The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. Please request a plan from your major advisor or view it and other current advising information on the CSU, Chico Web.

General Education Requirements: 48 units

See "General Education Requirements" in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings. The course requirements marked below with an asterisk (*) may also be applied toward General Education.

For both the BS in Agriculture and the BS in Agricultural Business, ABUS 101 may be applied to General Education Breadth Area D1.

Cultural Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See "Cultural Diversity" in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.

American Institutions Requirement: 6 units

See the "American Institutions Requirement" under "Bachelor's Degree Requirements." For this major, this requirement is normally fulfilled by completing HIST 130 and POLS 155. For this major, HIST 130 may also be applied to General Education Breadth Area C1, C2, or C3, and POLS 155 may also be applied to General Education Breadth Area D1, D2, or D3.

Literacy Requirement:

See "Mathematics and Writing Requirements" in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or better to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 83 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option or advising pattern, are outlined following the degree core program requirements.

Major Core Program: 46 units

Lower-Division Core: 33 units

2 courses required:

AGRI 180 The University Experience 1.0 FS
MATH 105 Statistics 3.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement.

1 course selected from:

CHEM 107 Gen Chem for Applied Sciences 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Intermediate Algebra.
CHEM 111 General Chemistry 4.0 FS *
Prerequisites: Second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)

1 course selected from:

CHEM 108 Organic Chem for Applied Sci 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 107 or CHEM 111 or equivalent.
CHEM 112 General Chemistry 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 111.

1 course selected from:

ABUS 101 Intro to Ag Business/Economics 3.0 FS *
ABUS 261 Farm Accounting 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

AGET 120 Intro to Ag Mechanics 3.0 FA
AGET 150 Agricultural Machine Systems 3.0 FS

Note: Students selecting the Option in Agricultural Science and Education must complete both AGET 120 and AGET 150. The additional course counts toward elective units.

1 course selected from:

ANSC 101 Introduction to Animal Science 3.0 FS *
ANSC 230 Animal Feeds and Nutrition 3.0 FS

Note: Students selecting the Option in Animal Science must complete both ANSC 101 and ANSC 230. The additional course counts toward elective units.

1 course selected from:

PSSC 101 Introduction to Plant Science 3.0 FS *
PSSC 250 Introduction to Soil Science 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 107 or CHEM 111.

Note: Students selecting the Option in Plant Science must complete both PSSC 101 and PSSC 250. The additional course counts toward elective units.

9 units selected from:

Any combination of lower division courses in Agriculture (AGRI), Agricultural Engineering Technology (AGET), Animal Science (ANSC), Plant Science (PSSC), and Agricultural Business (ABUS). All courses must be approved by your advisor.

Upper-Division Core: 13 units

4 courses required:

AGRI 331 Agricultural Ecology 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: Completion of lower-division core or faculty permission.
AGRI 482 Agricultural Issues 3.0 FS WP
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.
AGRI 490 Agricultural Experimental Res 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: AGRI 331.
AGRI 491 Agricultural Experimental Res 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: AGRI 490.

Major Option Course Requirements: 37 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.

The Option in Agricultural Science and Education: 37 units

This option prepares students for careers in the broad field of agriculture or for careers in teaching at the secondary level. The option consists, therefore, of two parallel advising patterns: Agricultural Science and Agricultural Education. The Agricultural Science area of study prepares students for diverse careers in agricultural production where the integration of animal, plant, and agri-business knowledge and skills is required. The Agricultural Education area of study prepares students to receive a secondary teaching credential in agriculture.

Option Core Requirements: 25 units

Genetics

1 course required:

AGRI 305 Agri Genetics & Biotechnology 4.0 SP
Prerequisites: ANSC 101 or BIOL 108 or PSSC 101; CHEM 107 or CHEM 111.

Animal Science

2 courses selected from:

ANSC 301 Intermediate Animal Systems 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ANSC 101.
ANSC 330 Animal Nutrition 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: ANSC 101, ANSC 230.
ANSC 340 Repro Physiol Domestic Animals 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: ANSC 101 or BIOL 108.
ANSC 360 Animal Health and Disease 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: ANSC 101.

Plant and Soil Science

2 courses selected from:

PSSC 274 Greenhouse Management 3.0 SP
PSSC 353 Agrichemicals 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: CHEM 107 or CHEM 111; PSSC 250.
PSSC 356 Soil Quality and Health 3.0 S2
Prerequisites: PSSC 250 or instructor permission.
PSSC 360 Ecology of Crop Production 3.0 S2
Prerequisites: AGRI 331.
PSSC 361 Production of Annual Crops 3.0 FA
PSSC 366 Fruit and Nut Production 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.

Agricultural Engineering Technology

1 course selected from:

AGET 340 GPS/GIS in Ag/Nat Res Mgmt 3.0 FA
AGET 360 Irrigation 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: PSSC 101 or PSSC 250.

