Special Academic Programs

Every student who attends the University of Maryland can engage in special experiences that complement the academic curriculum and offer the opportunity for extraordinary growth. Within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, you’ll have plenty of chances to push yourself. Read on to discover a few of the partnerships and programs that make so many special experiences possible.

Honors

At the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, you'll have plenty of chances to push yourself The University of Maryland’s Honors program provides selected students challenging seminars, lectures, research opportunities and a close community of faculty and peers to enhance your academic experience. Past seminars have included “The Biophysiology of Wellness,” “Fearfully Great Lizards: Topics in Dinosaur Research,” and “Use and Misuse of Medicinal Plants.”

Many honors students chose to live together in university housing, and social activities include film festivals, theater nights and field trips. As a junior and senior, students can continue in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ departmental honors program. The curriculum requires an honors research thesis, which presents students a special opportunity to work alongside a faculty member. For more information, visit www.honors.umd.edu/.

Gemstone

Gemstone is a separate honors program that brings together students from agriculture, natural resources, engineering, the social sciences, business, the humanities and the physical sciences. Students invited to Gemstone work on a research project culminating in a thesis and presentation. Teams of 10–12 students address societal problems or issues that might be solved through the use of technology. Each group works closely with a faculty mentor; our college has one of the best. Professor Frank Coale, chair of the Department of Environmental Science and Technology, was recognized as an outstanding Gemstone mentor. For more information, please see www.gemstone.umd.edu.

College Park Scholars

This two-year living and learning program emphasizes small community within the larger research university. Invited students can choose courses organized around common themes such as environmental studies; Earth, life and time; or science, discovery and the universe. The Scholars program encourages active learning through community service and field trips. Destinations might include the National Zoo, the USDA, Shenandoah National Park and the Chesapeake Bay. For more information, visit www.scholars.umd.edu/.

Certificate in International Agriculture and Natural Resources

The college’s Certificate in International Agriculture and Natural Resources is designed to enrich a student’s major with a global perspective. Required courses of study focus on language instruction; international aspects of the environment, agricultural production, development and sustainability, nutrition, and business; an experience abroad; and a capstone course regarding the student’s travel abroad. For more information, visit www.agnr.umd.edu/undergrad/foreign_study/index.cfm.

Scholarships

All freshmen admitted to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources will automatically be considered for college-specific scholarships based on their admission application materials. College scholarships are separate from university scholarships awarded by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The Catherine M. Brinkley Loan provides interest-free loans to students who are Maryland natives or residents. For information, visit the Web site at www.agnr.umd.edu/scholarships/Brinkley.cfm.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Weiss

Last updated: 08/22/2008