The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a small college embedded in a Public Ivy. From our university’s highly ranked programs to our stellar teaching and research in the basic and applied sciences, CALS offers a breadth of programs that create opportunities for the future. Our faculty, staff and students are passionate, engaged and approachable. Through our innovative curriculum, hands on learning opportunities and high quality advising, students help produce a better world, with sustainable goals in mind. Come learn why we are proud to call CALS and UVM home. Join us!
Undergraduate Majors
Undergraduate Minors
First Year Experience
CALS Foundation Courses (CALS 001, CALS 002)
All CALS First Year students are required to take two CALS Foundation Courses (CALS 001 Communication Methods, CALS 002 Information Technology). These courses develop skills for college success and beyond. These courses will help students to become oriented to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and UVM, teaching them valuable skills in both public speaking and information technology.
Examples of First Year Curricula
Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Fall semester CALS 001 Foundations: Communication Methods ASCI 001 Introductory Animal Science CHEM 023/031 Inorganic Chemistry ENGS 001 Written Expression Diversity or Sustainability course | Spring semester CALS 002 Foundations: Information Technology BCOR 12 Exploring Biology MATH 009 College Algebra or higher (Calculus) Humanities course ASCI 006 Animals in Society and Animal Welfare |
Nutrition and Food Sciences
Fall semester CALS 001 Foundations: Communication Methods ENGS 001 Written Expression NFS 43 Fundamentals of Nutrition NFS 44 Survey of the Field CHEM 23 Inorganic Chemistry | Spring Semester CALS 002 Foundations: Information Technology NFS 53 Basic Concepts of Food NFS 54 Basic Concepts of Food lab PSYC 001 General Psychology CHEM 42 Organic Chemistry |
Food Systems
Fall semester CALS 001 Foundations: Communication Methods CDAE 002 World, Food, Population and Development PSS 21 Introduction to Ecological Agriculture ENGS 001 Written Expression NFS 43 Fundamentals of Nutrition | Spring semester CALS 002 Foundations: Information Technology FS 100 Food Systems Seminar FS 101 Food Systems Policy Math 9 College Algebra PBIO 006 The Green World |
Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Fall semester CALS 001 Foundations: Communication Methods MMG 001 First Year Colloquium CHEM 031 Inorganic Chemistry BCOR 011 Exploring Biology ENGS 001 Written Expression | Spring semester CALS 002 Foundations: Information Technology CHEM 032 General Chemistry 2 MATH 021 Calculus 1 BCOR 102 Molecular and Cell Biology |
Student Opportunities
Opportunities for student to learn outside the classroom, typically called experiential or service learning, are abundant in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. CALS students graduate with real life experiences gained from hands-on learning through internships, undergraduate research, student-run programs, community service-learning and study abroad.
Transfer Students
We are excited you are considering transferring to the University of Vermont. The university welcomes transfer applications from students who have met all university-wide entrance requirements either in high school or in college.
Helpful information and guides for transfer students can be found here.
Have Questions?
For more information please contact Kaylee Boutin, Student Services Specialist for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Student Stories
Olivia Peña, ‘17, Food Systems
The first UVM student to graduate with a degree in food systems, Olivia was a member of the Real Food Working group, a committee on campus that helps guide food purchases at UVM with a goal of 20% of food to be locally sourced by 2020. She also was a project assistant researching harvest losses in developing countries as part of a Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Systems organization on campus. While at UVM, Olivia has taught horseback riding lessons, served as an orientation leader, and a CALS student representative.
Stuart Laperle, ‘17, Public Communication
A public communication major, Stuart combined service-learning and internship opportunities to prepare for a career in broadcast media. He joined the Vermont Cynic newspaper during his first semester, then served as sports editor and later managing editor with a staff of 90 students. He is a writer for USA Today College and Buzzfeed News, and has interned with FOX 44 News in Vermont and a television station in Fargo, North Dakota. Service-learning courses at UVM allowed Stu to work with a variety of partners to apply communication skills, including Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity and communities in St. Lucia.
Niles Trigg, ‘17, Microbiology and Molecular Geneitcs
As a major in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Niles gained extensive experience in the lab, hospital, and international communities during his undergraduate studies. As a member of the Premedical Enhancement Program, Niles spent three years shadowing and being mentored by doctors in preparation for applying to medical school. His research focused on mutant repair enzyme with variable susceptibility to chemotherapy drugs in Dr. Susan Wallace’s lab. Niles also volunteered with MEDLIFE, where he worked with underserved communities in Ecuador to develop mobile medical clinics.