Agricultural Business

1 course selected from:

ABUS 321 Agribusiness Management 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ABUS 101 or equivalent.
ABUS 331 Agricultural Mgmt Info Systems 3.0 FS

Natural Resources

1 course selected from:

AGRI 432 Holistic Management 3.0 F2
Prerequisites: AGRI 331 or faculty permission.
PSSC 330 Rangeland Resources/Management 3.0 FA
PSSC 334 Wetland/Riparian Res and Mgmt 3.0 F1
Prerequisites: Completion of lower-division core.

Area of Study: 12 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required depending upon the area of study chosen. Students must select one of the following areas of study for completion of the major course requirements. Courses must be approved in advance by the academic advisor.

Agricultural Science Area of Study

12 units selected from:

Any upper-division courses in agricultural science and related subject matter approved by the advisor. Students selecting this area of study are strongly encouraged to gain practical skills and knowledge through an approved internship or directed work experience.

Agricultural Education Area of Study

The required course work in agriculture and in agricultural education for this option and area of study fulfills the requirements for two teaching credentials—the Single Subject Credential in Agriculture, and the Specialist Credential in Agriculture. Students pursuing this career objective should also complete HCSV 451 and EDTE 302 and pass the California Basic Education Skills Test.

5 courses required:

AGRI 201 Intro to Agricultural Educ 3.0 FA
AGRI 210 Directed Field Exp in Ag Ed 2.0 FA
AGRI 321 Program Dev in Ag Education 2.0 SP
AGRI 420 Tech in Vocational Ag Instruct 2.0 SP
Prerequisites: AGRI 201 or faculty permission.
AGRI 421 Curric/Method Tch Ag Mechanics 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: AGET 120. Recommended: AGET 150.

The Option in Animal Science: 37 units

This option prepares students for diverse careers involving all aspects of animal agriculture. Careers in animal production, allied industries, and pre-professional preparation for graduate study, are possible directions for students in this option. The option emphasizes science-based study of animal production, including nutrition, health, reproduction, genetics, and meat science. In addition, management level courses in several domestic animal species are offered. Students who pursue this option have the flexibility to follow one of several different areas of study that directly prepares them for their career goals.

5 courses required:

AGRI 305 Agri Genetics & Biotechnology 4.0 SP
Prerequisites: ANSC 101 or BIOL 108 or PSSC 101; CHEM 107 or CHEM 111.
ANSC 301 Intermediate Animal Systems 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ANSC 101.
ANSC 330 Animal Nutrition 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: ANSC 101, ANSC 230.
ANSC 340 Repro Physiol Domestic Animals 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: ANSC 101 or BIOL 108.
ANSC 360 Animal Health and Disease 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: ANSC 101.

1 course selected from:

ANSC 471 Beef Production & Management 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: ANSC 101.
ANSC 474 Dairy Production & Management 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: ANSC 101.

1 course selected from:

ANSC 272 Sheep Production & Management 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: ANSC 101.
ANSC 273 Swine Production & Management 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: ANSC 101.

Area of Study: 15 units

15 units selected from:

Courses must be selected in advance and approved by the advisor. In selecting courses to meet this requirement, students must create a concentration of courses that best meets their career goals. The following courses are recommended for the indicated areas of study.

Animal Production Area of Study: 15 units

3 courses required:

ABUS 321 Agribusiness Management 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ABUS 101 or equivalent.
ANSC 320 Advanced Livestock Selection 3.0 FA
ANSC 350 Meat and the Consumer 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

PSSC 330 Rangeland Resources/Management 3.0 FA
PSSC 363 Forage Crops 3.0 Inq
Prerequisites: PSSC 101 or PSSC 330.

3 units selected from:

Select an additional 3 units in consultation with your advisor.

Animal Industry Area of Study: 15 units

4 courses required:

ABUS 211 Agri Selling & Consulting 3.0 SP
ABUS 311 Ag Markets and Pricing 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ABUS 101.
ABUS 321 Agribusiness Management 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ABUS 101 or equivalent.
ABUS 331 Agricultural Mgmt Info Systems 3.0 FS

1 course selected from:

AGRI 380A Fair Mgmt & Ag Leadership 3.0 FA
AGRI 380B Ag Leadership & Fair Mgmt 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: AGRI 380A or permission of the instructor.

Pre-professional: Food Animal Veterinary Medicine Area of Study: 15 units

3 courses required:

BIOL 151 Prin of Cell and Molec Biology 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: Recommend CHEM 111 or concurrent enrollment.
CHEM 270 Organic Chemistry 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 112.
CHEM 370 Organic Chemistry 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: CHEM 270.

1 course selected from:

BIOL 152 Prin Ecol, Evol, Org Biology 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 151; recommend CHEM 112 or concurrent enrollment.
BIOL 211 Allied Health Microbiology 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: A college course in biology and in general chemistry.

Note: Students selecting this area of study must select CHEM 111 and CHEM 112 in the lower-division core. Additional requirements for application to veterinary school include PHYS 202A, PHYS 202B, BIOL 416, and CHEM 250. In order to complete all requiremens for a degree in Agriculture (Option in Animal Science) and requirements for admission to veterinary school, student programs will exceed 120 units.

