DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL SCIENCES

Agriculture Major | Agriculture Mechanization | Animal Science | Preveterinary Medicine | Horticulture and Crop Science | Agriculture Science Teacher Certification | Agriculture Minor | Technology Program

Course Descriptions

Chair: TBA

Website: www.shsu.edu/agr

The success of all great civilizations has been closely linked to their ability to feed, clothe and provide shelter for their population. Modern western society relies on a complex array of high tech agricultural production and technology systems, multi-faceted marketing programs, and an understanding of social, political, environmental and economic conditions that influence global trade.

Advancements and innovations in technology have allowed our society to flourish and prosper. The Department of Agricultural and Industrial Sciences consists of three major programs of study; Agricultural Sciences, Technology, and Career and Technology Education. Within each program are a number of specialized programs or majors, offering students the opportunity to tailor degree programs with career goals. Specific requirements for each degree are outlined under the respective program headings.

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES PROGRAM

Coordinator: Stanley F. Kelley

Faculty: Marcy Beverly, Roger Hanagriff, Phil Hamilton, Billy Harrell, Stanley Kelley, Robert Lane, Michael Lau, Joe Muller, Tim Pannkuk, Dwayne Pavelock, Lesley Rakowitz, Carolyn Robinson, Doug Ullrich, Barry Williams, Art Wolfskill

Academic Programs

The Agricultural Sciences program offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture* with the following emphasis areas:

• Agriculture (Teaching option available)
• Agricultural Business (Teaching option available)
• Agricultural Mechanization (Teaching option available)
• Animal Science (Preveterinary Medicine, Teaching, and Wildlife Ecology options available)
• Horticulture and Crop Sciences (Teaching option available)

*Students may add the secondary teacher certification courses to any of the above emphasis areas to gain certification to teach agricultural sciences in Texas.

Highlights

The Agricultural Sciences program maintains four locations with working laboratories. The Agriculture Center is home to the Indoor Arena, Meat Science Lab, Soils Lab, Horse Husbandry Lab, Poultry Science Lab and a state-of-the-art greenhouse. Nearby is the Horticulture Center with two additional greenhouses and laboratory facilities. The Agricultural Mechanization Center provides students with hands-on experience in metal project fabrication, electricity, hydraulics, structures, and soil and water conservation. The 1740 acre Gibbs Ranch is located about 10 minutes north of campus on Highway 75. The ranch serves as a living laboratory for all aspects of agriculture.

Career Opportunities

Approximately twenty percent of our population is involved in occupations directly related to agriculture. From production, banking and marketing, teaching, processing or service in governmental agencies, many rely on the productivity of modern agriculture in meeting the daily needs of society.

Employment opportunities for graduates include but are not limited to:

• agricultural journalist
• agricultural and natural resources researcher
• agricultural equipment specialist
• agricultural producer or manager
• agricultural sales and service
• agricultural sciences teacher
• cooperative extension agent
• farm and real estate appraiser
• credit manager for a bank or agricultural lending institution
• farm and ranch manager
• field representative for agricultural associations
• governmental agencies
• landscape design and maintenance specialist
• real estate specialist
• soil conservationist

Additional career information is given in the introduction to each of the degree programs in agriculture.

Suggested Minors

For those seeking secondary teacher certification, secondary education (SED) is substituted for the minor. The most common major used for this purpose is General Agriculture, but it may be used with the more specific majors as well. Many Agribusiness, Animal Science, and Horticulture-Crop Science majors will select minors from the College of Business, such as Management, Marketing, Accounting, Banking, Finance, or General Business Administration. Animal Science majors often select a minor in Wildlife Ecology. Biology or Composite Science are frequently taken as minors by Animal Science and Horticulture-Crop Science students considering graduate school. Agricultural Mechanization majors often select one of the minors available in the Technology Program or SED. For those interested in a career in agricultural communications, a minor in Mass Communication is often desired. Minors in Horticulture-Crop Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Mechanization and Agribusiness are available for those majoring in other specific agricultural disciplines. For instance, an Agribusiness student may minor in Horticulture-Crop Science to better prepare for career opportunities in that field.

