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