The Faculty offers courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. The program provides students with an understanding of the scientific principles underlying the many facets of agriculture together with their application in agricultural systems and related industries. Through a broadly based educational experience, students develop capacities for critical and independent thought and clear expression of ideas. Throughout the program, emphasis is placed on integrating several areas in the physical, biological, and social sciences relevant to modern agricultural practices.

Graduates will have a background in basic social, natural, and agricultural sciences, with an emphasis on sustainable production, renewable agricultural resource management, and economic analysis. Graduates qualify to apply to be Articling Agrologists which can lead to status as Professional Agrologists.

During their first year, or before they register for their second year, students should consult an Academic Advisor. Course choices may affect scheduling for majors.

Students in the Pre-Veterinary Medicine program (§34.3.1) are able to continue in the BSc in Agriculture degree and will normally receive credit for courses already completed successfully.

Requirements of the BSc in Agriculture Program Core (60)

General Information: This major provides students with an understanding of the basic principles of economics and develops a scientific background sufficient to apply economic tools to production, processing, marketing, and financing and consumption in the agri-food and other resource industries. Students will gain expertise in the use of economic theory in agricultural and other natural resource industries, and will develop analytical techniques that permit them to understand and assess a wide variety of policy and market issues. The program develops knowledge of applied social, agricultural, and natural sciences that permits graduates to succeed in a variety of agricultural and natural resource settings.

Requirements of the Major (60)

General Information: The Animal Science Major encompasses studies of livestock, including dairy, swine, beef, poultry and diversified livestock.

This major enables students to gain an understanding of the scientific disciplines of animal science including physiology, genetics, biochemistry, nutrition, and behavior. Students will also learn how to integrate and apply these concepts to solve problems in animal production systems.

Graduates with this major find opportunities in a wide range of agri-business industries, government agencies and primary agriculture.

Requirements of the Major (60)

General Information: This major focuses on the agronomy and science of agricultural crop production. It provides students with an in-depth understanding of plant growth, soils and factors affecting crop production. Crop responses to a range of environmental factors are addressed. Students learn about biotechnological, breeding and production management techniques used to develop, grow and market well-adapted, high quality and high yielding crop cultivars. Students also develop skills to respond to economic situations, market demands, environmental constraints and societal expectations.

Graduates with this major are able to work and serve in technical, sales and management positions with agri-business industries, in advisory, regulatory and management positions with government agencies, or in primary production.

Requirements of the Major (60)

General Information: In this cross disciplinary major students are introduced to the theory and practice of managing soil-plant-animal relationships within the context of cultivated and native grasslands used by wildlife and domestic herbivores. Key areas of study include the structure, function, and ecology of native and cultivated plant communities, plant and animal physiology, plant-animal interactions under grazing, response of plant communities to grazing, the complementary and conflicting requirements of domestic herbivores and wildlife, and intensive versus extensive-based production systems.

Graduates are prepared for careers as consultants or land and livestock managers with government agencies, conservation associations or agri-businesses involved in the management of private and public (e.g. multiple-use) grazing land.

Requirements of the Major (60)

General Information: Knowledge about individual components of agricultural systems (including people, plants, animals and soil, water and other resources) has expanded rapidly, but less is known about how these systems work as a whole. There is a need to integrate knowledge from a number of disciplines in order to maintain and enhance the performance of agricultural systems so that resource use is efficient and sustainable. Agricultural systems can be viewed from a local, national or international perspective. A systems approach to sustainable agriculture considers the linkages between human activity and institutions with agricultural production systems. Key areas of study include agricultural production systems, natural resource management and the interrelationships of these with social and economic systems.

Graduates are prepared for careers in agriculture and systems analysis within government or the agriculture and food industry.

Requirements of the Major (60)