CALS students gain critical thinking, research and communication skills through major and certificate programs, leading them to careers in a wide variety of industries and public service — including biotechnology, healthcare, food, and agriculture. Students are also well prepared for graduate and professional studies at top-ranked institutions. The college promotes working across disciplines, and half of CALS students double-major or complete at least one certificate (similar to a minor).
NEW major fall 2024: Agroecology
NEW major fall 2024: Dairy & Food Animal Management
NEW certificate fall 2024: Environmental Soil Science Certificate
NEW certificate fall 2024: Fermented Food and Beverages Certificate
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Major
Business, Communication & Society; Sustainability, Natural Resources & EnvironmentAgricultural and applied economics (AAE) studies the principles of economics and applies them to real world-challenges related to food systems, international trade, climate change and environmental protection, global poverty, and more. AAE students are prepared to work as environmental or agricultural economists, environmental managers, policy and business analysts, researchers, managers, consultants, and auditors with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, co-operatives, multinational firms, agribusiness companies, financial institutions, and the food or retailing industry.
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Major
Business, Communication & Society; Food and AgricultureAgricultural business management (ABM) is one of only five professional undergraduate degrees offered at UW–Madison that applies economics, finance, management, and marketing to agriculture and related industries. ABM students are prepared for careers in management, business analysis, marketing, commodities trading, sales, consulting, banking, and finance at agribusiness firms, food companies, tech companies, co-operatives, government agencies, and financial institutions.
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Major
Food and Agriculture; Sustainability, Natural Resources & EnvironmentStudents in agroecology examine the role of ecology, sociology, economics, and politics in agriculture, and work to support solutions to global challenges like climate change, food security, biodiversity, and social justice. Graduates can work in areas such as 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.
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Major
Food and Agriculture; Sustainability, Natural Resources & EnvironmentStudents explore the science of grain, feed and forage crops including plant biology, ecology, genetics, biotechnology, crop management and the interactions among cropping systems, climate and the environment. Graduates are prepared for everything from pursuit of a graduate degree to careers in science, education, agriculture, agribusiness, environment and conservation.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Food and AgricultureStudying the biology of domesticated animals helps us better understand their health and provides insight into their interactions with people. Animal and veterinary biosciences students are prepared for careers in veterinary medicine, research, agriculture, healthcare, nutrition, food and business.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Health and NutritionBiochemistry is a broad science that studies the molecules and chemistry of life. It focuses on the structure, properties, and interactions of molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, sugars and lipids. Biochemistry students are prepared for careers in science and science-related fields, such as biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry, academia, science communications, policy, and more.
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Major
Food and Agriculture; Sustainability, Natural Resources & EnvironmentBiological systems engineering (BSE) is an ABET-accredited engineering program that applies engineering principles to natural systems and machinery design that impact production of food, water, energy, and other essential human needs. Biological systems engineering students are prepared for careers developing new products, processes, and systems to protect soil, air, and water quality.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Health and NutritionBiology is the science of living things, from the tiniest microbes to the largest plants and animals, and the connections within the web of life. Biology students are prepared for a variety of careers in healthcare, biotechnology, research, policy and the environment.
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Certificate
Business, Communication & Society; Food and AgricultureThis business management certificate is specifically designed to increase business literacy of CALS majors. Students gain skills valued by agricultural and life science employers such as economics, management, marketing and communication.
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Major
Food and Agriculture; Sustainability, Natural Resources & EnvironmentCommunity and environmental sociology explores the communities in which people live and the relationships between people and their natural environments. Community and environmental sociology students are prepared for careers that support environmental sustainability, community development, public health, and sustainable food and agricultural systems — in the private, public and non-profit sectors.
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Business, Communication & Society; Food and AgricultureStudying the business of animal agriculture and the biology and management of farm animals can lead to improvements in our food production systems that benefit animals, farmers, consumers, and the environment. Dairy and food animal management students are prepared for a variety of careers that require a strong background in agribusiness, animal biology, farm management, livestock production management, meat industry, technical services and consulting, research, and outreach.
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Certificate
Business, Communication & SocietyThrough this certificate, any UW–Madison major can better understand the implications of world poverty. Courses illustrate how trade, migration and foreign investment impact economic growth and development around the world.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Food and AgricultureStudy insects—the largest animal population on Earth—including their relationships with other animals, the environment and human beings. Graduates find employment in college and university teaching, research and extension work, state and federal government service, and industry and research institutes.
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Food and Agriculture; Sustainability, Natural Resources & EnvironmentEnvironmental sciences uses the fundamentals of the natural sciences—biology, chemistry, physics, and statistics to understand the environment and find solutions to real-world environmental challenges. Environmental sciences students are prepared for careers in environmental assessment, monitoring and remediation, consulting, education, natural resource management, and ecological restoration.
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Certificate
Food and Agriculture; Sustainability, Natural Resources & EnvironmentThe environmental soil science certificate is a gateway to understanding the dynamics of Earth’s thin living skin. Soil is where the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere connect and is pivotal in shaping ecosystems’ biodiversity, health, and resilience. Mastery of soil properties, processes, and distribution is necessary for addressing pressing environmental challenges, including food and energy security, water quality protection, climate change, and ecosystem health.
Designed as a launchpad, this certificate empowers students to pursue careers and certification in the field of soil science, opening doors for employment in the public and private sectors with expertise in soil science and environmental stewardship.
