Starting this semester, students new to West Virginia Universitys Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences will be able to take a little extra time in choosing their academic program.

A new pre-agriculture, forestry and consumer sciences major will allow those new students to explore some of the units 18 major areas.

Many new students that I talk to have broad and diverse interests which span several of out traditional programs of study, and the pre-major will allow these students to take courses in several areas and interact with professors in different disciplines,said Denny Smith, associate dean of the college.

I find that in this process, our students discover new interests, become acquainted with professors who often become their mentors, and sometimes come up with a new career path,Smith said.

After spending time in the pre-major, students choose a major in college from the 18 existing curriculums, may combine the major with a minor or may enroll in the multidisciplinary studies program which requires the completion of three academic minors,Smith added.Students often work with their faculty advisor to develop a multidisciplinary program through use of their restricted and free elective courses.

The pre-agriculture, forestry and consumer sciences major is designed to allow a student to take courses that involve any and all of the 18 different majors the Davis College has to offer including forestry, horticulture, interior design, landscape architecture, environmental protection, biochemistry, animal and veterinary sciences, agribusiness management and others.

The pre-agriculture, forestry and consumer science major replaces the former general agriculture and general forestry pre-majors.

For more information on the pre-major or any other areas of study at the Davis College, contact the associate deans office at 304-293-2691.