Agricultural Sciences and Engineering

Korsi Dumenyo, PhD
Department Chair
Office: 209 CARP Building
Phone: (615) 963-5634
Email: Korsi.Dumenyo@tnstate.edu

The graduate programs in the Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering are designed to provide students with a solid and relevant curriculum that blends 21st-century leadership skills with advanced scientific knowledge to solve problems in agriculture and related areas. Students develop the necessary skills and competencies, and expand their knowledge, creativity, and scholastic activities through classroom instruction, experiential hands-on learning, and networking opportunities that prepare them for today’s ever-demanding job market.

The programs are tailored to prepare students for research and development careers in agricultural biotechnology, plant breeding, soil science, and precision agriculture in related industries or government agencies. The department provides students with extensive opportunities to engage in both basic and applied research that addresses pressing challenges at local, regional, and global levels, enriching student learning and contributing to the university’s research mission.

The department administers the Master of Science (M.S.) in Agricultural Sciences, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Agricultural Sciences, and the Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology. The Ph.D. program is managed in close coordination with sister departments within the College of Agriculture. With a diverse and talented faculty, the department fosters a collaborative and innovative research environment.

State-of-the-art research laboratories-housed in Lawson Hall, the Farrell-Westbrook Agricultural Research Complex, and the Agricultural Biotechnology Building-offer advanced equipment for research. To further support field research, the college operates three research stations: the main campus Agricultural Research and Education Center, the Cheatham County Agricultural Demonstration and Research Center, and the Otis L. Floyd Nursery Research Center in McMinnville.

Objectives

The graduate programs in the Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering are designed to:

Develop professionals and research scholars with in-depth knowledge and skills in plant agriculture.
Prepare scholars for rewarding careers in academia, government, industry, and international organizations.
Develop scholars to take leadership roles in professional food, agricultural, and environmental sciences.
Equip agricultural professionals to evaluate and define diverse problems and develop solutions.
Enable experts to analyze data, develop, implement, and evaluate solutions to real-world problems.
Produce scholars capable of communicating effectively to diverse audiences.
Prepare scholars for further doctoral and/or post-doctoral training.

Programs and Degrees

The Department offers the following graduate degrees:

Master of Science in Agricultural Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Agricultural Sciences
Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology

Faculty

With over two dozen faculty members representing diverse expertise and educational backgrounds, the department fosters a collaborative and innovative research environment. Faculty specializations cover a broad spectrum of modern agricultural science, from molecular breeding and plant pathology to precision agriculture and sustainable cropping systems, ensuring students receive comprehensive and advanced training.

Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Graduate Faculty