Student Organizations

• Ag Ambassadors
• Agribusiness Association
• Agricultural Mechanization Club
• ALCA/PLANET Landscape
• Contracting Team
• Beef Cattle Show Team
• Block and Bridle
• Collegiate FFA
• Delta Tau Alpha - National Agricultural
• Honor Society
• Ducks Unlimited
• Horticulture and Crop Sciences Club
• Livestock Judging Team
• Minorities in Agriculture, Natural
• Resources and Related
• Sciences
• Rodeo Club
• Wildlife Ecology Club

Internships

An internship in agricultural sciences is intended to provide experience-based learning opportunities for students in their respective discipline of study. Students generally seek an internship experience at the end of their sophomore or junior year. The course identified for internship credit in agriculture is AGR 496 - Directed Studies. Internships may be arranged through student contact with providers or through departmental faculty and staff announcements and postings. All internships must receive departmental approval through application prior to the initiation of the internship. Maximum credit for internship is six (6) credit hours.

Scholarships

• Arthur Lynn Talk, Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship: $500 - $1000, approximately five scholarships awarded annually to full-time beginning freshmen, major in a field of agriculture. Selection based on academic record (minimum 2.75 GPA), extra-curricular activities, and leadership.

• Ann T. Crump and Charles T. Mallery Endowed Scholarship: $1000-$2000/year, fulltime beginning freshmen majoring in Agribusiness, academic performance in high school, demonstrated financial need and extracurricular involvement are criteria for selection. Must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA for scholarship renewal in subsequent years.

• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Endowed Scholarship: $500 - $2000, awards to incoming freshmen, awards to junior college transfer students, awards to currently enrolled agriculture majors (number of awards may vary), minimum 2.75 GPA, major in a field of agriculture. Selection criteria same as Talk scholarship.

• San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarship: $10,000/4 years, awards to full-time entering freshmen only, three awards given annually, major in field of agriculture, 12 credit hours per semester minimum, must maintain minimum 3.0 GPA for renewal, Texas residents only. Must comply with S.A.L.E. requirements.

• James Marcus Smith Trust Scholarship: $500 - $1000, one award annually, animal science majors. Selection based on academic record (minimum 2.75 GPA), extra-curricular activities, and leadership.

• Wilson-Warner Endowed Scholarship: $1000 - $3000, one award annually; major in field of agriculture. Selection criteria based on academic record (minimum 3.5 GPA), extra-curricular activities, and leadership.

• Willie Frank and Virginia Hall Trust Scholarship: $1000 - $1500, two awards (may vary) annually; major in agricultural sciences seeking teacher certification; minimum 2.75 GPA. Must have graduated in upper half of high school class; other selection criteria same as previous scholarship.

• W.E. Lowry Leadership Award: $300 (approximately), one award annually; must have completed two semesters at SHSU, be active in Collegiate FFA, and possess good character and scholarship; other criteria same as previous scholarships.

• Seitz Gift Fruit/Golden Valley Farms Scholarship: $500, two awards annually (one award to senior prior to student teaching, one award to senior during student teaching block); major in field of agriculture and seeking teacher certification; minimum 2.5 GPA.

• Letts-Hopper Endowed Scholarship: $500, one award annually, must be junior or senior at SHSU; major in field of agriculture. Selection on basis of character, academic achievement and financial need.

• Clemon and Carolyn Montgomery Endowed Scholarship: $500, one award annually; major in field of agriculture; minimum 2.75 GPA. Selection based on demonstrated financial need.

• Preston Leo Reeder Endowed Scholarship: $500, one award annually; , major in field of agriculture; minimum 3.0 GPA. Selection based on demonstrated financial need.

• Southwest Meat Suppliers Association Scholarship: $500, one award annually; major in field of agriculture with interest in career in the meat industry. Note: Scholarships are one-time awards and not automatically renewable. A Student may reapply in subsequent years if eligibility requirements are met. (Exceptions: Ann T. Crump and Charles T. Mallery Endowed Scholarship; San Antonio Livestock Exposition Scholarships)

The program requires a single application form to apply for all of the above scholarships. It may be printed from the associated PDF file.

