Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resource Curriculum and Requirements

Measuring yield of potential alternative biofuel crops at the KSU Research and Demonstration Farm.


Today’s world needs people prepared to solve global challenges related to agribusiness, climate change, a safe and reliable food supply, protection of natural resources, improved nutrition, public health, and alternative energy sources.  Increased demand is expected for agricultural inspectors, environmental scientists and specialists, including health, agriculturalists, and food scientists, soil and plant scientists, conservation scientists, forest and conservation technicians, agricultural policy, fisheries and wildlife, economic development, and agricultural communications.

A degree from the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources will prepare graduates for a variety of jobs in these fields.  The baccalaureate degree program in Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources has four options:

Agricultural Systems

Agricultural Systems prepares students for a range of occupations in the field of agriculture and requires the following courses:

  • AFE 211:  Animal Science
  • AFE 217:  Plant Science
  • AFE 318:  Environmental Entomology
  • AFE 334:  Soil Science
  • AFE 445:  Agriculture and Energy

Acceptable option electives

  • AFE 404:  Nutrition & Metabolism
  • AFE 435:  Urban Agriculture
  • AFE 443:  Apiculture
  • AQU 422:  Principles of Aquaculture

Food Systems

Food Systems prepares students for food nutrition and safety areas and requires the following courses:

  • FNU 104:  Basic Nutrition
  • AFE 404:  Nutrition & Metabolism
  • AFE 455:  Food Microbiology and Safety
  • AFE 465:  Food Systems

Acceptable option electives:

  • AFE 417:   Agriculture & Energy
  • AFE 435:  Urban Agriculture
  • AFE 440:  Ornamental & Landscape Plants
  • NUR 412:  Vulnerable Populations
  • BIO 408:  Cell Biology

Environmental Systems

Environmental Systems prepares students for careers in protecting the environment and requires the following courses:

  • BIO 316:  Ecology
  • AFE 340:  Environ Sci and Agroecology
  • AFE 334:  Soil Science
  • AFE 480: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Acceptable option electives:

  • AFE 366:  Climate Change
  • AFE 405:  Research/Extension in Nutrition
  • AFE 455:  Food Microbiology & Safety

Aquaculture Systems

Aquaculture Systems prepares students in the area of fish production and requires the following courses:

  • AQU 411:  Fish Disease
  • AQU 421:  Fish Nutrition
  • AQU 422:  Principles of Aquaculture
  • AQU 460:  Water Quality Management

Acceptable option electives:

  • AQU 412:  Fish Morphology and Physiology
  • AQU 425:  Aquaculture Economics and Marketing
  • AQU 427:  Fish Reproduction and Spawning Techniques

Curriculum Guide

Year One

Subject Prefix Course Number Course Name Semester Credit Hours
AFE 116 Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Environment 2
BIO 111 Principles of Biology 4
ENG 101 English Composition I 4
KSU 101 Bred Training 1
MAT 115 College Algebra 3
SPE 103 Inter Comm. 3
AFE 117 Global Perspectives on AFE 3
ENG 102 English Composition II 3
EITHER ART
OR MUS
OR THE
OR ENG
130
130
130
211
Introduction to Art
Introduction to Music
Introduction to Theatre
Introduction to Literature
3
KSU 102 BRED Building 1
MAT 200 Intro to Statistical Reasoning and Analysis 4
EITHER PHY
OR BIO
OR PHS
130
103
211
211
Physics and Society
Env. Biology
Earth and Env Science
3

Year Two

Subject Prefix Course Number Course Name Semester Credit Hours
AFE 217 Plant Science 3
  101 Foreign Language I 3
IGS 200 The Ancient World 3
CHE 101 Gen Chem. I Lect. 3
CHE 110 Gen Chem. I Lav 1
AFE 211 Animal Science 3
  102 Foreign Language II 3
IGS 201 Convergent Traditions from Late Antiquity to the Renaissance 3
ECO* 200 Economics 3
CHE 102 Gen Chem. II Lect. 3
CHE 120 Gen Chem. II Lab 1

Year Three

Subject Prefix Course Number Course Name Semester Credit Hours
AFE 450 Human Health and Environment 3
AFE 3/4XX Option Requirement 3
AFE   Option Elective** 3
SOC 203 Introduction to Sociology 3
AFE   Option Elective* 3
AFE 311 Practicum I 2
AFE 3/4XX Option Requirement 3
AFE   AFE Elective** 3
AFE 340 Environ Sci. and Agroec. 3
AFE   Option Elective* 3

Year Four

Subject Prefix Course Number Course Name Semester Credit Hours
AFE 411 Practicum II 2
AFE 3/4XX Option Requirement 3
AFE 3/4XX Option Elective** 3
  3/4XX Liberal Studies Elective 3
AFE 3/4XX AFE Elective* 3
AFE 401 AFE Seminar 1
AFE 3/4XX Option Requirement 3
AFE 3/4XX Option Elective** 3
AFE 3/4XX AFE Elective 3
AFE 3/4XX AFE Elective 3

*Students in the Ag. Business Option take ECO 201 in place of ECO 200.

**Option electives are not available for Ag. Business option.