Agricultural Sciences
Program Highlights
The Agricultural Sciences program is a great way to explore and learn more about animals, plants, and biotechnology and how they influence the world around us. Many different sciences are applied to this program—biology, animal husbandry, ecology, biotechnology, soil and environmental sciences. Laboratory experiments and long-term scientific projects are the core of this program, with the senior year having a capstone project that is great preparation for continuing education or introduction for a laboratory technician job. This program provides students with the opportunity to learn about the most important science—Agricultural Science. Without it, there is no food or fiber to make the world’s products. Agricultural Sciences is NOT just about farming—it is about sustaining the future for a growing population on a planet with finite resources. Do you like getting outside? Do you like working with animals or plants? Do you like hands-on work? Do you like to learn about new and exciting technologies? Then Ag Science is for you!
Program Course Sequence
Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources
Junior Year - First Semester
This course will introduce students to the world of agriculture, the pathways they may pursue, and the science, mathematics, reading and writing components they will use throughout the program. Students in the course will experience exciting hands-on activities, projects, and problems. Student experiences will involve the study of communication, the science of agriculture,
plants, animals, and natural resources. While learning about the opportunities available in agriculture and natural resources, students will learn to solve problems, conduct research, analyze data, work in teams, and take
responsibility for their work, actions, and learning.
Principles of Agricultural Science - Animal
Junior Year - Second Semester
This course is structured to enable all students to have a variety of experiences that will provide an overview of the field of agricultural science with a foundation in animal science. Students will participate in hands-on projects and
activities to recognize the characteristics of animal science. Students will participate in projects and problems similar to those in animal science specialties, such as veterinarians, zoologists, livestock producers, or industry
personnel, face in their respective careers. Students will continue to build their skills to investigate, conduct experiments, and document projects that solve real life problems. Students will communicate their solutions through reports
and presentations.
Animal and Plant Biotechnology
Senior Year - All Year
This specialization course is designed to increase student understanding related to biotechnology concepts. Students will complete hands-on activities, projects, and problems designed to build content knowledge and technical skills in the field of biotechnology. Students are expected to become proficient at projects involving micropipetting, bacterial cultures and transformations, electrophoresis, and polymerase chain reaction. Students investigate current laboratory practices and techniques. In addition, students will understand the connections between the course and the FFA components that are important for the development of an informed agricultural education. Students will investigate, experiment, and learn about documenting a project, solving problems, and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community.
Honors Agriculture, Research, and Development Capstone
Senior Year - All Year
In this course, students will apply the methods and knowledge learned from the previous Agricultural Sciences courses to synthesize their own research project to further expand their understanding and knowledge surrounding a specific problem. Students will identify a scientific question, develop and implement research procedures, document the research, analyze the resulting data, and
present their findings and recommendations through a written report, a visual display, and a poster presentation. Students that complete, present, and pass the student directed research project will be eligible to apply for and earn five transcripted credits from the Institute of Applied Agriculture at the University of Maryland.
Note: If all of the above courses are passed, the student will also earn 1 science credit.
Entry-Level Salaries Estimates by Field
Lab Animal Technician - $40,844
Food Safety Inspector - $42,000 - $46,000
Agricultural Marketing Representative- $50,000 - $51,000
Food Product Developer - $68,000 - $71,000
Veterinarian - $97,000 - $116,000
