Academics > Colleges/Schools and Departments > Hutson School of Agriculture > Programs > Agriscience Technology

Agriscience Technology

Offering career preparation for students interested in a broad, diversified education in agriculture leading to a Bachelor of Science degree and a career in agriculture.

Career Outlook

The field of agriculture includes a very broad range of career objectives. Subject matter fields include plant science, animal science, soil science, horticulture, agricultural engineering, agricultural education, agribusiness and agricultural economics. Job opportunities are numerous, and students trained in general agriculture are in high demand. A brief list of agricultural positions might include plant breeder, soil scientist, soil conservationist, extension agent, sales representative, banker, agriculture teacher, nursery specialist, landscape designer, greenhouse manager, farmer, nutritionist, animal breeder, economist, forester, processor, food scientist and farm manager.

Students with a general interest in agriculture come to Murray State University from varied rural and city experiences. They have a wide range of interests and career objectives for employment in agriculture.

Public Relations Emphasis

Within the agricultural science program, the elective hours allow students to select journalism courses to emphasize publications, broadcasting or public relations. This will prepare the student for communications careers in the more specialized disciplines.

The program of study is listed for students desiring a B.S. degree in agriculture with a focus on communication skills. It is recommended for these areas of employment to have an in-depth knowledge of agriculture.

Public Service/Leadership Emphasis

Modern day agriculture has numerous public service and leadership positions. This curriculum emphasis will allow students to acquire a broad curricular background in agriculture and supplement it with public service/leadership course work to prepare them for agricultural and public service careers.

Environmental/Health Emphasis

Modern day agriculture has been greatly improved by environmental and/or health related issues. This curriculum emphasis will allow students to obtain a broad curricular background in agriculture and supplement it with scientific, fact-based environmental course work to prepare for a wide range of agricultural and environmental careers.

Emerging Technology Emphasis

Modern day agriculture is becoming an ever increasingly technological field. Production agriculture practices now include many technology based fields such as precision agriculture, internet, guidance systems, graphic information systems and many other advanced computer applications.

This curriculum emphasis will allow students to get a broad curricular background in agriculture and supplement it with technology based course work to prepare them for agricultural and technology related careers.

Agricultural Technology Emphasis

This curriculum is designed for students transferring to Murray State University from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System Agricultural Technology Programs. It leads to a four-year bachelor of science degree that is offered through a combination of courses taught at Murray State University’s extended campus sites and main campus.

Facilities

School of Agriculture facilities include classrooms, laboratories and offices housed in the south wing of Oakley Applied Science Building, the A. Carman Animal Health Technology Center and the E.B. Howton Agricultural Engineering Building.

There are three farm complexes located within a mile of the main campus. These complexes include three greenhouses, agronomy plots, a beef unit, the West Kentucky Exposition Center, the Equine Center and the Agricultural Mechanization Instructional Facility/Farm Shop. These facilities are utilized for classes, contests, field days, judging contests, clinics and numerous agriculture activities.

Organizations

Agriculture Leadership Council
Agriculture Ambassadors
Agribusiness Club
Agricultural Engineering Technology Club
Agronomy Club
Alpha Zeta
Animal Health Technology/Pre-Vet Club
Block & Bridle
Collegiate FFA
Equestrian Team
Horseman’s Club
Horticulture Club
Rodeo Team/Club
Alpha Tau Alpha
Sigma Alpha
Alpha Gamma Rho
Soil Judging Team

