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Majors/Minors

Explore all our majors by browsing the subjects you're interested in.

Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary

Study breeding, nutrition, physiology, diseases, production, and management of domestic and lab animals. Examine the importance of animals in world food production, biomedical research, biotechnology, and recreation.

Available only as a major:

  • Livestock Studies
  • Equine Studies
  • Animal Biotechnology/Research

Possible careers

  • Research Associate
  • Veterinarian
  • Research Scientist
  • Riding Instructor
  • Horse Trainer

Building Materials and Wood Technology

Explore applied management, sales, marketing forces and technical issues. Understand the use of materials and wood-based products in residential construction and other businesses.

Possible careers

  • Natural resources policy analyst
  • Technical sales representative
  • Production manager
  • Architectural and construction manager
  • Quality control engineer
  • Research/development specialist
  • Conservation educator

Environmental Design

Learn what influences the natural and built landscape. Apply planning and design processes to make informed decisions regarding preservation, development, land use, and resource allocation. This program provides a sound theoretical understanding of both environmental and human issues as a foundation of knowledge for a wide range of design and planning fields.

Available as a major and minor with concentrations in:

  • Horticultural Studies
  • Landscape Studies
  • Urban Studies
  • Built Environment

Possible careers

  • Landscape architect
  • Horticulturist
  • Urban and regional planner
  • Transportation planner

Environmental Sciences

Meet the challenges of creating a safe, healthy environment. Learn to recognize and control the impact of pollution and environmental stress on ecosystems. Monitor environmental quality and interpret the impact of human actions on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems using a multi-disciplinary approach to respond to urgent problems in the environment.

Available as a major and minor with concentrations in:

  • Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
  • Environmental Policy
  • Environmental Biology

Possible careers

  • Environmental Consultant
  • Health & Safety Specialist
  • Environmental Lawyer
  • Laboratory and Field Chemist
  • Teacher
  • Conservation Agent
  • Laboratory Supervisor
  • Environmental Policy Analyst
  • Pollution Biologist
  • Industrial Hygienist

Food Science

Study how to improve the quality, health, and safety of foods chemically, microbiologically, and physically. From the time of harvest, the biological tissues of food are constantly undergoing changes which ultimately result in deterioration. Learn how to understand these changes and develop methods and formulations to enhance the health effects, nutrition, safety, and quality of foods.

Available as a major and minor with concentrations in:

  • Food Science and Technology
  • Food, Health and Wellness
  • Food Safety
  • Culinary Science

Possible careers

  • Food researcher
  • Food safety specialist
  • Ingredient technologist
  • Food product developer
  • Food marketer
  • Food policy regulator

Forestry

Study forest ecology and conservation to learn to manage woodlands for watershed protection, timber protection, and the improvement of wildlife habitat and landscape aesthetics. Or choose the urban forestry track to study the management of shade trees and urban parkland.

Available as a major and minor with concentrations in:

  • Forest Conservation
  • Urban Forestry / Arboriculture

Possible careers

  • Forester
  • Natural resource manager
  • Municipal or utility arborist
  • Environmental educator
  • Forest fire control specialist
  • Forestry consultant
  • Environmental law enforcer
  • Conservation educator
  • Park ranger

Landscape Architecture

Study the visual, physical, ecological, and cultural challenges encountered in an urbanizing landscape. Learn to apply the information, processes, and techniques of landscape architecture to design future landscape settings that are aesthetically pleasing and environmentally suited for implementation. Use land and natural resources to create accessible outdoor areas that both enhance our cities, parks and open spaces, and preserve the natural landscape.

Possible careers

  • Landscape architect
  • Horticulturist
  • Urban and regional planner
  • Transportation planner

Microbiology

Study microorganisms, the smallest life forms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Learn about their crucial role in our understanding of the environment, medicine and life sciences. Explore genetics, physiology, ecology, immunology, medicinal microbiology, and plant pathology.

Possible careers

  • Laboratory technician
  • Biotechnologist
  • Clinical microbiologist
  • Research microbiologist
  • Quality control specialist
  • Regulatory affairs manager

Natural Resource Studies

Study natural resource management and environmental conservation in an individualized curriculum integrating social and environmental sciences. Learn within an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for careers in environmental law, education, journalism, and policy.

Possible careers

  • Natural resource manager
  • Environmental educator
  • Environmental law enforcer
  • Natural resources policy analyst
  • Natural resources photographer or filmmaker
  • Conservation educator
  • Park ranger

Plant and Soil Sciences

Study the science of plant production and the terrestrial environment, including: crop production; genetics and plant breeding; plant physiology, nutrition and growth regulation; environmental stress; soil physics, chemistry, morphology, and microbiology; and wetland science. Explore environmentally conscious and socially responsible management of plant and soil resources.

Available as a major and minor with concentrations in:

  • Soil science
  • General Studies - Plant and Soil Science
  • Sustainable Agriculture
  • Turfgrass Management
  • Ornamental Horticulture
  • Plant and Soil Science Business Mngmt
  • Sustainable Agriculture - Food Systems
  • Sustainable Agriculture - Crop Production

Possible careers

  • Environmental consultant
  • Soil scientist
  • Golf course superintendent
  • Floricultural specialist
  • Horticultural manager

Resource Economics

Use economic principles and quantitative techniques to analyze decision-making among businesses, consumers, and governments. Learn skills in economic analysis, computers, data analysis, and communication. Graduates are prepared for well-paid and rewarding careers in financial management, sales and marketing, operations management, and government policy.

Available as a major and minor with concentrations in:

  • Natural Resource Economics
  • Food Marketing Economics
  • Managerial Economics in Food and Resource Industries
  • Consumer and Family Economics

Possible careers

  • Environmental consultant
  • Energy demand analyst
  • Financial manager
  • Food broker
  • Public policy analysts
  • Operations manager
  • Financial analyst

Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation

Study the biology and conservation of wild animal populations and their habitats, including birds, mammals, and other wildlife species in forests, wetlands, and grasslands, as well as marine and freshwater fishes. Learn modern methods to preserve biological diversity in the face of human-caused changes in the environment.

Available as a major and minor with concentrations in:

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Fisheries Conservation

Possible careers

  • Natural resource manager
  • Environmental educator
  • Environmental law enforcer
  • Natural resources policy analyst
  • Natural resources photographer or filmmaker
  • Aquaculturalist
  • Conservation educator
  • Park ranger

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