Faculty. See under Department of Agronomy and Range Science, Pomology, and Vegetable Crops.
This major is for students who are interested in understanding agricultural systems as they relate to the environment and society. The selected courses provide an interdisciplinary background that encompasses both natural science and social science disciplines. Students will acquire a core understanding of agricultural production systems as managed ecosystems, how they function, how they interact with the natural environment and how they are intimately connected with human society and social changes. In addition, students will develop an area of specialization. Within each of these areas of specialization, students choose between a broad-based education and one focused in selected areas.
The Program. Specialization in Sustainable Production Systems covers food and agricultural production, agroecology, pest ecology and management, crop improvement and propagation. Students may also develop an emphasis in particular production areas such as agronomy, environmental horticulture, pomology, vegetable crops or viticulture. The Range and Natural Resources specialization emphasizes the theory and practice of natural resource management in grazed ecosystems. The Agricultural and Enviromental Education specialization provides preparation in educational foundations, planning and teaching strategies, with development of an agriculture and environment emphasis. Specialization in Agricultural and Environmental Communication and Information offers preparation in agricultural and environmental science, along with in-depth understanding of communication and information management.
All students will gain practical experience through a a combination of internships and practica. Students may also pursue an Honors thesis in their senior year.
Career Alternatives. Graduates from this program will be prepared to pursue a wide range of careers, including various technical and management positions in agricultural and business enterprises; farming; consulting; private, state and federal agencies concerned with rangeland and natural resource management; Cooperative Extension; international development; teaching; agricultural and environmental journalism, information and communication services. Students will also be qualified to pursue graduate studies in the natural and social sciences, such as agroecology, environmental studies, pest management, education, business management.
(For convenience in program planning, the usual courses taken to satisfy the requirements are shown in parentheses. Equal or more comprehensive courses are acceptable. Courses shown without parentheses are required.)
| UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Written/Oral Expression | 3-12 | |
| See college English requirement | 7-8 | |
| Additional English requirement (English 102 or 104A or 104E) | 3-4 | |
| Perspectives on Agriculture and the Environment | 14 | |
| Agriculture, nature and society (Agricultural Systems and the Environment 1) | 3 | |
| Botany of agricultural plants (Agricultural Systems and the Environment 2) | 4 | |
| Agriculture and the environment (Agricultural Systems and the Environment 101) | 3 | |
| Animals and people (Animal Science 1 or 2) | 4 | |
| Preparatory Subject Matter | 41-43 | |
| Biological sciences (Biological Sciences | 10 | |
| General chemistry (Chemistry 2A-2B) | 10 | |
| Physics (Physics 1A-1B or Physics 7A-7B; see specializations) | 6-8 | |
| Mathematics (Mathematics 16A) | 3 | |
| Computer skills (Agricultural Systems and the Environment 21) | 3 | |
| Statistics (Agricultural Systems and the Environment 120 or Statistics 13 or 102) | 4 | |
| Economics (Economics 1A) | 5 | |
| Breadth/General Education
See General Education requirement |
18-40 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | 14-15 | |
| Crop biology and ecology (Agricultural Systems and the Environment 150 or Plant Biology 117 or 142) | 4 | |
| Agricultural economics (Agricultural and Resource Economics 113 or 140) | 4-5 | |
| Agricultural practicum (Agricultural Systems and the Environment 92, 99, 137; Agricultural and Resource Economics 49A, 49B, 49C; Animal Science 49A, 49B, 49C; Applied Biological Systems Technology 16, 49, 52, 145) | 3 | |
| Internship (Agricultural Systems and the Environment 192, 199) | 3 | |
|
Area of Specialization
Select one of the following areas of specialization. |
||
| Sustainable Production Systems | 53-57 | |
