Agroecology
Agroecology is the interdisciplinary study of how agricultural production of plants and animals affects and is affected by the local environment. It emphasizes sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches to agricultural production. The Agroecology program in the Davis College teaches students to combine the concepts of crop production with those of environmental protection in such a way that there is a sustained balance between production and environmental issues. Our faculty are nationally known for their work in soil science as it relates to environmental protection and land use.
Program Admission and Curriculum
Students who meet University admission requirements may be accepted directly into the Davis College as Agroecology majors. To earn a bachelor’s degree, all students must complete 128 credit hours including the General Education Curriculum required by the University. Students will take basic core courses in agriculture and have the opportunity to specialize in ecological or sustainable aspects of crop production.
Students must complete 30 hours of required courses in the areas of plant science, microbiology, plant pathology, entomology, genetics, organic crop production, animal science and agricultural and resource economics.
In addition to the required major courses, students must complete three minors offered by the Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, one of which must be a minor in soil science. Other minors available include environmental microbiology, environmental protection, horticulture and pest management.
Complete course listings and descriptions can be found in the current WVU Undergraduate Catalog.
Employment Opportunities
Agroecology graduates are employable in both traditional agriculture positions and those with an environmental orientation toward agricultural production. Potential areas of employment include farm and environmental consulting, organic farms, sales representative for agricultural suppliers, extension agents, government support agencies, and natural settings with high public use. Beginning salaries range from $25,000 to $35,000.
