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.
Program Admission Requirements
General university admission requirements apply to this program including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement.
A passing grade in Biology 11 or 12 is an asset but is not required.
Note: One post-secondary English course, equivalent to KPU’s ENGL 1100, is a graduation requirement for all KPU degrees. Students wishing to complete the program without having to undertake any preparatory courses must enter with English 12 with a B grade or the equivalent. Please make an appointment with an Academic Advisor to plan your course selections accordingly.
Students should be aware that acceptance into the Sustainable Agriculture Degree program is not a guarantee of registration in any or all of the courses. Qualifying courses are available for those students who do not meet the program's admission requirements and/or course prerequisites . To learn more about these options visit www.kpu.ca/aca.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture consists of 121 credits of course work
Year One
Fall Semester |
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All of: |
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| AGRI 1150 | Sustainable Agriculture for the 21st Century | 3 credits | |
| BIOL 1110 | Introductory Biology I | 4 credits | |
| ENVI 1106 | Environmental Chemistry I | 4 credits | |
| GEOG 1101 | Human Geography | 3 credits | |
And one of: |
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| MATH 1112 | Pre-Calculus Algebra | 3 credits | |
| MATH 1117 | Environmental Mathematics | 3 credits | |
Spring Semester |
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All of: |
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| AGRI 1299 | Food System Field Analysis | 1 credit | |
| BIOL 1210 | Introductory Biology II | 4 credits | |
| ENVI 1206 | Environmental Chemistry II | 4 credits | |
| ENGL 1100 | Introduction to University Writing | 3 credits | |
And one of: |
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| POST 1100 | Sustainability: Analysis and Ethics | 3 credits | |
| PHIL 1110 | Confronting Moral Issues: Introduction to Ethics | 3 credits | |
| PHIL 1112 | Environmental Ethics | 3 credits | |
Year Two
Fall Semester |
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All of: |
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| AGRI 2190 | Plant Science | 3 credits | |
| BIOL 2322 | Ecology | 4 credits | |
| PHYS 1400 | Energy, Environment, Physics | 3 credits | |
| GEOG 2250 | The City | 3 credits | |
And one of: |
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| POST 2100 | Sustainability and Government | 3 credits | |
| POLI 1120 | Canadian Government and Politics | 3 credits | |
| POLI 1125 | Introduction to Political Science | 3 credits | |
Spring Semester |
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All of: |
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| MATH 1115 | Statistics I | 3 credits | |
| AGRI 2220 | Soil Science | 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 | |
Year Three
Spring Semester* |
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All of: |
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| AGRI 3225 | Experimental Design and Analysis (under development) | 3 credits | |
| AGRI 3260 | Animal Agriculture (under development) | 3 credits | |
| AGRI 3270 | Olericulture (under development) | 3 credits | |
| AGRI 3280 | Pomology (under development) | 3 credits | |
| AGRI 3290 | Agro-Ecosystems Management I (under development) | 3 credits | |
Summer Semester* |
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All of: |
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| AGRI 3390 | Agro-Ecosystems Management II (under development) | 6 credits | |
| AGRI 3398 | Crop Physiology and Ecology (under development) | 3 credits | |
| AGRI 3399 | Research Project I (under development) | 3 credits | |
| An elective† course (any course numbered 1100 or higher of 3 or more credits) | 3 credits | ||
* Note: Courses in Year Three follow the agricultural season and progression of agricultural practices.
Year Four
Fall Semester |
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All of: |
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| AGRI 3135 | Business of Agriculture (under development) | 6 credits | |
| AGRI 4190 | Agro-Ecosystems Management III (under development) | 3 credits | |
| Two elective† courses (numbered 1100 or higher of 3 or more credits) | 6 credits | ||
Spring Semester |
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All of: |
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| AGRI 4298 | World Trends in Agriculture (under development) | 3 credits | |
| AGRI 4299 | Research Project II (under development) | 3 credits | |
| AGRI 4295 | Internship (under development) | 3 credits | |
| An elective† course (any course numbered 1100 or higher of 3 or more credits) | 3 credits | ||
†Note: One of the elective courses must be an ENGL course or a course meeting writing-intensive guidelines.
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of this program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture.