| Includes food and agricultural production, agroecology, crop improvement, propagation, and pest management. Students may choose between a broad education in sustainable agriculture or focus on one or two areas of agriculture (e.g., agricultural management, agronomy, crop improvement, environmental horticulture, pest management, pomology, vegetable crops, viticulture). | ||
| Crop biology and ecology depth requirement must be met with Plant Biology 142. | ||
| Genetics (Plant Biology 152 or Biological Science 101) | 4 | |
| Organic chemistry (Chemistry 8A, 8B) | 6 | |
| Pest management (Agricultural Systems and Environment 105) | 3 | |
| Soils (Soil Science 100) | 4 | |
| Agricultural production systems (Agricultural Systems and Environment 107, 110A, 110B, 110C, 112, 134, 135, 150, 160, 170A, 170B; Environmental Horticulture 120, 125, 130, 133; International Agricultural Development 102; Plant Biology 173, 174; Viticulture and Enology 101A, 101B, 101C, 111, 115, 116) | 12-16 | |
Restricted elective courses chosen with approval of the academic adviser from the following groups
|
(minimum 24 units) | |
| Unrestricted Electives
Recommended courses: Mathematics 16B, Physics 5A-5B, Agricultural Biological Technology 49 and courses listed under Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences. |
0-37 | |
| Range and Natural Resources | 54-55 | This specialization provides a unified understanding of the interaction between livestock production and environmental quality in rangelands. |
| Computer and quantitative skills (Agricultural Systems and Environment 121) | 4 | |
| Statistics (Agricultural Systems and Environment 120, Statistics 13, 100) | 4 | |
| Soil science (Soil Science 100) | 4 | |
| Watershed management (Hydrologic Science 141) | 4 | |
| Wildlife biology (Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology 110, 111, 120, 151) | 6 | |
| Animal Nutrition (Animal Science 41, Nutrition 115) | 6 | |
| Forage systems (Agricultural Systems and Environment 112) | 3 | |
| Remote sensing/GIS (Geography 106, Hydrologic Science 186, Applied Biological Systems Technology 180) | 3-4 | |
| Plant indentification/systematics (Plant Biology 102, Agricultural Systems and Environment 131) | 7 | |
| Ecology and conservation of rangelands (Agricultural Systems and Environment 130) | 3 | |
| Comparative ecology of grazing ecosystems (Agricultural Systems and Environment 134) | 3 | |
| Ecology of grassland and savanna herbivores (Agricultural Systems and Environment 135) | 3 | |
| Public lands management (Environmental Studies 172) | 4 | |
| Unrestricted Electives
Recommended courses: Biological Sciences 1C, Mathematics 16B, Physics 7A-7B, Atmospheric Science 133, Plant Biology 111, Environmental Studies 123, and courses listed under Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences. |
1-36 | |
| Agricultural and Environmental Education | 38-45 | |
| This specialization includes preparation in educational foundations, planning and teaching strategies, and development of an agricultural and environmental science emphasis. Along with a broad preparation in the natural sciences, social sciences and agriculture, this specialization prepares the student for entry into the graduate agriculture teaching credential program, for employment in the private sector in areas of training and human resource development, for working in nonformal educational programs involving environmental education, outdoor education, 4-H and other youth organizations, and pursuing further graduate studies in the social or natural sciences. | ||
| Soil science (Soil Science 10 or 100) | 3-4 | |
| Concepts in agricultural and environmental education (Agricultural Education 100) | 3 | |
| Directed field experience in teaching (Agricultural Education 300) | 2 | |
| Educational foundations (Education 110 and 120) | 8 | |
| Planning and teaching strategies (Agricultural Systems and Environment 122 or Education 180; Agricultural Education 171, 301 and 302) | 12-13 | |
| Agricultural and environmental science emphasis
Courses to be selected in consultation with academic adviser. Students typically will select one area of agriculture to develop a strength by taking three to four courses. Students pursuing the Graduate Agricultural Teaching Credential Program need at least 10 units of Animal Science, 10 units of Plant and Soil Science, 8 units of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and 8 units of Agricultural Mechanics. See adviser for list of required courses. |
10-15 | |
| Unrestricted Electives
Recommended courses listed under Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences. |
