About the Program
The Agriculture Science program offers an AS degree for those students interested in a more general course of study. Students with a background in production agriculture, 4-H or FFA will find success in this program as they pursue a career with an emphasis in agriculture sciences, agriculture education, and agribusiness occupations. California ranks first in the nation in annual gross agricultural returns. The livestock industry and over 250 specialty crops provide a variety of career choices. Trained personnel are employed on ranches and farms, as well as the vast agriculture service industry. Career opportunities also exist with governmental agencies. Every year there are several openings in Agriculture Education in California as well as other states.
Program Requirements
For current program requirements -> 2024-2025
Program Goal: Career
GE Pattern(s): Butte Local
Program Code: 01298.02AS
Program Learning Outcome(s):
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Identify and apply the principles and techniques of modern crop and livestock management.
Describe fundamental care practices for animals, including selection, handling and management.
Distinguish common types of agricultural pests including weeds, diseases, and insects.
Calibrate plant protection equipment including hand-held, ATV, trailer, and orchard sprayers.
Select appropriate fertilizers, basic application methods, and recognize their effect on plants and the environment.
Describe how breeding, genetics, and biotechnology are used to increase agricultural production.
Demonstrate scientific evaluation skills including interpreting graphs and data from scientific papers.
Unit(s): 1.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 17.00
This course is a study of the agriculture, environmental science and natural resources industries with a focus on career opportunities, self evaluation, and skills necessary for successful job procurement. Topics include job trends, resumes and cover letters, interviewing skills, and the types of careers available in agriculture, environmental science, and natural resources.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course covers the place of agriculture and farming in the economic system. Topics include basic economic concepts, problems of agriculture, pricing and marketing problems, factors of production, and state and federal farm programs that affect the farmer's economic position. (C-ID AG-AB 124).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course covers computer use in the workplace with emphasis on agribusiness situations. Computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation managers will be covered. Also included will be accessing information through the Internet and World Wide Web, telecommunications, an introduction to web page design and other software appropriate to agribusiness. Application of these concepts and methods through hands-on projects developing computer-based solutions for agriculture business. (C-ID AG-AB 108).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course provides students with a basic understanding of the business and economics of the agricultural industry; an introduction to the economic aspects of agriculture and their implications to the agricultural producer, consumer and the food system; management principles encountered in the day to day operation of an agricultural enterprise as they relate to the decision making process. (C-ID AG-AB 104).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is a study of the principles of agricultural accounting systems and types of records, their use and how to compute and use measures of earnings and cost of production to improve agribusiness efficiency. Farm income tax, Social Security, and employee payroll records also included. Application of these concepts and methods through hands-on projects developing computer-based solutions for agriculture business. (C-ID AG-AB 128).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course introduces students to the knowledge and skills relevant to the supervisor in agricultural business. Topics include the regulatory requirements relevant to labor management in agriculture and effective communication with native and non-native English speakers. The course will include case studies on labor management, human relations, public relations, production control techniques and job analysis.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course covers design principles, selection, maintenance, adjustment, and safe operation of wheel and crawler type tractors used in agriculture and in the construction industry. (C-ID AG-MA 108L).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
42.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 68.00
This course involves the design principles, uses, maintenance, adjustment, calibration, and repair of machinery used in California agriculture. Emphasis is placed on primary and secondary tillage, planting, chemical application, and harvesting equipment. Selection and operation of both machinery and tractors will be practiced. Safety will be stressed throughout.
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
The study of soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Soil use and management including erosion, moisture retention, structure, cultivation, organic matter and microbiology. Laboratory topics include soil type, classification, soil reaction, soil fertility and physical properties of soil. (C-ID AG-PS 128L).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an introduction to plant science including structure, growth processes, propagation, physiology, growth medica, biological competitors, and post-harvest factors of food, fiber, and ornamental plants. (C-ID AG-PS 104).
Prerequisite(s): Permission of Cooperative Work Experience Education instructor and employment supervisor
Unit(s): 1.00
- 8.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 0.00
Career Work Experience (CWE) is a course that gives students the opportunity to earn both a grade and units for what they learn on the job related to their vocational major while gaining practical work experience. Students may earn one semester unit of college credit in this course for every sixty hours of unpaid work experience (60-480 hours unpaid) or seventy-five hours of paid work experience (75-600 hours paid). Students may earn a maximum of sixteen units for all types of Work Experience.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is the study of the fundamentals of public speaking with an emphasis on extemporaneous style delivery. Focus is placed on critical thinking including: the organization of ideas, the use of research, the development of critical analysis in the construction and consumption of messages and the practice of ethical and mindful communication. (C-ID COMM 110).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This is an Honors level introductory Public Speaking course. Through a process of thorough analysis, critical thinking, extended discussions, and original oral and written responses, students will study the fundamentals of extemporaneous public speaking. Emphasis is placed on the organization of ideas, the use of research techniques, and the development of critical analysis for problem solving. (C-ID COMM 110).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is an interdisciplinary study of the world environment with a focus on human use and protection of natural resources across ethnic and cultural boundaries. Environmental issues involving the exploitation and conservation of natural resources will be studied for their modern as well as historical, political, economic and social implications. Particular attention is paid to the condition of natural resources, including soil, water, forest, mineral, plant and animal life throughout California. The citizen's role in natural resource conservation is stressed throughout the course.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is a study of the world's food needs with emphasis on the problems and policies of developing nations. The course will examine the evolution from hunter-gatherer to domesticated agriculture and the role agriculture currently plays in the sustainability of economic and political progress of developing nations and the ethical and environmental implications.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This is a basic surveying course. Topics will include selection, care and use of tapes and levels; field observations, note taking and office computations; use of surveying instruments and equipment for land measurement and mapping; practice in differential, profile, and contour leveling; building foundation layout; horizontal angles; cut and fill measurements and calculations for land grading. Laser and Global Positioning System (GPS) technology will be introduced at the basic level.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is a study of the scientific principles and concepts of ecologically based pest management, with emphasis on economically important insects and pathogens in agriculture, environmental horticulture, natural resources, parks and recreation. Included is an introduction to insects and disease organisms, their biology, identification and management, with a focus on plants of the local geographic area.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is a scientific approach to the livestock industry encompassing aspects of animal anatomy, physiology, nutrition, genetics and epidemiology. There will be special emphasis on the origin, characteristics, adaptation and contributions of farm animals to the global agriculture industry. Analysis of the economic trends and career opportunities in animal agriculture will be covered.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is a study of the basic nutrients involved in animal nutrition: protein, energy, vitamins, minerals and feed additives and their utilization by the animal's body. An analysis of the feeding value of common feedstuffs in practical livestock rations will be completed. Students will be introduced to the formulation of balanced rations for species of livestock including least cost computer formulated rations.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is an overview of agricultural education in California. The principle components of agricultural education are evaluated, including classroom instruction, student leadership development, and student workplace preparation. Effective program development for a secondary agriculture education program will also be evaluated.
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Contacts
Thomas Williams, Chair
(530) 895-2496
Department Office: WM 105
(530) 895-2551
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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