By:
Chris Eversole

Source(s):
Rachel Shireman (352) 392-2251
Jimmy Cheek (392) 392-1963

GAINESVILLE — The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is offering a master’s degree in agriculture through distance education, beginning this fall.

Students will be able to take many of the classes for the degree at 12 interactive video classrooms around the state. Some of the classes will be taught By videotape or on the Internet.

“This program is very important for people in agribusiness who need a master’s degree as well as for agriculture teachers and Cooperative Extension Service agents,” said Rachel Shireman, assistant dean of graduate school administration for UF’s College of Agriculture.

Students will be able to pursue master’s degrees in two areas of specialization. One area is agricultural education and communications, and the other area is food and resource economics (agribusiness).

Two courses leading to the master’s degree will be offered this fall. “Methodology of Planned Change” will help students understand how people learn about innovations and how they decide to adopt them or reject them. “Computer Technologies in Agriculture and Natural ReSources” will survey computer tools and will provide experience using them.

UF/IFAS is offering six other distance education courses this fall. They are:

— Writing for Agriculture and the Natural ReSources, — Fundamentals of Biochemistry, — Graduate Survey of Biochemistry, — Man’s Food, — Introductory Food Science and — Fundamentals of Human Nutrition.

The registration deadline for fall classes is Aug. 7. Classes begin the week of Aug. 24. Call (352) 392-2251 for information about graduate registration and (352) 392-1963 for information about undergraduate registration.

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