College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources includes the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication; the Department of Animal Science; and the Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources. Each offers the M.S. degree with both thesis and non-thesis options. The departments are interdependent and use common resources in developing and offering specialized programs appealing to a broad array of graduate student interests.

The College’s graduate students are known for high performance and for contributions to their professions in all areas of agriculture. All career tracks are designed with the goal of providing graduates with the academic background to compete in the employment market or continue their graduate studies.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources offers coursework leading to a Doctor of Philosophy in Animal and Natural Resource Sciences. The Animal and Natural Resource Sciences Ph.D. is a unique program that reaches across disciplines to solve problems associated with maximizing energy and food production while conserving natural resources in the face of increased environmental stressors. No other program in the southwestern United States explicitly focuses on preparing students to balance these competing factors. 

The Tarleton Agriculture Center is central to our opportunities for graduate instruction. Agriculture Center facilities include the Southwest Regional Dairy; the Animal and Plant Science Center with six state-of-the-art laboratories, four greenhouses, 42,000 sq. ft. covered animal working area, and a retail merchandising center (The Purple Tractor); the Equine Center with indoor arena, dedicated laboratory space, and stallion barn; the Meats Laboratory; a beef cattle feedlot; The Agriculture Field Machinery and Fabrication Center with laboratories dedicated to metal fabrication, structures, and small engines, a computer lab, three classrooms, a multi-purpose room, and a spacious and well-equipped kitchen; a confinement swine operation; and an aquaponics/hydroponics center. Livestock includes dairy cattle, beef cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, and aquatic species. All facilities and other resources at the Tarleton Agriculture Center are available for graduate student use for research opportunities.

Academic Programs in Agriculture and Natural Resources