| The purpose of the study was to describe the cognitive abilities and the learning style of students enrolled in the College of Agriculture at The Ohio State University. Furthermore, the study sought to relate cognitive abilities to selected student characteristics, including learning style.;The study was descriptive - correlational. The target population for the study was senior students (N = 388) enrolled in the College of Agriculture at The Ohio State University. A random sample (n = 196) was drawn from the population. A responding rate of 53% (104) was realized.;Data were collected using three instruments. Using a researcher developed instrument, personalogical data were collected to determine student characteristics from College records. Additionally, two standardized instruments were used to assess students' cognitive abilities and learning style.;The results of the study indicated that senior students scored highest on Application Abilities when compared to Basic Cognitive Abilities and Critical Thinking Abilities. Moreover, senior students scored lowest on Critical Thinking Abilities when compared to Basic Cognitive Abilities and Application Abilities.;Senior students tended to prefer a field independent learning style. Of the senior students, males preferred a field independent learning style, whereas females preferred a more field dependent learning style.;Of the characteristics studied of senior students, cumulative GPA was the only variable that was a predictor of Basic Cognitive Abilities, Application Abilities, and Critical Thinking Abilities. Gender was also a predictor of Application Abilities score. Academic major was not a predictor of Basic Cognitive Abilities, Application Abilities, or Critical Thinking Abilities score of senior students.;Of the characteristics studied of senior students, gender and cumulative GPA were the only variables that were predictors of learning style. Academic major was not a predictor of learning style of senior students enrolled in the College of Agriculture.;Senior students who preferred a field independent learning style tended to score greater on Basic Cognitive Abilities, Application Abilities, and Critical Thinking Abilities. |
