Harold and Pearl Dripps Department of Agricultural Sciences

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Frederick “Chip” LeMieux, Head
Faculty: Bertrand, Chung, Dong, Ferguson, Goodwin, Kee, Lyons, Phillips, Shields, Stevenson, Storer, Wyman

The overall purpose of The Harold and Pearl Dripps Department of Agricultural Sciences is to provide students with the skills required to meet the changing needs and demands of agriculture and to enable students to become active and productive members of society. More specifically, the primary objectives of the Department are:

1. To prepare students for careers in agriculture and natural resource management.
2. To contribute to the intellectual development of students.
3. To enable students to effectively participate in and make significant contributions to contemporary society.

Curricula

The Department of Agricultural Sciences is organized to offer curricula in Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Education—Grades 6-12, Environmental Science, Environmental Science Education-Grades 6-12, and Wildlife Management. In addition, the department offers numerous courses in plant and soil science for students desiring to obtain specialized training in these areas.

The Agricultural Sciences core is designed to prepare students for career opportunities in Animal Science, Equine Science, and Agribusiness, as well as General Agriculture. The Animal Science Concentration provides students with theoretical and practical training in the evaluation, breeding, feeding, management, and marketing of livestock. The Equine Science Concentration is designed to familiarize and train students for employment in the horse industry.

The Agribusiness Concentration is designed to emphasize the development of the student’s managerial ability. Students are trained for careers in a wide variety of opportunities in agribusiness, industry, and government.

The Agricultural Sciences degree provides students with training in many facets of the agricultural industry such as animal science, agribusiness, and plant and soil science. Students choosing this career path are prepared for employment in the general agriculture industry as well as agriculturally oriented government agencies.

Students interested in attending a school of veterinary medicine are encouraged to meet with the McNeese Pre-Veterinary Medicine Advisor to discuss which of the three choices listed below is best for them.
McNeese offers Pre-Veterinary Medicine students three choices:

1. Two years of pre-veterinary basic requirements.
2. Pursue and complete the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science with a Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration.
3. Pursue and complete three years of the Agricultural Science with a Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration and, after completion of the first year of veterinary school be granted the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Science.

The purpose of the Environmental Science program is to provide individuals with the essential background for understanding and working with the protection, monitoring, and conservation of the environment. Students who complete the program are prepared for a wide variety of careers in business, industry, and government. The program also prepares students to enter graduate programs in environmental science or related fields.

The purpose of the Wildlife Management curriculum is to provide training for students in areas related to wildlife conservation and management. Students are prepared for employment with both private and governmental agencies responsible for managing natural resources.

The Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Science, and the Wildlife Management curricula are designed to prepare students for graduate study in a variety of disciplines.

Graduation Requirements

A student in the Department of Agricultural Sciences must meet all graduation  requirements listed in the “Graduation Requirements” of the Academic Regulations section of this catalog. In addition, all course work in Agriculture that applies towarda degree must be accomplished with a minimum grade of “C”. Each student is also required to complete a capstone experience, which includes taking and satisfactorily passing a departmental exam in their concentration.

A student majoring in Agricultural Education—Grades 6-12 is responsible for all requirements pertaining to Teacher Education Preparation.

Minors

The Department of Agricultural Sciences offers minors in Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Science,e and Wildlife Management. Requirements are listed in each program.

McNeese Course Equivalencies for the LCPAC Core

The Department of Agricultural Sciences is a member of the Louisiana Consortium of Public Agricultural Colleges (LCPAC). The consortium has developed a two-year core curriculum designed to facilitate the transfer of students majoring in an agriculture program among Louisiana public colleges and universities.

Graduate Studies

The departments of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, and Agricultural Sciences offer an interdepartmental Master of Science Degree in Environmental and Chemical Sciences.

A student may concentrate in Agricultural Sciences, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or Chemistry/Environmental Science Education.

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