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Agronomy

Agronomy

Agroecology Programs

Agroecology at the University of Florida is a collaboration between the Agronomy Department, the Soil and Water Sciences Department, the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, the Entomology and Nematology Department, and the School of Natural Resources and Environment, which has five offerings, including M.S. and Ph.D. concentrations and three graduate certificates. The core curriculum of each of these offerings emphasizes the interdisciplinary studies and global perspectives in agriculture, environment and society. UF Agroecology incorporates local, regional, national and international research and study opportunities.

  • Master's Concentration in Agroecology

    The goal of this degree is to train students in agriculture through the application of ecological concepts and principles to design, develop and manage sustainable agricultural systems. An approach like this one, at the crossroads of production agriculture, environmental and societal issues, makes for an interesting profile on the job market.

    Four majors are available for students to choose from: Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Agronomy, Entomology and Nematology, or Soil and Water Sciences. Agroecology is a concentration, thus the degree will read "Master's Degree in [the major you choose] with a concentration in Agroecology". We offer both a thesis and a non-thesis concentration. The thesis MS is a typically considered a full-time engagement and involves performing research. The non-thesis MS does not involve research, and is compatible with students who are currently employed and are looking to further their careers.

    Tuition is about $558.44/Credit Hour for 100% online degree program (similar to FL residency rate). Degree completion requires: GPA of 3.0 in 30 credit hours of coursework beyond a Bachelor's degree, supervisory committee-approved non-thesis project or thesis, seminar presentation, and final examination with supervisory committee.

    1- REQUIRED CORE COURSES (12-16 CREDITS)

    • ALS 5155 - Global Agroecosystems - Maltais-Landry and Wilson – 3 Credits Fall
    • AGR 6933 / SWS/ABE/NEM/ENY 6931 Graduate Seminar – 1 Credit Fall or Spring
    • ALS 6031 Project Team Research: Building Skills in Agrobiology – 3 Credits Fall or Spring or ABE 6933 / AGG 5607 Special Topics in Agricultural and Biological Engineering / Communicating in Academia – 3 Credits Spring
    • STA 6093 Intro to Applied Statistics – 3 Credits Fall or Spring
    • AGR/SWS/AOM/ENY/NEM 6905 Agroecology Project (non-thesis) – 2 Credits Fall or Spring. Thesis students can complete research hours for up to 6 credits.

    2- SELECT TWO OF THE FOLLOWING (6 CREDITS)

    3- SELECT ONE COURSE FROM YOUR MAJOR AND A SECOND FROM A DIFFERENT MAJOR (6 CREDITS)

    1. Agronomy focus area:
    2. Soil and Water Sciences focus area:
    3. Agricultural and Biological Engineering focus area
    4. Entomology and Nematology focus area

    4- ELECTIVE COURSES TO REACH 30 CREDITS

    Students can choose from a broad interdisciplinary range of courses including:

    • Entomology
    • Integrated Pest Management
    • Extension
    • Cropping systems
    • Natural Resources
    • Policy

    APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

    • Bachelor of Science degree with a major in agriculture, agronomy, crop science, soil science or a related life science and an upper-division GPA of 3.0.
    • If you do not have a Bachelor's in a related science, we ask for at least two chemistry and two biology courses, an intro to plant science course and an intro to soil science courses. Please make sure to check specific admission requirements of the specific major you are applying to.  
    • The GRE is no longer required, and scores should not be submitted even if you have them. 
    • For graduate assistantship consideration, we recommend that you recruit a faculty member to support your admission prior to formally applying to UF.

    HOW TO APPLY:

    • Formally apply online to the University of Florida: admissions.ufl.edu. The cost is $30 plus a handling fee of $7.
    • Self-report GPA score
    • Indicate “Distance learning” if applying to online non-thesis degree
    • Indicate on UF application “Agroecology” as “Specialization.”
    • For thesis degree, insert name of UF faculty member with whom you might have conversed about thesis research or graduate assistantship opportunities
    • Upload: Statement of Purpose, Resume, Transcript copies
    • After submitting, let us know! Email: agroecology@ifas.ufl.edu

    APPLICATION DEADLINES:

    • January for Fall Graduate Assistantship consideration.
    • February for Summer (self-funded)
    • September for Spring (self-funded)
    • May for Fall (self-funded)
  • Ph.D. concentration in Global Systems Agroecology

    Provide students with an expanded international exposure and hands-on learning in international cropping systems.

