ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN GENERAL AGRICULTURE
This program prepares
individuals for careers in agriculture or for further graduate study. The curriculum
is structured to offer a well-rounded education in basic and applied sciences
of agriculture. The program blends comprehensive classroom instruction with
practical experience. The aim of the program is to graduate skilled
agriculturists who can further develop and promote agriculture across the
nation.
Program Learning
Outcomes
Upon
successful completion of this degree, students will be able to:
1. Explain
how human choices influence the relationship between living things, their
surroundings, and the quality of life.
2. Demonstrate
an understanding of the principles of efficient livestock production and
management to include feeding practices, breeds, housing, marketing, diseases,
and sanitation under tropical conditions.
3. Apply
knowledge of farm records in preparation of financial net worth statement,
receipts and expenses records, enterprise accounts, and farm budgeting.
4. Describe
the role of the agriculture manager in an organization and in the operation of
the agribusiness.
5. Demonstrate
an understanding of the following processes and procedures: cultivating,
harvesting, handling, storing, processing, and marketing of local crops.
6. Demonstrate
an understanding of basic concepts on farm power and machinery, agricultural
structures, concrete work, electrification, and greenhouse system construction.
Program Requirements
Preparatory
Courses (by placement)
General Education Core
Requirements.........................................29 credits
English (9 credits)
EN 110
Advanced Reading (3)
EN
120a Expository Writing I (3)
EN
120b Expository Writing II (3)
Mathematics (3 credits)
Any
100 level or above mathematics course (3)
Natural Sciences (7 credits)
A
science course with Laboratory
or AG 110 or AG 140
(4)
A
non-lab science or AG 101 (3)
Social Sciences (3 credits)
SS 150
History of
Computer Applications (3 credits)
CA 100
Computer Literacy (3)
Exercise Sports Science (1 credit)
Exercise
Sports Science course (1)
Humanities (3 credits)
Any
course in art, music, history, literature, philosophy, or language (3)
Major
Requirements..........................................................................35 credits
Agriculture (21 credits)
AG 101 Introduction to Agriculture (3)
Provides
an orientation to agricultural careers and the agriculture major by laying down
the basic principles of vegetable gardening, animal husbandry, aquaculture,
forestry, soil science, soil and water conservation, pest management,
nutrition, marketing, and extension.
AG 110 Crop Production with lab (4)
Prerequisite:
AG 101
Fosters
a greater understanding of the current theories and practices in tropical
horticultural, agronomic and agro-forestry cropping systems. Emphasizes
sustainable/low impact production techniques, hands-on field experience, and
individual research, experimentation and reporting.
AG 140 Principles of Animal Science with
lab (4)
Prerequisite:
AG 101
Develops
a general understanding of the principles of raising animals commercially with
special emphasis on poultry and pigs.
AG 252 Agricultural Extension (3)
Prerequisite:
AG 101 or permission of instructor
Deals
with communication skills and knowledge needed by an extension officer: the
chairing of meetings, conducting surveys, teaching adults, writing proposals
and plans, writing talks for radio, and poster and pamphlet design. Reviews the
development and educational philosophy of the Cooperative Extension Service in
AG 270 Principles of Agricultural
Engineering (3)
Prerequisite:
AG 101
Introduces
the concepts and applications of agricultural engineering with emphasis on farm
power and machinery, agricultural structures, concrete work, electrification,
aquaculture, hydroponics and greenhouse system construction, and irrigation and
drainage management in the Pacific context.
AG 290 Agricultural Project Management
(3)
Introduces
the basic principles and methods of designing, obtaining, managing and
evaluating agricultural projects; both entrepreneurial and governmental funded.
Frequent use of case studies, guest lecturers and field trips. Individual final
project required.
AG 299 Directed Field Experience (1)
Structured
learning experience working with a private or governmental agricultural
organization or enterprise for at least three hours weekly. Ten hours classroom
instruction together with frequent supervisor visits. Diary and final report
required.
Natural Sciences (8 credits)
SC 250 General Botany with lab (4)
Prerequisite:
SC 120 or MR 120 or instructor’s permission
Introduces
the study of structure, function and evolution of plants, their relationship to
the environment and to humans.
SC 255 General Zoology with lab (4)
Prerequisite:
SC 120 or MR 120 or instructor’s permission
Provides
a general survey of the basic principles of animal biology with emphasis on the
invertebrates and vertebrate groups, classifications, structure, physiology,
life histories, ecology, evolution and genetics.
Business (3 credits)
BU 101 Introduction to Business (3)
Prerequisite:
ESL 089
Establishes
a foundation for the understanding of contemporary business and its
environment. The course covers the various functional areas of business:
management and organization, human resources, marketing, financing, accounting,
and information systems. Business ethics and social responsibility, the global
business environment and basic FSM business laws/regulations are also covered.
Economics (3 credits)
EC 220 Microeconomics (3)
Prerequisite:
MS 099, ESL 089, BU 101
Introduces
to students the concepts of scarcity and choice, and their influence in the
decision-making process of individual consumers and firms. Examines the price
mechanism (demand, supply and price) and allocation of resources; the theory of
the firm – short-run and long-run cost and revenue structure and the
interaction between markets; comparative advantage and specialization; and
market failure and externalities.
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS
.......................................................................64
credits