Agriculture
Statement of programs and library needs
The following departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offer programs leading to the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees: Agricultural and Applied Economics, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Biological Systems Engineering (engineering degree program is in the College of Engineering), Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Dairy Science, Food Science and Technology, and Horticulture. The remaining two departments in the college, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science, offer programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The Department of Biochemistry, located in the College of Science, also administers an undergraduate program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (see separate policy statement for Biochemistry).
In recent years the college has become a national leader in research in sustainable agriculture and the development of techniques to solve the problems of environmental protection related to agricultural production and processing. The college also continues its strong extension component. Specific research areas and programs within the various departments are described below (the Department of Food Science and Technology and the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics are described in separate policy statements).
Animal and Poultry Sciences
Undergraduate majors choose a production/business option or a science/biotechnology option (pre-vet); within each option an equine, livestock, or poultry emphasis is offered. Graduate students may specialize in animal management (M.S. only), behavior, genetics, molecular biology, nutrition, physiology, or product quality assurance. A Ph.D. is available in the interdepartmental genetics program, molecular and cellular biology, and biotechnology.
Biological Systems Engineering
Biological Systems Engineering offers a curriculum based on a foundation of math, biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering courses followed by one of two main specialty areas, Land and Water Resource Engineering or Bio-process Engineering. The Land and Water Resource Engineering option includes such areas as non-point source pollution control; surface and groundwater protection, management, and quality modeling; the use of geographic information systems; erosion control; animal waste management; and sensors and controls in agriculture and aquaculture. The Bio-process Engineering option involves the design and development of equipment and procedures for the environmentally responsible manufacture of food and industrial products (e.g., polymers, plastics, fuels, pharmaceuticals) from biological materials. This option encompasses food and aquacultural engineering.
Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences
Undergraduate majors may choose from six options: soils (soil properties, taxonomy, conservation); environmental (human impact on the environment, land- use planning, groundwater pollution); crops (biology and technology of food, feed, and fiber production); turf management; biotechnology; or international agriculture. Areas in graduate research include environmental resources management and control; crop physiology and ecology; breeding and genetics of agronomic crops; and the mineralogy, fertility, and chemistry of soils.
Dairy Science
Undergraduate majors may choose from two curricula: production and business management or science/biotechnology/prevet. The production and business management option includes such areas as dairy herd management, dairy production, and agri- business. The science/biotechnology/ pre- vet option may involve research in lactation, genetics, nutrition, or reproduction. In recent years there has been growing interest in biotechnology (transgenic animals) and population genetics particularly in the areas of animal growth and production rates.
Entomology
Graduate research programs may deal with a variety of entomological topics, including basic biological studies (ecology, systematics, toxicology); environmental assessment and pesticide management; biological control; sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management; computer-aided decision making; bio-control of weeds; and urban, aquatic, and forest entomology. In addition to these areas, research is conducted on specific insects, such as the honey bee, gypsy moth, and cockroach.
Horticulture
Research in horticulture involves all commodities and disciplines related to horticulture, including tree and small fruit, vegetable, nursery, and floral production; viticulture; all landscape services (design, construction, installation, maintenance); and horticulture therapy and education. This broad range of topics is reflected in the curriculum, allowing undergraduates to choose from one of the following specializations: horticulture crops; landscape contracting; horticulture science; or horticulture therapy and education.
Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science
Research in this department is varied and includes plant biotechnology; plant stress physiology; fungal toxicants and interactions; plant bacteriology and virology; air pollution damage to plants; and plant nematology.
I. Collection areas
A. Area: Agriculture
B. Classes and Levels
HD1405-2206 Agricultural Economics Research QC857- 999 Meteorology, Climatology Basic QD415- 441 Biological Chemistry Research QH301- 352 Biology Research QH426- 531 Genetics Research QH573- 705 Cytology Research QK1- 977.5 Botany Research QL434 Arthropoda Research QL461- 599 Insecta Research QL801- 950 Anatomy Research QP Physiology Research QR1- 484 Microbiology Research RD Surgery (experimental) Study S Agriculture Research SB Plant Culture and Horticulture Research SF1- 538 Animal Culture Research TA593 Remote Sensing of Environment Research TX325 Household Pests Research TX571 Pesticide Residues Research
C. Chronology
Emphasis is on the acquisition of current imprints, although retrospective materials may be needed occasionally.
D. Geographic Guidelines
Primary emphasis is on agriculture in temperate climates, especially animals and crops of economic importance in Virginia. Because the college has commitments worldwide, works on agriculture in various countries are collected selectively.
E. Languages
English is the primary language of the collection.
F. Treatment
Emphasis is on monographs, serials, reference works, handbooks, manuals, and conference proceedings. Trade publications and newsletters are of interest, particularly in horticulture and animal science. Standards are also important, particularly in biological systems engineering.
G. Formats
Primarily print for monographs and most journals, though electronic full-text is also of growing importance for journals. Bibliographic databases are available through the Internet. The Libraries support access to key bibliographic databases in agriculture, engineering, and the life sciences. Videos are sometimes acquired upon faculty request.
H. Multiple copies
Multiple copies (usually one extra copy) are occasionally purchased for heavily used titles as funds permit.
II. Acquisition Strategy
The majority of materials are selected by the agriculture bibliographer, with priority given to faculty and student requests. Annual reviews and similar materials, including important monographic serials, are received on standing order. The Libraries maintain an approval plan for books from many university presses and significant trade publishers, including CAB beginning with 1995 imprints. Gifts are not an important means of acquisition. There is no systematic retrospective purchasing. Government documents are important, with some acquired by purchase and others by deposit. Many FAO publications are received on standing order.
III. Collection Notes
Theses and dissertations from other institutions, lower division college textbooks, and juvenile literature are generally not collected unless by faculty request. Some general books (geared toward the lay-person) in horticulture, gardening, and other agriculture- related topics are selected since the collection is regularly accessed by the local community. Research and teaching in agriculture draws heavily on resources which support other disciplines such as medicine, business and economics, biochemistry, statistics and computer science, animal behavior and psychology, engineering, and especially, biology.
Revised 4/1996