11-52 | |
| Agricultural and Environmental Communications and Information Management | 43-53 | |
| This specialization provides broad preparation in the agricultural and environmental sciences along with in-depth understanding of communications and information management. The option prepares individuals for careers in agricultural and environmental science journalism, newscasting, information services and industrial communications. | ||
| Soil science (Soil Science 10 or 100) | 3-4 | |
| Management of information (Agricultural Systems and Environment 122) | 4 | |
| Technical writing (English 104A) | 4 | |
| Upper division internship (Agricultural Education 192) | 6-9 | |
| Information media (Agricultural Education 171, 172; Rhetoric and Communication 140, 142A, 142B) | 12-13 | |
| Communications and information transfer (Rhetoric and Communication 130, 136) | 4 | |
| Agricultural and environmental communications and information emphasis
Courses to be selected in consultation with academic adviser. Students typically will select one area of agriculture to develop a strength by taking three to four courses. |
10-15 | |
| Unrestricted Electives
Recommended courses listed under Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences. |
3-47 | |
| Total Units for the Major | 180 |
Honors. The Senior Honors Thesis (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 194H) includes two or three successive quarters of guided, scientific and/or scholarly research on an agricultural and/or environmental subject of special interest to the student.
With adviser approval the Senior Thesis can satisfy up to 12 units of restricted electives in the major.
Major Adviser: R. Plant.
Advising Center located in 152 Hunt Hall (916-752-1715).
| UNITS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Systems and Environment | 18 | |||||||
| Preparatory material: Statistics 13, 32, Agricultural Systems and Environment 120 or Sociology 42B, or the equivalent. | ||||||||
| Select one of the two following tracks: | ||||||||
Sustainable Agriculture track
|
||||||||
Range and Natural Resources track
|
||||||||
Minor Advisers: R.E. Plant (Agronomy and Range Science), K.J. Rice (Agronomy and Range Science).
Advising Center is located in 152 Hunt Hall.
*Course not offered this academic year.
General Education (GE) credit: ArtHum = Arts and Humanities; SciEng = Science and Engineering; SocSci = Social Sciences; Div = Social-Cultural Diversity; Wrt = Writing Experience. Select this link to information on the General Education requirement.
1. Agriculture, Nature and Society (3) I. Gradziel (Pomology)
Lecture--2 hours; discussion/laboratory--1 hour. Multiple perspectives and connections between the natural sciences, social sciences, and agriculture. Emphasis on agriculture's central position between nature and society and its key role in our search for a productive, lasting and hospitable environment. Several full-period field trips provide hands-on learning. Not open for credit to students who have completed Agrarian Studies 2.
2. Botany and Physiology of Cultivated Plants (4) II. Saltveit (Vegetable Crops)
Lecture--3 hours; discussion/laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: high school course in biology and chemistry recommended. A holistic introduction to the underlying botanical and physiological principles of cultivated plants and their response to the environment. Includes concepts behind plant selection, cultivation, and utilization. Laboratories include discussion and interactive demonstrations.
7. Molecules, Risk and Public Policy (3) II. Phillips
Lecture--3 hours. Natural functions of molecules, their effects on humans, and their regulation through public policy. Students will learn about molecules that are discussed daily in newspapers. GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
21. Applications of Microcomputers in Agriculture (3) I. Plant; II. Laca; III. The Staff (Agronomy and Range Science)
Lecture--1.5 hours; laboratory/discussion--2 hours; autotutorial--2 hours. Prerequisite: high school algebra. Concepts of computing and applications using personal computers, spreadsheets, database management, word processing and communications. Not open for students who have completed Computer Science Engineering 15, 30, 35 or Engineering 5.
90X. Agricultural Systems and Environment Seminar (1-4) I, II, III. The Staff
Seminar--1-4 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Examination of a special topic in a small group setting.
