Integrated Pest Management Degree at Mississippi State University
This department offers interdisciplinary programs of study with the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences leading to the Bachelor of Science and Master of Agriculture (non-thesis) degrees in Agricultural Pest Management. Effective management of pest problems in production agriculture requires a broad base of knowledge in the pest disciplines and practical field experience.
The undergraduate Agricultural Pest Management major features a strong core of courses in the three pest disciplines (entomology, plant pathology and weed science) and a summer internship combined with strong background in agricultural, biological and physical sciences. The student’s complete program will be formulated in the department of his/her choice. These curricula are designed to meet the needs both of students who wish to pursue advanced degrees (M.A., M.S., Ph.D.) and of students who wish to terminate their higher education with a baccalaureate degree.
Students will be encouraged to select electives which best suit their career objectives. For example, students who plan to pursue graduate studies beyond the B.S. degree should plan to take such courses as calculus, physics, foreign language, invertebrate zoology and others which will provide a stronger basis for advanced study in the discipline.
Graduates are well prepared for employment with agricultural industries such as chemical, seed or biotechnology companies; state and federal research, extension and regulatory agencies; agricultural consulting; farmer’s cooperatives; nurseries, home and garden centers, greenhouse plant production; and corporate farms.
Tags: agricultural consulting, agricultural industries, baccalaureate degree students, bachelor of science, biotechnology companies, career objectives, integrated pest management, interdisciplinary programs, major features, pest problems, plant pathology, production agriculture, soil sciences