Integrated Agricultural Sciences

M.S.Integrated Agricultural Sciences

Students develop technical and leadership skills necessary for an effective career in addressing and solving real-world food and agricultural issues.

By integrating animal science, plant and soil science, agricultural economics, and agricultural education into one program, students experience a transdisciplinary approach to research and education concerning land use strategies, crop and animal production, distribution, sales, economics, policy, and the environment.

Course Work

The program requires completion of 36 semester credit hours for thesis and professional students. Courses include statistics, agricultural development and policy, research methods, agroecology, foundations of ethics and leadership in agriculture, and the role of animal science in society. In addition to core classes, students will choose courses in four focused research areas: agricultural business; economics and policy; agricultural education; animal science; and crop and soil science. Students will also take courses in a variety of departments such as biology, geography, engineering technology, and others. Instruction is delivered on the San Marcos Campus.

Program Details

Research conducted by graduate students will be connected to real-world agricultural issues, as well as recommendations from our industry advisory committee and stakeholders, including small farmers and ranchers.

Program Mission

The Department of Agricultural Sciences provides an enriched learning environment for a diverse body of graduate students and prepares them for careers in agriculture-related fields at the state, national and international levels. The department conducts multidisciplinary research and provides services that enhance the livelihood of farming communities and improve food security.

Career Options

• agricultural economist
• farm and ranch manager
• nursery manager
• animal scientist
• plant scientist
• agronomist
• grower
• land conservationist
• natural resources specialist 
• extension agent
• agricultural loan specialist
• agricultural credit analyst
•  agricultural instructor
• agricultural sales manager
• agricultural inspector
• hydroponic/aquaponic production manager

Program Faculty

Faculty specialize in:

• agricultural economic development
• agricultural education
• animal endocrinology, physiology, and reproduction
• animal nutrition
• composting science
• controlled environment agriculture
• economics of aquaponics production
• goat and small ruminant production
• horticultural therapy
• hydroponic methods
• invasive species
• soil health
• recycling nutrients from food waste