students in apple orchard, students in lab, dogs playing with students in background

Put Power Behind Your Electives

Students entering college today are predicted to hold more than 20 different jobs over their lifetimes. At CALS, our flexible curriculum and clusters of academic expertise enable students to take relevant courses in a variety of topic areas to prepare them for a multifaceted career.

As a CALS student, you can use your electives, distribution requirements and even major requirements to cultivate your interests and explore new areas of expertise that can help give you an edge in the competitive job market. Multidisciplinary approaches are required to solve the complex problems of our time. Exploring these connections through coursework in a different field can expand your worldview, create new areas of expertise, and make you stand out as a job applicant. Explore topic areas below.

  • UPGRADE YOUR RESUME

    1. THINK

    Where do you want to be after graduation? What type of job do you hope to land? Do you want to be in an office? In a lab? A healthcare setting? A government office?

    2. EXPLORE

    Explore courses within different topic areas below to see what interests you. Your electives are your opportunity to build knowledge and skills that will help you excel in whatever career path you choose. 

    3. SEEK GUIDANCE

    Talk with your advisor about your interests and how you can make the most of your elective courses.

    4. ENROLL!

    Note that some courses may require instructor permission or pre-requisites. Contact the instructor if you have any trouble registering.

Exploring Applied Science

The World of Plants

Our Animal World for Non-Majors

Infectious Disease and International Development

Biosecurity

Human Health

Genetics and Health

Cancer

Obesity

Vaccines

Policy

Organizing, Advocacy and Outreach

Science Communication

Fake Science and News

Working with Big Data

Focus on Food

New Foods and Beverages

FLEX YOUR MAJOR

student with pipet and petri dish

Students on a pre-medical track may choose to explore courses in science communication to strengthen their ability to communicate with future patients and families, and to communicate with the media or public at large.

Students studying animal sciences may explore courses in biosecurity to gain a deeper understanding of how infectious diseases are spread among people, animals and the environment.

Students studying environmental science or plant biology may be interested in taking policy courses to better understand how their research might translate into policy action.

The possibilities are endless.