Skip to main content

Currently Skimming:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Pages 1-12

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 1...
... A basic purpose of this study was to make such assessments of doctoral scientists working in the agricultural, food, and related sciences. Nations need individuals skilled in science and technology to acquire and maintain agricultural industry competitiveness.
From page 2...
... A lack of previously compiled data or projections of the characteristics of doctoral scientists in agricultural sciences, either in terms of supply and demand trends or needs; and 5. Limited information on how current educational policy and programs affect the qualitative dimensions of doctoral scientists.
From page 3...
... Basic science essential to plant and animal production, such as genetics, biochemistry, physiology, animal nutrition and health, plant pathology, entomology, agricultural engineering, and food sciences; 2. Applied research on agricultural technologies, resource protection, and the functioning and performance of agricultural systems; 3.
From page 4...
... Many doctoral scientists who have earned degrees in nonagricultural sciences are being hired in agriculture-related positions; and educational initiatives and reforms within traditional applied agricultural science fields only are unlikely to adequately meet future needs. Quality Many educators think the quality of undergraduate and graduate students intending to enroll in agricultural science programs is low (Christensen and Heinrichs, 1985)
From page 5...
... These tests were designed to predict performance in educational programs, not intelligence. Nonetheless, the low average scores of students intending to pursue agricultural studies lend evidence to the concerns regarding quality and the ability to attract students that agricultural research and technology development administrators, recruiters, and practitioners voiced to the committee.
From page 6...
... labor market projections are inadequate in assessing possible future imbalances in the supply of and demand for agricultural doctoral scientists and engineers. None of these projections address qualitative factors.
From page 7...
... • Among all sectors, work other than research and teaching -- marketing, management, and regulatory activities and underlying abilities, such as communication skills -- are becoming more important. In 1985, 27 percent of the Ph.D.s in applied agricultural disciplines employed in industry report research as their primary work activity (see Chapter 4)
From page 8...
... New initiatives are needed, however, to better use the skills, often in a multidisciplinary research environment, of all Ph.D.s; periodically retrain and upgrade skills of active scientists; and attract the most gifted individuals to careers in the agricultural and food sciences. RECOMMENDATIONS The committee believes that agricultural science and technology educators, administrators, recruiters, and practitioners must focus attention on the quality of doctoral scientists, basic skills, broadening and redirecting, and multidisciplinary interactions.
From page 9...
... To provide future scientists with appropriate skills, emphasis should be increased on educational, research, and work experiences during graduate training and professional careers. The USDA and NSF should offer guidance and support to academic institutions pursuing student and faculty development initiatives responsive to this need.
From page 10...
... Multidisciplinary research can be supported within the university by establishing graduate programs that cut across departmental lines; recognizing and rewarding faculty contributions to cooperative research programs; promoting collaborative projects and exchanges between scientists in land-grant universities, non-landgrant universities, industry, and government laboratories; and recruiting new faculty to create multidisciplinary research programs that can attract competitive funding. Academia is not alone in its need for change.
From page 11...
... Fellowships Expanded national graduate and postgraduate fellowship programs are needed to support advanced scholarship and research within food and agricultural sciences and related engineering fields, with particular emphasis on multidisciplinary research opportunities. The fellowships should assure keen competition, drawing individuals who have demonstrated excellence into agricultural science careers.
From page 12...
... . Federal, state, and private institutions spend slightly more than $4 billion annually for agricultural research in the United States (NRC, 1987)


This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More information on Chapter Skim is available.