Agroecology works to make agriculture and food systems more sustainable. Agroecologists consider agricultural and food systems as a whole to improve human health and well-being. Agroecologists study plants, animals, microbes, soils, water, air, and people. They examine the role of ecology, sociology, economics, and politics in agriculture, and work to support solutions to global challenges like climate change, food insecurity, biodiversity decline, and social inequality.
What will I study in agroecology?
- All Agroecology students make a strong start by taking a CALS First-Year seminar. These seminars allow students to explore different areas of study, learn how to access campus resources, and make friends and connections.
- Students start their major coursework by building a strong, basic understanding of the biological and social sciences. Through Agroecology core and capstone courses, students learn to make connections between what they're learning in the classroom and real-world issues. Students also get to customize their upper-level courses based on interest by selecting courses in areas like animals and plants, microscopic life, ecosystems, natural resources, agricultural practices, health and nutrition, and communities. Many Agroecology students also choose to pursue additional majors or certificates.
- Agroecology students have many opportunities to get involved with hands-on learning through work in our greenhouses, fieldwork, or research in labs with faculty and staff in departments across the college.
The knowledge and skills developed through the agroecology major prepare students for a wide variety of careers. Some of the areas students may work in include conservation and environmental organizations; the agricultural industry; local, state, and federal agencies; consulting; watershed and farm management; and agricultural policy, research, and education.
Many students continue their education in graduate programs. Some specialize in plant science, entomology, plant pathology, soil science, or sociology, while others continue in cross-disciplinary programs such as agroecology, public policy, and environmental science.
The agroecology major is housed in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, and faculty and staff from many CALS departments come together to support the program.
How to Get in
Current UW-Madison Students
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are able to declare. For information on how to declare, see Advising & Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | None |
| GPA requirements to get in | None |
| Credits required to get in | Must have fewer than 86 credits. |
| Other | Students who do not meet the requirements above or are not in good academic standing should schedule a meeting with CALS Dean on Call (https://cals.wisc.edu/academics/undergraduate/current-students/academic-policies/) to discuss exceptions. |
Prospective UW-Madison Students
All prospective UW–Madison students must apply through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Students interested in this major should select it as the first choice major on their UW–Madison application. Admitted students who enroll at UW-Madison and attend Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences have the option to declare this major at SOAR. More information is available here.
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Requirements
CALS Graduation Requirements
| Cumulative Credits |
|
| Quality of Work | Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 to remain in good standing and be eligible for graduation. |
| Residency | Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UW–Madison after earning 86 credits toward their undergraduate degree. |
In addition to the university's general requirements, all undergraduate students in CALS must satisfy a set of college and major requirements. Courses may not double count within university requirements, CALS college requirements, or major requirements. A course may count toward university requirements and a college and/or a major requirement; similarly, a course counted toward college requirements may also be used to satisfy a university and/or a major requirement.
CALS College Requirements
| CALS First-Year Seminar | 1 credit. See the full list of eligible courses below or use this link: https://go.wisc.edu/calsfirstyearseminars |
| Ethnic Studies | 3 credits with the Ethnic Studies designation. |
| Communication A | Complete either:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning A | Complete either:
|
| Introductory Chemistry | Complete one: |
| CALS International Comparisons | 3 credits. See the full list of eligible courses below or use this link: https://go.wisc.edu/calsinternationalcomparisons |
| Communication B | 1 course with the Communication B designation. |
| Quantitative Reasoning B | 1 course with the Quantitative Reasoning B designation. |
| Biological Science | 5 credits with the Biological Science designation. |
| Additional Science | 3 credits with the Biological, Physical, or Natural Science designations. |
| Science Breadth | 3 credits with the Biological, Physical, Natural, or Social Science designations. |
| Humanities | 6 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation. |
| Social Sciences | 3 credits with the Social Sciences designation. |
| Capstone Learning Experience | Each major articulates the required capstone learning experience. |
CALS First-Year Seminars
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AN SCI 135 | Grand Challenges and Career Opportunities in Animal and Dairy Sciences | 1 |
| BIOCHEM 100 | Biochemistry First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| COUN PSY 125 | The Wisconsin Experience Seminar | 1 |
| F&W ECOL 101 | Orientation to Wildlife Ecology | 1 |
| F&W ECOL 105 | Environment, Pollutants, and You | 3 |
| GENETICS 155 | Freshman Seminar in Genetics | 1 |
| INTEGSCI 100 | Exploring Biology | 2 |
| INTEGSCI 140 | Exploring Service in STEM | 1 |
| INTER-AG 155 | Issues in Agriculture, Environment, and Life Sciences | 1 |
| LSC 155 | First-Year Seminar in Science Communication | 1 |
| MICROBIO 150 | Microbiomes and Microbiology - First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| PLANTSCI/AGROECOL 100 | First-Year Seminar in Agroecology and Plant Science | 1 |
| PL PATH 155 | Food Frontlines: Security, Sustainability, and Survival | 1 |
| SOIL SCI 155 | First-year Seminar in Soil and Environmental Sciences | 1 |
| Learning Community/Student Group Courses | ||
| The following learning community/student group courses are approved as CALS First-Year Seminars. | ||
| COUN PSY 117 | PEOPLE First Year Seminar | 1 |
| INTEGSCI 110 | BioHouse Seminar: Biology for the 21st Century | 1 |
| INTER-AG 117 | GreenHouse Roots Seminar | 1 |
| INTER-AG 140 | CALS QuickStart: Foundations | 1 |
| INTER-AG 175 | WISE Seminar | 1 |
CALS International Comparisons
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The 3 credit requirement may be fulfilled as either a stand-alone 3 credit course or as a set of courses as listed below. | ||
| A A E/ENVIR ST 244 | The Environment and the Global Economy | 4 |
| A A E 319 | The International Agricultural Economy | 3 |
| A A E/NUTR SCI 350 | World Hunger and Malnutrition | 3 |
| A A E 352 | Global Health: Economics, Natural Systems, and Policy (approved for enrollments Summer 2021 and later) | 4 |
| A A E/INTL ST 373 | Globalization, Poverty and Development | 3 |
| A A E/INTL ST 374 | The Growth and Development of Nations in the Global Economy | 3 |
| A A E/ECON 473 | Economic Growth and Development in Southeast Asia | 3 |
| A A E/ECON 474 | Economic Problems of Developing Areas | 3 |
| A A E/ECON/INTL BUS 462 | Latin American Economic Development | 3 |
| A A E/ECON 477 | Agricultural and Economic Development in Africa | 3 |
| AGROECOL 377 | Global Food Production and Health | 3 |
| AN SCI/DY SCI 370 | Livestock Production and Health in Agricultural Development | 3 |
| ASIAN/HISTORY/POLI SCI 255 | Introduction to East Asian Civilizations (approved for enrollments Summer 2021 and later) | 3-4 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 341 | Labor in Global Food Systems (approved for enrollments Summer 2020 and later) | 3 |
| C&E SOC/ENVIR ST/SOC 540 | Sociology of International Development, Environment, and Sustainability | 3 |
| CSCS 500 | Global Health and Communities: From Research to Praxis | 3 |
| DY SCI 471 | Food Production Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| ENTOM/ENVIR ST 201 | Insects and Human Culture-a Survey Course in Entomology | 3 |
| ENTOM/ENVIR ST 205 | Our Planet, Our Health (approved for enrollments Fall 2026 and later) | 3 |
| ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 371 | Medical Entomology: Biology of Vector and Vector-borne Diseases | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST 100 | Forests of the World (approved for enrollments Summer 2020 and later) | 3 |
| F&W ECOL/ENVIR ST/ZOOLOGY 360 | Extinction of Species | 3 |
| LSC 251 | Science, Media and Society (approved for enrollments Summer 2020 and later) | 3 |
