Degree Program and Major
Facilities
Admission
Student Services
Internships
MANRRS
Financial Resources
Agricultural and Life Sciences Student Organizations
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences provides opportunities for study in a wide variety of department majors and interdisciplinary programs or specializations. In some instances, majors and degrees are offered cooperatively with other schools and colleges at UW-Madison. Students are responsible for knowing academic requirements for graduation.
While all degree programs in CALS include specific requirements, they also offer students considerable flexibility by providing a range of subject areas within a particular major.
Choosing a degree program and major is an important decision. The degree program represents the broad area of study; the major represents the specific subject matter area and general career interest.
Basic course requirements for given degree programs are similar, regardless of major. Educational objectives can be changed at any time but it is a good idea to be comfortable with the major by the junior year. Freshmen are asked to declare a degree and major so an advisor can be assigned in their area of interest, but students are encouraged to change majors if academic or professional goals change.
Students can complete double majors and/or double degrees simultaneously. See the information on earning two undergraduate degrees or majors simultaneously, in the section on B.S. Degrees.
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has outstanding facilities for student housing, instruction, and research.
The college operates two 75-person residence halls, Jorns and Humphrey halls. Those interested in this housing option should call 608/262-2270.
The college lies in the heart of the campus, with close access to the School of Veterinary Medicine, the colleges of Engineering and Letters and Science, the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, and the Business, Education, Medical, and Law schools. Incorporated within the college is the School of Natural Resources, an integral part of the CALS organization.
Staff and students also make extensive use of off-campus sites such as the University Arboretum and 13 Agricultural Research Stations located throughout the state. The college includes many specialized instructional and research facilities. On campus animal research facilities include the new Biotechnology, Microbial Sciences and Biochemistry buildings, a Livestock Laboratory, instructional greenhouses, and a number of instructional computer labs.
The Steenbock Memorial Library serves the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences with a collection of more than 140,000 books, bound journals, and government publications, and seating and study rooms for more than 1,300 persons. The library operates a public-access microcomputer facility with a wide range of hardware and software. The building is a memorial to biochemist Harry Steenbock for his outstanding contributions to Wisconsin and to the health of humanity. Steenbock Library has received awards for its design and for its service to students, faculty, and academic staff. Steenbock Library staff help students and faculty locate reference material for their research through workshops on using the library and through personal assistance with search strategies. Find more information at steenbock.library.wisc.edu/.
For information on admission requirements for new freshmen, contact the UW-Madison Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Armory and Gymnasium, 3rd Floor, 716 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262-3961; www.admissions.wisc.edu; onwisconsin@admissions.wisc.edu.
Many students transfer into the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences from other schools and colleges at UW-Madison, from elsewhere in the UW System, or from other universities. The CALS Office of Undergraduate Programs and Services can provide advice on transfer policies and degree requirements and help transfer students make plans to complete their education in the college. With some specialized majors in the college, (i.e., biological systems engineering or landscape architecture) an early transfer is advisable. Students should check with CALS Undergraduate Programs and Services, 116 Agricultural Hall, 1450 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, 608/262-3003.
Some students transfer after their freshman year, some as late as senior year, although a minimum of 30 credits in residence is required for all students. (See Senior Year in Residence in the section on Academic Regulations.) Transfer credits are evaluated by the Office of Admissions after the student has been accepted.
Students transferring to Madison from other UW System campuses can evaluate course transferability using the Transfer Information System (www.uwsa.edu/tis/).
Students will be considered for transfer to the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences from other schools and colleges at UW-Madison if they are in good standing with the college or school in which they are enrolled and meet special requirements as specified by the intended major. Students who have been dropped by another college or school must be readmitted to that college or school before being considered for transfer into the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. However, being readmitted for transfer purposes by another school or college does not guarantee acceptance by CALS. Ideally, the transfer should be initiated in advance of the semester in which enrollment is planned. However, students in good standing may transfer at any time during the semester. Consult the Undergraduate Programs and Services Office for details.
There are two basic categories of Special students at UW-Madison: (1) the College Special, who is allied with a college and must obtain an "Academic Action" from the dean to enroll each semester, and (2) the University Special, who is a nondegree student not allied with a particular college or school and is admitted through the Division of Continuing Studies (www.dcs.wisc.edu/services). Within the University Special category are several classifications.
A College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Special student is generally one who enrolls as a nondegree candidate to take one or more courses for some special purpose, usually to prepare for admission to a graduate or professional school. Special students in the college receive essentially the same advising and other services as undergraduate students, but pay fees as established by the UW System Board of Regents.
