Undergraduate Majors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Agricultural and Life Sciences Education
Adviser: Ben Chamberlain
(515) 294- 4655
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Agricultural and life sciences education combines food, agriculture, and life sciences with social sciences and communications. Some students choose the teacher certification option while others choose the communications option. Graduates enter a variety of agricultural careers that include working with people in agriculture, such as education, extension, agribusiness and public agencies.
Agricultural Business
Adviser: Amy Brandau
(515) 294-6147
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In-depth course work covers topics such as 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, students will take courses in technical agriculture, agricultural policy, accounting, business finance, computerized record keeping, business marketing, agricultural law and resource economics.
Agricultural Studies
Adviser: Ben Chamberlain
(515) 294-4655
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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.
Agricultural Systems Technology
Adviser: Gretchen Mosher
(515) 294-9449
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Agricultural Systems Technology (AST), in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering prepares graduates for careers in agricultural machinery industries; construction companies; governmental agencies; grain, feed, seed, fertilizer and chemical businesses; production agriculture; and environmental organizations.
Agriculture and Society
Adviser: Carmen Bain
(515) 294-9895
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Agriculture and Society (formerly known as Public Service and Administration in Agriculture) is an interdisciplinary major with an emphasis on social sciences. It prepares students for careers with public and private agencies concerned with public services in rural and agricultural areas.
Agriculture Exploration
Adviser: Howard Tyler
(515) 294-2766
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If you want to explore your options before choosing a major, consider starting your college career in Agriculture Exploration.
Agronomy
Adviser: Stephanie Zumbach
(515) 294-1360
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Agronomy integrates the science and practical application of crop production, soil management and climatology in the production and utilization of food, feed and fiber within an environmentally sound system. Agronomy majors can choose an advising option of Agroecology, Crop Management & Business, Plant Breeding & Biotechnology, or Soil Science & Environmental Quality.
Animal Ecology
Adviser: John Burnett
(515) 294-3681
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Animal ecology is the study of the relationships of wild animals to their environment and the major applies this knowledge to wildlife and environmental management. Graduates of this biological science curriculum pursue career opportunities with natural resource and environmental protection agencies, organizations and businesses. Curriculum emphases may be taken in wildlife biology, fisheries biology, aquatic sciences, interpretation of natural resources, or preveterinary and wildlife care.
Animal Science
Adviser: Jodi Sterle
(515) 294-7997
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The animal science curriculum focuses on the 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. The curriculum integrates enterprise management and marketing aspects of the animal industry. In addition to animal management, career options include agribusiness, biotechnology, dairy foods and meat science, pet food and feed industry, marketing, or research. Many students complete their pre-veterinary medicine requirements in the animal science curriculum.
Biochemistry
Adviser: Donald Beitz
(515) 294-5626
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The Biochemistry major provides preparation for advanced study or employment in biotechnology and other areas of agricultural science in which biochemistry is of fundamental importance.
Biology
Adviser: Lauren Ramos
(515) 294-1068
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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.
Culinary Food Science
Adviser: Anne Oldham
(515) 294-6414
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Culinary food science is an interdisciplinary degree combining a strong food science foundation with basic culinary skills development. You will study fundamental 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.
Dairy Science
Adviser: Jodi Sterle
(515) 294-7997
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The dairy science curriculum provides training for a variety of career opportunities in agriculture, particularly those involved with dairy cattle or associated industries.
Diet and Exercise
Adviser: Anne Oldham
(515) 294-6414
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The Diet & Exercise program combines the study of nutrition and exercise science. The program allows students to concurrently complete courses for the B.S. while also completing courses and a thesis for a M.S. degree.
Dietetics
Adviser: Anne Oldham
(515) 294-6414
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Undergraduate program in dietetics, 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.
Environmental Science
Adviser: Richard Williams
(515) 294-1070
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offer this integrated approach to the study of environmental systems. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for positions of leadership in this rapidly changing discipline.
Environmental Studies
Adviser: Richard Williams
(515) 294-1070
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Environmental studies deal with the relationship between humans and nature, or between humans and natural systems. The curriculum is designed to give students a broader appreciation of the environment and an overview of critical environmental issues.
Food Science
Adviser: Anne Oldham
(515) 294-6414
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Food science is a discipline in which the principles of biological and physical sciences are used to study the nature of foods, the causes of their deterioration, and the principles underlying the processing and preparation of food. It is the application of science and technology to the provision of a safe, wholesome, and nutritious food supply.
Forestry
Adviser: Amanda Chung
(515) 294-4796
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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.
Genetics
Adviser: Alison Esser
(515) 294-1606
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The curriculum in genetics is based on preparation in biology, chemistry and biochemistry, as well as genetics. Students receive an understanding of modern methods of genetic engineering and are prepared for jobs in industry and for further work in the biological sciences, including graduate, veterinary or medical school.
Global Resource Systems
Adviser: Maggie Sprecher
(515) 294-6025
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The Global Resource Systems major prepares students 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.
Horticulture
Adviser: Barb Clawson
(515) 294-5624
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The horticulture curriculum is the part of plant agriculture concerned with turfgrasses, nursery crops, greenhouse crops, fruits, nuts and vegetables. Also, it involves landscape horticulture and management, interiorscaping, botanic garden management, public garden management, plant breeding and molecular biology.
Industrial Technology
Adviser: Tamara Kerns
(515) 294-0462
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The Industrial Technology program provides a hands-on, collaborate learning environment that helps our graduate develop the workplace competencies necessary to be successful in today's competitive world.
International Agriculture
Adviser: Ebby Luvaga
(515) 294-5765
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The international agriculture secondary major provides students with a global perspective. Students will prepare 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.
Microbiology
Adviser: Susan Cramer
(515) 294-1722
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Microbiology is the study of the biology of microorganisms and how they interact with their surroundings. Microbiologists work in areas related to plant health, the environment and animal and human medicine. The major provides a strong background in the basic sciences with flexibility for development of individualized interests.
Nursing
Adviser: Sarah Miller
(515) 294-2321
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Our unique, campus-based Nursing program is a transfer-specific degree for Registered Nurses wanting to advance their education and career by earning a BSN.
Nutritional Science
Adviser: Anne Oldham
(515) 294-6414
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Offers students a strong basic science and general education which enables them to gain knowledge and skills necessary to work in research laboratories; curriculum can serve as a preprofessional program for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or graduate study in nutrition or biological sciences.
Seed Science
Adviser: Susana Goggi
(515) 294-6821
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Administered by the Departments of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Agronomy, Horticulture, and Plant Pathology. The seed science program is designed for students with career interests in one or more aspects of the seed industry. Areas of study include: seed production, conditioning, pathology, physiology, quality control, and marketing, as well as seed plant designs.