92. Internship (1-12) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Internship--3-36 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Work experience on or off campus in all subject areas pertaining to agricultural and environmental sciences. Internship supervised by faculty member in the animal, plant, and environmental sciences. (P/NP grading only.)
98. Directed Group Study (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Primarily for lower division students. (P/NP grading only.)
99. Special Study for Undergraduates (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Primarily intended for lower division students. (P/NP grading only.)
101. Agriculture and the Environment (3) II. Hill (Agronomy and Range Science)
Lecture--2.5 hours; Saturday field trip. Prerequisite: course 22 and consent of instructor. Focus on the interaction between agriculture and environment to address the principles required to analyze conflict and develop solutions to complex problems facing society.
105. Concepts in Pest Management (3) III. Norris (Weed Science Program)
Lecture--2 hours; laboratory/discussion--3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1C or course 2, Chemistry 8B. Introduction to the ecological principles of integrated pest management, biology of different classes of pests and the types of losses they cause, population assessment, evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of different techniques used for pest management, IPM programs.
107. Small Fruit Production (2) II. Shaw (Pomology)
Lecture--2 hours; two field trips arranged at mutual convenience. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1C or the equivalent. Strawberries (Fragaria), blackberries-raspberries (Rubus), blueberries-cranberries (Vaccinium) as important nutritional resources; their origin, production and utilization with emphasis on recent progress in integrated management. Offered in alternate years. Not open for credit to students who have taken Pomology 107. (Former course Pomology 107.)
110A. Principles of Agronomic Crop Production in Temperate and Tropical Systems (3) II. Travis, Rains (Agronomy and Range Science)
Lecture--3 hours. Prerequisite: course in general botany and/or course 2. Fundamentals of field crop production in temperate and tropical climates. Resource utilization and economic, political and social problems are considered in relation to technological problems and their influences on agricultural development.
110B. Management of Agronomic Crops in Temperate and Tropical Systems (3) III. Travis, Rains (Agronomy and Range Science)
Lecture--3 hours. Prerequisite: course in general botany and/or course 2; course 110A. Application of agronomic principles in production of temperate and tropical crops. Specific crops discussed with reference to management and efficient use of physical and biological resources.
110C. Crop Management Systems for Vegetable Production (4) I. The Staff (Vegetable Crops)
Lecture--2 hours; laboratory--3 hours; discussion--1 hour. Prerequisite: course 2; course 110A recommended. Horticultural principles applied to production and management systems for vegetable crops. Laboratory and discussion will illustrate efficient field management and resource use practices.
110L. Principles of Agronomy Laboratory (1) III. Travis, Rains (Agronomy and Range Science)
Laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: course 110B (may be taken concurrently). Field-oriented introduction to principles of agronomic crop production. Not open for credit to students who have completed Agronomy 100L. (Former course Agronomy 100L.)
*112. Forage Crop Ecology (3) III. Teuber (Agronomy and Range Science)
Lecture--3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1C or consent of instructor. Forages as a world resource in food production. Ecological principles governing the adaptation, establishment, growth and management of perennial and annual forages, including pastures, rangelands and hay; aspects of forage quality which affect feeding value to livestock. Offered in alternate years. Not open for credit to students who have completed Agronomy 112. (Former course Agronomy 112.)
*118. Seed Production and Quality (4) III. Bradford (Vegetable Crops)
Lecture--3 hours; laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: course 2 or Biological Sciences 1C; Plant Biology 152 recommended. Principles of crop seed production, storage and utilization. Biological and environmental factors influencing seed quality. Measurement and preservation of seed vigor and viability. Technological aspects of crop establishment from seeds. Laboratories include field trips to seed industry facilities. Offered in alternate years. Not open for credit to students who have completed Vegetable Crops 118. (Former course Vegetable Crops 118.)
