Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Studies with Natural Resource Management Option is a major within the School of Professional Studies. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu or call 1-800-279-HAWK.
Degree Requirements:
- General Education
- Core Curriculum
- Option(s) Courses
- Electives
Student Learning Outcomes
Agricultural Studies graduates will be able to demonstrate:
- The application of basic scientific and economic principles to agricultural production, business, and resource management. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcome II.)
- The application of production concepts appropriate to the Northern Great Plains region. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes II and VI.)
- Oral, written, and graphical communication skills. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcome III.)
- An understanding of agricultural resource management in a broader global, socioeconomic context. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I and V.)
- The application of leadership skills necessary for successful advocacy at local, state, regional, and national levels. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcome IV.)
Career Options
Why should you pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree - Agricultural Studies: Natural Resource Management Option?
Students pursuing the natural resource management option of the bachelor’s in agricultural studies combine a strong science foundation with an understanding of agriculture and resource management to prepare for employment as a soil conservationist in government service at the local, state and federal levels and in the conservation and reclamation of arable lands.
Possible Career Paths
- Government Service
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- Soil Conservation District (SCD)
- NGO Environmental Consulting (domestic and international)
- Farming Industry
- Agronomy Consulting
- Land Reclamation
- Environmental Consultant
Requirements
THE FOLLOWING ARE REQUIRED AS PART OF GENERAL EDUCATION
AGRICULTURAL STUDIES CORE CURRICULUM
| AGEC 241 | Introduction to Agricultural Economics | 3 |
| AGEC 342 | Introduction to Agricultural Management | 3 |
| AGRI 350 | Agricultural Data Analysis and Statistics | 4 |
| AGRI 391 | Junior Seminar | 1 |
| AGRI 394 | Undergraduate Research | 1 |
| H&CE 241 | Leadership and Presentation Techniques | 3 |
| PLSC 110 | World Food Crops | 3 |
| RNG 236 | Introduction to Range Management | 4 |
| SOIL 210 | Introduction to Soil Science | 4 |
One course from the following two courses (3 credits):
One course from the following two courses (3 credits):
One course from the following two courses (1 credit):
AGRI 491 and RNG 491 are capstone experience seminars that consist of an independent study with a public presentation and a professional paper requirement.
One course from the following three courses (3 credits):
| AGRI 280 | Technology in Agriculture | 3 |
| GIS 380 | Applied Arc GIS | 3 |
| GIS 381 | Geographic Information Systems for Business | 3 |
One course from the following four courses (3 credits):
| BOTE 210 | Business Communication | 3 |
| COMM 212 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 216 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 317 | Organizational and Group Communication | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 39 |
Natural Resource Management Option
Students pursuing the Natural Resource Management option combine a strong science foundation with an understanding of agriculture and resource management to prepare for employment as a soil conservationist in government service, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Students will be required to take GIS 380 – Applied Arc GIS as part of the Agricultural Studies core curriculum. Students will be required to take GEOL 105, GEOL 105L – Physical Geology and Lab as the General Education science elective. If not taken as a General Education class, it must be taken to fulfill the Natural Resource Management option requirements.
Two pairs from the following three choices (9-10 credits):
At least five to six credits from the following choices:
Semester Sequence
First Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Fifth Semester
Sixth Semester
Seventh Semester
Eighth Semester
Agriculture Electives (5-6 Credits)
- BIOL 250 - Wildlife Management (3 credits)
- BIOL 254: Introduction to Botony (4 credits)
- BIOL 415: Ecology (4 credits)
- GEOL 311: Process Geomorphology (4 credits)
- GEOL 330: Physical Geology of North Dakota (3 credits)
- GIS 480: GPS/GIS II (3 credits)
- PLSC 235: Field Scouting Techniques (2 credits)
- PLSC 486: Forages and Forage Systems (3 credits)
- SOIL 322 - Soil Fertility and Fertilizers (3 credits)
- SOIL 350: Soil Health and Productivity (3 credits)
- SOIL 455 - Soil Microbiology (3 credits)
Science Electives (9-10 Credits)
Communication Elective (3 Credits)
- BOTE 210: Business Communication (3 credits)
- COMM 212: Oral Interpretation
- COMM 317: Organization and Group Communication
- If taken COMM 216: Interpersonal Communication (3 credits), elective is met