Mar 28, 2024  
2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Agricultural Studies B.A.


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View information for the Department of Agricultural Studies , including Learning Objectives for the department and its programs.

This multidisciplinary program blends the contributions of a number of academic departments through upper-division core courses and four concentrations, listed above. The program encourages students to explore diverse approaches to agricultural production, distribution, and management in evolving economic and environmental settings. Experiential learning and applied research opportunities are offered through the concentrations.

The major fosters sustainable relationships with area community colleges through the implementation of a “2+2” program design. Individuals who have an A.S. degree or equivalent lower-division coursework in Agriculture, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics and closely related fields, and who complete the designated lower-division prerequisite courses, may participate in the program. Freshmen admitted to the major are dually enrolled in the university and an area community college agriculture program.

Requirements


1. Complete the University’s General Education breadth requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree.


(51 units minimum)

Click here to view General Education requirements. 

2. Complete the following prerequisites to the major at a community college.


a. A minimum of 30 units of lower-division agriculture courses that include:


  • One course in Introduction to Animal Science
  • One course in Introduction to Plant Science
  • One course in Soil Science
  • One course in Elements of Agricultural Economics
  • One course in Agricultural Computer Applications

Additional requirements for the Agricultural Business/Economics concentration:


  • One course in Agricultural Marketing or Sales
  • One course in Agricultural Accounting
  • One course in Agricultural Management (suggested)

b. Lower division GE courses to include:


  • One course in Statistics
  • One course in Macroeconomics
  • One course in general chemistry with laboratory (Agricultural Biology Concentration only)

3. Complete the major core requirements.


(16 units minimum)

4. Complete a concentration.


(20-24 units minimum)

5. Complete electives for a total of 120 units for the Bachelor of Arts degree.


The Major Core


(16-18 units)

Complete one course from each of the following areas:


b. Methodology/Technology of Agriculture


d. Business/Economics of Agriculture


e. Agriculture Policy and Regulations


Concentrations in the Major


Students are required to complete a specific concentration in addition to the upper-division core courses in the Agricultural Studies major. The following concentrations are offered, including specific concentration requirements.

Agricultural Biology Concentration


This concentration has a science focus and thus appeals to students with an interest in the biological aspects of agriculture. The concentration provides students with a unique opportunity to combine upper-division courses about agriculturally related biology with studies about agricultural geography, economics, and planning issues.

 

Additional Lower Division Prerequisite


  • One course in general chemistry with laboratory

Requirements


(20 units minimum)

Notes:


Specific elective courses within the concentration may have additional prerequisites (e.g. BOTY 4200, MBIO 4600, and MBIO 4700). Students who have not completed specific prerequisites are allowed to enroll with consent of the instructor.

If an equivalent course has been completed at the lower division level, an equal number of upper-division elective units must be completed.

Agricultural Business/Economics Concentration


The Agricultural Studies concentration in Agricultural Business/Economics gives students the opportunity to combine community college coursework with courses at CSU Stanislaus to obtain a B.A. degree. Students take upper-division courses that build on specific knowledge and skills gained at the community college.

Courses in the concentration expose students to economic concepts such as resource allocation at the firm level and at the macro level, and business concepts such as sales and marketing. Students in the program will gain important statistical skills including forecasting and individual study/internship in a related field for university credit.

Please see the Agricultural Business/Economics Concentration  page for more information.

Permaculture Concentration


The concentration in Permaculture is an emphasis available to students in the Agricultural Studies major. Permaculture is a design approach for agroecosystems. With a focus on long-term sustainability, it emphasizes ecological principles and diversity of plant and animal combinations suited to the characteristics of places and cultures. As such, it is appropriate for students who are concerned with resources issues, agriculture, community development, and land use planning.

Special Concentration


The Special Concentration will provide options within the Agricultural Studies major that offer flexibility in the career objectives of the students in the CSU Stanislaus Agricultural Studies Program. This concentration presents the unique opportunity to combine core courses and upper division requirements with courses outside the program, which fulfill a student’s education and career goals. The result is a concentration geared toward specific student objectives, while maintaining the integrity of the Bachelor of Arts degree in Agricultural Studies.

Requirements


(21 units minimum)

1. Upper-Division Units.

(18 units)

a. Courses from Agricultural Studies concentrations

(12 units)

  • Agricultural Biology,
  • Agricultural Business/Economics,
  • Permaculture
b. Approved courses outside of Agricultural Studies concentrations

(6 units)

2. Internship in an agriculture-related setting.

(3 units)

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