Students seeking admission as an Agricultural and Life Sciences Special student must submit official transcripts of previous studies to the Office of Undergraduate Programs and Services. Each semester they must submit a letter of recommendation from the department chair or another representative in the department to the Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Programs and Services. Students who want to take just one course without regard to qualifying for admission to a degree program should also obtain the permission of the professor offering the course. Admission as a Special student is authorized by the Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Programs and Services, based on an analysis of transcripts and recommendations. Specials are not candidates for a degree. A Special student who has achieved a satisfactory record may qualify as a regular student and become a degree candidate if the major department recommends it. However, the student must first apply for admission to the university.
Students who do not plan to seek a further degree or to qualify for admission to graduate school, but wish to be admitted to enroll in a course or courses, should seek admission as a University Special student rather than as a College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Special student. Information about the University Special student classification is available from the Division of Continuing Studies, 1305 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1156; 608/262-1156.
Enrollment is limited in certain major fields because more qualified students apply than staff and facilities in that field can accommodate. Students are cautioned to study the admission policy, criteria, and procedures for minimum admission requirements to certain majors such as landscape architecture, biological systems engineering, biochemistry and genetics. Please refer to the respective departments of instruction for details.
For information about pre-professional career interests for studies leading to possible admission into the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Medical School, see Specialized Areas of Study in Agricultural and Life Sciences, at the end of the CALS section in this catalog.
Staff in the Office of Undergraduate Programs and Services provide a variety of services. They certify students for their respective degrees upon graduation, assign advisors based on departmental criteria, maintain student records, administer scholastic policies, administer college scholarships and loans, coordinate development of curricula, act on student withdrawals, coordinate internship programs, counsel students about career and study opportunities, host interviews and career-related events and workshops, oversee two undergraduate housing units, operate the Farm and Industry Short Course, prepare degree audit reports, help departments plan and assess educational programs, and coordinate and maintain programs for students and staff. Special counseling is available for interested minority or disadvantaged students, or students with disabilities. Staff in the Office of Undergraduate Programs and Services also counsel students about educational requirements, career development and other matters of interest.
Every student enrolled in the college has an assigned advisor. Students must consult the advisor before each registration period, and are encouraged to consult the advisor throughout the year. Faculty/department staff advisors help students plan their course work to meet their educational objectives. When students enroll in the college as beginning freshmen or as transfer students, they are assigned an advisor in their major field of study. Advisors will talk with students about educational and career objectives and counsel them about meeting degree requirements and planning their educational programs. Once students have decided on an area of study, their advisors will guide them toward courses in that area and advise them on how to fulfill university and college requirements. Students can change their advisor if they change their major or if they find a different advisor with interests more similar to their own. The change is made through the department or through the Undergraduate Programs and Services Office. During the last two semesters, students must choose an advisor from the major department.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all requirements for graduation are fulfilled. The computerized Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) provides a continuous record of progress toward fulfillment of degree requirements. For more information on DARS, see the academic tab of My UW-Madison.
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences maintains career services for its students and alumni. The Career Services Office, 116 Agricultural Hall, brings job and internship openings to the attention of students; assists with development of credentials for use in job interviews with business and industry representatives; arranges interview schedules for a large number of employers; assists undergraduates with developing internship programs; and conducts workshops on interview and job hunting skills. Career Services sponsors an annual Career and Internship Expo in the fall semester for students to learn about career opportunities. Many seniors make job commitments before graduation as a result of interviews conducted on the campus during the school year.
The Career Services Program is operated as a service to students. The college cannot guarantee job placement.
The college's internship program gives undergraduates a chance to see how they can use what they have learned in an on-the-job setting. By enrolling under a special course number (Coordinative Internship 399) students can earn 1-8 credits per semester or summer session if approved by the advisor, field supervisor and the internship program coordinator. A total of 8 credits may be applied toward graduation. There are a number of agencies and corporations that conduct formal training programs or internships for students before or immediately following graduation. Students are allowed diverse experiences and at the end of the internship may become a permanent employee. Interested students should contact either career services or their advisor.
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences supports a number of organizations including a chapter of the National Society of Minorities in Agricultural, Natural Resources and Related Science (MANRRS). Students desiring to belong to a national organization that promotes scholarships, resources, professional development and recruitment of minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences should consider joining MANRRS. Information and assistance are available from the MANRRS advisor, 116 Agricultural Hall.
In addition to university scholarships, grants, loans, and employment available at the Office of Student Financial Services (432 North Murray Street, www.finaid.wisc.edu), scholarships and loans are available to qualified students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
The college has an extensive scholarship program. Application forms are available on the Web at www.cals.wisc.edu/students/financing/. These forms can be completed and submitted electronically to the Office of Undergraduate Programs and Services. Applications should be submitted by January 15 for new freshmen and February 3 for continuing students. One application allows consideration for any scholarship administered by the college. Selection of recipients is determined by the faculty committee for Scholarships and Loans.
