crop Science | 3 |
| or HS 201 | The World of Horticulture: Principles and Practices | |
| SSC 200 | Soil Science | 3 |
| ES 100 | Introduction to Environmental Sciences | 3 |
| FS 201 | Introduction to Food Science | 3 |
| Agricultural Extension Education | ||
| AEE 311 | Communication Methods and Media 1 | 3 |
| AEE 323 | Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences 1 | 3 |
| AEE 350 | Personal Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences 1 | 3 |
| AEE 360 | Developing Team Leadership in Agriculture and Life Sciences 1 | 3 |
| AEE 435 | Professional Presentations in Agricultural Organizations 1 | 3 |
| AEE 460 | Organizational Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences 1 | 3 |
| AEE 490 | Seminar in Agricultural and Extension Education | 3 |
| Restricted Elective Option 1 | ||
| First of two agricultural specializations required. Select from courses in the following areas of agriculture: Animal Science, Agricultural Business Management, Crop Science, Food Science, Horticultural Science, Poultry Science, or Soil Science. Courses must focus on one of these agricultural disciplines. At least six (6) semester hours of course credit in this specialization must be earned in courses at the 300 level or above. | 12 | |
| Restricted Elective Option 2 | ||
| First of two agricultural specializations required. Select from courses in the following areas of agriculture: Animal Science, Agricultural Business Management, Crop Science, Food Science, Horticultural Science, Poultry Science, or Soil Science. Courses must focus on one of these agricultural disciplines. At least six (6) semester hours of course credit in this specialization must be earned in courses at the 300 level or above. | 12 | |
| GEP Courses | ||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 5 | |
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | ||
| GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement) | ||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | ||
| Free Electives | 11 | |
Total hours of free electives vary in order to allow the minimum hours required for the degree to equal 120 credit hrs. | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
Natural Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ANS 215 | Agricultural Genetics | 3 |
| GN 301 | Genetics in Human Affairs | 3 |
| MEA 100 | Earth System Science: Exploring the Connections | 4 |
| MEA 101 | Geology I: Physical | 3 |
| MEA 110 | Geology I Laboratory | 1 |
| MEA 130 | Introduction to Weather and Climate | 3 |
| MEA 135 | Introduction to Weather and Climate Laboratory | 1 |
| PY 131 | Conceptual Physics | 4 |
| PY 211 | College Physics I | 4 |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| AEE 103 or ALS 303 | Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education 1 or Transfer Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences | 1 |
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity (May not be offered online; Can take at a Community College) | 4 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| MA 107 | Precalculus I | 3 |
| COM 110 or COM 112 | Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| MA 131 | Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Introductory Agricultural Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Summer | ||
| ANS 150 | Introduction to Animal Science | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AEE 323 | Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences | 3 |
| Introductory Agricultural Elective | 3 | |
| CH 101 & CH 102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory (CH 102 may not be offered online, Can take course at a Community College) | 4 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| AEE 350 | Personal Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences | 3 |
| Economics Elective | 3 | |
| Natural Science Elective 3 | 4 | |
| CS 213 or HS 201 | Crop Science or The World of Horticulture: Principles and Practices | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AEE 311 | Communication Methods and Media | 3 |
| SSC 200 | Soil Science | 3 |
| Agricultural Specialization I Course | 3 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| AEE 435 | Professional Presentations in Agricultural Organizations | 3 |
| Agricultural Specialization I Course | 3 | |
| Agricultural Specialization II Course | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AEE 360 | Developing Team Leadership in Agriculture and Life Sciences | 3 |
| Agricultural Specialization I Course | 3 | |
| Agricultural Specialization II Course | 3 | |
| Agricultural Specialization II Course | 3 | |
| Free Elective 2 | 2 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| AEE 460 | Organizational Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences | 3 |
| AEE 490 | Seminar in Agricultural and Extension Education | 3 |
| Agricultural Specialization I Course | 3 | |
| Agricultural Specialization II Course | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 2 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
AEE 103 Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education is the preferred orientation course. ALS 103 First-year Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences is accepted for transfer students.
- 2
Total hours of free electives vary in order to allow the minimum hours required for the degree to equal 120 credit hrs.
Career Opportunities
Career Titles
- Agricultural Inspector
- Animal Breeder
- Animal Husbandry Worker Supervisor
- Aquaculture Specialist
- Bank and Branch Managers
- Buyer
- Crop Workers Supervisor
- Farm and Ranch Manager
- Farm Management Advisor
- Farm Products Purchasing Agent
- Farmers and Ranchers
- Fish Hatchery Manager
- Food & Drug Inspector
- Greenhouse and Nursery Manager
- Horticultural Worker Supervisor
- Industrial Production Managers
- Marketing Managers
- Purchasing Manager
- Sales Representative (Agricultural Products)
- Winemaker / Vinter
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