Minors

Minors in CANR

While completing the requirement for a degree in Animal Science, students may use their elective credits to complete a minor in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Students should consult with their Animal Science advisor as well as the advisor for the minor to coordinate schedules.

⇒ Course Descriptions

Minor in Agribusiness Management

Office of the Registrar: Program Description and Requirements

The Minor in Agribusiness Management is designed to serve students with majors in other fields who are interested in careers in agribusiness. The primary educational objective of the minor is to provide students with a fundamental knowledge of business management in relation to agribusiness firms. The minor is available as an elective to all students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in Agribusiness Management. The minor is administered by the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.

At least 12 credits counted towards the requirements for this minor must be unique. Unique credits must not be used to fulfill another university, college, or major requirement in the student's program.

To apply for the minor, contact Ruthi Bloomfield (517-432-5298) or Dale Elshoff (517-884-8976). Their offices are located in Justin S. Morrill Hall, 446 W. Circle Dr., Room 1.

Minor in Agronomy

Office of the Registrar: Program Description and Requirements

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 Dr. Karen Renner (517-355-0271 x1233).

Minor in Food Industry Management

Office of the Registrar: Program Description and Requirements

The Minor in Food Industry management is designed to serve students with majors in other fields who are interested in careers in the food industry. The primary educational objective of the minor is to provide students with a fundamental knowledge of business management in relation to the food industry.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in food industry management. The minor is administered by the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.

The Minor in Food Industry Management consists of 18 credits. At least 12 credits counted towards the requirements for this minor must not be used to fulfill another university, college, or major requirement in the student's program.

To apply for the minor, contact Ruthi Bloomfield (517-432-5298) or Dale Elshoff (517-884-8976). Their offices are located in Justin S. Morrill Hall, 446 W. Circle Dr., Room 1.

Minor in Food Processing and Technology

Office of the Registrar: Program Description and Requirements

The Minor in Food Processing and Technology is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (other than the Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in food science), The School of Hospitality Business, the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics and to students who are enrolled in the Environmental Biology/Microbiology and Microbiology coordinate majors in Lyman Briggs College. The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition administers this minor.

The primary educational objective of the minor is to provide students with basic knowledge of food processing. The undergraduate coordinator for food science in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition is available to assist students in planning their programs of study for the minor.

With the approval of the college and department that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Contact Jeffrey Swada in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition: 469 Wilson Rd, Room 106D Trout Building, East Lansing, MI 48824 / 517-884-5993.

Minor in Plant, Animal and Microbial Biotechnology

Office of the Registrar: Program Description and Requirements

The Minor in Plant, Animal and Microbial Biotechnology in the College of Agricultural and Natural Resources is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in Bachelor of Science degree programs with majors in Animal Science, Biosystems Engineering, Fisheries and Wildlife, Food Science, Forestry, Horticulture, and Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences as well as students from other colleges, such as Natural Science, who may have related interests. The minor is administered by the Department of Horticulture.

The minor provides the opportunity for students who are enrolled in biological science-related undergraduate programs to become familiar with the concepts, techniques, applications, 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.

With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

For more information contact Susan Gruber.

Laboratory Research Requirement

Students pursuing this minor are required to participate in a research experience. For most students, this requirement is met by enrolling in one or more credits of Independent Study or Undergraduate Research, working on a research project in the lab of a Professor in their department or a related discipline. In some cases, the requirement may also be fulfilled by work a student has done on a non–credit Undergraduate Research Program project or work as a student employee in a research lab.

Plans for Independent Study and the alternate options must be approved by one of the Professors who serve as advisors for the minor. Students are encouraged to contact one of the following individuals before finalizing their plans:

Students will be required to provide documentation of their completed research experience. Acceptable forms include:

  1. A completed Independent Study or Undergraduate Research form with the signature of the Professor, and a passing grade for these credits reported at the end of the project. OR
  2. A written description of a non-credit project (approximately one page), and written confirmation from the supervising faculty member that the experience was equivalent to at least one credit of Independent Study.

Documentation should be submitted to Susan Gruber, A164 Plant and Soil Sciences. 

Minor in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

Office of the Registrar: Program Description and Requirements

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.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. The student’s program of study must be approved by the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences in advance and in writing.

For additional information, please contact Julie Cotton.

Animal Science (B.S.)

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