Agricultural and Life Sciences Education
Agricultural and life sciences education prepares students for careers as agricultural education or biology instructors. Many students with the skills to teach others also go on to work as educational specialists for industry, in nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies.
Advisor: Scott Smalley (515) 294-0047
Department of Agricultural Education and Studies
LEARN MOREAgricultural and Rural Policy Studies
Agricultural and rural policy studies is an interdisciplinary major with an emphasis on social sciences related to agriculture. As a student, you will take courses in sociology, political science, and economics which prepare you for careers with public and private agencies concerned with public services in rural and agricultural areas.
Advisor: Ramesh Balayar (515) 294-2493
Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
LEARN MOREAgricultural Business
The agricultural business major prepares you with coursework in the marketing (buying and selling) of agricultural commodities, the selling of agricultural products and services, the managing of farm and agribusiness operations and the lending of credit to agricultural firms. In addition, you will take courses in technical agriculture, agricultural policy, accounting, business finance, computerized record keeping, business marketing, agricultural law and resource economics.
Advisor: Amy Brandau (515) 294-6147
Agricultural Communication
The agricultural communication major prepares students with knowledge and skills to be effective agricultural communicators. Students build knowledge of agricultural sciences while becoming experts at using a variety of communication channels and strategies for different audiences.
Advisor: Ben Chamberlain (515) 294-4655
Department of Agricultural Education and Studies
LEARN MOREAgricultural Studies
Agricultural Studies covers the broad spectrum of agriculture and life sciences with the flexibility for you to customize the major to pursue your career goals. With all the flexibility, you could choose an area of emphasis such as farm management, agronomy and crop production, agricultural law, agricultural systems and technology, or international agriculture.
Advisor: Ben Chamberlain (515) 294-4655
Department of Agriculture Education and Studies
LEARN MOREAgricultural Systems Technology
Agricultural Systems Technology (AST), in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering prepares you for careers in agricultural machinery industries; construction companies; governmental agencies; grain, feed, seed, fertilizer and chemical businesses; production agriculture; and environmental organizations.
Advisor: Jordan Smith (515) 294-5196
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
LEARN MOREAgriculture and Life Sciences Exploration
If you want to explore your options before choosing a major, consider starting your college career in Agriculture and Life Sciences Exploration. You will have an academic adviser to help you schedule courses to make progress towards graduation in any of the majors you are considering. You’ll also experience a class focused on gathering information about all majors that are interesting to you. Agriculture and Life Sciences Exploration is great way to take some time to find the career field that fits you.
Advisor: Jess Shaffer (515) 294-7495
Agronomy
As an agronomist, you can use your natural curiosity and enthusiasm for science to help solve some of the toughest problems currently facing humanity. A career in agronomy will keep you in the center of scientific efforts to increase the supply of high-quality food, feed, fiber, and energy, as well as protecting and conserving our environment.
Advisor: Stephanie Zumbach (515) 294-1360
LEARN MOREAnimal Ecology
Animal ecology is the study of the relationships of wild animals to their environment. As a student, you will be able to apply your knowledge to wildlife and environmental management. With career opportunities at natural resource and environmental protection agencies, organizations and businesses, you can place an emphasis on wildlife biology, fisheries biology, aquatic sciences, interpretation of natural resources, or pre-veterinary and wildlife care.
Advisor: John Burnett (515) 294-3681
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
LEARN MOREAnimal Science
In animal science you will gain an understanding of the life-cycle of companion and production animals, through study of the fundamentals of behavior, growth and development, lactation, genetics and breeding, nutrition and reproduction. With a curriculum that integrates enterprise management and marketing aspects of the animal industry, you will have career opportunities in agribusiness, biotechnology, dairy foods and meat science, pet food and feed industry, marketing, or research.
Advisor: Jodi Sterle (515) 294-7997
Biochemistry
The Biochemistry major provides preparation for advanced study or employment in biotechnology with an emphasis on agriculture.
Advisors: Claire Kruesel (515) 294-1042 and Eric Underbakke (515) 294-5793
Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology
LEARN MOREBiology
Offered as a BS degree in both the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, our high quality academic program offers the flexibility to accommodate a range of career goals in areas like plant biology, zoology, genetics, cell and molecular biology, ecology, and evolutionary biology.
Advisor: Donald Sakaguchi (515) 294-3112
Culinary Food Science
Culinary food science is an interdisciplinary degree combining a strong food science foundation with basic culinary skills development. You will study basic sciences, including chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, microbiology, and biochemistry. At the same time, you’ll take courses in quantity food production, fine dining management, and food safety and sanitation.
Advisor: Anne Oldham (515) 294-6414
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
LEARN MOREDairy Science
The dairy science curriculum provides training for a variety of career opportunities in agriculture, particularly those involved with dairy cattle or associated industries.