The Option in Crops, Horticulture, and Land Resource Management: 37 units

This option prepares students to manage agricultural enterprises for the production of plant crops for human and animal consumption, for the protection of these crops and resources against pests (insects, diseases, weeds, vertebrates), and for the stewardship of their natural resources (soil, water, air, and biota). The option emphasizes sustainable land use and crop production practices. Career opportunities may be found in the agricultural production industry, in agricultural research, and in agricultural consulting, assistance, and regulation.

Option Core Requirements: 12 units

1 course selected from:

PSSC 356 Soil Quality and Health 3.0 S2
Prerequisites: PSSC 250 or instructor permission.
PSSC 453 Soil Fert & Plant Nutrition 3.0 F2
Prerequisites: PSSC 250.

1 course selected from:

BIOL 414 Plant Physiology 4.0 FS
Prerequisites: BIOL 108 or BIOL 153; CHEM 108 or CHEM 270; or faculty permission.
BIOL 448 Plant Diversity/Identification 4.0 SP
Prerequisites: BIOL 152 or faculty permission.

1 course selected from:

ABUS 321 Agribusiness Management 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: ABUS 101 or equivalent.
ABUS 331 Agricultural Mgmt Info Systems 3.0 FS
ABUS 464 Farm and Ranch Appraisal 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: ABUS 101.
AGRI 432 Holistic Management 3.0 F2
Prerequisites: AGRI 331 or faculty permission.

1 course selected from:

PSSC 309A Dir Work in Field/Row Crops 2.0 FA
PSSC 309B Dir Work in Field/Row Crops 2.0 SP
Prerequisites: PSSC 309A or faculty permission.
PSSC 310A Directed Work in Orchard Crops 2.0 SP
Prerequisites: PSSC 101.
PSSC 310B Directed Work in Orchard Crops 2.0 FA
Prerequisites: PSSC 101.
PSSC 312 Dir Work in Greenhouse Prod 2.0 FS
PSSC 389 Internship 1.0 -6.0 FS
Prerequisites: Junior standing, faculty permission.

PSSC 389 must be taken for 2 units.

Area of Study: 25 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required depending on the area of study chosen. Students must select one of the following areas of study for completion of the major course requirements. Courses must be approved in advance by the academic advisor.

Crops and Horticulture Area of Study: 25 units

2 courses required:

AGRI 305 Agri Genetics & Biotechnology 4.0 SP
Prerequisites: ANSC 101 or BIOL 108 or PSSC 101; CHEM 107 or CHEM 111.
PSSC 353 Agrichemicals 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: CHEM 107 or CHEM 111; PSSC 250.

Crop Production

2 courses selected from:

AGET 360 Irrigation 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: PSSC 101 or PSSC 250.
PSSC 274 Greenhouse Management 3.0 SP
PSSC 361 Production of Annual Crops 3.0 FA
PSSC 364 Seed Production 3.0 F2
Prerequisites: PSSC 101 or faculty permission.
PSSC 366 Fruit and Nut Production 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: Upper-division standing.

Agricultural Pests and Control

2 courses selected from:

PSSC 342 Plant Pathology 3.0 F2
Prerequisites: PSSC 101.

Note: Students may substitute BIOL 446, Plant Pathology, for PSSC 342.

PSSC 340 Economic Entomology 3.0 FA
PSSC 343 Introduction to Weed Sci 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: AGRI 331.
PSSC 441 Principles Integrtd Pest Mgmt 3.0 SP
Prerequisites: AGRI 331; PSSC 340 or PSSC 342 or PSSC 343.

5-6 units selected from:

To fulfill the requirements of this option, select additional courses from the option core and this area of study.

Land Resource Management Area of Study: 25 units

3 courses required:

BIOL 350 Fundamentals of Ecology 3.0 FS WP
Prerequisites: BIOL 152 or faculty permission. Some taxonomic background is recommended.
PSSC 334 Wetland/Riparian Res and Mgmt 3.0 F1
Prerequisites: Completion of lower-division core.
PSSC 451 Soil Genesis & Classification 3.0 F1
Prerequisites: PSSC 250 or faculty permission.

1 course selected from:

AGET 340 GPS/GIS in Ag/Nat Res Mgmt 3.0 FA
GEOG 219 Maps, Images and Mapping Data 3.0 FS
GEOG 319 Intro to Geog Info Systems 3.0 FS
Prerequisites: GEOG 219 or equivalent.

1 course selected from:

GEOG 342 Geomorphology 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOG 101 or GEOS 102 or equivalents, or faculty permission.
GEOS 325 Geology of California 3.0 FA
Prerequisites: GEOS 101 or GEOS 102 or consent of instructor.

9 units selected from:

To fulfill the requirements of this option, select additional courses from the option core and this area of study.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Students may double count only one approved upper-division General Education theme course with a required option elective.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

A sample program for students who wish to complete their major in four years is available in the Office of the College of Agriculture, CSU, Chico, CA 95929.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It involves 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or competition in shows. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and later professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are

1. You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. At least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.

2. You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.

3. Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.

4. Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.

5. Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.

6. Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.