In the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences .
Course Offerings
Overview
Agriculture is an exciting and dynamic field involving a wide range of disciplines. The Agricultural Sciences major trains students to be broad thinkers who are both scientifically skilled and knowledgeable about socioeconomic issues related to agriculture and the environment. This interdisciplinary program engages college-wide faculty, resources, and represents Cornell’s breadth of agricultural offerings. Post-undergraduate pathways are as diverse as the interests of the study body. From lawyers and teachers to all areas of business, research, and production farming—agriculture is a growing employment sector rich with opportunity.
The Agricultural Sciences program offers and encourages curriculum flexibility. Students have choices among focused course categories and work with their advisor to design a curriculum that best fits individual needs; all within the framework of a common core life science curriculum. Many students seek international course or semester-long study experiences. The major encourages exploration and works with students to make that possible.
There is no one typical Agricultural Sciences student. Learners engage in interdisciplinary settings, are supported by a diverse group of peer ambassadors, and enjoy the major’s close-nit centralized structure. Support begins with the first-semester cohort course (AGSCI 1125 ), and continues through the common internship requirement. The major places energy and resources in connection and post-graduate alumni engagement. For more information, visit the Undergraduate Agricultural Sciences major webpage.
Coursework
In addition to the major requirements outlined below, all students must meet the college graduation requirements. The Agricultural Sciences major aligns well with college distribution requirements for foundational life sciences knowledge. This includes:
- Two courses in life sciences biology
- General chemistry with lab
As a diverse major, our students with life science research, graduate study, or pre-health interests have the curriculum flexibility to expand their foundation with additional coursework.
The curriculum philosophy is flexibility within a common core of 12 foundational courses and a choice of five concentrations allowing for specialization. All students complete an agriculturally related internship and earn academic credit under a faculty mentor.
Within the core coursework, half of course requirements have choices. (Agricultural Sciences is a transfer-friendly program. Transfer students work individually with the major and their advisor to determine course equivalency.)
Common core coursework:
Choice core course areas:
Students will complete one course from a select list of options in the following six areas: animal science, communication or education, food science, genetics, international agriculture, and introductory business management.
Concentrations
Students will complete at least one concentration of 12 credits. The five concentrations are: Animal Science, Business Management and Policy, Education and Society, Organic Agriculture, and Sustainable Cropping Systems Management. Students often have space and flexibility to complete more than one concentration and may double-count any concentration course towards a minor from across the university. For example, business concentration coursework may be used to satisfy both Ag Sciences major requirements while also counting towards one of nine business minors in the SC Johnson College of Business. Even students who transfer with limited residence time enjoy room for several unrestricted course choices.
Required Internship
Students are required to gain practical experience through an agriculturally related internship of at least six weeks of full-time effort that aligns with individual goals. From the outset of studies, students are encouraged and introduced to career exploration, as well as the tools and resources for conducting a job search. Numerous opportunities are available to every facet of agriculture each year and students approach their internship search with the same flexibility and creativity as with course planning. The process involves a learning agreement and pairing with a faculty mentor to earn at least one Ag Sciences academic credit. Rising interns and returning interns share interests and advice in an annual fall social to support exploration. All students are encouraged to use the Ag Sciences major’s growing network of alumni connections and strengthen coursework experiences with professional development, such as conference attendance.
Facilities
As a college-wide interdisciplinary major, students, faculty, and courses represent the world-class diversity and strength of Cornell’s agricultural facilities. All students gain hands-on experience through course field trips and labs at a number of campus area farms. Examples of the breath of possible opportunities include visit and engagement in research activities with Cornell Agritech, the Animal Science units, grape growing and winemaking through the Viticulture and Enology facilities, exploration in some of the world’s preeminent resources for the study of Entomology, as well as the Food Science labs and processing plant.
Faculty
A. DiTommaso, L. Drinkwater, Q. Ketterings, W. Knoblauch, J. Lauren, J. Losey, N. Mattson, M. Mazourek, W. Miller, T. Overton, J. Perry, M. Pritts, A. Rangarajan, S. Reiners, B. Rickard, F. Rossi, J. Russell-Anelli, M. Ryan, G. Peck, J. Sanderson, R. Schindelbeck, T. Schmit, T. Setter, J. Thies, M. Thonney, M. Van Amburgh, H. van Es, C. Wolf