SHSU Rodeo Scholarships

• Tommy Castenson Memorial Scholarship: $500 - $900/year, four to six awards.

• Copenhagen / Skoal — U.S. Tobacco Scholarship: $2000 - $5000/year, awarded to NIRA winners at regional and national levels.

• Rodeo Club Alumni Scholarship: $300 to $400 average/student, awarded on a per -semester basis.

• L. N. Sikes Memorial Scholarship: $400 - $500/year.

• Wes Neyland Memorial Rodeo Scholarship: $500/year, one award, 2.25 minimum GPA, agricultural sciences major, competitor in the sport of college rodeo.

Additional information regarding rodeo scholarships may be obtained by contacting Roger Hanagriff at (936) 294-3867; email: agr_rdh@shsu.edu.

Program-Specific Requirements

The objectives of the Agricultural Sciences Program are to:

• Provide high quality instruction in agricultural sciences, technology, and business.
• Promote research in agricultural sciences.
• Provide a program of continuing education for teachers of agricultural science and agricultural producers.
• Provide educational and competitive activities for youth involved in or interested in the agricultural sciences.

For additional information regarding admission requirements, degree programs, description of courses, and financial assistance available, please refer to the appropriate sections of this catalog. Brochures and information concerning the department and scholarships may be obtained by calling 936-294-1215 or writing: Sam Houston State University, Department of Agricultural Sciences, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2088 or by emailing a request to sfkelley@shsu.edu. Website: www.shsu.edu/agr.

Curriculum

Major in Agriculture
Bachelor of Science

This program is designed to meet the needs of students desiring a program of study in farm and ranch production management, agricultural journalism, agricultural communications, agricultural education, and several others. The program allows for the selection of a minor in special interest areas such as chemistry, biology, business, environmental science, photography, journalism, or computer science. Specified course requirements for the major are structured to meet the specific needs of an individual student with the approval of the faculty advisor.

Major in Agriculture – Agricultural Business
Bachelor of Science

Agribusiness is a growing program for students interested in management in agriculture. The program includes courses in farm and ranch management, marketing, natural resources, agricultural law, tax planning, budgeting, finance, appraisal, business organization, and other courses related to business and management. The agribusiness curriculum prepares students for employment in finance, ranch management, business management, state and federal agencies, sales and marketing, and many other fields related to business and economics.

Note 1: A minor in Banking is available with this degree with minimal modifications to the above curriculum. See requirements for the Minor in Banking in the College of Business Administration section of this catalog for details.

Note 2: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.

Major in Agriculture – Agricultural Mechanization
Bachelor of Science

The primary purpose of the curriculum is to provide educational experiences for persons who intend to pursue careers related to technical operation and management in agriculture and related industries. It is expected that graduates will assume positions of leadership and responsibility in one of the following areas: agricultural service and sales, agricultural management, agricultural production systems, product service, product testing, service management, or public and governmental service agency management.

NOTE: Degree plan as shown includes 18-hours of specified electives in lieu of a minor. Business, Industrial Technology, or other related agriculture emphasis area minors are available upon request (see Agriculture as a Minor). Secondary agricultural science teacher certification is also available with any agriculture specialization.

Major in Agriculture – Animal Science
Bachelor of Science

The major emphasis in Animal Science prepares students for careers in the livestock and poultry production and support industries. Scientific principles, management, production technologies and skills are covered in appropriate courses. The University maintains herds and flocks for teaching and research. Students may complete pre-veterinary medicine and wildlife ecology requirements under the Animal Science program. Graduates can expect to qualify for positions in sales and service, inspection, regulation, research/teaching, breed associations, extension, or management in an animal and/or wildlife management industry.

* Animal Science electives to be selected from: AGR 236, 269, 338, 364, 435, 431, 476, 480, 491, or 495.

Note: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.

Major in Agriculture – Animal Science
Preveterinary Medicine
Bachelor of Science

* Prevet electives to be selected from AGR 236, 269, 338, 364, 431, 435, 476, 480, 491, or 495.

