CALS Facts

Origin

The University of Arizona's College of Agriculture and Life sciences was founded in 1885, with the first graduating class celebrating their commencement in 1895. The University of Arizona is the state's designated land-grant institution as delegated by the Morrill Act, enacted in 1862 by President Lincoln. In addition to the Morrill Act, the Hatch Act of 1886 and the Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established the Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Cooperative Extension Service, respectively, both which are now housed in UA Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension, together with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Location

UA Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension spans across all corners of the state with its Experiment Station, Cooperative Extension county offices, and other facilities.

 
13

Number of Experiment Station facilities

 
15

Number of Arizona counties where Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension has a presence

 
2,600

Acres of irrigable land within the Experiment Station

 
540

Range cattle

 
122,000

Acres of rangeland

 
4,500

Taxa of desert plants

 
73,600

Square feet of greenhouse space

 
 

Academics

The college offers degree programs for undergrads and graduate students in a broad diversity of disciplines.

 
17

Number of undergraduate majors

 
34

Number of emphasis areas

 
32

Number of graduate degree programs

 
10

Number of academic units

 
 

Top 3 majors by enrollment

Nutritional Science
Veterinary Science
Family Studies and Human Development

Students

  • Enrollment
    • Number of undergraduates: 3,303
    • Number of graduate students: 354
  • Demographics
    • In-state students: 2,478
    • Out-of-state students: 825
    • Total CALS Alumni: 25,000+
    • CALS alumni residing in Arizona: 14,481
  • Student Experience
    • Number of CALS organizations, clubs, competition teams: 35+
    • Dollar amount in CALS scholarships awarded: $700,000+
    • Students receiving awards: 616
    • Number of study abroad programs: 200+

Workforce

  • Number of faculty: 171
  • Number of staff: 1,027

National and International Awards

  • American Association for Advancement of Science Fellows (12)
  • Fulbright Scholars (6)
  • National Academy of Sciences (3)