Programs of Study

Programs of Study

Agriculture

Students can prepare for careers in agricultural and natural resource related sales, and /or public relations; food, agricultural and natural resource commodity groups, agricultural finance; governmental and conservation agencies; the Cooperative Extension Service; land use and appraisal; and international agriculture agencies.

Agricultural Business / Economics

Agriculture in today's world is a business, whether it be farm production, processing and marketing agricultural products, or supplying agricultural inputs. The Agricultural Business / Economics option has courses in agricultural business and economics, science, and agricultural technology. Students learn to apply the concepts, principles and terminology of business (economics, management, finance, marketing and others) to real-world issues and opportunities in the agricultural and life sciences industries.

Urban forestry class.

Agricultural Education

Students that undergo a curriculum in agricultural education are preparing themselves to teach in public schools or regional vocational agriculture centers. Those students who specialize in animal science, plant science, agricultural mechanics, or natural resources conservation add teaching, managerial, and human relations to their backgrounds by completing the Agricultural Education program at Western Illinois University.

Becoming an agricultural education major gives one the opportunity to work with people while still working within the agricultural field. The main focus of an agricultural teacher is to teach students about the food, fiber, and natural resources industries. Agricultural teachers often work in hands-on learning environments and will teach both inside and outside. An agricultural teacher must teach technical, leadership, and management skills to middle and high school students going into agricultural careers or going on to further their education in agriculture. The National FFA Organization plays an important role in agricultural education by providing life skills that students need for a successful career in Agriculture. Most Agriculture teachers incorporate the learning-by-doing method in their approach to teaching. This allows the students to experience work that is directly related to the kinds of careers that they would like to pursue.

Agricultural Mechanics

The Agricultural Mechanics major focuses on technologies applied to developing, integrating, implementing, and problem-solving agricultural situations. Students are exposed to the contemporary and traditional agricultural machinery, tools, and computer programs needed to solve today's agricultural problems.

Agronomy

Agronomy is a branch of agriculture dealing with field-crop production and soil management. It is the development and practical application of plant and soil sciences to produce abundant, high-quality food, feed, and fiber crops. As a discipline, agronomy represents the integration of crop, soil, and related sciences. Students majoring in Agronomy may choose a concentration in agronomic business, agronomic sciences, crop production, soil science, or turfgrass management.

Graduates of the agronomic business concentration have an agronomic focus in support of the agri-business sector through study of the marketing, management, and other economic segments of agri-industry. They have the flexibility to work effectively in agricultural enterprises having either a production or business marketing focus.

Animal Science

Animal Science is a diverse and complex field, covering not only the traditional production and management areas of livestock, horses, and companion animals, but also the basic sciences such as reproduction, physiology, genetics, and nutrition. Animal science is a broad field centered on the biology, production, management, and care of animals. Animal scientists are involved in all phases of domestic animal production, research, sales, service, business, and education.

Horticulture

Horticulture is an exciting segment of agriculture that is growing ever more popular in today's global economy. Horticultural Science uses all the tools of modern science to investigate the complex growth and developmental responses of horticultural crops and to develop solutions for problems confronting the horticulture industry. Illinois’ varied climate is conducive to the production and use of a wide variety of horticultural crops and services, including landscape design.

International Agriculture

The objectives of this minor are to acquaint students with: (1) the characteristics, issues and problems concerning small, traditional agriculture in developing countries, and (2) the concepts of agricultural changevide frameworks within which to analyze, understand, criticize and think about the issues and problems. A major goal is to challenge students to develop independent thinking about agricultural change and development in order to critically analyze and judge research, writing and policies. The minor examines the reasons for the problems and policies relating to agriculture and food in developing countries.

Natural Resources

Would you like to help solve environmental problems? ... manage natural resources? The Natural Resources minor enables a student to experience hands-on experience with actual management of natural resources. The degree provides a comprehensive science-based program covering the principles and knowledge needed to measure and monitor the status of natural resources and the environment.

Urban Forestry

This option addresses an emerging need for the management of trees in our towns and cities, and the urban/wildland interface. Urban and community foresters manage trees along city streets, in municipal parks, private woodlots, and utility right-of-ways. Employers include federal, state, and municipal governments, private consultants, and industry.

Pre-Professional Degrees

Pre-professional degrees are designed to prepare students for professional study at other universities at the undergraduate and graduate level. Each pre-professional degree consists of a series of WIU courses which students are advised to take to gain knowledge and skills required for professional study in one of the below fields.

Pre-Agricultural Engineering

A series of courses designed to prepare students for entry into a professional school of engineering.

Pre-Forestry

A series of courses designed to prepare students for entry into a professional school of forestry with advanced standing.

Pre-Veterinarian Medicine

A series of courses designed to prepare students for admission to a school of veterinary medicine.

File last updated: June 4, 2009