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Academics

The Sustainable Agriculture major is designed to provide students with an interdisciplinary education emphasizing experiential learning opportunities. Our program builds on a solid foundation of agricultural science, while providing courses and professional development opportunities in the biological, social, and economic elements of sustainability.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate

  • An ability to frame problems and ask critical questions concerning agricultural sustainability
  • Knowledge of biophysical as well as socioeconomic aspects of agricultural sustainability
  • An expertise in sustainable agriculture that transcends disciplinary boundaries
  • An appreciation of the intellectual history of efforts to improve agricultural sustainability
  • An ability to work interdependently and collaboratively
  • The capacity to address complex agricultural problems by using systems thinking and other approaches
  • An ability to critique different problem-solving methods and approaches, and recognize and display visionary leadership with moral and ethical integrity

Curriculum Requirements

Master of Science (MS)

Degree requirements: 36 credits (30 for co-majors) | Time-to-degree average: 3 years

  • Agroecosystems Analysis (SUSAG 509) - 4 credits
  • Foundations of Sustainable Agriculture (SUSAG 610) - 3 credits
  • Sustainable Agriculture Colloquium (SUSAG 600) - 4 credits (1 credit taken 4 times)
  • Statistical Methods for Research Workers (STAT 587-previously STAT 401)* - 4 credits
  • Cross-disciplinary courses - 6 credits (not required for co-majors)**
  • Electives - 9 credits
  • Research (699)/Creative Component (599) - 6 credits

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree requirements: 77 credits (72 for co-majors) | Time-to-degree average: 5 years

  • Agroecosystems Analysis (SUSAG 509) - 4 credits
  • Foundations of Sustainable Agriculture (SUSAG 610) - 3 credits
  • Sustainable Agriculture Colloquium (SUSAG 600) - 6 credits (1 credit taken 6 times)
  • Statistical Methods for Research Workers (STAT 587-previously STAT 401)* - 4 credits
  • Cross-disciplinary courses - 12 credits (not required for co-majors)**
  • Electives - 30 credits
  • Research - 18 credits

*Any 400-level or higher statistics course, including transfer credits, may be applied towards the statistics requirement with prior approval from a student's Program of Study Committee.

****As of Fall 2023, the Cross-Disciplinary requirement is dropped for co-majors.

Double Degree Program (MCRP/MS)

Students interested in a multi-disciplinary, systems-level approach to agricultural planning may pursue the Master of Community and Regional Planning/Master of Science (MCRP/MS) double degree. Those interested in the double degree program should contact the MCRP/MS Graduate Recruitment Coordinator,  Anne Grevstad-Nordbrock at annegn@iastate.edu, for additional information.

The total number of credits necessary to receive a double degree in Sustainable Agriculture (MS) and Community and Regional Planning (MCRP) is 63 with 27 in the SUSAG program and 36 credits in the CRP program. The specific course requirements can be found here (pdf).

Minor

Minor requirements: 12-13 credits. If a SUSAG graduate minor has been declared, a graduate faculty member from SUSAG must serve on the POS committee. The major professor and the representative from the minor field may not be the same person.

  • Agroecosystems Analysis (SUSAG 509) - 4 credits OR
  • Foundations of Sustainable Agriculture (SUSAG 610) - 3 credits
  • Sustainable Agriculture Colloquium (SUSAG 600) - 3 credits
  • Courses must be taken from two cross-disciplinary areas - 6 credits

Colloquium

Colloquium is a weekly forum for students, faculty, and other interested members of the Iowa State community to engage with speakers on sustainable agriculture topics. Colloquium provides students an opportunity to learn about the areas that impact the study of agricultural sustainability and engage with multiple stakeholders in the study, business, and practice surrounding sustainable agriculture. Colloquium is student centered and student driven. Speakers are arranged by a student committee in collaboration with the instructor. Speakers include local food producers; ISU faculty and area scientists, ecologists, and environmentalists; associates of agribusiness; and representatives of local and regional food systems.

Cross-Disciplinary Requirement

The cross-disciplinary requirement is intended to enhance a student’s understanding of critical issues in the study of agricultural sustainability, as well as their ability to succeed professionally in interdisciplinary contexts. Prior to taking any cross-disciplinary courses, students will identify their core discipline category – Natural Sciences and Engineering or Human Dimensions – with assistance from their major professor. Students that identify natural sciences and engineering as their core discipline are required to take courses from the Human Dimensions category. Students that identify human dimensions as their core discipline are required to take courses from the Natural Sciences and Engineering category. NOTE: the cross-disciplinary requirement was dropped for co-majors as of Fall 2023.

Individual Curriculum Plan

The Individual Curriculum Plan (ICP) serves to document the student’s core disciplinary area and cross-disciplinary courses, as well as assuring that the student understands the curriculum requirements. Students must include the completed ICP as an attachment on their program of study and committee (POSC) form. POSCs that do not have an ICP attached will not be reviewed/approved by the DOGE. The form is a fillable PDF best downloaded with Google Chrome.  If you encounter issues with the form, please email the Program Coordinator at camelot@iastate.edu.