Advisor: Jodi Sterle (515) 294-7997
Diet and Exercise
The Diet & Exercise program combines the study of nutrition and exercise science. You will study advanced nutrition and physical activity concepts while completing both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. The program meets requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Didactic program to apply for accredited internships, take the exam, and become a registered dietitian, as well as those of the American College of Sports Medicine to take the exam for certification as a health fitness specialist.
Advisor: Anne Oldham (515) 294-6414
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
LEARN MOREDietetics
The undergraduate program in dietetics is the only program in the state of Iowa accredited through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to dietetic internships/supervised practice programs. Upon successful completion of the experience program, graduates are eligible to take the national examination to become a Registered Dietitian.
Advisor: Anne Oldham (515) 294-6414
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
LEARN MOREEnvironmental Science
Environmental Science uses an integrated approach to environmental systems, preparing you to be a leader in a rapidly changing discipline. Core courses incorporating the physical, chemical, and biological aspects give you the knowledge to work in the public sector for agencies like the EPA or in the private sector providing consulting services.
Advisor: Dick Williams (515) 294-1070
Environmental Studies
Environmental studies offer you the opportunity to understand the relationship between humans and nature, or between humans and natural systems. You will have the opportunity to study regional and global environmental issues and develop an appreciation of different perspectives.
Advisor: Dick Williams (515) 294-1070
Food Science
Food science follows the process of food from the time it leaves the farm until it’s consumed. You will apply principles of chemistry and physics to improve food quality, safety and nutrition and upon graduation, secure positions in the food industry, sales and marketing, food processing, biotechnology, government, and research.
Advisor: Anne Oldham (515) 294-6414
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
LEARN MOREForestry
The program in forestry provides you with an understanding of the following areas: forest ecosystems, wood technology and products, forest resource management, agro-forestry, urban and community forestry, biodiversity, water quality, wilderness areas and wildlife.
Advisor: Chase Olsen 515-294-6148
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
LEARN MOREGenetics
The curriculum in genetics is based on preparation in biology, chemistry and biochemistry, as well as genetics. In this program, you will receive an understanding of modern methods of genetic engineering and will be prepared for jobs in industry and for further work in the biological sciences, including graduate, veterinary or medical school.
Advisor: Alison Esser (515) 294-1606
Global Resource Systems
The Global Resource Systems major prepares you to work on complex global resource issues through leadership positions in international non-governmental organizations, global businesses, government agencies engaged in international trade and development, and globally engaged foundations, educational institutions and volunteer organizations.
Advisor: Amanda Chung (515) 294-6025
Global Resource Systems Program
LEARN MOREHorticulture
The horticulture curriculum is the part of plant agriculture concerned with turfgrasses, nursery crops, greenhouse crops, fruits, nuts and vegetables. You will gain the skills to gather and analyze information and then be engaged in addressing current, real-world issues and decisions faced every day in the field. With active-learning and hands-on laboratory experiences, you will gain experience through landscape construction and management projects.
Advisor: Barb Clawson (515) 294-5624
LEARN MOREIndustrial Technology
The Industrial Technology program provides a hands-on, collaborative learning environment to help you develop the workplace competencies necessary to be successful in today’s competitive world. In class, you will develop technical, supervisory and management skills in technical setting, studying manufacturing and related technologies that enable advanced, globally competitive production.
Advisor: Tamara Kerns (515) 294-0462
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
LEARN MOREInternational Agriculture
The international agriculture secondary major provides you with a global perspective. You will be prepared for careers overseas or for careers in the United States with multinational companies and agencies like the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Advisor: Ebby Luvaga (515) 294-0896
Department of Agricultural Education and Studies
LEARN MOREMicrobiology
Microbiology allows you to learn about the microorganisms that affect us every day and how they interact with their surroundings. Through the program, you will be equipped with the knowledge to work in areas related to agriculture, the environment and medicine.
Advisor: Susan Cramer (515) 294-1722
Nursing
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Iowa State University is an RN-to-BSN program, designed for those who are already a Registered Nurse (RN), and desire to further their nursing career and education at the next level. This unique, campus-based program is designed to meet the needs of the working nurse by providing a hybrid mode of learning in which students need only attend one day per week (synchronous online or face-to-face). The remainder of the course content is completed independently online.
Advisor: Sarah Miller (515) 294-2321
For more information about the nursing program visit Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.
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Nutritional Science
The Nutritional Science major allows you to study the connections between health, nutrition, disease, and wellness. The versatile curriculum can provide you with a strong background in science, the foundation for applications to pre-professional programs like medical school, or with the knowledge to plan and evaluate nutrition programming for community, public health, non-profit, and corporate wellness programs.
Advisor: Anne Oldham (515) 294-6414
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
LEARN MORESeed Science
Seed Science allows you to learn more specifically about the seed industry, in particular seed production, conditioning, pathology, physiology, quality control, and marketing, as well as seed plant designs.
Contact: seedsci@iastate.edu