Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources

Cindy Akers, Ed.D., Interim Dean

108 Goddard | Box 42123 | Lubbock, TX 79409-2123
T 806.742.2808 | F 806.742.2836 | www.daviscollege.ttu.edu

About the College

The Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources is dedicated to providing programs of excellence in teaching, research, and outreach. These educational programs are designed to prepare the student for the dynamic agricultural and renewable natural resources industry—an industry that encompasses five closely related segments: (1) producing agricultural products; (2) supplying agricultural chemicals, feed, seed, and other production resources; (3) processing, storing, distributing, and other marketing functions for agricultural products; (4) planning and managing programs for renewable natural resources; and (5) providing technical assistance, financing, services, education, research, and communications in all sectors of the food, feed, fiber, and natural resource complex.

As the size and complexity of farms and ranches continue to increase, students who plan careers as producers of agricultural products need more technology and management information. Through proper selection of courses, students have the opportunity to train in the business aspects of agriculture in several subject-matter departments.

Most students interested in scientific aspects of the industry will receive more training in mathematics, computers, and the basic sciences, followed by well-planned courses in agricultural technology. Students interested in natural resources use will receive training in the ecology and conservation of natural resources, various facets of environmental quality, and issues involving food safety and quality. Microcomputer laboratories allow students to use the latest information-processing technology for class exercises and research projects.

Teaching and Research Facilities

The college provides excellent teaching, research, and outreach facilities. These include a large number of well-equipped laboratories, design studios, and classrooms. A research-teaching land site adjacent to the campus, a livestock arena, a meat laboratory, a campus greenhouse-experimental garden complex, and an equestrian center are used as teaching laboratories as well as for research in plant and soil science, animal science, plant biotechnology, horticulture, and range management.

The agricultural field laboratories in northeast Lubbock County include the Burnett Center for Beef Cattle Research and Instruction; a 980-acre experimental farm; and facilities for teaching and research in swine, beef, sheep, feed manufacturing, companion animal, and crop production. Laboratory facilities also include a 15,822-acre unit at the Texas Tech University Center at Amarillo. Located in southwest Lubbock County, the 100-acre Texas Tech University Equestrian Center is the home of the Texas Tech Equestrian Team, Horse Judging Team, Ranch Horse Team, Rodeo Team and Therapeutic Riding & Therapy Center. The Equestrian Center offers an indoor arena, two warm-up arenas, four outdoor large event arenas, as well as 200 stalls on site for events, students, and outside boarders. Field trips and participation in intercollegiate contests are also a part of the training program.

The research program in agriculture and renewable natural resources management complements the teaching mission of the college by providing the information and knowledge necessary to keep faculty members current in their respective fields. Research projects provide essential training for graduate students and advanced undergraduates as well as solutions to problems facing the industry. Various forms of outreach are provided by the Davis College through numerous short courses, conferences, and workshops conducted throughout the year.

Government Internship Program

The Government Internship Program within the Davis College provides students an opportunity to intern in congressional and legislative offices in Washington, D.C., and Austin. Requirements for the program include but are not limited to the following:

• Interns must have completed 30 hours of coursework by the start of the internship and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Internships coincide with the first and last day of a full semester term.
• Interns must register for a minimum of 6 hours in absentia in a Davis College departmental problems course or internship course and will be considered a full-time student for insurance/scholarship purposes.
• Interns will receive a stipend to help defray expenses. State and congressional offices may elect to provide additional compensation (not mandatory).
• Housing costs will come out of the stipend and students interning in Washington, D.C., must live in the Texas Tech House.

See www.depts.ttu.edu/agriculturalsciences/Students/current/govInterns/index.php for more information.

Undergraduate Program

Core Curriculum Requirements. The university has established core curriculum requirements for all students in order to ensure breadth in each academic program. Students may consult their academic dean regarding specific core curriculum requirements; however, these requirements are incorporated in each major in the college. Students may find a listing of core curriculum requirements in the Academic Requirements  section of this catalog.

Academic Counseling. Each student in the college is assigned an academic advisor. Students who have not selected a major will be assigned an academic advisor by the department chair’s office.

Selecting a Major. If students know which course of study they wish to pursue, they should select that major field when they enroll initially. Students who are undecided about a major will be classified as agriculture-undecided but will be assigned to a department and an academic advisor. During the first semester, several introductory courses in agricultural sciences and natural resources should be selected to assist in determining or confirming the preferred area for a major. Students who enter as freshmen should select a major by the end of their fourth semester. Transfer students will be required to make a major selection within two semesters after entering Texas Tech. Some departments offer the opportunity for a dual major program. Students interested in such a program should contact the chairperson of the specific departments involved.

Selecting a Minor. Minors are available in all departments for students with majors in the Davis College as well as those majoring in other colleges within the university. Minors are offered in the following areas: agribusiness management, agricultural leadership, agricultural communication studies, animal science, food science, landscape architecture, and plant and soil science. A minimum of 18 hours is required for a minor. The maximum number of transfer hours in any minor is 9. Courses in a major but outside a student’s department may be used in the minor. A student must earn a grade of C or better in each course counted toward a minor. Students are encouraged to seek early advisement from the chair of the minor department to plan for courses that will best meet their educational and career objectives.

General Standards and Requirements. Minimum standards and requirements of the Davis College are the same as those for the university, with certain additions. In addition to the requirements stated in the Academic Requirements  section of this catalog, other requirements include the following:

1. Students must file an application for a senior audit with the Dean’s Office approximately one year before their expected graduation date. Substitution and elective sheets also must be filed each applicable semester.
2. Transfer students who plan to request the use of provisional elective transfer courses as a substitution for required courses must make such a request by the end of their first semester in the Davis College.
3. Any deviation from the approved curriculum for a particular degree must have prior approval from the chairperson of the department and the Dean of the Davis College.

New Students. All new students should carefully read the catalog sections entitled Undergraduate Admissions. Entering freshmen should give special attention to course credit that can be obtained by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations usually given prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Transfer students should read the paragraphs dealing with admission of transfer students and transfer of credits from other colleges and universities in the Undergraduate Admissions  section of this catalog.

Distance Degree Program. One distance education program is available at the undergraduate level. The Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Science with a concentration in horticulture, local food and wine production or viticulture and enology is detailed in the catalog under the Department of Plant and Soil Science.

Graduate Program

For information on graduate programs offered by the Davis College, visit the Graduate Programs  section of the catalog.

Undergraduate Program Offerings & Course Descriptions

Course descriptions for various specializations within the college can be found in the catalog sections for each department. Those undergraduate courses that are common to many disciplines and have an AGSC prefix can be reviewed below.