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Sustainable Agriculture: Bachelor of Applied Science

Description

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture degree is unique to North America and is distinguished from other agriculture degree programs by providing a broad scope of study related to sustainable food production as an integral and fundamentally critical element of sustainable human existence. Through a distinctive and exceptional combination of classroom and farm-based learning, the program offers a comprehensive perspective on:

  • The science of agro-ecosystem design and stewardship;
  • Innovative and ecologically sound crop production methods;
  • Sustainable farm business management; and,
  • The economic, social, and environmental challenges facing our food system

Learning Outcomes

The curriculum is designed in recognition of the need for both practical and academic training within the new powerful movement in sustainable agriculture. Students will be immersed in a setting which fosters experiential learning and exploring personal interests and inclination. During our four year Bachelor degree program, students will work to realize three major learning outcomes:

  • The ability to grow fruit and vegetable crops within a sustainable ecological context. A full spectrum of experiential field-based agricultural courses are offered in Year 3 which, by necessity, follows a complete crop cycle beginning in the spring and extending through summer into the fall. These applied courses function as a mechanism to bring the theoretical concepts and principles of sustainable agro-ecosystem design, function and management to practical realization.
  • Develop the business, sales and marketing skills necessary to manage a sustainable agricultural farming business. The development of these skills is facilitated by the inclusion of a broad base of foundational courses supplemented by a multidisciplinary business management course in Year Four.
  • Develop practical, problem solving and research skills as well as an understanding of government, economic and business environments and policies needed to address issues of and advance sustainable agri-food systems, as related to employment in government, non-government organizations and the private sector.

Student Profile

Individuals interested in gaining a practical understanding of sustainably growing food for their communities as well as those who wish to see this type of local-regional agriculture and food system integrated fully into society. This program will appeal to students who recognize that environmental stewardship and community involvement are critical to our food system and who wish to be part of a new approach to agriculture. Students looking for creative, hands-on work on farms and in the community will thrive in this program.

Career Opportunities

Sustainable, local food production is a rapidly developing component of sustainable community/ regional planning and development is on the minds of the public and governments alike. Program graduates will be sought after in areas as diverse as planning, resource management, politics, government, non-government organizations, related business, and production agriculture.

Admission Requirements

The Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, apply to this program.

Declaration Requirements

Students intending to graduate with this Faculty of Science and Horticulture degree must declare the credential by the time they complete 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  • In good academic standing with the University
  • Completion of a minimum of 24 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following:
    • 3 credits of ENGL at the 1100 level or higher

Curricular Requirements

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture consists of 120 credits of course work, including 27 credits of electives. A minimum of 15 credits of electives must be chosen from subject areas other than AGRI, including at least 3 credits at the 3000-level or above.

Year One

All of:
  AGRI 1150 Sustainable Agriculture for the 21st Century 3 credits
  AGRI 1299 Food System Field Analysis 1 credit
  BIOL 1110 Introductory Biology I 4 credits
  BIOL 1210 Introductory Biology II 4 credits
  ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing 3 credits
One of:
  ENVI 1106 Environmental Chemistry I 4 credits
  CHEM 1110 The Structure of Matter 4 credits
One of:
  PHIL 1110 Confronting Moral Issues: Introduction to Ethics 3 credits
  PHIL 1112 Environmental Ethics 3 credits
  POST 1100 Sustainability: Analysis and Ethics 3 credits
Plus:
  9 credits of electives.

Note: Students who need to upgrade in order to meet the prerequisites for ENVI 1106 or MATH 1115, which is required in Year Two, may use MATH 1112 or MATH 1117 as an elective.

9 credits

Year Two

All of:
  AGRI 2190 Plant Science 3 credits
  AGRI 2220 Soil Stewardship and Management 4 credits
  AGRI 2230 Sustainable Human Economy 3 credits
  AGRI 2240 Ecologically Based Pest Management 3 credits
  AGRI 2250 Agriculture and Food Systems 3 credits
  BIOL 2322 Ecology 4 credits
  MATH 1115 Statistics I 3 credits
One of:
  POLI 1120 Canadian Government and Politics 3 credits
  POLI 1125 Introduction to Political Science 3 credits
  POST 2100 Sustainability and Government 3 credits
Plus:
  6 credits of electives.

The following two courses are recommended:

6 credits
  PHYS 1400  Energy, Environment, Physics 3 credits
  GEOG 2250 The City 3 credits

Year Three

All of:
  AGRI 3225 Experimental Design and Analysis 3 credits
  AGRI 3260 Animal Agriculture 3 credits
  AGRI 3270 Vegetable Crop Production 3 credits
  AGRI 3280 Fruit and Nut Production 3 credits
  AGRI 3290 Agro-Ecosystems Management I 3 credits
  AGRI 3390 Agro-Ecosystems Management II 6 credits
  AGRI 3398 Crop Physiology and Ecology 3 credits
  AGRI 3399 Research Project I 3 credits
Plus:
  3 credits of electives. 3 credits

Note: Courses in Year Three follow the agricultural season and progression of agricultural practices.

Year Four

All of:
  AGRI 3135 Business of Agriculture 6 credits
  AGRI 4190 Agro-Ecosystems Management III 3 credits
  AGRI 4298 World Trends in Agriculture 3 credits
  AGRI 4299 Research Project II 3 credits
  AGRI 4295 Internship 3 credits
Plus:
  9 credits of electives, with at least 3 credits at the 3000-level or above. 9 credits

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture.

At a Glance

Faculty of Science and Horticulture

kpu.ca/science

Sustainable Agriculture

kpu.ca/science/agriculture

Program Type:

  • Undergraduate

Credential Granted:

  • Baccalaureate Degree

Offered At:

  • KPU Richmond  Richmond

Start Date(s):

  • Fall Intake (September)  September
  • Spring Intake (January)  January
  • Summer Intake (May)  May

Intake Type:

  • Open Intake  Open intake

Format:

  • Full-time  Full-time
  • Part-time  Part-time

Minimum Credits Required:

  • 120

Instructional Cycle:

  • Semester-based

Curriculum Effective Date:

  • 01-Sep-2015

How to Declare:

Applying to KPU:

Last Updated: 10-Feb-2017

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