The Master of Science Degree in Agriculture at SFA is a professional degree with a concentration in general agriculture. However, a full-time student may concentrate to a limited degree in an area of specialization by course selection. The student may also develop a degree plan leading to further graduate study. The degree is designed to serve:
1. The Part-Time Student
Courses are offered in a sequence that enables a continuing student to register each semester without conflicts.
2. The Full-Time Student
The full-time student may take the recurring sequence of 500-level courses in the Department of Agriculture. These may be supplemented by courses of the 400- and 500-levels from the minor or electives to assure a full load of course work.
Requirements for admission are the same as the federal admission requirements of the Graduate School.
Option I.
The Master of Science Degree
with a major in Agriculture without a thesis
The non-thesis option requires a 36-hour program of course work, including 3 hours of applied statistical analysis when appropriate. It is primarily designed for the part-time student who will be scheduling evening classes. A minimum of 18 hours must be selected in agriculture with counsel of the program director. This may be concentrated in any area of emphasis in agriculture.
Option II.
The Master of Science Degree
with a major in Agriculture with thesis
(recommended for students planning further graduate study)
The thesis option requires 24 semester hours of course work and 589 (Thesis Research – 3 semester hours) and 590 (Thesis Writing – 3 semester hours) for a total of 30 semester hours including a minimum of three semester hours in graduate statistics or biometrics. Course work is usually concentrated in the broad area of agriculture. Candidates contemplating further graduate study should use the thesis option. The thesis subject will be in the major area of specialization.
Non-Agriculture B.S. Graduates
Students who concentrated on non-agriculture studies on the baccalaureate level may broaden employment opportunities by pursuing the master’s degree in agriculture. There is an expanding demand for a combined academic background of related sciences and applied agriculture. A student is an excellent position to enhance employability in the areas of production, product development, research and sales in the agribusiness complex.
Non-Ag Graduates
Related Science Major with Agriculture Minor
Related Science Major
Other Non-Agriculture Majors
(Will usually consist of 18 to 21 hours of undergraduate agriculture and 6 to 8 hours each of introductory chemistry and biology)
Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of graduate assistantships are awarded each year in the department. For information and applications contact the Agriculture Department Chair.
Graduate Courses in Agriculture (AGR)
Unless otherwise indicated, courses are three semester hours credit.
500 Technical Seminar. A course involving students in technical presentations of original research and reviewed technical topics in agriculture. Required of all M.S. candidates in agriculture. May be repeated up to three semesters. (1hr)
501 Advanced Nutrition. Analysis of nutritional theory for ruminants and monogastrics. Prerequisites: 12 hours of agriculture including Agriculture 333 or related fields.
508 Soil-Plant Relationships. Characteristics of soil, their influence on plant growth, soil reaction, cation exchange, nitrogen fixation, soil analysis, and fertilizer materials. Prerequisites: 12 semester hours of agriculture or related fields.
510 Machinery Operation and Performance. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory per week. To study the operation, performance, and management of agricultural machinery. Travel fee $3. Lab fee $5
514 Advance horticulture Crop Production. Current techniques of fruit and vegetable production-plant density, soil, water, and pest management considerations.
516 Plant Propagation. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory per week. Physiological relationships involved in plant propagation-environmental factors as they relate to plant growth structures and nursery conditions.
517 Horticulture Plant Environment. A course designed to enhance students’ skills and abilities in the public garden management field. Special emphasis will b placed on the development of a mission statement, site analysis, personnel management, collections and acquisitions policy, educational programming, computer mapping, record keeping, signage and interpretation, funding, volunteers, garden design and plant selection.
520 Agricultural Waste Management. The principles of agricultural waste management, addressing animal and human waste as well as management and disposal of agricultural chemicals.
525 Mobile Hydraulics in Agriculture. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory per week. Basic principles of hydraulics, hydrodynamics, and hydrostatics; diagnostic and testing; hydraulic valves; and the history of hydraulics. Prerequisite: 6 hours of agriculture. Lab fee $5.
528 Animal Reproductive Physiology. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours laboratory per week. Concepts and applications of reproduction in farm animals. Endocrinology, anatomy and physiology, spermatogenesis, oogenesis, fertilization, gestation, parturition and behavior are studied with practical application toward increasing animal production. Prerequisites: AGR 131, plus 9 hours of Agriculture.
530 Interdisciplinary Research. A course investigating the tools of research, problem formation and analysis, common research design, common errors in research, and instrumentation and sampling techniques.
531 Advanced Agriculture Waste Management. Comprehensive management of animal, forest, and processing by-products. From a research perspective, emphasis is placed on the chemical makeup of waste and the consequences of their physiological effect.
537 Poultry Breeding and Management. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab per week. Poultry breeding and modern management principles. Lab fee $5.
541 Advanced Animal Breeding. An analysis of nutritional theory for ruminants and monogastrics. This is the graduate animal nutrition course whose emphasis is review of the animal nutrition, regulations involving feed ingredients, special topics and simple formulation of animal diets.
542 Agriculture Policy. This course provides the guidelines for thinking about agricultural policy issues that have dominated farm and food policy, and emphasizes policy analysis rather than policy prescription.
544 Feedstuffs, Feeding and Formulation. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab per week. Feedstuffs, feed formulation, feed processing and livestock feeding. Prerequisite: ANS 333. Lab fee $5.
548 Range Management. Principles of range management. Characteristics of range lands and range plants, management of grazing animals, and vegetation.
551 Farm Management. The application of business principles to farming, organization and management of farms, farm records, and farm accounts.
565 Agriculture Products Processing. A study of the technological processes involved in the preparation, processing, and packaging of agricultural products, including: livestock, poultry, fish, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and dairy. Consumer trends, governmental regulations and research efforts affecting agricultural products processing will also be studied. Overnight field trip required.
567 Agriculture Chemicals. Uses, modes of action, safety, pesticide laws, persistence of residues, and environmental interactions of insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. Prerequisites: CHE 112 or equivalent, plus 9 hours of agriculture.
575 Advanced Graduate Studies. 1-4 semester hours. Advanced individual instruction. Prerequisite: Undergraduate minor in agriculture. May be repeated under different topics.
578 Seminar. May be repeated.
580 Topics in Agriculture. One hour graduate seminar designed to enhance the diffusion of qualitative and quantitative research and development activities. May be repeated.
581 Methods of Teaching Agriculture Science in the Secondary School. Instructional methods and techniques that emphasize practical applications of the teaching learning process. Special emphasis will be placed on reading in the content area, student evaluation, classroom management and discipline, and essential curriculum/programmatic elements unique to agricultural sciences and technology.
589 Thesis Research. Should be planned and initiated at least two semesters before the thesis is to be completed.
590 Thesis Writing. The research project of this course must be initiated at least one semester before registration in order that the thesis research be carried over a period of not less than two semesters.
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