This program was created and replaced the Crop Science, Entomology, and Soil Science degrees in 1993. Since department restructuring in 1997, the program is shared between the Plant Sciences and Renewable Resources Departments. Plant Sciences has been teaching 70% of the required hours and advising about 80% of the students. The program experienced a steady increase in enrollment and more than doubled by 1996. This was during a period when the College enrollment increased 5%. Since 1996, enrollment has been flat and at a level below our goals. In an attempt to further increase enrollment, the program is being revised to allow students to obtain concentrations or minors in a broader range of areas. The Plant Sciences Department will also increase the number of horticulture courses in an attempt to attract more students. The current and proposed course requirements are on the following pages.
The program has a strong internship program. The broad interests of agroecology students is reflected in the internships they have completed (following pages). The program has supported a Freshman Interest Group (FIG) the past two years. The first three years of the program can be completed at NWC-Powell.
The agronomy programs are
only within the Plant Sciences Department and includes the disciplines of Crop
Science, Weed Science and Plant Pathology.
Plant Pathology joined the program in 1997. The program currently has 13 M.S. and 4 Ph.D.
students enrolled. Ten of these students
are on a graduate assistantship (5 hard-money and 5 soft-money). The number of graduate students has grown
significantly since the department was formed in 1997. Since 1998, 4 M.S. and 4 Ph.D. students have
graduated in agronomy.
Instructional programs are supported by 13% of the faculty/academic professional FTE's. Effective 7/1/01, it will be 16% (2.35 FTE).
