Skip sidebar and go to page body
The CALS Mission
Our mission is to improve the quality of life by discovering, critically analyzing and sharing knowledge in food and agriculture, the life sciences, natural resource and environmental stewardship, and rural community development and to offer strong, research-based education that is responsive to public needs and social, economic and environmental concerns. We seek to advance students' technical competence, problem-solving skills and intellectual growth and broaden their appreciation of cultural diversity and environmental stewardship.
About the College
Ever since it was established in 1889, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences has carried out three distinct, yet closely integrated functions:
- Undergraduate instruction
- Research and graduate student training
- Outreach and extension.
In addition, the College has highly significant, long-term programs in the areas of international development and natural resources.
Efforts in these three areas are focused on agriculture, human health, biology and genetics, natural resources, community development, food and nutrition and related topics.
Instruction
The College's undergraduate enrollment in the fall of 2005 was 2,284, while graduate students numbered 1,043. The Farm and Industry Short Course enrolled 101 students. Students may choose from 25 majors in biological sciences, agriculture, food and nutrition, environment and natural resources, and social sciences. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor and meets regularly with the advisor to map study and career plans. Last year the College made 592 scholarship awards totaling $507,000.
Much of the learning takes place outside of classrooms. In 2005 the College partnered with Wisconsin businesses, organizations and industries to provide about 100 students with internships for credit (many more participated in internships but chose not to earn credit). Students are strongly encouraged to get involved in undergraduate research projects and build professional and interpersonal skills through clubs and organizations and the College's new leadership program. Our students also participate in study abroad programs around the globe.
Research
The College's 21 academic departments annually conduct more than 600 general lines of research comprising thousands of individual research projects. The scope of these inquiries range from the fundamental challenges of science to the immediate problems and opportunities facing Wisconsin farms and businesses. Generating new knowledge is one key goal of all research projects. Another is to train graduate students -- the research force of the future.
About 25 percent of the College's total research support comes from state sources. State dollars provide the stable budget support that allows faculty members to compete for research project funding from a variety of sources, including federal and state agencies, foundations, agricultural commodity groups, and private industry. In the USDA competitive grants arena, our researchers annually lead researchers from all other institutions in the amount of funding garnered per faculty research position.
College departments reviewed by the National Research Council consistently rank among the top 10 in the country.
Not all of the research is conduct on campus. The College operates 12 research stations across the state. Our scientists travel the globe to conduct research projects on every continent (even the cold one).
Extension and Outreach
The College is the primary partner with UW-Extension in providing research-based agricultural and natural resource education to Wisconsin citizens. About 150 of the College's faculty and academic staff hold Cooperative Extension appointments, and work closely with county extension staff in delivering valuable information and advice to Wisconsin citizens, businesses and organizations. In addition to the Agriculture and Natural Resources program area, our faculty support program areas of 4-H Youth Development, Family Living, and Community, Natural Resources and Economic Development.
International Programs
College research, teaching and outreach programs have global impacts. Our International Programs supports and facilitates the international work of students and faculty by: promoting the International Bachelor of Science Degree, the first of its kind in the nation; supporting overseas undergraduate study and international internships in Latin America, Chile, China, France, Germany, The Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, and the West Indies; maintaining liaisons with foreign governments, international agencies and international interests in the state; managing multi-departmental international development projects; and providing logistical support to students and faculty involved in international activities.
Natural Resources
The College offers excellent undergraduate and graduate educational opportunities related to the management and protection of our soil, water, wildlands and wildlife. Students interested in natural resources can enroll in many of the College's majors, including Agricultural and Applied Economics, Biology, Life Sciences Communication, Forest Ecology and Management, Landscape Architecture, Rural Sociology, Soil Science, Wildlife Ecology. Graduate instruction is available in many specialized interdisciplinary areas, including forestry, wildlife ecology, plant and animal sciences, landscape, land-use planning, communication, environmental toxicology and community development. In addition, the school facilitates and supports interdisciplinary research and outreach efforts.