Wisconsin Ag Connection
02-28-07
ISU Introduces Seed Masters Degree
USAgNet
Enrollment is still open for the new seed science, technology and business
management master's degree program at Iowa State University. The
program combines course content from the first year of an MBA with the science
and technology topics that are most directly used in seed.
The material will be offered online, at a convenient pace for working
professionals. This course is available around the world to students who have an
interest in obtaining a master's degree to advance their career path and
companies that are interested in ensuring their supply of future managers and
leaders.
The curriculum is divided in three parts - science, technology and business.
The science portion focuses on crop improvement as the source of the
innovation that drives the industry and includes quantitative methods, seed
pathology and seed physiology.
The technology portion of the course includes field production and seed
conditioning as well as courses on seed quality. A hybrid management and
technology course covers the particulars of seed production and research
management.
The business portion includes courses covering accounting and finance,
information technology, organizational behavior, marketing and logistics and a
special capstone course on seed trade, regulation and policy. Current plans are
for the program to begin August 2007.