Curriculum 2009-2011 Catalog

University Studies Courses	44 Hours
Agriculture Core Courses AGR 099 Transitions (Freshman Orientation) (1 hour) AGR 100 Animal Science (3 hours) AGR 130 Intro to Agribusiness (3 hours) AGR 133 Field Applications for Ag (2 hours) AGR 140 Plant Science -OR- AGR 160 Horticultural Science -OR- AGR 240 Crop Science (3 hours) AGR 170 Intro to Ag Systems Tech (3 hours) AGR 199 Contemporary Issues in Ag (3 hours) AGR 345 Soil Science (3 hours) AGR 339 Computer Applications for Ag (3 hours) AGR 399 Professional Development Seminar I (1 hour) AGR 599 Ag Senior Capstone (1 hour)	26 Hours
Agriscience Technology Courses AED 380 Ag Ed, Extension and Leadership AGR 377 Ag Safety (3 hours) AGR 433 Farm Management (3 hours) Ag elective (3 hours) Select one of the following courses: AGR 300 Animal Nutrition (3 hours) AGR 301 Livestock Judging (3 hours) AGR 302 Horse Science (3 hours) AGR 311 Beef Science (3 hours) AGR 312 Dairy Science (3 hours) AGR 321 Poultry Science (3 hours) AGR 326 Swine Science (3 hours) Select one of the following courses: AGR 330 Principles of Agribusiness (3 hours) AGR 333 Ag Bus Rec and Analysis (3 hours) AGR 337 Ag Sales and Merchandising (3 hours) Select one of the following courses: AGR 360 Greenhouse Prod and Management (3 hours) AGR 461 Plant Propagation (3 hours) AGR 542 Plant Breeding I (3 hours) AGR 549 Weeds and their control (3 hours) Select one of the following courses: AGR 372 Ag Metal Processes (3 hours) AGR 379 Field Equip Tech Mgt (3 hours) AGR 470 Soil and Water Engineering (3 hours) AGR 477 Ag Power Units (3 hours) AGR 576 Ag Electrification Systems (3 hours) AGR 577 Tractor Power Principles (3 hours)	24 Hours
Students will select one emphasis
Communications/Public Relations Courses JMC 168 Contemporary Mass Media (3 hours) JMC 194 Newswriting (3 hours) JMC 330 Mass Media Effects (3 hours) JMC 391 Public Relations Principles (3 hours) JMC 412 Writing for Public Relations (3 hours) JMC 590 Mass Communication Law (3 hours) JMC 591 Advanced Public Relations -OR- AGR 585 Specialized Journalism/RTV (3 hours) Unrestricted Electives (5 hours)	26 Hours
Public Service/Leadership Emphasis AED 583 Practicum in Ag Ed, Extension and Public Service (3 hours) AGR 488 Coop Ed/Internship (3 hours) AGR 489 Coop Ed/Internship (3 hours) AGR/AED/CTE/MGT/COM/YNL Electives (12 hours) Unrestricted Electives (5 hours)	26 Hours
Environmental/Health Emphasis AGR 378 Ag Environmental Mgt Sys (3 hours) CET 555 Environmental Reg Affairs (3 hours) CET 587 Biosolids and Nutrient Management Systems (3 hours) ENT 286 Intro to Environmental Engineering Tech (3 hours) OSH/CET/AGR Electives (9 hours) Unrestricted Electives (5 hours)	26 Hours
Emerging Technology Emphasis AGR 471 App in Precision Ag (3 hours) AGR 571 Adv Precision Ag (3 hours) GSC 202 Intro to Geographic Info Sci (4 hours) GSC 561 Precision GIS/GPS App (3 hours) Select three of the following: AGR 439 Software App for Ag -OR- AGR 539 Advanced Computer App for Ag (3 hours) CSC 125 Internet and WWW Tech (3 hours) GSC 521 Geographic Info Systems (3 hours) TSM 120 Intro to Telecommunications (3 hours) Unrestricted Electives (4 hours)	26 Hours
Agricultural Technology Emphasis AGR 313 Livestock Prod Mgt Sys (3 hours) AGR 439 Software App for Ag (3 hours) AGR 471 App in Precision Ag (3 hours) AGR 499 Professional Development Seminar II (2 hours) AGR 537 Seminar in Ag Business Systems (2 hours) AGR 538 Seminar in Prod Ag Sys -OR- AGR 571 Advanced Precision Ag (3 hours) AGR 539 Advanced Computer App for Ag (3 hours) AGR 547 Crop Management (3 hours) Unrestricted Electives (5 hours)	26 Hours