Major in Agriculture – Animal Science
Wildlife Ecology
Bachelor of Science

The animal science major with wildlife ecology option is an excellent choice for those students wanting to enter management of ag production or wildlife resources or for those wanting to enter graduate school in wildlife fisheries sciences. Students selecting this degree should indicate ANS as their major and AWE as their minor.

* Animal Science electives to be selected from: AGR 364, 376, 431, 434, 435, 491, or 495.

Major in Agriculture – Horticulture and Crop Sciences
Bachelor of Science

The Horticulture and Crop Sciences curriculum provides educational background to those interested in employment in fields related to the production, marketing and/or management of horticultural or agronomic crops; landscape design, installation, and maintenance; and other related businesses. Employment opportunities include but are not limited to nursery management, greenhouse plant production, turf management, landscape design and maintenance, floral industry, field crop production or consulting, soil conservation programs, chemical and seed production and sales, agricultural extension, and research/teaching.

* Approved electives include: AGR 162, 164, 284, 289, 382, 383; IT 139, 161; GEL 133, GEO 131/111, 461.

** Major electives include AGR 274, 299, 337, 366, 398, 432, 433, 468, 470, 483, 497.

Agricultural Science Teacher Certification

The primary emphasis of the teacher certification program is the preparation of secondary teachers of agricultural science. Students gain a broad background in the agricultural sciences along with professional preparation courses in agricultural and secondary pedagogy. This comprehensive background prepares students for a wide variety of professional agricultural careers. The teacher certification option can be chosen with any of the agricultural emphasis majors as shown. If the student chooses to major in agriculture, agricultural business, animal science, agricultural mechanization, or horticulture and crop sciences.

Major in Agricultural Sciences – Teaching Certification
Bachelor of Science

Major in Agriculture – Agricultural Mechanization
Teaching Certification
Bachelor of Science

Major in Agriculture – Animal Science
Teaching Option
Bachelor of Science

Major in Agriculture – Agricultural Business
Teaching Option
Bachelor of Science

Major in Agriculture – Horticulture and Crop Sciences
Teaching Option
Bachelor of Science

All students seeking teacher certification must be advised each semester to ensure proper sequencing of classes. To qualify for certification as a pre-employment teacher in Farm Power and Machinery, a minimum of eighteen hours in Agricultural Mechanics is required. Courses required are AGR 162, 380, 481, 487, and 6 hours from AGR 284, 330, 331, 382, 383, 386, or 485.

To qualify for certification as a pre-employment teacher in General Agricultural Mechanics, a minimum of eighteen hours in Agricultural Mechanics is required. Courses required are AGR 162, 331, 481, and nine hours from AGR 284, 330, 380, 383, 386 or 485.

NOTE: Both the General Agricultural Mechanics and Farm Power and Machinery certifications can be attained when AGR 487 is included in this list.

To qualify for certification as a pre-employment teacher in Horticulture, a minimum of 18 hours in Horticulture is required. Courses required are AGR 274, 299, 398 and 9 hours from AGR 165, 235, 337, 344, 366, 375, 385, 395, 432, 433, 468, 470, or 497.

To qualify for certification as a pre-employment teacher in Meat Processing, a minimum of 18 hours in Meat Technology/Animal Science is required. Courses required are AGR 361, 376, and 9 hours from AGR 230, 260, 363, 460 or 480.

Agriculture as a Minor

The minors listed below may be selected to accompany any majors except General Agriculture.

Agricultural Business. A minimum of 21 hours to include AGR 164, 285, 289, and 12 hours of approved advanced Agricultural Business.

Agricultural Mechanization. A minimum of 21 hours to include AGR 162 and 18 hours of approved Agricultural Mechanization.

Animal Science. A minimum of 21 hours to include AGR 169, 373; and 15 hours of approved Animal Science.

Horticulture and Crop Science. A minimum of 21 hours to include AGR 165, 344; and 15 hours of approved Horticulture/Crop Science.

Course Descriptions:

• Agriculture (AGR)
• Agriculture Education (AED)