Agronomy A gronomy is the study of crops and their relationship to the nature and properties of soils. An Associate of Science in Agronomy concentrates on current technology in crop production and soil productivity. The major objectives of the agronomy program at Ohio State ATI are to allow students to complete the first half of a Bachelor of Science in Crop Science and to prepare them for employment in the grain, fertilizer, and seed industry. This degree also includes the transfer module, a common set of general education courses, which apply to other bachelor's degree programs in Ohio. Students who are not planning to ultimately pursue a bachelor's degree might be interested instead in our Crop Management and Services Associate of Applied Science curriculum. Pursuing Agronomy at Ohio State All Students pursuing the Associate of Science program must complete the following high school curriculum in order to be admitted to the program without conditions: • four units of English • three units of mathematics • two units of natural science • two units of social science • two units of the same foreign language* • one unit of visual or performing arts • one additional unit from any of the above categories *Students with a deficiency in foreign language are permitted to fulfill the requirement upon transfer to the Columbus campus. Applicants to the Associate of Science program in agronomy who have not followed this curriculum will have conditions placed on their enrollment. These conditions must be satisfied by earning college course credits in the high school subject areas in which the students are deficient. Students seeking an Associate of Science degree in agronomy at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute enter directly into the program upon completion of their admission requirements. All applicants are strongly advised to arrange a pre-admission conference in order to acquaint themselves with the various aspects of this major. Students must complete a minimum of 98 quarter credit hours of technical and general studies courses, with a cumulative point-hour ratio of 2.0 or above, to earn the AGRICULTURAL TECH ICAL I STITUTE Associate of Science degree in agronomy. A minimum of 45 quarter credit hours must be earned through regular course work at the institute. Technical courses focus on the science of crop production and include the study of soil management, diseases of crops, entomology and weed control. A minimum of 35 quarter credit hours is required in technical courses. Agronomy students also complete 55 credit hours of general studies, which include communications, social sciences, mathematics, and biological and chemical sciences. Seven credit hours of electives, either technical or general, round out the curriculum. Students in the agronomy program are encouraged to complete an optionallO-week internship while attending Ohio State AT!. Practicum is required of students in agronomy. This is a supervised, on-campus work experience that provides students with the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classrooms at Ohio State AT!. Students are encouraged to think independently and evaluate and solve problems under the guidance of the crop manager. Students assist in the daily tasks of crop production and management. Career Opportunities in Agronomy After completing the Associate of Science degree in agronomy, many students choose to further their education by pursuing a bachelor's degree in crop science at the Ohio State Columbus campus. Those who graduate with a major in crop science are prepared for careers within the private sector, with agrochemical, seed, grain, greenhouse, nursery, and food processing companies. Crop scientists may also become independent crop producers or professional agricultural consultants. Beginning salaries for Associate of Science graduates range from $20,000 to $30,000 per year with an average salary of $24,000. Salaries vary depending on location, candidates' skills, and previous job-related experience. Related Programs Students who choose not to complete a bachelor's degree and instead pursue employment upon graduation with an Associate of Science in Agronomy should consult the Crop Management and Services major series sheet for salary information.