Ag Related Minors

A minor course of study provides students with the opportunity to gain additional and more diverse knowledge to complement their academic program. These options are available as an elective to any student who is enrolled in a Bachelor of Science degree program at Michigan State University as long as the minor is outside of the student's degree program.

Minor in Agronomy

The Minor in Agronomy is designed to serve students with majors in fields other than Crop & Soil Sciences who are interested in agronomy and who plan to pursue careers in agriculture for which a basic familiarity with the science of cropping systems is important. The minor will provide an opportunity for students to gain a fundamental understanding of the science of food production, including crop management, soil management, and plant breeding and biotechnology. For additional information, please contact Karen Renner renner@msu.edu .

Minor Requirements:

All of the following courses: (9 credits)
- CSS 101 Introduction to Crop Science - 3 credits
- CSS 101L Introduction to Crop Science Laboratory - 1 credit
- CSS 210 Fundamentals of Soil Science - 3 credits
- CSS 488 Agricultural Cropping Systems - 3 credits
One of the following courses: (2 or 3 credits)
- CSS 222 New Horizons in Biotechnology - 2 credits
- CSS 350 Introduction to Plant Genetics - 3 credits
- CSS 441 Plant Breeding and Biotechnology - 3 credits
One of the following courses: (2 or 3 credits)
- CSS 135 Crop Scouting and Investigation - 2 credits
- CSS 151 Seed and Grain Quality - 2 credits
- CSS 201 Forage Crops - 3 credits
- CSS 212 Advanced Crop Production - 2 credits
- CSS 251 Organic Farming Principles and Practices - 3 credits
- CSS 326 Weed Science - 2 credits
- CSS 424 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems - 3 credits
- CSS 431 International Agricultural Systems - 3 credits
- CSS 467 Bioenergy Feedstock Production - 3 credits
One of the following courses: (2 or 3 credits)
- CSS 330 Soil Chemistry - 2 credits
- CSS 340 Applied Soil Physics - 2 credits
- CSS 360 Soil Biology - 3 credits
- CSS 470 Soil Resources - 3 credits

Minor in International Agriculture

This International Agriculture Minor seeks to increase student understanding of global agriculture, particular agriculture-related problems and issues in developing and developed nations, and issues related to sustainability and stewardship of the Earth. Students who complete this minor will be prepared for effective employment in the arena of international agriculture and/or multinational firms. For additional information, please contact Dr. Sieg Snapp snapp@msu.edu.

Minor Requirements:

Foreign Language: 0 - 8 credits
Study Abroad Experience: 6 - 12 credits
Both of the following courses: (4 credits)

CSS 294 International Agriculture - 1 credits
CSS 431 International Agricultural Systems - 3 credits

One of the following courses: (3 credits)

ABM 427 Global Agri-Food Industries and Markets - 3 credits
ANR 250 Global Issues in Agriculture and Natural Resources - 3 credits
ANS 480 Animal Systems in International Development - 3 credits
EEP 260 World Food, Population and Poverty - 3 credits
GEO 410 Geography of Food and Agriculture
FOR 450 Forestry in International Development - 3 credits

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Minor

The Minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems is designed to foster active learning about agriculture and food systems for undergraduate students from different disciplinary backgrounds. Contemporary agriculture and food systems issues will be considered in biological, ecological, social, and economic contexts. For additional information, please contact Julie Cotton cotton@msu.edu.

Minor Requirements:

All of the following courses: (6 credits)

CSS 124 Introduction Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems - 2 credits
CSS 224 Sustainable Farm and Food Systems – 1 credit
CSS 424 Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems - 3 credits

One or two of the following courses (3 to 6 credits)

Agricultural Sciences

CSS 101 Introduction to Crop Science - 3 credits
CSS 360 Soil Biology - 3 credits
CSS 431 International Agricultural Systems - 3 credits
CSS 442 Agricultural Ecology
ENT 479 Organic Pest Management - 3 credits
HNF 150 Introduction to Human Nutrition – 3 credits
HRT 203 Principles of Horticulture - 3 credits
HRT 251 Organic Farming Principles and Practices - 3 credits
HRT 341 Vegetable Production and Management - 3 credits
HRT 486 Biotechnology in Agriculture: Applications and Ethical Issues – 3 credits

3. One or two of the following courses (3 to 6 credits)

Social Sciences

ABM 400 Public Policy Issues in the Agrifood System – 3 credits
CSUS 343 Community Food and Agricultural Systems -3 credits
EEP 255 Ecological Economics -3 credits
EEP 260 World Food, Population and Poverty - 3 credits
GEO 410 Geography of Food and Agriculture - 3 credits
HNF 406 Global Foods and Culture – 3 credits
RCAH 292B Engagement and Reflection - 3 credits

Minor in Entomology

The Minor in Entomology is designed to provide students with majors in agriculture and ecology-related fields, with a general understanding of insect identification, life history, and management. For additional information, please contact Christina DiFonzo or Walter Pett , and/or refer to the Department of Entomology section of the MSU Academics Programs Catalog.

Minor in Entomology Requirements.

Minor in Horticulture

The Minor in Horticulture is designed to provide an opportunity for students to gain a fundamental understanding of the science of horticulture and tailor their studies to food production, greenhouse and nursery crops, landscape design and management, or plant breeding and genetics. For additional information, please contact Susan Gruber and/or refer to the Department of Horticulture section of the MSU Academic Programs Catalog.

Minor in Horticulture Requirements.

Minor in Applied Development in International Agriculture and Natural Resources

This minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs and is designed for students who have an interest in applied development in international agriculture and natural resources. It seeks to increase student understanding of global agriculture, particular agriculture-related problems and issues in developing and developed nations, and issues related to sustainability and stewardship of the Earth. Students who complete this minor will gain knowledge and experience relevant for careers in international agriculture, international development, and related fields. Contact Sieglinde Snapp.

Minor in Applied Development in International Agriculture and Natural Resources Requirements.

Minor in Nutritional Sciences

The Minor in Nutritional Sciences, which is administered by the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, will broaden students’ understanding of the science of nutrition and the relationships between food and health. For additional information, please contact Dale Romos and/or refer to the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition section of the MSU Academic Programs Catalog.

Minor in Nutritional Sciences Requirements.

Minor in Plant, Animal and Microbial Biotechnology

The minor provides the opportunity for students who are enrolled in biological science–related undergraduate programs to become familiar with the concepts, techniques, and issues related to modern biotechnology. The minor is designed for students who may be planning to pursue graduate study in biotechnology–related disciplines or who may be interested in careers with corporations or agencies for which a basic familiarity with biotechnology is a prerequisite. For additional information, please contact Susan Gruber and/or refer to the MSU Academic Programs Catalog.

Minor in Technology Systems Management

The Minor in Technology Systems Management, which is administered by the Departments of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, serves students interested in technology for management decision support who are pursuing careers in agriculture and natural resources. The minor provides an opportunity to gain a working knowledge of technologies necessary to monitor and manage aspects of food, agriculture, and natural resource systems. For additional information, please contact Dr. Luke Reese at reesel@msu.edu and refer to the MSU Academic Programs Catalog.