About the College | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences | The University of Vermont(title)

UVM's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences advances education, research, and scholarship across the life and social sciences to build a healthier, more sustainable planet. We study and improve life, from cells to society.

We study and improve life from cells to society

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is home to six academic departments and UVM Extension. CALS students, faculty, and staff engage in teaching, research, and community outreach activities that promote sustainability and well-being. 

CALS has a vibrant and visible presence on our Burlington campus but reaches far beyond Burlington with educational facilities, research programs, and Extension outreach activities in every county of Vermont. 

Mission

Our mission is to deliver collaborative, transformative research, academics, and outreach that create critical thinkers and problem solvers to build resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and healthy communities and environments.

Vision

We envision a college that moves society continuously towards science-informed decisions to help our community and environments thrive.

Points of pride

student looking through a microscope

High Rates of Student Success

CALS prepares its students for success both at UVM and in their careers. 25-30% of CALS undergraduates enroll in graduate programs within six months of earning their B.S. degree - the highest rate of any college on campus. Our pre-veterinarian students have over a 90% acceptance rate to vet schools.
Student studies beneath a tree while sitting in orange fall leaves

In-College Personal Advising

A personal advisor gets to know each student and their unique goals. This allows each first-year student to work with their advisor to formulate an academic plan centered on their specific interests while also troubleshooting any challenges in acclimating to college life.
Food Science Students cooking in a kitchen lab

Global Leader in Food Systems

A pioneer in food systems education, research, and collaboration UVM is also the only university in the country to offer undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Food Systems. We boast the USDA-funded FSRC, dedicated to studying the economic, environmental and social aspects of food systems.

Academics

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offers a diverse selection of undergraduate majors and graduate programs that cover broad fields of inquiry, spanning cells to society. 

Undergraduate Programs

CALS is home to 14 undergraduate majors and 19 minors spanning the life and social sciences. Our programs cover an exciting array of contemporary subjects. Whether you want to grow things, make things, discover a cure, or create change, CALS has a program that will meet your needs within our six undergraduate departments, our two programs that are shared with other UVM colleges, as well as our self-designed program option. 

Undergraduate programs

Graduate Programs

Our graduate programs offer opportunities to pursue specialized study, and inspire and motivate students through diverse research methods, transdisciplinary and systems thinking. In addition to our master’s and doctoral programs, we offer several professional programs and five accelerated Master's programs, enabling students to earn both their bachelor's and master's degree within five years. 

Graduate programs