Division of Agricultural Sciences

About The Division of Agricultural Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Science with majors in:

Animal Science (Industry and Pre-Vet & Science)
Agronomy
Entomology
Food Science
Veterinary Technology

Bachelor of Science in Biological and Agricultural Systems Engineering
Forestry and Natural Resources 2+2 Program

The Division of Agricultural Sciences offers education and training in food and agricultural sciences. In the tradition of the land-grant college, this division seeks to serve the educational needs of the individual student. The curricula in the division also provide for broad training in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences mainly during the freshman and sophomore years. The junior and senior years are devoted largely to the professional aspects of the student’s area of specialization. In general, the graduation requirement for the Bachelor of Science degree programs is 120 semester hours.

Degrees Offered

The division offers three bachelor of science degree programs: (1) Agribusiness, (2) Agricultural Sciences with majors in animal science, agronomy, entomology , food science, veterinary technology and (3) Biological and Agricultural Systems Engineering. The Division of Agricultural Sciences also offers a Master of Science degree in agricultural sciences and the Ph.D. degree in entomology in affiliation with the University of Florida.

Faculty

Emeritus Professors: Coultas, Charles; Flowers, Ralph; Heinis, Julius; Pescador, Manuel.
Professors: Taylor, Robert (Dean); Anderson, Sr., Lee E.; Carter, Lawrence; Tsolova, Violetka M.; Gardner, Cassel; Hsieh, Yuch; James, Neil; Kanga, Lambert; Leong, Stephen; Lorenzo, Alfredo; Magee, Charles; Mbuya, Odemari; Milla, Katherine; Mobley, Ray; Muchovej, James J; Musingo, Mitwe; Olorunnipa, Zacch; Onokpise, Oghenekome; Phills, Bobby R.; Sheikh, Mehboob; Thomas, Michael
Associate Professors: Duke, Edwin; Gitau, Margaret; Hand, Samuel E.; Hix, Raymond; Taylor, Jennifer;
Adjunct Associate Professors: Bloem, Kenneth; Bloem, Stephanie; Hight, Stephen D.; Legaspi, Jesusa (Susie) C.;
Assistant Professors: Bailey, Nathaniel; Bolques, Alejandro; Sarjeant, Keavin; Solis, Daniel
Instructors: Beaudouin, Jean; Nelson, Tondalaya; Paul, Harriett; Richardson, Vonda; Wright, Glen; Purvis, Robert
Research Associates: Ananga, Anthony; Georgiev, Vasil; Haseeb, Muhammad; Kambiranda, Devaiah; McKenzie-Jakes, Angela; Queeley, Gilbert; Rasmussen, Andrew; Ren, Zhongbo; Umar, Gohar; Xu, Xia
Extension Agents: Hylton, Trevor; Newman, Conchita

Prequisite Coursework in the Division of Agricultural Sciences

There are statewide Common Program prerequisites for all majors in the Division. The following must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher. These courses may be taken as partial fulfillment of General Education requirements or as general electives.

MAC 1105 College Algebra or Higher Level Approved Math* 3
BSC 1010C General Biology I* 4
BSC 1010C General Biology II* 4
CHM X045 General Chemistry I* w/Lab 4
CHM X046 General Chemistry II w/Lab 4
MAC X311 Calculus with Analytic Geometry* 3
ECO X013* 3
SYG X000 or PSY X012* 3
SPC 2600 Public Speaking 3
CGS 2571 Introduction to Microcomputer Applications* 3
STA 2023 Introduction to Probability and Statistics 3

*This is a state common prerequisite. Substitutes identified in the state Common Prerequisite Manual at www.fact.org will be accepted.

NOTE: Statewide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for other courses that may serve as acceptable alternatives, visit www.facts.org.

NOTE: Course Prerequisites Policy

It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the prerequisites of a course prior to enrollment in a course. A student may contact his or her advisor or the department chair for additional information concerning course prerequisites and this policy. Failure to fulfill course prerequisites may result in the administrative cancellation of enrollment in the course at any time during the semester with no refund of tuition of fees.

*NOTE: Some prerequisites/requirements coursework may also be applied to General education requirements in math and science.

Foreign Language Requirement

Transfer students are required to have completed two (2) years in high school or eight semester hours (or equivalent) at an accredited undergraduate institution in one foreign language or American Sign Language prior to enrollment or graduation.

Master of Science in Agricultural Sciences

Traditionally known as the land-grant arm of Florida A&M University (FAMU), the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS) offers students majoring in agriculture sciences a broad spectrum of academic opportunities to continue their education and professional development. CAFS academic programs offer unique experiences for undergraduate and graduate students through incorporating aspects of teaching, research, international agriculture and business, as well as extension and community outreach.

The College of Agriculture and Food Sciences offers a MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE (thesis and nonthesis options) in Agricultural Sciences with concentrations in Agribusiness, Entomology, Plant Science, and Soil and Water Science. A minimum of thirty six (36) semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree is required for the Master of Science degree. The degree takes approximately two calendar years for its completion. The curriculum of the program is structured so that students may expand their knowledge in selected areas of agricultural sciences instead of specializing in any one field. However, the research performed by these students is specific in nature and is supervised by faculty members in their areas of expertise. Students are exposed to a full range of agricultural research problems and their management through on-campus instruction and hands-on experiential learning with the programs’ faculty and off campus internships at other universities or industry partners. To ensure the success of the students in completing the degree program, each student is mentored by a Thesis Supervisory Committee. The committee members guide the student’s choice of core courses, electives and internships; test their problem-solving skills on a regular basis and through final oral examination. The program produces well-trained graduate students who are ready for the challenges of the changing world.

Admission Policies

General For admission into the graduate programs in the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS), an applicant must:
1. Have a baccalaureate or a master’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university;
2. Present official scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last two years. A minimum score of 1,000 points on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the aptitude test or 300 points on the computer based GRE, or/and a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) on the last two years of study for the baccalaureate degree or their highest awarded postbaccalaureate degree is required.
3. Present official copies of transcripts from all universities attended;
4. Have at least a GPA of 3.0 on all graduate work (Ph.D applicants);
5. Present three letters of recommendation from someone familiar with the student’s academic performance in their field of study;
6. Submit a one-page personal statement, discussing the student’s interest in a graduate degree;
7. Be approved by CAFS’s Graduate Faculty Committee;
International Students: In addition to the requirements listed above, official scores of 500 (minimum) for MS students on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a 213 on the computer based TOEFL is required for international students whose native language is not English. Students are required to purchase U.S. health insurance while at the university.

Financial Assistance

In order to obtain any financial assistance from CAFS and the School of Graduate Studies and Research, a student must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better and must be a full-time student. A full credit load consists of a minimum of nine (9) hours in each of the fall and spring semesters and one (1) to six (6) hours in the summer term. Continued funding of a student is contingent upon the student making satisfactory progress in the completion of his/ her coursework and thesis research.

Research assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Research assistants work on externally sponsored research projects under the supervision of a faculty member. Letters of recommendation, evidence of communication skills, as well as GRE scores, are important considerations in the award of assistantships.

The assistantship awards range from $15,000 to $22,000 for 20-hours of work per week during the academic year. Out-of-state tuition and matriculation fee waivers are available on a competitive basis. A student should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for opportunities within the College and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research for possible funding at the University level.

Most assistantships are halftime and students are obligated to work 20 hours a week on whatever assignments the supervisor designates. After 18 hours of coursework, a student may be asked to work as a Teaching Assistant. Students supported by research grant funds must perform work relevant to the grant stipulations.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Doctorate’s Degree

Entomology, (IN COOPERATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA) Ph.D.