For details on agricultural scholarships that are available from organizations outside of the college see www.cals.wisc.edu/students/financing; click on the link for "Scholarships from Agencies Outside of CALS."
Several short-term loan funds have been established for students in the college. Students may borrow money for up to six months at no interest or very low interest, provided the money is repaid when due. Applications for these short-term loans are available in the Office of Undergraduate Programs and Services.
Many College of Agricultural and Life Sciences students gain valuable experience by working part-time in jobs related to their interests. Working in a laboratory is often the first step for many students who later become involved in conducting research themselves.
Some students are hired directly by specific departments as a result of the students' interests and experience. Also, the University maintains a Student Job Center in the Office of Student Financial Services, Room 231, 432 North Murray Street, to help students find part-time work. Student job listings are also available online at jobcenter.wisc.edu/.
Agricultural and Life Sciences students will find a large number of organizations and clubs to meet their professional interests. A directory of student organizations, published each year, is available in the Office of Undergraduate Programs and Services, 116 Agricultural Hall, and at www.cals.wisc.edu/students/currentstudents/studentdirectory06-07.pdf. The organizations and their faculty advisors for 2006-07 are listed below.
Agricultural Economics/Agricultural Business Club—Paul Mitchell, mitchell@aae.wisc.edu
Agricultural and Life Sciences Student Council—Thomas Crenshaw, crenshaw@calshp.wisc.edu, Christina Klawitter, cklawitter@cals.wisc.edu
Alpha Chi Sigma—Bassam Shakhashiri, bassam@chem.wisc.edu
Alpha Gamma Rho—Rick Daluge, rdaluge@cals.wisc.edu; Thomas Crenshaw, crenshaw@calshp.wisc.edu
Alpha Zeta—Christina Klawitter, cklawitter@cals.wisc.edu
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers—Dave Bohnhoff, bohnhoff@facstaff.wisc.edu
American Society of Landscape Architects, Student Chapter—Samuel Dennis Jr., sfdennisjr@wisc.edu
Association of Women in Agriculture
Babcock House—Kevin J. Shinners, kjshinners@facstaff.wisc.edu
Badger Crops Club—William Tracy, wftracy@facstaff.wisc.edu
Badger Dairy Club—David Combs, dkcombs@facstaff.wisc.edu
Badger Turf and Grounds Club—Birl Lowery, blowery@facstaff.wisc.edu; John Stier, jstier@facstaff.wisc.edu
Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society—Peter Lipton, plipton@facstaff.wisc.edu
CALS Ambassadors—Becky Duffy, rduffy@cals.wisc.edu
CHARS-CALS Honors and Research Society—Robert Ray, rray@cals.wisc.edu
Collegiate 4-H—Melanie Miller, melanie.miller@ces.uwex.edu
Collegiate FFA Club/Agricultural Education Society—Gary Lake, gglake@wisc.edu
Delta Theta Sigma, Gamma Chapter—David Wieckert, 263-3483
Delta Theta Sigma Little Sisters— dts_little_sisters@yahoo.com
Dietetics and Nutrition Club—Monica Theis, mltheis@wisc.edu
Food Science Club—Rich Hartel, rwhartel@wisc.edu
Forestry Club—Scott Bowe, sbowe@wisc.edu
Horticulture Society—Jim Nienhuis, nienhuis@wisc.edu
Microbiology Club—Karen Wasserman, wasserman@bact.wisc.edu
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS)—Thomas Browne, tbrowne@cals.wisc.edu
National Agricultural Marketing Association—Sarah Botham, sfbotham@mhtc.net
Poultry Science Club—Ron Kean, rpkean@facstaff.wisc.edu
Pre-Veterinary Association—Carmen Reamer, reamerc@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
Saddle & Sirloin Club—Terry Jobsis, ctjobsis@facstaff.wisc.edu; Bernie O' Rourke, borourke2@anisci.wisc.edu
Sigma Alpha—Shiela Reaves, sireaves@ wisc.edu
Soil Science Club—Cynthia Stiles, castiles@wisc.edu
Undergraduate Biochemistry Student Organization—Dan Barnish, barnish@biochem.wisc.edu
Undergraduate Genetics Association—Jean Petersen, jmpeter2@facstaff.wisc.edu; Peter Leeds, pfleeds@facstaff.wisc.edu
Village Health Project—John Ferrick, jferrick@cals.wisc.edu
Wildlife Society Student Chapter—Scott Craven, srcraven@facstaff.wisc.edu