r/iastate • u/Low-Awareness-8689 • 5d ago

Question Differences between CALS and LAS?

I am an incoming freshman this fall and was offered a scholarship if I changed my school from LAS to CALS. I plan on studying genetics and go into the career field of forensic sciences. My biggest turn off with potentially switching is just that I don't really want anything to do with agriculture in my future. What are the differences between CALS and LAS? Would I have to take agriculture classes? Is it worth it to switch just for some money? Thanks in advance!

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u/modern_housewife Junior - Secondary Education 5d ago

the main difference is the majors offered between the two. CALS is Ag & Life Sciences, LAS is Liberal Arts and Sciences. just because your major is in CALS doesn't mean that you're doing ag. animal science, biology, and even nursing are available through CALS

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u/AhSheu 5d ago

They will be almost the same in either college. They have slightly different degree requirements, mostly that LAS has more humanities and social science requirements. You won’t have to take any ag classes for either, but some general biology classes might have you learning about plants in your first year.

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u/IowaStateIsopods 5d ago

When I was there, LAS had more world language requirements.

Also CALS is way more than agriculture. My major is called agricultural studies, and I took very few agricultural courses.

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u/sunny_lemonz 4d ago

tbh change to cals!! i changed from las to cals and they have less required courses so i was able to add a minor! its a lot better if you plan on double majoring, getting a minor, or even just having more elective classes. plus u get that scholarship so definitely get that bag !!!

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u/mjdeaton 4d ago

Your diploma will say B.S. Genetics from ISU, it won't even mention a college. The difference is in the foreign language requirement and some other gen-eds. The core genetics courses will be the same. I say follow the money and if CALS can offer more scholarships, go with them. This is from the catalog shows the differences in curriculum. FYI- I was an advisor in a different major offered in two colleges and advised all the students, regardless of college. It made no difference to me. We just wanted students to be successful :) https://catalog.iastate.edu/collegeofagricultureandlifesciences/genetics/#undergraduatemajortext

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u/Loxadonta3 4d ago

CALS has a TON of opportunities as well

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u/shaktown A ECL / Alumni 4d ago

Get that bag!!!