Minors

Agribusiness Management

This minor gives students additional skills aimed specifically at rural businesses that produce, process or market agricultural products and commodities.

Agricultural and Natural Resources Law

Designed to provide students specialized knowledge of regulations related to agriculture and natural resources, this minor emphasizes the legal issues associated with the production of food energy and fiber.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

This minor is designed to introduce students to the beneficial and harmful role of microorganisms in a variety of diverse environments including plants, animals, soil, food, air and water.

Arboriculture

This minor is designed to provide students specialized knowledge in the areas of forestry and ornamental horticulture as they relate to urban environments. Students will learn how to establish and manage herbaceous and woody plants used in commercial, recreational and residential settings.

Conservation Ecology

This minor provides students with specialized knowledge and skills related to conservation of wild resources. It benefits students interested in careers related to conservation, monitoring and restoration of natural ecosystems.

Environmental Economics

Offering skills that can enhance employment opportunities in government agencies and private consulting firms dealing with environmental and natural resource policy, this minor is flexible to allow students to create strength in a particular area of expertise such as water, air, energy and raw materials.

Environmental Protection

Designed to educate students on the science and techniques applied to safeguard the quality of the environment. The curriculum provides interdisciplinary training in a broad array of environmental sciences and includes specialization in either pest management or soil and water conservation.

Equine Studies

Designed for students who wish to advance their knowledge of equine management practices or find basic employment within the equine industry, this minor has three tracks students can choose from—Equine Management, Equine Science, or Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies.

Food Science and Technology

This minor provides students with knowledge of food processing, engineering, microbiology and marketing that broadens career opportunities in the areas of food safety, food science and technology, food engineering, sensory evaluation, food marketing research, food development, technical sales and marketing, and state or federal food inspection. 

Food Service Production

The minor in food service production is designed to provide students educational opportunities in the areas of hospitality, food service management and/or food production management. 

Forest Resources Management

Providing an understanding of sustainable forest management in the Appalachian region, this minor benefits students seeking careers related to natural resources, recreation management, environmental engineering, biology and other environmental sciences.

Horticulture

Emphasizing the establishment and management of herbaceous and woody plants used in commercial and home settings, this minor would benefit students interested in careers in various aspects of management and care of turf, parks and recreational areas as well as in landscape planning.

Landscape Studies

Designed to provide students with a comprehensive landscape architecture theoretical background, including both cultural and historical issues related to the discipline as well as planning and design issues at an urban and regional scale.

Nutrition and Food Studies

Discover the cultural, historical and sociological significance of food and nutrition in our world.

Rural Community Development

This minor introduces the concepts pertaining to rural community development with courses focusing on the economy, communication, leadership and community design principles.

Soil Science

This minor is designed to introduce students to the relationships of soils to environmental protection and agricultural production. It helps to broaden and strengthen the backgrounds of students majoring in non-soils curricula as well as those majoring in biological, earth science and environmental curricula. 

Sustainable Design

Offering students the opportunity for focused, interdisciplinary study of the design, delivery and operations of the built environment, this minor benefits students interested in careers in landscape architecture, interior design, civil engineering, wood science, public administration, business marketing and design studies.

Sustainable Low-Rise Residential Construction

This minor provides students with a background in sustainable low-rise residential (i.e., single family, multi-family townhouses, and two- to three-story apartment buildings), specifically sustainable residential planning, construction and building techniques, building materials and finished wood products.

Sustainable Trails Development

Learn skills necessary to properly plan, design, construct and maintain outdoor recreation trails with as little impact to the environment as possible.

Wildlife and Fisheries Resources

This minor provides students with the necessary background and skills to effectively conserve and manage fish and wildlife habitats and populations.

Wood Science and Technology

Providing students with a background in the properties, manufacturing and use of wood and related biomaterial products, this minor benefits students who will use wood and related biomaterials in their careers, such as engineers, designers and landscape architects.