The Department of Agronomy offers a major leading to a degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in agronomy. The curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in crop science, soil science, agricultural meteorology, and plant breeding.
Graduates have the theoretical and practical knowledge needed for efficient and sustainable production of food, feed, fuel, and fiber. Graduates are skilled in critical thinking, problem solving, and communicating and working effectively with others. They understand the ethical, cultural, and environmental dimensions of issues facing professionals in agriculture and natural resources.
Agronomy major prepares students for employment in agricultural business and industry, agricultural service organizations, crop production and soil management, environmental and natural resource management, and farm management. Graduates pursue careers in the seed, fertilizer, and agricultural chemical industries as field agronomists, crop and soil management specialists, research technicians, sales and marketing specialists, and production managers. State and federal agencies employ agronomists as extension specialists, county extension directors, environmental and natural resource specialists, research associates, soil surveyors, soil conservationists, regulatory agencies as plant, food, and grain inspectors, science-based professional positions, graduate study, or research careers. Additional areas of work open to agronomists include integrated pest management, land appraisal, agricultural finance, turfgrass management, and the home lawn care industry.
January 2025
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
138 Curtiss Hall,
513 Farm House Ln.,
AMES,
Iowa,
50011, United States
August 2025
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
138 Curtiss Hall,
513 Farm House Ln.,
AMES,
Iowa,
50011, United States
Equivalent of a minimum 3.0 high school GPA on 4.0 scale. In addition to the requirement, students must meet the following minimum high school course requirements: 4 years of English or your native language; 3 years of science (including at least two years of laboratory science courses which emphasize elements of biology, chemistry, or physics); 3 years of math (including algebra and geometry); 2 years of social studies.
English Language Requirements:
TOEFL - Internet-Based TOEFL (IBT) score of 71 with a minimum score of 17 in both the Writing and Speaking sections and Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) score of 530
IELTS - Overall band score of 6.0 with no sub score below 5.5
PTE - Score of 48
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.