120. Applied Statistics in Agricultural Science (4) I. Geng (Agronomy and Range Science)
Lecture--3 hours; discussion/laboratory--2 hours. Prerequisite: upper division standing. Applications of statistical methods to the analysis and interpretation of research data in plant, animal, behavioral, food and nutritional sciences. Lectures cover basic concepts and statistical methods. Specialized laboratory sections cover procedures, data processing and interpretations. Not open for credit to students who have completed Agricultural Science and Management 150. GE credit: SciEng.
121. Systems Analysis in Agriculture and Resource Management (4) II. Foin (Agronomy and Range Science)
Lecture--2 hours; discussion/laboratory--2 hours. Prerequisite: course 21 or equivalent computer experience, and Mathematics 16A. The process of systems analysis and dynamic simulation of biological and environmental systems, use of systems analysis for development of optimal management strategies for agricultural and environmental systems. Not open for credit to students who have taken Agricultural Science and Management 121. GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
*122. Management of Information for the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (4) III. Zilbert (Agronomy and Range Science)
Lecture--3 hours; laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: course 21 or consent of instructor. Introduction to
systems and technology for acquiring, storing, manipulating and communicating various types of information including numerical data, text, graphics and multimedia images. Laboratory exercises introduce a wide variety of information management systems used in offices and laboratories. Not open for credit to students who have taken former course 101.
130. Rangelands: Ecology, Conservation and Restoration (3) II. Rice (Agronomy and Range Science)
Lecture--3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1C; introductory ecology course and junior standing recommended. Introduction to the ecological principles and processes important for an understanding of the dynamics of range ecosystems. Emphasis on ecological and evolutionary concepts underlying management strategies for conserving biological diversity and environmental quality in rangelands. Offered in alternate years. GE credit: SciEng, Wrt.
*131. Identification and Ecology of Grasses (2) III. Rice (Agronomy and Range Science)
Lecture--7.5 hours; laboratory--20 hours; discussion--5 hours (total for course). Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1C or course 2; Plant Biology 102 and junior standing recommended. Taxonomy and identification of western grasses. Development of skills in using plant identification keys. Ecology and evolution of grasses in grazing ecosystems. Given the week following spring quarter.
*134. Comparative Ecology of Major Rangeland Systems (3) II. The Staff
Lecture--3 hours; one Saturday field trip required. Prerequisite: course 130 or the equivalent; Environmental Studies 100 recommended. Study of vegetation structure, composition, and succession in North American rangeland communities. Description and comparison of interactions between vegetation and grazing animals on grassland, desert, forested, and tundra rangelands. Discussion of current rangeland management strategies. Offered in alternate years.
*135. Ecology and Community Structure of Grassland and Savannah Herbivores (3) I. Demment
Lecture--3 hours. Prerequisite: Biological Sciences 1A or 1B and course 2, or Biological Sciences 1C; general ecology course (Environmental Studies 100) recommended. Feeding ecology of grassland herbivores and its importance in evolution of herbivore communities and social systems. Optimal foraging, interspecific interactions, and primary productivity are considered as factors structuring natural and managed grassland and savannah systems. Offered in alternate years. Former course Range Science 135.
137. Field Course in Rangeland Monitoring and Management (2) III. The Staff
Lecture--1 hour; fieldwork--3 hours (week-long intensive field course given the week following spring quarter. Prerequisite: course 2 or the equivalent, Plant Biology 102 and junior standing. Introduction to rangeland vegetation monitoring methods and management strategies. Field sampling of vegetation composition and structure, soil st atus, and wildlife and fish habitat. Grazing management strategies to achieve desired future condition of rangelands.
150. Cropping Systems of the World (4) II. vanKessel (Agronomy and Range Science)
Lecture--3 hours; discussion--1 hour. Prerequisite: course 2 or Biological Sciences 1C, and course 22 or Plant Biology 142. World food production systems: concepts and assessment of sustainability; evaluation of methodological approaches to study and improve farming systems; socioeconomic and gender considerations. Examination of case studies from selected annual and perennial cropping systems. One weekend session for simulation game.
