Agricultural Sciences

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Agricultural Sciences graduate program offered by the Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems (ANFS) offers a flexible course of study that provides education and research experience in plant and animal agriculture, aquaculture, food systems, and related fields.

Emphasis is placed on acquiring basic and practical knowledge and research experience in one of the following core emphasis areas:

1. Diverse components of plant and animal agricultural systems including: breeding and genetics, physiology, environmental interactions, organismal health, agroecology, and pathology. Student are exposed to production systems, including field based, hydroponics, and aquaculture, as well as post-harvest practices.
2. Food systems analysis to address the social, economic, and environmental relationships that shape outcomes in plant and animal agricultural systems. Students work on food and agriculture related questions and challenges ranging from food production, processing, aggregation and distribution, access, consumption, and management of food waste. 

The agricultural sciences graduate program prepares students to become highly knowledgeable and competent in professional fields related to agriculture and food, and leaders in collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts to address local, regional, national and/or global issues at the intersection of agriculture, food and the environment.

The M.S. program is thesis-based, with the expectation of providing substantial research experience and the opportunity to publish new knowledge in the field of interest.

Students graduating with an M.S. in Agricultural sciences will meet objectives in the following areas:

Discipline specific knowledge

• Identify and explain discipline specific research methods
• Build knowledge and understanding in key areas of agricultural sciences including food systems, and animal and plant-based agricultural production systems

Research design and analysis

• Apply appropriate study design to answer a research question
• Use appropriate statistical methods to analyze and interpret research results

Scientific method

• Develop, defend, and execute a research idea to advance knowledge in the student's specific field of study

Critical thinking

• Ability to collect and critically evaluate information from the primary research literature to expand knowledge of agricultural and food systems
• Develop skills to critically evaluate and analyze their research data

Communication

• Communicate effectively in writing through the development of an argument supported by evidence
• Communicate effectively in oral formats when addressing project-specific research and agriculture and food related issues
• Convey research results in written and oral format to both professionals and the public

Professionalism

• Conduct research in an ethical manner
• Deliver professional oral and written communications
• Demonstrate collaboration and leadership skills