Students are getting ready to come back to campus, and classes are getting closer every day. This can only mean one thing…UW-Madison, especially CALS (college of Agriculture and Life Sciences) is working extremely hard to make this as fun and easy for everyone. The staff in CALS have came up with new courses, events and much more to help make the new students feel that “sense of community” that is found in CALS. 

 

John Klatt, Director of Advising and Career Services, stated that there are around 2,400 students  at the beginning of each year, but by the time the year is over they gain students who switch majors.   Then they end up with around 2,500 students. He explained that this makes CALS fit pretty much in the middle when comparing them size-wise the other schools. He also explained that CALS offers 23 majors in 19 departments for undergraduates. Klatt says that “if you are interested in the study of life then there is something for you in CALS.” There are also almost as many graduate programs for students too. But even these vary. Grad students can go for their PhD to study research and teach academics, or they can work for their masters and further develop their work for their professional careers. 

 

Klatt explained that there are many new courses in CALS every year. His favorite for this year is Inter Ag 165-Internatinal Issue in Agriculture and the Life Sciences. In this class there will be large and small group discussions about international issues. There are also new courses in Food Science, Forest and Wildlife Ecology, and many more. Perhaps the newest item for students this year is the recently approved degree tracks. These will allow CALS to offer fewer kinds of Bachelor of Science Degree’s with a few changes to the current requirements. 

 

This year Klatt says they are expecting around 500 new students. This transition to attending college at UW-Madison is a big one. The Staff are working extremely hard to make it as smooth as possible. They are continuing some of the old ones, advising students with their classes and admissions, and coming up with many new ideas as well. But Klatt says that his advice to new students is to meet new people, try new things, and attend student org fairs to see what you would fit into best and hopefully join some of them. Klatt says he hopes that all new students take the chance to experience the athletic tradition of UW-Madison. He explained that the amount of energy that comes out at UW sporting events is indescribable. You just have to be there to experience it.

 

For more information about UW-Madison or CALS be sure to visit their websites. IF you are looking for information about the new degree tracks check out this website http://www.cals.wisc.edu/students/majors/BSDegreeProposal.php.