Department of Agriculture - University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Go AGRI. GO Further.

Fall 2024 Spring / Summer 2025 Fall 2025

Welcome

The Department of Agriculture plays an essential role in UAPB’s designation as an 1890 land-grant institution. For more than 150 years, we have produced leaders in the field of agriculture. Agricultural studies have expanded to many fields outside of exploring balanced and ecological ways to feed a growing global population. The science of agriculture impacts today’s economy, policy development, international trade and much more. Agriculture is a scientific discipline that involves research and its application to agricultural problems and the impact of these applications.

Degree holders in this field have career opportunities that continue to grow. The UAPB Department of Agriculture prepares graduates to be employed in all areas of the food and fiber system, from production agriculture to banking and business, the management of supply chains, research applications and graduate study.

Expand your perception of agriculture, its global impact and the fulfilling career opportunities it supports. Know Ag. Go Further.

Mission Statement
The Department of Agriculture works to provide students with a quality education through teaching, research, scientific experiences, and technical orientation in the agricultural disciplines.
Our goals are to prepare students for:
1. The job market in their area of specialization;
2. Graduate and professional school;
3. Entrepreneurship by providing knowledge of technical agriculture, agribusiness, and agricultural policies;
4. Productive and well-educated citizenship; and
5. Participation in domestic as well as international agricultural production systems.
Our Department
Agriculture is a scientific discipline that involves research and its application to agricultural problems. The UAPB Department of Agriculture prepares graduates to be employed in all areas of the food and fiber system, from production agriculture to banking and business, the management of supply chains, research applications and graduate study. The Department offers a bachelor’s degree with four program options, a regulatory science degree with three program options and a master’s degree in agricultural regulations.

Dr. Tracy V. Dunbar
Department Chair / Professor
Suite 108, Room 106, Woodard Hall
Phone: (870)-575-7142
Email: dunbart@uapb.edu
Department of Agriculture
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
1200 N. University DriveMail Slot 4913
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Phone: (870) 575-8535
Fax: (870) 575-4629

AGRI FEATURES

“I really appreciated the classroom environment at UAPB,” Allison Malone said. “I wasn’t just a number. Professors at UAPB know your name and are always there for you. My professors were always making sure I was on track with my studies and that I never missed out on any important opportunities that would further my education.”

– Allison Malone, UAPB’s first agricultural engineering graduate

– Dr. Tracy V. Dunbar, chair

OUR IMPACT

UAPB has a storied connection to the study of agriculture. As an 1890s land-grant HBCU, we remain committed to cutting-edge innovation and research that enhances our ability to feed the world’s growing population.

Research

We are home to ground-breaking ag science research and world-class facilities. Explore the world of ag research.

Grants

We’ve been awarded over $1 million in research grants in the past five years. Engage in research that makes a global difference.

Scholarships

We have millions of scholarship dollars available for ag majors. Fund your future with ag.

Careers

We’re looking for graduates to fill 370k jobs that will be added up through 2031. Join a growing industry.

DEGREE OPTIONS

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
The Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture is offered with the following program options: Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business, Plant Science (Agronomy/Horticulture) and Animal Science.
- Agricultural Economics
  Agriculture is a scientific discipline that involves both basic and applied research as well as the application of concepts and principles to problems. The Department of Agriculture offers a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with four program options: Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business, Plant Sciences (agronomy/horticulture) and Animal Science.
  Agricultural Economics program equips students with business and analytical skills to solve problems in agriculture and related businesses and communities. This program helps students understand economic principles and public policy and how they are related to our everyday life.
  Common career options for graduates of these programs are as a Sales Representative, Food Safety Inspector, Agricultural Commodity Trader, Statistician, Soil Conservationist, Human Resources Specialist, Loan Officer, Economist, Farm Credit Manager, Extension Agent, Marketing Specialist and Entrepreneur. The skills gained in these programs are also transferable to many industries other than agriculture. For more information, view the Agricultural Economics curriculum.
  Faculty Members
  Dr. Ranjitsinh Mane
  Assistant Professor – Agricultural and Consumer Economics
  Department of Agriculture
  Suite 122
  Woodard Hall
  1200 N. University Drive
  Mail Slot 4913
  Pine Bluff, AR 71601
  Phone: (870) 575-7203
  Fax: (870) 575-4629
  maner@uapb.edu
- Agricultural Business
  Agricultural Business deals with the financial and management aspects of the food and fiber industry. This includes the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products. This program combines knowledge of business and agricultural sciences into a broad area of study that gives students several career options. It can be thought of as the business side of agriculture. For more information, view the Agricultural Business curriculum.
- Plant Science
  The plant science option prepares students for careers in natural resources conservation, Cooperative Extension, forestry, agricultural industry, crop consultancy, fruit and vegetable production, nursery management and related areas.
  
  Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced degrees that may lead to careers in biotechnology, plant breeding and plant nutrition. Students in the plant science option may concentrate in agronomy (soil and field crops) or horticulture (fruit and vegetables). They take courses in crop improvement, crop production, pest management, soils environmental science and computer sciences. For more information, view the Plant and Soil Science curriculum.
- Animal Science
  The animal science option prepares students for admission to graduate and veterinary schools. It also prepares individuals for professional employment as meat inspectors, laboratory technicians, extension agents and production animal agriculturists.
  
  Junior and senior level students take courses in the physiology of reproduction, quality assurance of meat products, animal nutrition, poultry production, livestock production and other animal sciences related courses. Pre-veterinary science students take additional courses that meet the specific admission requirements for veterinary colleges of their choice. For more information, view the Animal Science curriculum.
Bachelor of Science in Regulatory Science
USDA Center of Excellence Regulatory Science is a multi-disciplinary program. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for exciting careers related to regulatory and compliance activities with federal, state and local governments, as well as private industry. The program is offered with three options: Agriculture, Biology and Industrial Health and Safety.
Governmental regulatory agencies protect the health and safety of the American public. They help to ensure safety in the development, distribution, and use of natural resources, food products, and agriculture. In addition, regulatory agents work with environmental issues, waste disposal methods, and the industrial and manufacturing sectors.

Students completing the curriculum have expertise in a technical field as well as broad-based knowledge of the legislative and judicial powers delegated to federal and state agencies. Graduates of the program are equipped to balance regulatory issues of health and safety with constitutional rights of citizens, economic development interest, national security, international development and other evolving social and political priorities.

The Regulatory Science Program is offered at both the Pine Bluff and North Little Rock campuses. The general education requirements and regulatory science courses can all be taken at either the North Little Rock site or the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff campus.

The program is offered with three options: Agriculture, Environmental Biology and Industrial Health and Safety.
For more information, view the curriculum for the Bachelor of Science degree.
Contact Us
- Dr. Shahidul Islam
  Director, Regulatory Science Center
  Phone: (870) 575-7239
  Email: islams@uapb.edu
- Department of Agriculture
  University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  1200 N. University Drive
  Mail Slot 4913
  Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering
The program in Agricultural Engineering prepares students to meet the demand for more efficient means of production in the agriculture industry. The program is offered with three options: power and machinery; agricultural production systems; and soil and water systems.
The market-driven Agricultural Engineering program prepares students to meet the demand for more efficient means of production in the agriculture industry. The program is designed to produce graduates who can apply knowledge of engineering and biological science to agricultural problems related to power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation and the processing of agricultural products.

Graduates will be able to work as agricultural, sales or environmental engineers. They can also find jobs as environmental scientists and specialists or food scientists and technologists.

The degree program is offered with three options:
- The Power and Machinery track challenges students’ creative minds to develop and improve the next generation of agricultural equipment. Upon completion, students may pursue careers in fields associated with hydraulic engineering.
- The Agricultural Production Systems track focuses on aspects of animal and plant production, including structural development and analysis and environmental control and air quality issues associated with housed animals and plants. This track prepares students for careers in agricultural chemistry, large irrigation systems work and management, soil fertility treatment, biological pest control and agricultural commodities.
- The Soil and Water Systems track emphasizes the design and evaluation of conservation systems. Students learn how to mitigate and improve the environmental impacts of production and agriculture. Upon graduation, students have the knowledge to become water resource specialists, wastewater engineers, environmental engineers and soil and water conservationists.
For more information, see the Agricultural Engineering curriculum plan.

Contact Us
- Dr. Tracy V. Dunbar
  Department Chair / Professor
  Phone: (870)-575-7142
  Email: dunbart@uapb.edu
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
  1200 N. University Drive
  Mail Slot 4913
  Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Master of Science in Agricultural Regulations
The graduate program in Agricultural Regulations is designed to produce highly skilled, multidisciplinary graduates for positions in regulatory science and related areas of research. The program is offered with both a thesis option and a non-thesis option.
The graduate program in Agricultural Regulations is designed to produce highly skilled, multidisciplinary graduates for positions in regulatory science and related areas of research. The program prepares students for the growing number of job opportunities with regulatory agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, Food and Drug Administration and Arkansas State Plant Board, and in science related research fields such as biotechnology, plant science, animal science and food safety. A graduate degree in Agricultural Regulations also prepares graduates to make meaningful contributions to our nation’s agricultural and homeland security.

The program is offered with both thesis and non-thesis options. For more information, see the Agricultural Regulations Program (Thesis Option) Handbook and Agricultural Regulations (Non-thesis Option) Handbook. Students can also view the Application Requirements or Apply Online.

Contact Us
Dr. Tracy V. Dunbar, Chair
Department of Agriculture
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
1200 N. University Drive
Mail Slot 4913
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Phone: (870) 575-8535
Fax: (870) 575-4629