160. Agroforestry: Global and Local Perspectives (2) I. Weinbaum
Lecture/discussion--2 hours. Prerequisite: course 2 or Biological Sciences 1C; Plant Biology 142 or a general ecology course (Environmental Studies 100). Explores traditional and evolving use of trees in agricultural ecosystems, their multiple roles in environmental stabilization and the production of food, fuel and fiber, and socioeconomic barriers to adoption. Offered in alternate years. (Same course as International Agricultural Development 160.)
170A. Fruit and Nut Cropping Systems (2) I. McGranahan, Ferguson (Pomology)
Lecture--1 hour; laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: course 2, Biological Sciences 1C, or consent of instructor. Overview of production and handling systems of major pomological crops, analysis of current cultural and harvesting problems and concerns associated with commercial fruit growing. Offered in alternate years. Not open for credit to students who have completed Pomology 170A. (Former course Pomology 170A.)
170B. Fruit and Nut Cropping Systems (2) III. Gradziel (Pomology)
Lecture--1 hour; laboratory--3 hours. Prerequisite: course 2, Biological Sciences 1C, or consent of instructor. Overview of production and handling systems of major pomological crops, including analysis of current cultural and harvesting problems and concerns associated with commercial fruit growing. Offered in alternate years. Not open for credit to students who have completed Pomology 170B. (Former course Pomology 170B.)
188. Undergraduate Research: Proposal (3) III. Bloom, Yoder (Vegetable Crops)
Lecture/discussion--3 hours. Prerequisite: upper division standing and consent of instructor. Through lectures, class discussion and individual mentoring, students will define a problem, identify objectives, conduct a literature survey, generate testable hypotheses, design experiments, plan data analysis, prepare an outline, and write a scientific proposal. (Same course as Plant Biology 188.)
189. Undergraduate Research: Experiment (3) I, II, III. The Staff
Laboratory/discussion--6 hours. Prerequisite: course 188 and consent of instructor. Experimental testing of the hypothesis developed in course 188. May be repeated for a total of 12 units of credit. (P/NP grading only.)
190. Seminar on Alternatives in Agriculture (2) II. Van Horn (Agronomy and Range Science)
Seminar--2 hours. Prerequisite: upper division standing. Seminar on topics related to alternative theories, practices and systems of agriculture and the relationship of agriculture to the environment and society. Scientific, technological, social, political and economic perspectives. (P/NP grading only.)
191. Current Topics in Agricultural Science Research (1) I. The Staff
Discussion--1 hour. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Introduction to current areas of experimental investigation in the Agricultural and Plant Sciences. Seminar format with short presentations of current directions of research, followed by interactive discussions. (P/NP grading only.)
192. Internship (1-12) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Internship--3-36 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Supervised internship on and off campus in agricultural and environmental sciences. (P/NP grading only.)
194H. Senior Honors Thesis (2-6) I, II, III. The Staff
Independent study. Prerequisite: Agricultural Systems and Environment major; senior standing; overall GPA of 3.25 or higher and consent of master adviser. Two or three successive quarters of guided research on an agriculturally related subject of special interest to the student. Not open for credit to students who have completed Agrarian Studies 188H. (P/NP grading only; deferred grading only, pending completion of thesis.)
195. Field Study of Vegetable Industry (1) III. Jackson, Mitchell (Vegetable Crops)
Field Study. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Field study illustrating different aspects of California agriculture, including research institutions, farm operations, field stations, Extension Service, marketing, processors, equipment, etc. Given between winter and spring quarters. Considered a spring course for preenrollment. Not open for credit to students who have completed Vegetable Crops 195. (Former course Vegetable Crops 195.) (P/NP grading only.)
198. Directed Group Study (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grading only.)
199. Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates (1-5) I, II, III. The Staff (Director in charge)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (P/NP grading only.)
UC Davis 1997-98 Online General Catalog. Posted August 1, 1997.
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Keitha Hunter and Barbara Anderson, Editors
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