Agronomy
School/College: CALS
Field of Study
Help face the challenges of meeting world food demand, protecting the environment and sustaining agriculture. As a student in agronomy you can learn how to find answers to these important challenges. Agronomy is the branch of biology that focuses on improving plants for food and other uses, and producing them in sustainable ways. If you are interested in plant biology, genetics, biotechnology, molecular biology, agroecology, crop management and protection, or other aspects of crop production systems, agronomy offers learning opportunities for you. An education in agronomy provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in the biological sciences and offers opportunities for careers in many fields.
Possible Careers
Plant geneticist; biotechnologist; plant breeder; agroecologist; agronomist; crop production and protection specialist; farm manager; resource conservationist.
Special Opportunities & Additional Information
- Interact with professors and students in small class settings.
- Professors will be your advisors, helping you to learn both inside and outside the classroom.
- Hands-on learning and work opportunities in our laboratory, greenhouse, and field research programs.
- Summer internships and independent study opportunities.
- Professional and social activities through the Badger Crops Club and F.H King Students of Sustainable Agriculture.
- Several awards (including study abroad) and academic scholarships available to undergraduates in Agronomy.
Selected Required Courses For the B.S. in Natural Sciences:
- Intro Biology:
- Botany 130 and Zoology 101-102; or Biology 151-152; or Biocore
- Calculus:
- Math 211 or Math 221
- General Chemistry:
- Chem 103-104; or Chem 109
- Organic Chemistry:
- Chem 341-342; or Chem 343, 344 and 345
- Physics:
- Physics 103-104; or Physics 207-208; or Physics 201-202
Recommended Course Sequence for Freshman Year
- Fall
- Agronomy 100
- Chem 103
- Math
- Spring
- Botany 130
- Chem 104
- Math
Advisors
- William Tracy (608-262-2587, wftracy@wisc.edu), 365 Moore Hall
- Ken Albrecht (608-262-2314, kaalbrec@wisc.edu), 460 Moore Hall
- Heidi Kaeppler (608-262-0246, hfkaeppl@wisc.edu), 461 Moore Hall
- Shawn Kaeppler (608-262-9571, smkaeppl@wisc.edu), 455 Moore Hall
- Dave Stoltenberg (608-262-8202, destolte@wisc.edu), 363 Moore Hall
Departmental Office
- 371 Moore Hall (262-1390) http://agronomy.wisc.edu