| PL PATH/BOTANY 123 | Plants, Parasites, and People | 3 |
| PL PATH 311 | Global Food Security | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 370 | World Vegetable Crops | 3 |
| The following study abroad courses fulfill the CALS International Comparisons requirement. Only the specific course numbers and titles listed, including Topics titles (in parentheses), are approved to meet the CALS International Comparisons requirement. | ||
| BIOCHEM 307 | Study Abroad: Introduction to Biological Sciences Research in Japan (approved for enrollments Fall 2026 and later) | 3 |
| NUTR SCI/INTER-AG 421 | Global Health Field Experience (UW Mobile Clinics and Health Care in Uganda) | 3 |
| INTER-AG 321 & INTER-AG/NUTR SCI 421 | Study Abroad Pre-Departure Seminar and Global Health Field Experience (UW Global Health Community Health and Asset-Based Community Development in Sri Lanka) | 3 |
| INTER-AG 321 & INTER-AG/NUTR SCI 421 | Study Abroad Pre-Departure Seminar and Global Health Field Experience (UW Agriculture, Health and Nutrition in Uganda) | 3 |
| INTER-AG/NUTR SCI 421 | Global Health Field Experience (UW Health, Education and Tanzanian Culture) | 3 |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 31-37 | |
| Major Core | 6 | |
| Major Breadth | 12 | |
| Major Depth | 12 | |
| Capstone | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 64-70 | |
Foundation
Mathematics
Complete one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 112 & MATH 113 | College Algebra and Trigonometry | 6 |
| MATH 114 | Precalculus | 5 |
Statistics
Complete one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| STAT 240 | Data Science Modeling I | 4 |
| STAT 301 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
| STAT 371 | Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences | 3 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 360 | Statistics for Sociologists I | 4 |
Chemistry
Complete one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 103 & CHEM 104 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II | 9 |
| CHEM 109 | Advanced General Chemistry | 5 |
Biology
Complete one of the following options:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | ||
| BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 | Introductory Biology | 5 |
| BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 152 | Introductory Biology | 5 |
| Total Credits | 10 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option 2 | ||
| BOTANY/BIOLOGY 130 | General Botany | 5 |
| ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 | Animal Biology | 3 |
| ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 102 | Animal Biology Laboratory | 2 |
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Social Science
Complete the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| C&E SOC/SOC 140 | Introduction to Community and Environmental Sociology | 4 |
| A A E 101 | Introduction to Agricultural and Applied Economics | 4 |
| or ECON 101 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
Major Core
Complete the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGROECOL/C&E SOC/ENTOM/ENVIR ST 103 | Agroecology: An Introduction to the Ecology of Food and Agriculture | 3 |
| AGROECOL 303 | Agroecological Systems: Working Towards Sustainability | 3 |
Major Breadth
Complete one course from each of four thematic areas (organisms, land, ecosystems, people) for a total of at least 12 credits. Courses cannot double count within the major.
Organisms
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Growth, Development, & Metabolism | ||
| ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 302 | Introduction to Entomology | 4 |
| BOTANY 500 | Plant Physiology | 3-4 |
| F&W ECOL 306 | Terrestrial Vertebrates: Life History and Ecology | 4 |
| Evolution & Breeding | ||
| AN SCI 361 | Breeding and Genetics of Livestock and Companion Animals | 3 |
| GENETICS 466 | Principles of Genetics | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 338 | Plant Breeding and Biotechnology | 3 |
| Applied Science | ||
| ENTOM 351 | Principles of Economic Entomology | 3 |
| PL PATH 300 | Introduction to Plant Pathology | 4 |
| SOIL SCI 326 | Plant Nutrition Management | 3 |
Land
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Production Systems | ||
| PLANTSCI 300 | Cropping Systems | 3 |
| DY SCI 471 | Food Production Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| PLANTSCI/PL PATH 261 & PL PATH/PLANTSCI 262 | Sustainable Turfgrass Use and Management and Turfgrass Management Laboratory | 3 |