    The PhD concentration focuses on a strong foundation in the ecological principles that drive the study of diverse cropping systems across the world. These systems cross the full spectrum of agricultural production from traditional, alternative, and integrated soil-plant-livestock systems. Completion of this concentration provides proof of an experience level in global agricultural production, an achievement that many industry and academic positions currently demand at the PhD level.

    The PhD concentration emphasizes coursework at deeper levels within the ecological foundation of agroecology and in the three core areas within the discipline: production, natural resource conservation, and societal impacts. Five majors are available (Agronomy, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Entomology and Nematology, Interdisciplinary Ecology or Soil and Water Sciences), and the curriculum includes participation in an international research experience from one of the UF Agroecology Partner Institutions (Click here for more information).

    All coursework listed in the concentration is available online

    REQUIRED CORE COURSES (12 CREDITS)

    Each student must spend some time abroad at one of our Partner Institutions, during which students are expected to participate in ongoing research at the host institution with resident faculty mentors. The student can still enroll in distance education UF classes offered by the program while abroad.

    ELECTIVE COURSES (9 CREDITS; ONE COURSE FROM EACH CATEGORY)

    ECOLOGY:

    MODELING:

    SOCIAL SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS:

    APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS

    • Master of Science degree with a major in agriculture, agronomy, crop science, soil science, or an equivalent degree in an allied field such as horticulture, entomology, environmental engineering, natural resources, or ecology, and bachelor’s degree with an upper-division GPA of 3.0
    • GRE quantitative score in 150-160 range (not required for Soil and Water Sciences major)
    • UF Faculty member support to encourage applying for graduate assistantship

    Due to current admission examination testing difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic the Agronomy Department, in sync with the UF Graduate School, is waiving the GRE requirement for applicants seeking Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Summer A/B/C 2021, or Fall 2021 admission. This temporary emergency waiver applies only to admission for those four semesters.

    HOW TO APPLY

    • Formally apply online to the University of Florida: admissions.ufl.edu. The cost for application is $30 plus a $7 handling fee.
    • Select the major, either “Agronomy”, "Agricultural and Biological Engineering" or “Soil and Water Sciences”.
    • Self-report GPA and GRE test scores
    • Insert name of UF faculty member with whom you have conversed about dissertation research as a graduate assistant
    • Upload: Statement of Purpose, Resume, Transcript copies
    • After submitting, let us know! Email: agroecology@ifas.ufl.edu

    APPLICATION DEADLINES

    • January for Fall admission and Graduate Assistantship consideration – indicate on UF application “Agroecology” as “Specialization.”
  • Graduate Certificates

    SUSTAINABLE AGROECOSYSTEMS

    Comprises courses from diverse, interdisciplinary backgrounds, emphasizing sustainability; resource management; crop eco-physiology; environmental nutrient and water management. Students will be able to describe and analyze the interactions of production agriculture and the natural environment. Offered 100% online. Click here for more information on this certificate.

    TROPICAL AGRICULTURE

    Designed to address the unique challenges faced with integrating production, environment, and society in tropical agroecosystems. Click here for more information

    BENEFITS FOR ALL THREE CERTIFICATES INCLUDE

    • Accredited
    • Transcript and Resume builder
    • Flat tuition rate of $542.47 per credit hour.
    • Courses passed with grade B or higher qualify to transfer into M.S. thesis or Ph.D. degrees

    ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

    UF Admission requirements include an earned Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution or equivalent in a natural resource discipline and/or at least two biology, two chemistry courses, introduction to plant science and introduction to soil science, or equivalent.
    The GRE is not required for admission. For questions about admission and prerequisites, email agroecology@ifas.ufl.edu

    APPLICATION PROCESS

    It is recommended one applies at least four months prior to a given term.
    Applicants should upload an application packet that includes a resume and unofficial transcript copy:

    • Submit application at https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/more.
    • Select the certificate of choice: Sustainable Agroecosystems, Global Agroecology or Tropical Agriculture. The UF application fee is $30.
    • UF Admissions requires official academic credentials. After applying, order your official bachelor’s transcripts and have them sent to UF Admissions.

    ADMISSION PROCESS

    • Admission is tracked by UF Admissions, Agronomy, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, and the UF Graduate School.
    • Once processed in UF Admissions, the application is referred to the Agronomy Department for review of your academic credentials and resume to verify prerequisites before offering admission. Formal application does not guarantee an offer of admission.

    Apply today and join others making leaps in professional development:

    • Government and State Employees
    • Researchers and Scientists
    • Consultants
    • Students at UF or other universities
    • Individuals who desire a “bridge” to a higher degree
  • Partner Institutions

    ALS 5905 INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH IMMERSION

    This 3 credits class was designed to provide students with the possibility to get a research experience abroad. Students are encouraged to spend up to one semester abroad, and they can do so while taking online classes at UF. ALS 5905 is a requirement for the Global Systems Agroecology Ph.D. concentration but is open to all students within the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
    To help facilitate the connection with an international institution, the Agroecology team has worked hard these past few years to develop a network of partners throughout the world. A contact faculty has been identified at each of these institutions, and will work with students to put them in contact with the appropriate faculty mentor they are interested in workingwith. We are also aware of accommodations opportunities at most of the institutions, and will provide assistance in finding accommodation prior to the trip.
    While abroad, students are expected to take an active part in on-going research on site. Students are not required to lead their own research while abroad, but this can be discussed with both the student's advisor and international mentor once identified. Students going abroad will be asked to write 2 to 3 blog posts about their experience that can be shared with all of the UF Agroecology community.
    The living expenses abroad are at the students' charge, and some travel awards may be available periodically through the Center for Stress Resilient Agriculture.
    If you are interested in this experience, please contact Dr. Rose Koenig rlkoenig@ufl.edu well in advance to plan your trip and find a mentor at the partner institution you want to visit. Please include your targeted institutions and a brief summary of what you hope to accomplish while abroad.

    Browse our International Partners e-book ! 

     

  • ExcelAGator

    >ExcelAGator is a new initiative recently launched through the CSRA (Center for Stress Resilient Agriculture). It was created with the goal to better prepare graduate students to enter the private sector (industry, non-profit, etc.).

    EXCELAGATOR CONSISTS OF 3 UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES:

    ALS 6031 PROJECT TEAM RESEARCH: BUILDING SKILLS IN AGROBIOLOGY

    (3 CREDITS)

    This course provides students with hands-on experience solving a real-world problem faced by an agricultural partner. ALS 6031 meets the CALS Professional Development criteria for doctoral student by emphasizing acquiring/refining skills within the following areas: project management; working in interdisciplinary teams; effective communication (written and oral) with peers and mentors; tackling complex projects through creative and novel approaches, and formulating, designing, and presenting methodologies to solve problems. Project Teams are offered each semester and students from all disciplines are welcome!

    ALS 5905 INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH IMMERSION

    (3 CREDITS)

    Our International Immersion course provides students with the opportunity to conduct a semester long research internship abroad with a UF Agroecology partner institution. Students currently have 13 institutions to choose from, including Wageningen University in the Netherlands, Harper Adams University in the UK, and Gyeongsang National University in South Korea. This class is available to all UF students and is offered every term. Contact the Agroecology team now for more information on this exciting international opportunity!

    A2I (ACCELERATE TO INDUSTRY)SYMPOSIUM:

    This innovative symposium hosted in partnership with NC State University features developmental workshops, panel discussions, presentations from industry stakeholders, and networking events – all focused on developing skills that provide students with a competitive edge in the agricultural job market. Participants will also have the opportunity to interview and discuss career opportunities with industry leaders during this 4-day event. Only 30 selected graduate students and postdoctoral associates will be chosen to attend our A2i event, so stay tuned for updates on participating companies and application process for students!

  • Agroecology Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees Per Credit Hour
    Agroecology Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees Per Credit Hour      
      (Florida Resident) (Out-of-State Resident) **Online
    Tuition — Graduate Rate $448.73 $448.73 $529.25
    Capital Improvement Fund $6.76 $6.76 $6.76
    Student Financial Aid $22.43 $22.43 $22.43
    Technology Fee $6.56 $6.56 $6.56
    Activity and Service Fee $19.06 $19.06 -
    Athletic Fee $1.90 $1.90 - 
    Health Fee $15.81 $15.81 -
    Transportation Access $9.44 $9.44 -
    Non-Resident Fee -  $690.21 - 
    Non-Resident Student Financial Aid -  $34.51 - 
    Total Tuition and Fees Per Credit Hour $530.69 $1,255.41 $565.00
           
           

    **Online Program: Note that these programs are "self-supporting". Per Florida Board of Governor Regulations 8.002, the term "self-supporting" describes a budgetary model and does not impact student financial aid eligibility.