Department of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Mission

The Department of Agricultural and Life Sciences prepares students to become science professionals in the fields of Agricultural Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The department stresses small class size and undergraduate research to better prepare students to graduate and enter the work force, graduate school, or professional school in a broad range of fields from health, pharmacy and forensic science to environmental science and science education.

Description

The Department of Agricultural and Life Sciences includes Sustainable Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, and Exercise Science and offers the following degrees: B.S. in Biology and Chemistry; Minors in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science.

In cooperation with the College of Education, the department offers a B.S. in Life Science and Physical Science at the Adolescent to Young Adult Level, and Science at the Middle Childhood level (see requirements under the College of Education).

Majors must fulfill the University General Education requirements, and the specific requirements for each degree program. Students pursuing degrees in the Natural Sciences may use their major courses to replace the General Education Natural Sciences requirements. Students with majors in education must fulfill the requirements of the College of Education, in addition to the requirements in the department. Credits toward the major from an accredited institution may be accepted at the discretion of the department. All candidates for graduation must pass either the English Proficiency Examination or complete ENG3000 with a grade of "C" or higher. It is the responsibility of the student for knowing and adhering to published schedules for the administration of the test, and applying for graduation.

Getting Involved

Natural Science Majors at Central State are eligible to become members of Beta Kappa Chi. Beta Kappa Chi is a national scientific honor society whose purpose is encouraging the advancement of scientific education through original investigations; the dissemination of scientific knowledge; and the stimulation of high scholarship in the pure and applied sciences.

Biology majors are eligible to become members of the biological honor society Beta Beta Beta (Tribeta); the CSU chapter is Lambda Iota. TriBeta is a society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research.

Biology majors are also encouraged to participate in the CSU Biology Club which sponsors campus events and promotes the biological sciences during the acacemic year.