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Certificate
Food and AgricultureThe certificate in fermented foods and beverages provides students the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in the science, development, production, and marketing of fermented foods and beverages. The program focuses on hands-on learning with products like beer, wine, spirits, sourdough, kimchi, sauerkraut, cheese, and yogurt.
Students pursuing the certificate can personalize their coursework to explore their own interests and advance individual career goals including deepening their scientific knowledge with a focus on chemistry, genetics, or microbiology or enhancing their business acumen with a focus on marketing, supply chains, or management.
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Major
Food and Agriculture; Health and NutritionFood science incorporates real-life aspects of chemistry, physics, microbiology, and engineering to solve today’s global and local food problems. Food science students are prepared for careers with corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits in product development, quality assurance and control, processing and engineering, technical sales, management, research, sensory analysis, and food law and regulations.
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Certificate
Food and AgricultureThrough interdisciplinary coursework, students in a variety of majors examine all aspects of food production, distribution and consumption and become more informed consumers and citizens. Students complete an internship, independent study or capstone to integrate food systems knowledge gained through coursework.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Sustainability, Natural Resources & EnvironmentForest science relies on scientific principles, tools, and social values to understand, manage, and sustain forests and trees in the face of environmental and social changes. Forest science students are prepared for a variety of careers as foresters, park rangers, conservation scientists, educators, researchers, environmental planners, arborists, and more.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Health and NutritionGenetics and genomics explores how genetic material shapes life — inside cells, within individual organisms and across populations. The Genetics and Genomics major provides a solid foundation for careers in medicine, public health, research, life sciences, agriculture, biotechnology, education, environmental policy, and science communication — in the private, public, and non-profit sectors.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Health and NutritionGlobal health is about improving health for everyone, while considering the connections among people, animals, plants, and the planet. Global health students are prepared for local and international careers in medicine, research, public health, education, the nonprofit sector, and more.
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Certificate
Health and NutritionThe global health certificate provides interdisciplinary perspectives on wellbeing, health inequities and the root causes of global health challenges and is a great compliment to many majors. Through coursework and a required field experience, students learn about public and global health careers and build valuable cross-cultural communication skills.
Global health is about improving health and achieving health equity for all people worldwide, while considering the broader health connections among people, animals, plants and the planet. Graduates go on to positions in medicine, research, public health, policy, education, the non-profit sector and other fields—at local to international levels.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Food and AgricultureHorticulture studies how plants like fruits, vegetables, spices, ornamentals, medicinals, and native plants are used by humans for food, nutrition, fiber, landscapes, and aesthetics. Horticulture students are prepared for careers in food production, plant nurseries, community-supported agriculture (CSA), public gardens, greenhouse production, teaching, public parks, vegetable production, urban agriculture, community-based education, and research.
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Major
Business, Communication & SocietyLife sciences communication is one of the world’s leading science communication programs and integrates science, media, and society with effective communication strategies. Life sciences communication students are prepared for positions in communications, digital marketing, environmental advocacy, and research or consulting in a variety of industries including health care, media, education, agriculture, information technology, and life sciences.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Health and NutritionThe smallest living things—including bacteria, viruses, and yeast—may not be visible to the human eye, but they have big effects on health, food, medicine, energy, and the environment. Microbiology students are prepared for careers in biotechnology, healthcare, education, information technology, food safety, pharmaceuticals, and more.
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Biological Sciences; Health and NutritionNutritional sciences is the study of how diet impacts health and disease on a biochemical and physiological basis. Nutritional sciences students are prepared for health and research careers in a variety of settings, including healthcare, education, corporate wellness, sports nutrition, government agencies, food companies, or pharmaceuticals.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Health and NutritionNutritional sciences, nutrition and dietetics is an ACEND-accredited program that explores nutrition through clinical and management courses. and prepares students for postgraduate training required to become registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN). Nutritional sciences, nutrition and dietetics students are prepared for careers educating people about nutrition with hospitals, clinics, and universities, conducting clinical research with health care, food, and pharmaceutical companies, sports nutrition, and corporate wellness programs.
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Certificate
Food and AgricultureCoursework and hands-on experiences for this certificate allow students to evaluate the benefits and limitations of organic food systems and regulations from environmental, social justice and economic perspectives. Open to all majors, the certificate exposes students to agricultural business, public policy and sustainable development.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Food and AgricultureStudents use science to understand causes and effects of plant diseases and how plant health is influenced by factors such as the weather, beneficial microorganisms and nutrition. Plant pathologists find employment in education, biotechnology companies, government agencies, consulting firms, agricultural research, diagnostic laboratories, and plant production and tissue culture companies.
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Certificate
Business, Communication & SocietyThe certificate is open to all majors and has two tracks focusing on either communication strategy or communication skills and technology. Students in either track gain valuable experience effectively communicating complex and controversial scientific information to diverse audiences.
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Major
Students interested in studying food, health, the environment and human well-being, who are uncertain which major to pursue, are encouraged to join CALS. Undecided students work with academic advisors to explore major options to narrow their interests while completing first year courses common to most majors.
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Major
Biological Sciences; Sustainability, Natural Resources & EnvironmentWildlife ecology aims to meet the complex needs of wildlife in a human-dominated world, including the conservation of wildlife species and their habitats. Wildlife ecology students are prepared to work in public resource management agencies, educational institutions, and non-governmental organization with careers that span ecology, conservation biology, habitat restoration, and wildlife enforcement.
Office of Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Office Hours: 7:45am – 4:30pm
For current & prospective student general inquiries:
Phone: 608.262.3003
Email: academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu