The College of Agricultural Sciences is the unit within the Mayagüez Campus where formal teaching, research, and extension in agricultural sciences are integrated. These three functions are mutually complementary and exist under a central scheme of a three-dimensional organization which includes the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Agricultural Extension Service.

University teaching in the field of agriculture began formally in Puerto Rico in 1911 with the establishment of the College of Agriculture at Mayagüez.

The Agricultural Experiment Station was originally established in 1910 as a private entity of the Sugar Producers' Association of Puerto Rico. In 1914, it was transferred to the Government of Puerto Rico. With the Jones Act of 1917, the Agency became part of the Department of Agriculture and Labor, and it was given the name "Insular Experiment Station". In 1933, and in accordance with Joint Resolution No. 3 of the Legislature of Puerto Rico, the Experiment Station was transferred to the University of Puerto Rico.

The Agricultural Extension Service, established in Puerto Rico in 1934, was made possible through an understanding between the United States Department of Agriculture and the University of Puerto Rico.

The College of Agricultural Sciences was created in accordance with Public Law No. 1, known as the University Law which was approved on January 20, 1966, and Certification No. 13 of the Council of Higher Education, dated September 11, 1968. The College integrated within Mayagüez Campus formal teaching, research, and extension in agricultural sciences. A management team, composed of the Dean and Director of the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Associate Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Associate Dean and Deputy Director of the Agricultural Extension Service, and the Associate Dean and Deputy Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, directs the plans and programs of the College, in accordance with Certification No. 174 of September 24, 1980, issued by the Council of Higher Education.

The Office of International Programs adds a dimension of hemispheric cooperation to the College of Agricultural Sciences. Through this office, the College coordinates short course offerings to international participants and trainees; facilitates short term technical assistance to institutions in developing nations; sponsors international graduate student programs; and provides logistic support for faculty exchange and internship programs in tropical agriculture.

The Mayagüez Campus is one of two Land-Grant universities in the tropics, and the only one where Spanish is the native language (although the English language is also used extensively). The campus provides a unique setting, and, to some extent, it is in a privileged position to serve as an international center for studies, training, and research in the fields of agricultural sciences.

Besides the library, laboratories, and farm facilities for research at the Mayagüez Research Center, facilities are also available at the Río Piedras Research Center and at six substations located in different geographic regions of Puerto Rico. The USDA Tropical Agriculture Research Station (TARS), adjacent to the Mayagüez Campus, offers technical assistance and makes available to graduate students its library and other physical facilities for research.

Areas of Study

The College of Agricultural Sciences is responsible for higher learning in the agricultural sciences; its basic function is performed at three different levels. The main emphasis is placed on the bachelor programs, but it includes a non-degree program in Pre-Veterinary and graduate studies at the Masters degree level.

At the undergraduate level, the College of Agricultural Sciences offers programs leading to a Bachelor in Agricultural Sciences. Students are trained in all areas related to the science and art of modern agriculture, as well as in the ability to express themselves both orally and in writing. In addition, the student is provided with opportunities for the development of an analytical, critical, and reflective mind.

To accomplish these aims, the College of Agricultural Sciences offers eleven programs leading to the Bachelor's degree:

In addition, the College offers a non-degree program of study in Pre-Veterinary Studies for those students pursuing Veterinary Medicine.

The College follows an interdisciplinary approach in its programs of study, which, in addition to the various specialties in the agricultural sciences, encompass teaching natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and languages. The goal of formal teaching is to prepare scientists, agronomists, and technicians for the development and progress of Puerto Rico's agriculture and to provide them with the knowledge and competence in their fields of specialization, as well as with indispensable background in socio-humanistic disciplines and the positive attitudes necessary to serve the Island well. The first year of study is the same for all programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences, with the exception of the Pre-Veterinary Program. Beginning in sophomore year, students take the required courses and the professional electives pertaining to a particular field of specialization. All programs require students to enroll at the end of the third year of study in a summer practicum under the supervision of a professor of the department.

At the graduate level, the College of Agriculture offers study programs leading to the Master of Science degree in Animal Industry, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Extension, Agronomy, Soils, Crop Protection, Food Science and Technology, or Horticulture. For more information, refer to the Graduate Studies Catalogue of the Mayagüez Campus.

Cooperative Education Program

The Coop Program offers all qualified students majoring in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agronomy, Soil Sciences, Animal Industry, Crop Protection, Horticulture, Mechanical-Agricultural Technology and General Agricultural Sciences Program an opportunity to enhance their academic preparation, acquire valuable work experience, and explore career options. Through this program, students alternate terms of full-time study with terms of full-time paid employment. Work experiences are supervised jointly by a mentor in the cooperating institution (private business or government agency) and a faculty member. A fundamental purpose of cooperative education is on the job training.

Student Eligibility

To be eligible for the Coop-program, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

Employment Participation

The coop organization is committed, through a written agreement, to provide the student with a learning experience in the workplace and to evaluate the student's work experience. Since during work experience periods students are considered employees of the hiring organization, the following norms are applicable:

The Plan

• Work periods are integrated within the curriculum. They do not occur before the initial school term or after the final school term has been completed.
  
• A student must be registered in the cooperative education course assigned and will receive six credit-hours in free electives for a minimum of two work experiences; one must take place during a regular semester.
  
  

Agricultural Experiment Station

The role of the Agricultural Experiment Station is to provide the scientific and technological base necessary for the development of the agricultural and rural sectors of Puerto Rico. As part of its functions, the Agricultural Experiment Station also conducts agro-industrial research related to the preservation, processing and added-value of agricultural products. The research program has incorporated urban horticulture and the assessment of quality and use of agricultural and industrial by-products. This program is in accordance with the appropriate environmental and governmental policies. In each field, activities are developed in both basic and applied research.

The Station has central offices and research activities at the two main research centers at Mayagüez and Río Piedras. In addition to the main Research Centers, the Agricultural Experiment Station has six substations with a total area of more than 2,000 acres of land distributed in different geographical and ecological zones of Puerto Rico. The Substations at Adjuntas and Corozal are located in the central, humid mountainous region. Those at Lajas and Juana Díaz are in the dry, flat coastal southern region. The Substation at Isabela is in the sub-humid northern region and the Gurabo Substation is in the east central region. This wide distribution allows for the evaluation of different crops and animal production systems in the ecological zones where they best adapt.

Agricultural Extension Service

The Agricultural Extension Service's basic aim is to educate on recommended practices to maintain a prosperous agriculture, improve the quality of family life, and provide adequate orientation and guidance for youth and for the development of community resources.

The Agricultural Extension Service is the informal education branch of the College of Agricultural Sciences and offers its services through four main programs:

The administrative unit of the Agricultural Extension Service has two main offices located at Mayagüez and Río Piedras, and five located in San Juan, Arecibo, Mayagüez, Ponce and Caguas. In addition, 69 local offices fulfill educational functions by serving the 78 municipalities of Puerto Rico. In each of the areas served by the Agricultural Extension Service, a citizens´ committee collaborates with professional personnel in the preparation and development of annual work plans for the agency which respond to Puerto Rico´s needs.