| Soil & Water Management | ||
| SOIL SCI 301 | General Soil Science | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 621 | Soil and Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| Geospatial Information Systems | ||
| BSE 301 | Land Information Management | 3 |
| ENVIR ST/G L E/GEOG/GEOSCI/LAND ARC 371 | Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing | 3 |
| GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377 | An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| F&W ECOL 395 | Data and GIS Tools for Ecology | 3 |
Ecosystems
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Patterns | ||
| PLANTSCI 376 | Tropical Horticultural Systems | 2 |
| AGROECOL 370 | Grassland Ecology | 3 |
| PL PATH 315 | Plant Microbiomes | 4 |
| PLANTSCI 320 | Environment of Cultivated Plants | 3 |
| Processes | ||
| SOIL SCI/F&W ECOL 451 | Environmental Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/GEOG 526 | Human Transformations of Earth Surface Processes | 3 |
| ENTOM 344 | From Flowers to Food: Pollinator Ecology and Conservation | 3 |
| ENTOM/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 473 | Plant-Insect Interactions | 3 |
| Landscape Interactions | ||
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 324 | Soils and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| ENTOM 450 | Basic and Applied Insect Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 448 | Disturbance Ecology | 3 |
People
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Food & Health | ||
| C&E SOC/A A E/SOC 340 | Issues in Food Systems | 3-4 |
| AGROECOL 377 | Global Food Production and Health | 3 |
| AGROECOL/HIST SCI 301 | (Horti)Cultural Roots: Human Histories of Plants and Science | 4 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 222 | Food, Culture, and Society | 3 |
| PLANTSCI/A A E/PL PATH 367 | Introduction to Organic Agriculture: Production, Markets, and Policy | 3 |
| PL PATH 311 | Global Food Security | 3 |
| A A E/NUTR SCI 350 | World Hunger and Malnutrition | 3 |
| Labor & Justice | ||
| C&E SOC/SOC 341 | Labor in Global Food Systems | 3 |
| A A E/INTL ST 373 | Globalization, Poverty and Development | 3 |
| Community & Values | ||
| AGROECOL/ILS/RELIG ST 304 | Plants and Religion | 3 |
| C&E SOC/F&W ECOL/SOC 248 | Environment, Natural Resources, and Society | 3 |
| A A E 422 | Food Systems and Supply Chains | 3 |
| C&E SOC 290 | Activating Ecological Society | 3 |
| NUTR SCI 377 | Cultural Aspects of Food and Nutrition | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 372 | Seminar in Organic Agriculture | 1 |
Major Depth
Complete 12 credits in one of the four thematic areas (organisms, land, ecosystems, people). See list below. Courses cannot double count within the major.
Organisms
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Growth, Development, & Metabolism | ||
| ENTOM/ZOOLOGY 302 | Introduction to Entomology | 4 |
| BOTANY 500 | Plant Physiology | 3-4 |
| F&W ECOL 306 | Terrestrial Vertebrates: Life History and Ecology | 4 |
| SOIL SCI 323 | Soil Biology | 3 |
| ENTOM 321 | Physiology of Insects | 3 |
| PL PATH/BOTANY 332 | Fungi | 2-4 |
| or PL PATH/BOTANY 333 | Biology of the Fungi | |
| PL PATH/BOTANY/ENTOM 505 | Plant-Microbe Interactions: Molecular and Ecological Aspects | 3 |
| Evolution & Breeding | ||
| AN SCI 361 | Breeding and Genetics of Livestock and Companion Animals | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 338 | Plant Breeding and Biotechnology | 3 |
| ENTOM/GENETICS/ZOOLOGY 624 | Molecular Ecology | 3 |
| PL PATH 517 | Plant Disease Resistance | 2-3 |
| PLANTSCI 501 | Principles of Plant Breeding | 3 |
| GENETICS 466 | Principles of Genetics | 3 |
| Applied Science | ||
| PL PATH 300 | Introduction to Plant Pathology | 4 |
| PLANTSCI 302 | Forage Management and Utilization | 3 |
| PLANTSCI 334 | Greenhouse Cultivation | 2 |
| PL PATH 602 | Ecology, Epidemiology and Control of Plant Diseases | 3 |
| PL PATH 559 | Diseases of Economic Plants | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 326 | Plant Nutrition Management | 3 |
| ENTOM 351 | Principles of Economic Entomology | 3 |
Land
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Production Systems | ||
| ENTOM 490 | Biodiversity and Global Change | 3 |
| PL PATH 300 | Introduction to Plant Pathology | 4 |
| DY SCI 471 | Food Production Systems and Sustainability | 3 |
| Soil & Water Management | ||
| SOIL SCI 301 | General Soil Science | 3 |
| SOIL SCI 621 | Soil and Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| BSE 473 | Water Management Systems | 3 |
