What's Different About This Degree?

The Candidate
You should be an individual who has a passion for managing and leading organizations that will make improvements in the world's rapidly changing seed sector. You should have an undergraduate degree in agriculture, business or a seed related area in biology. This degree program is aimed at professionals working in industry, government, and non-governmental organizations (NGO).

You can earn this degree from your home or office by using your computer and the Internet. You can study when and where your schedule permits. Content will be also distributed on CDs so that you can participate without a continuous Internet connection. Professors will interact with you using the Internet via email and discussion lists.

The Curriculum
The Seed Technology and Business master's degree program is specifically oriented to prepare students for management roles. It emphasizes development of superior problem-solving and analytic skills. It combines seed science and technology with essential courses in business management in a rigorous integrated curriculum. The business courses will highlight seed related issues. The science and technology courses will focus on practical application.

The program will keep a group of students together for a little more than two and a half years. You will be encouraged to share your work experience with other members of the group. You will take one or two courses per semester so that you can balance your other commitments. The M.S. in Seed Technology and Business Program courses generally follow the Iowa State academic calendar. If you are a seed sector professional, this program has been designed specifically with your needs in mind.

The tuition for the master's degree in seed technology and business starting in the 2008-09 academic year will be approximately $27,000. The program starts in July 2008 and finishes in early summer 2010. Enrollment is limited to permit quality interaction between the instructor and student. Courses must be taken in the order in which they are offered and students will remain with the same group throughout the degree program.

The Delivery
Most of the content of the courses will be delivered on both via WebCT and CDs. By delivering the content on CDs, we will avoid some Internet connectivity challenges. The curriculum incorporates experience gained by other distance education programs at Iowa State. Lessons are carefully designed and include interactivity. Some of the interaction between the students and instructors will take place within an on-line learning system.

The Results
The seed and genetics industry is growing. The program will boost your productivity by giving you decision-making tools and up-to-date scientific and technical information about seed and the ways in which it delivers value to users and society. Improved decisions will increase your value to your organization as well as ability to manage and lead in this growing part of our world.

Applications received before April 15, 2008 will be given priority for admission to the 2008-2009 Master of Science in Seed Technology and Business program.

For more information, contact
Dr. Paul Christensen, Program Coordinator
Seed Technology and Business Program
152 Seed Science Center
Ames, Iowa 50011-3228
(515) 294-8745
e-mail: seedsci@iastate.edu
www.seeds.iastate.edu