What's Different About This Degree?
The Candidate
You should be an individual who has a passion for managing and leading organizations
that will make improvements in the world's rapidly changing seed sector. You
should have an undergraduate degree in agriculture, business or a seed related
area in biology. This degree program is aimed at professionals working in industry
and government.
You can earn this degree from your home or office by using your computer and the Internet. You can study when and where your schedule permits. Content will be distributed on CD's so that you can participate without a fast internet connection. Professors will interact with you using the internet.
The Curriculum
The Seed Technology and Business program is specifically oriented
to prepare students for management roles. It emphasizes development of superior
problem-solving and analytic skills. It combines seed science and technology
with essential courses in business management in a rigorous integrated curriculum.
The business courses will highlight seed related issues. The science and technology
courses will focus on practical application.
The program will keep a group of students together for a little more than
two and a half years. You will be encouraged to share your work experience
with other members of the group. You will take 1 or 2 courses per semester
so that you can balance your other commitments. The Seed Technology
and Business Program courses follow the Iowa State academic calendar. If you
are a seed sector professional this program has been designed specifically
with your needs in mind.
The tuition for the master's degree in seed technology and business staring
in the 2007-08 academic year will be approximately $28,000. The program starts
in July 2007 and finishes in early summer 2009. Enrollment is limited to permit
quality interaction between the instructor and student. Courses must be taken
in the order in which they are offered and students will remain with the same
group throughout the degree program.
The Delivery
The program will boost your productivity by giving you decision making tools and up-to-date scientific and technical information about seed and the ways in which it delivers value to users and society.
Most of the content of the courses will be delivered on CD's and access using
a web browser. By delivering the content on CD's, we will avoid some internet
connectivity challenges. The curriculum incorporates experience gained by other
distance education programs at Iowa State. Lessons are carefully designed and
include interactivity. You can schedule your study time. Some of the interaction
between the students and instructors will take place within an on-line learning
system.
The Results
The seed and genetics industry is growing. The program will boost your productivity by giving you decision making tools and up-to-date scientific and technical information about seed and the ways in which it delivers value to users and society. Improved decisions will increase your income and ability to manage and lead in this growing part of our world.
Contacts
If you want additional information about the Graduate Program in Seed Technology
and Business, contact Paul Christensen, Program Manager, at 515-294-8745 or seedgrad@iastate.edu.