| Geospatial Information Systems | ||
| BSE 301 | Land Information Management | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 371 | 3 | |
| GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377 | An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| F&W ECOL 395 | Data and GIS Tools for Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 458 | Environmental Data Science | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 575 | Assessment of Environmental Impact | 3 |
Ecosystems
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Patterns | ||
| PLANTSCI 376 | Tropical Horticultural Systems | 2 |
| AGROECOL 370 | Grassland Ecology | 3 |
| PL PATH 315 | Plant Microbiomes | 4 |
| PLANTSCI 320 | Environment of Cultivated Plants | 3 |
| Processes | ||
| SOIL SCI/F&W ECOL 451 | Environmental Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| BSE/AN SCI 344 | Digital Technologies for Animal Monitoring | 3 |
| SOIL SCI/GEOG 526 | Human Transformations of Earth Surface Processes | 3 |
| ENTOM 344 | From Flowers to Food: Pollinator Ecology and Conservation | 3 |
| ENTOM/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 473 | Plant-Insect Interactions | 3 |
| PLANTSCI/ATM OCN 532 | Environmental Biophysics | 3 |
| Landscape Interactions | ||
| PLANTSCI 378 | Study Abroad: Tropical Horticultural Systems International Field Study | 2 |
| SOIL SCI/ENVIR ST 324 | Soils and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| ENTOM 450 | Basic and Applied Insect Ecology | 3 |
| F&W ECOL 448 | Disturbance Ecology | 3 |
People
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Food & Health | ||
| C&E SOC/A A E/SOC 340 | Issues in Food Systems | 3-4 |
| AGROECOL 377 | Global Food Production and Health | 3 |
| AGROECOL/HIST SCI 301 | (Horti)Cultural Roots: Human Histories of Plants and Science | 4 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 533 | Public Health in Rural & Urban Communities | 3 |
| PL PATH 311 | Global Food Security | 3 |
| PLANTSCI/A A E/PL PATH 367 | Introduction to Organic Agriculture: Production, Markets, and Policy | 3 |
| Labor & Justice | ||
| C&E SOC/SOC 341 | Labor in Global Food Systems | 3 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 541 | Environmental Stewardship and Social Justice | 3 |
| LSC 340 | Misinformation, Fake News, and Correcting False Beliefs about Science | 3 |
| A A E/INTL ST 373 | Globalization, Poverty and Development | 3 |
| Community & Values | ||
| AGROECOL/ILS/RELIG ST 304 | Plants and Religion | 3 |
| C&E SOC/MED HIST/PHILOS 565 | The Ethics of Modern Biotechnology | 3 |
| C&E SOC/SOC/URB R PL 617 | Community Development | 3 |
| A A E 422 | Food Systems and Supply Chains | 3 |
| C&E SOC/SOC 573 | Community Organization and Change | 3 |
Agroecology Capstone
Complete the following course:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGROECOL 503 | Agroecology Capstone | 3 |
Students considering post-graduate study should consult with their advisor and review the admissions requirements for graduate programs of interest. Post-graduate study may require preparatory coursework beyond the agroecology major requirements.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply foundational knowledge about the form and function of living and non-living components of agroecosystems to describe their role within agricultural systems and predict their responses to management
- Identify stocks and flows of energy and matter within and between organizational levels of agroecosystems from the cellular to the global level and consider their impact on ecological resilience, social justice, equity, and health.
- Analyze approaches to improving plant and animal traits including breeding and management and how they affect pests and diseases, soils, water, nutrients, and the atmosphere
- Compare and contrast agroecosystems in a variety of social, economic, political, geographic, and historical contexts
- Devise agroecological solutions using effective written and oral communication for multiple audiences
Four-Year Plan
This sample four-year plan is a tool to assist students and their advisors. Students should use their DARS report, the degree planner, Guide requirements, and the course search & enroll tools to make their own four-year plan based on their placement scores, credit for transferred courses and approved examinations, and individual interests.
Note: Math course selection is based on placement scores. Agroecology majors must complete MATH 112 & MATH 113 or MATH 114.
Sample Agroecology Four-Year Plan: Biology Requirement First Year
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CALS First Year Seminar | 1 | ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 & ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 102 | 5 |
| MATH 112 | 3 | General Education | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | MATH 113 | 3 |
| BOTANY/BIOLOGY 130 | 5 | C&E SOC/SOC 140 | 4 |
| AGROECOL/C&E SOC/ENTOM/ENVIR ST 103 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 103 | 4 | CHEM 104 | 5 |
| A A E 101 | 4 | CALS International Comparisons Requirement | 3 |
| AGROECOL 303 | 3 | General Education | 6 |
| General Education | 3 | ||
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Statistics Course | 3 | Major Breadth Courses | 6 |
| Major Breadth Courses | 6 | Major Depth Courses | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Electives | 6 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Electives | 10 | AGROECOL 503 | 3 |
| Major Depth Courses | 6 | Electives | 10 |
| Major Depth Course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Sample Agroecology Four-Year Plan: Chemistry Requirement First Year
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CALS First Year Seminar | 1 | General Education | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | CHEM 104 | 5 |
| AGROECOL/C&E SOC/ENTOM/ENVIR ST 103 | 3 | C&E SOC/SOC 140 | 4 |
| CHEM 103 | 4 | General Education | 3 |
| MATH 114 | 5 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| A A E 101 | 4 | General Education | 3 |
| BOTANY/BIOLOGY 130 | 5 | ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 & ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 102 | 5 |
| AGROECOL 303 | 3 | CALS International Comparisons Requirement | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Statistics Course | 3 | Major Breadth Courses | 6 |
| Major Breadth Courses | 6 | Major Depth Courses | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Electives | 6 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Electives | 9 | AGROECOL 503 | 3 |
| Major Depth Courses | 6 | Electives | 9 |
| Major Depth Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Advising
Each student receives one-on-one guidance from their professional advisor. Advisors can address student questions and concerns, provide advice, help them create a four-year degree plan that meets their major and professional goals, and connect them to resources.
Career Opportunities
The knowledge and skills developed through the agroecology major prepare students for a wide variety of careers. The program is designed to allow students to pursue their interests and career goals. Some of the areas students may work in include: conservation and environmental organizations, the agricultural industry, state and federal agencies, consulting, land/ farm management, or agricultural policy, research, and education. Students may also continue their education in graduate programs in areas focused on agriculture, conservation, ecology, and the environment.
Career Advising
Students are encouraged to begin the career exploration process early in their UW–Madison journey by working with advisors, faculty, and CALS Career Services. These resources can help students reflect on their values, identify career goals, and outline strategies to achieve them. CALS Career Services advisors can help students one-on-one with their career goals, resume and cover letter help, interview prep, and more.
Wisconsin Experience
Internships
Agroecology students have many opportunities for hands-on experience through internships. On campus, students can get experience by working at one of the green spaces on campus. Some examples are Allen Centennial Garden, D.C. Smith Greenhouse, the UW Student Organic Farm, and the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. Students can also intern off-campus. Some examples are working at an agricultural business, a farm, a non-governmental organization, or one of the Agricultural Research Stations, etc. Students can connect with their advisor or CALS Career Services to learn more about internships.
Research Experience
Students are encouraged to get involved with agroecology research on campus. Students primarily find research opportunities by directly contacting faculty or searching on the Student Job Center.
Student Organizations
Connect with other agroecology students and those interested in food and agriculture by joining a student organization. Organizations of particular interest to agroecology students include People’s Farm: Students for Sustainable Agriculture, Slow Food UW, WUD Cuisine Committee, Food Recovery Network – Madison Chapter, UW Campus Food Shed, and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). A full list of organizations is available on the Wisconsin Involvement Network website.
Global Engagement
Agroecology students can study or intern abroad through one of UW–Madison’s 260+ programs. Visit our Major Advising Page to learn more about studying abroad as an Agroecology major.
Resources and Scholarships
Resources
Agroecology students have access to hands-on experiences on and off campus at UW–Madison facilities such as:
- Agricultural Research Stations – there are over 10 research stations across the state of Wisconsin that are used by faculty, staff, and students to conduct research
- Allen Centennial Garden – a free, public garden that is located right down the street from the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences. The garden hosts events, classes, festivals, workshops, and more.
- CALS Greenhouses – located right on campus, a variety of Wisconsin agricultural crops are studied here.
- D.C. Smith Greenhouse – an instructional greenhouse that grows plants for departments and programs of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Many classes are also taught in the greenhouse.
- Lakeshore Nature Preserve – a 300-acre natural area right next to Lake Mendota. The preserve is used for teaching & research, and is also a great place for students to explore nature on campus.
- UW Arboretum – located off campus on Seminole Highway, the UW Arboretum’s mission is to “Conserve and restore Arboretum lands, advance restoration ecology, and foster the land ethic.”
Scholarships
College of Agricultural and Life students receive more than $1.25 million annually in scholarship awards. Agroecology majors can apply for these scholarships through a single application in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). To learn more about college scholarships please visit the CALS scholarship website.