Department of Agriculture

Environmental Sciences & Technology Building
Office 269, Phone: (270) 745-3151, Fax: (270) 745-5972
Website: www.wku.edu/agriculture

Dr. Jack Rudolph, Head

Professors: C. Anderson, J. Britt, L. Gonzales, G. Jones, J. Rudolph, N. Speer
Associate Professors: R. Gilfillen, D. Stiles, T. Willian, P. Woosley
Assistant Professors: J. Kessell, S. King, M. Stone
Instructors: R. Dennis, K. Guffey, C. Scudder
Optional Retiree: A. Bedel, E. Gray

The complexity of the technological and financial structure of modern agriculture has made education increasingly important. It has also brought about a need for personnel to fill positions in various businesses and professions which support agriculture.

Processing and marketing of agricultural products and supplying of agricultural chemicals, machinery, seed, feed and other products require research, sales and service personnel who have met specific educational requirements. Governmental agencies which conduct research, extension, advisory and regulatory activities are staffed by highly trained agricultural personnel.

The Department of Agriculture strives to fill the needs of both the student who requires general technical knowledge for production agriculture and the student who needs more specialized training to pursue one of many careers. This is accomplished by offering specific curricula with enough flexibility to allow specialization within the curriculum.

Many students studying agriculture have urban backgrounds and lack farm experiences. The Department of Agriculture uses the University Farm and the Agricultural Exposition Center as integral parts of its laboratory and classroom instructional program to provide practical experiences. Internships and cooperative work experiences are encouraged for all students.

To complete the 128 semester hours required for a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture, students must complete the basic curriculum and one of the specialization tracks. The basic curriculum includes the general education requirements and specialty support requirements as well as basic professional courses in agriculture. These concentrations are agribusiness, agricultural education, agronomy (plant science or soil science), animal science, horse science, dairy science, general agriculture, turf and golf course management, horticulture, pre-veterinary medicine and pre-forestry. These concentrations allow students to vary their course selection to better meet their particular area of interest. The student, in consultation with an assigned advisor, will choose specific courses, other than those required.

When planning a program of study, students should be aware of the University academic requirements and regulations contained in this catalog in the chapter “Academic Information.” Specific attention should be given to the subsections in the chapter entitled (a) Academic Programs, (b) General Education Requirements, and (c) Academic Requirements and Regulations. Students should be aware that some academic programs may include additional scholastic regulations and standards not specified in the catalog. To obtain a copy of these regulations, students should contact the department head.

Agriculture majors who follow the listed guidelines can graduate in 4 years (8 semesters) or less.

Guidelines

1. Follow one of the undergraduate degree plans listed at the Agriculture Department website: www.wku.edu/Agriculture
2. Be advised by an assigned faculty advisor in the Department of Agriculture each semester and enroll in the courses decided upon at the advising session.
3. Excluding remedial classes, receive a passing grade for an average of 16 hours per semester for 8 semesters with a minimum 2.0 GPA and a minimum total of 120 hours, including 42 or more hours upper-division (300- and 400- level) courses. Complete the General Education requirements of the department and the university. Note specific required mathematics, biology and chemistry courses.
4. Deviation from any of these conditions might lead to the need for additional hours/courses and/or semester in order to graduate.

Major in Agriculture (No minor or 2nd major required.)
This major in agriculture (reference number 508) requires a minimum of 50 semester hours in agriculture and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. Agriculture courses required for the major are AGRI 108, AGRO 110, ANSC 140, AGMC 170/171, AGRI 291, AGRO 320 or ANSC 345, AGRO 350, AGEC 360, AGRI 398 (Gen), AGRI 398 (Sp) and AGRI 494. Electives chosen from agriculture courses focusing on a concentration, when approved by an assigned advisor, complete the minimum total of 50 semester hours in agriculture. No other minor or major is required for the student following the curriculum for this major in agriculture. Students are required to complete specified courses in biology, chemistry and mathematics. At least half of the semester hours in the major must be in courses numbered 300 or above.

Major in Agriculture Minor or 2nd major required.)
This major in agriculture (reference number 605) requires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. These hours must be taken in approved agriculture courses and a suitable major or minor(s) in other departments must be earned to total at least 54 approved semester hours. Agriculture courses required for a major are AGRI 108, AGRO 110, ANSC 140, AGMC 170/171, AGRI 398 (Gen.), AGRI 398 (Sp) and AGRI 494. Electives chosen by the student and approved by an assigned advisor provide sufficient credits to satisfy an option. In addition, majors are required to complete specified courses in biology, chemistry and mathematics. At least half of the semester hours in the major must be in courses numbered 300 or above.

Minor in Agriculture
The minor in agriculture (reference number 308) requires a minimum of 18 approved semester hours in agriculture, including AGRI 494 with at least half of the courses numbered 300 or above.

Associate of Science Degree in Agricultural Technology and Management

Turf and Golf Course Management Option
This program (reference number 205) is a program designed for individuals interested in becoming superintendents of golf courses, athletic fields and parks and recreational facilities, lawn care professionals, and cemetery caretakers. The course of study includes the care and growing of warm and cool season grasses, turf disease management, and equipment management and maintenance. A total of 67 hours of specific courses are required for this program. The curriculum for this program is outlined in the Department of Agriculture Student Planning Manual.

General Agriculture Option
This two-year curriculum is designed to fulfill the needs of students primarily interested in the application of modern agricultural technology (reference number 205). Agriculture courses required for the general option in this degree are AGRI 108, 269 and 398, AGRO 110, ANSC 140*, AGMC 170/171, AGEC 365, 360 and 361. Also required are ENG 100, COMM 145 or 161, MATH 116, CHEM 105/106, a humanities course and BIOL 120/121. Electives chosen from agriculture or other supporting departments, when approved by an assigned advisor, complete the total of 64 semester hours required for this degree.

*Not required for Horticulture.

Teacher Certification in Agricultural Education
Numerous job opportunities are available for students who have completed certification for teaching agriculture education in public schools at the middle or secondary level. A 2.5 minimum grade point average in agriculture, general education and professional education is required for admission to teacher education. Students desiring to become certified to teach agriculture education in Kentucky public schools are required to have a minimum of 50 hours in agriculture including a minimum of 6 hours of plant/horticulture science, 6 hours of animal science, 6 hours of agricultural mechanics (AGMC 170/171 and 371/372), 6 hours of agricultural economics (AGEC 360 and 361), and 6 hours of soil sciences. Computer science requirement may be fulfilled by completing AGEC 365, CS 145 or CIS 141. Professional education courses required are AGED 250(EDU 250), PSY 310, EXED 330, AGRI 398E, AGED 470, AGED 471, EDU 489 and SEC 490. Student must complete 250, 310, 330, 398E before the fall semester of the senior year. AGED 470 and 471 are taught the fall semester. SEC 489 and 490 are completed the student teaching semester, usually the spring semester. Teachers hired in other states may be required to have other professional education course work according to local regulations.