Create Your Future in Agriculture
Agriculture’s future depends on knowledgeable leaders and educators who understand the industry from the ground up. The Agricultural Science major prepares you through hands-on learning across agricultural disciplines while building the knowledge and experience to educate, inspire and lead the next generation.
What You’ll Study
You’ll explore the interconnected systems of agriculture through coursework in animal science, plant and soil science, agribusiness, engineering technology and natural resources while tailoring your education to your interests and career goals.
What You’ll Take Away
You’ll graduate with a broad understanding of agriculture, hands-on experience and the communication and leadership skills to share your knowledge with others. Build a foundation for careers in agricultural education, industry leadership and related fields.
Find Your Focus in Agriculture
Build an agricultural education that reflects your interests and ambitions. Whether you aspire to teach, specialize in a particular field or explore opportunities across the industry, you’ll gain the knowledge and hands-on experience to shape your own path.
Pathway to Agricultural Teaching
Prepare to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders through a pathway to becoming an agricultural educator. Explore teaching through early field experiences and coursework that helps prepare you for Cal Poly’s agricultural teaching credential program.
Shape Your Education
Make your degree your own through six emphasis areas spanning agricultural engineering technology, agribusiness, animal science, plant and soil science, forestry and natural resources, and ornamental horticulture. Build specialized knowledge around your interests and career goals.
Build a Path That’s Your Own
Build a broad foundation in agriculture that opens doors to careers across the industry and opportunities for advanced study. Through hands-on learning and interdisciplinary coursework, you’ll develop knowledge and skills you can apply to a variety of professional and graduate pathways.
Coursework Highlights
Explore coursework that gives you a broad foundation in agriculture while letting you dive deeper into the systems, industries and challenges that interest you most.
Classes and Labs
Step behind the scenes of fairs and expositions as you explore public outreach, education, event management, funding and industry relations. Put your learning into action through a major Western Fairs Association project and field trip.
Develop the confidence to communicate ideas clearly and effectively. You’ll plan, deliver, and evaluate presentations using a range of formats and technology.
Build practical confidence with the tools, materials and systems that support agriculture. You’ll work with metal, wood, concrete, wiring, engines, and more while learning the safety practices behind every project.
Follow food safety from farm to fork. Explore agricultural and manufacturing practices, regulations and preventative systems that help protect food quality and public health.
Understand the forces behind food and fiber markets. You’ll explore supply, demand, pricing, and production decisions while gaining insight into the systems that shape agricultural resources.
Explore the many roles' animals play in agriculture and society, from food production and science to companionship and recreation. You’ll examine current issues in animal welfare, biosecurity and One Health.
Understand the forces behind food and fiber markets. You’ll explore supply, demand, pricing, and production decisions while gaining insight into the systems that shape agricultural resources.
Turn information into informed decisions. Build spreadsheets, data management and analysis skills that help you organize insights, solve problems, and communicate findings in agribusiness settings.
Learn directly from leaders in government, industry and professional organizations. Explore the trends, challenges and solutions shaping agricultural communication through expert presentations and a required field trip.
Experience Agricultural Science
Build your community and your career through hands-on labs, industry experiences and opportunities that connect you to the people, systems and ideas moving agriculture forward.
Find Your People
Connect with classmates who share your interests, develop leadership skills and expand your perspective through student organizations, events and shared experiences across the college.
Industry Experience and Connection
Apply what you learn through internships and a senior project that reflects your interests and goals. Build professional experiences, explore career paths and create work that shows what you can do.
Living laboratories
Your classroom extends into labs, fields and working agricultural facilities where you’ll explore everything from animal and plant science to food processing and engineering. Gain firsthand experience across the many disciplines that shape modern agriculture.
Explore Agricultural Science
Discover more about the major, areas of emphasis and hands-on opportunties that can help you find your place in agriculture.