The majors offered by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences are listed on the right. Several majors have specializations. More than one department coordinates some of the majors, and there are interdisciplinary studies majors. Consult a specific major for its requirements.

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences minors are available to students in any college, including this college. Students interested in earning a minor must complete the application available in the CALS associate dean’s office.

• Agricultural and Natural Resource Ethics and Policy
• Agricultural Communication
• Agricultural Law
• Entomology and Nematology
• Environmental Horticulture
• Extension Education
• Family, Youth, and Community Sciences
• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Food and Resource Economics
• Food Science and Human Nutrition
• Forest Resources and Conservation
• Horticultural Science
• Management and Sales in Agribusiness
• Packaging Science
• Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Plant Science
• Precision Agriculture
• Soil and Water Science
• Turfgrass Science
• Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Special Certificates

Environmental Studies: A program for a specialization (with certificate) in environmental studies provides a broad knowledge of the environment, especially the interrelationships between human activities and environmental quality. With this specialization and a major in the college, the student can apply knowledge in his or her major to solving environmental problems.

The environmental studies specialization includes environmental courses in three basic groups: biological sciences, physical sciences, and social sciences. At least one course from each group is required. A minimum of 14 semester hours credit is required for the certificate; three hours outside the college also are required.

The student and academic adviser determine courses for the specialization from an approved list. These requirements generally can be met through a wise choice of electives.

Computer Sciences: A program for specialization (with certificate) in computer sciences is available for students to enhance their College of Agricultural and Life Sciences degree program with a coordinated set of computer science courses. Any student in this college can pursue this certificate.

The student must complete 13 credits in specific courses offered by the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. Each candidate must complete CIS 3020, COP 3530, and CDA 3101. In addition, at least one of the following courses must be completed: CEN 3031, COT 4420, COP 4720, CEN 3031, or COP 4620. This sequence requires a minimum of three semesters beyond completion of calculus.

Several majors in this college have specializations that facilitate the completion of pre-professional requirements for admission to the colleges of Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine. There are specializations in agricultural operations management, animal sciences, botany, entomology and nematology, food science and human nutrition, microbiology and cell science, and wildlife ecology and conservation that prepare students for admission to programs in medicine, dentistry or veterinary medicine. Food science and human nutrition, as well as microbiology and cell science, participate in early-admission programs to the College of Dentistry. Students in food science and human nutrition are eligible to participate in the Junior Honors Medical Program. Students preparing for law careers may elect any major in the college. Pre-veterinary medicine requirements are listed in the section on majors.

Through a cooperative agreement between the College of Dentistry (COD) and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), qualified students may be admitted to the early admission COD program after one semester of their freshmen year at UF. The Dental Early Admission Program helps highly motivated students complete a bachelor’s degree and D.M.D. in a shorter time than traditional programs. Early admission program participants major in microbiology and cell science or food science and human nutrition’s nutritional sciences specialization. Both majors provide the science foundation necessary for dental school.

This seven-year combined B.S./D.M.D. program provides dual acceptance into both colleges. Approved students will enroll three years in the bachelor’s program and four years in the D.M.D. program. To be considered for dual acceptance, students must be admitted to the university, have an overall high school grade point average of 3.5 as computed by the College of Dentistry, have a total SAT score of at least 1260 (or ACT of 28 or EACT of 29), file a formal application with the College of Dentistry and be approved by the Dentistry Admission Committee following a formal interview.

Final acceptance into the College of Dentistry is contingent upon progression through the prescribed curriculum with no less than a 3.4 overall grade point average and a 3.2 science grade point average, completion of the College of Dentistry application process, and completion of the Dental Admission Test with a score of 15 or higher on each section.

Interested students must be admitted to UF and should write to the associate dean, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Box 110270 (2002 McCarty Hall), Gainesville, FL 32611-0270, to initiate the Dental School Early Admission process. Please provide the following information: name, mailing address, telephone number, UFID, high school, high school graduation date, class rank, SAT/ACT/EACT score(s), grade point average and official high school transcript.

Career Planning and Placement

The college has a career resource center placement liaison to help students prepare for interviews and find employment. The college also sponsors an annual Agriculture and Natural Resources Career Day each year in February.