AG-AGRICULTURE 2003-05 Catalog
College of Agriculture

AG 100 Agriculture Enterprise Project (1–4) (CR/NC)

Selection and completion of a management/production project under faculty supervision. Project participation is subject to approval by the department head and the Cal Poly Foundation. Degree credit limited to 12 units. Registration is through department offices and subtopics will list the department supervising the project. Credit/No Credit grading only.

AG 243 Competitive Intercollegiate Rodeo (2) (CR/NC)

Beginning through advanced skills in the event areas of college rodeo. Areas include saddle bronc, bareback, and bull riding; calf, team, and breakaway roping; steer wrestling, goat tying, and barrel racing. Minimum of 10 hours of laboratory per week. Total credit limited to 8 units. Credit/No Credit grading. Enrollment limited to those qualified to compete in intercollegiate rodeo. Consent of coach required.

AG 250 Computer Application to Agriculture (3)

Microcomputers and commercial software used in agricultural industries. Word processing, spreadsheets, data base management programs, and programs applied to agriculturally oriented problems. 3 lectures.

AG 301 Agriculture and American Life (4)

Overview of agriculture and effect on American life; wise use of natural resources; animal and plant production; role of machines, labor, and chemicals in producing food and fiber; processing and marketing of commodities; nature of farm life; leadership development in agriculture. Not open to students with majors in agriculture. 4 lectures. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

AG 315 Organic Agriculture (4) GE Area F

Origins, application, regulation and technology of organic agriculture. Theoretical and practical issues surrounding organic agriculture from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Topics include the history of the organic movement; current regulation and certification; and field management practices and technologies. Features industry guest lecturers. 3 lectures, 1 activity. Prerequisite: Junior standing and completion of GE Area B. Crop Science, Fruit Science and Soil Science majors will not receive GE Area F credit.

AG 339 Internship in Agriculture (1–12) (CR/NC)

Selected students will spend up to 12 weeks with an approved agricultural firm engaged in production or related business. Time will be spent applying and developing production and managerial skills and abilities. One unit of credit may be allowed for each full week of completed and reported internship. Credit/No Credit grading. Prerequisite: Consent of internship instructor.

AG 350 The Global Environment (4) GE Area F
(Also listed as BUS/EDES/ENGR/HUM/SCM 350)

Interdisciplinary investigation of how human activities impact the Earth’s environment on a global scale. Examination of population, resource use, climate change, and biodiversity from scientific/technical and social/economic/historical/political perspectives. Use of remote sensing maps. Sustainable solutions. 3 lectures, 1 activity. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Areas A and B and junior standing.

AG 360 Holistic Management (4) GE Area F

Application of holistic management, a goal-oriented, value-driven framework for making decisions that are ecologically, economically, and socially sound. Impact of technology and other tools on ecosystem processes. Holistic approach to management, especially of land-based resources, aimed toward greater biodiversity and sustainability. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area B, and junior standing. Not open to students with credit in AG 450.

AG 439 Internship in Integrated Ranch Operations (6–12) (CR/NC)

Work experience in all activities/projects associated with the production of crops, livestock and timber at Swanton Pacific Ranch. Students will be responsible for all activities associated with ranch operation including supervising. For students working and living at Swanton Pacific Ranch. Credit/No Credit grading only. Total credit limited to 18 units. Prerequisite: Senior or graduate standing and consent of instructor.

AG 450 Applied Holistic Management (4)

Application of holistic management, a goal-oriented, value-driven framework for making decisions that are ecologically, economically, and socially sound. Impact of technology and other tools on ecosystem processes. Holistic approach to management, especially of land-based resources, aimed toward greater biodiversity and sustainability. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory. Prerequisite: Any life science course, and junior standing. Not open to students with credit in AG 360.

AG 485 Cooperative Education Experience (6) (CR/NC)

Part-time work experience in business, industry, government, and other areas of student career interest. Positions are paid and usually require relocation and registration in course for two consecutive quarters. Formal report and evaluation by work supervisor required. Total credit limited to 16 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and consent of instructor.

AG 495 Cooperative Education Experience (12) (CR/NC)

Full-time work experience in business, industry, government, and other areas of student career interest. Positions are paid and usually require relocation and registration in course for two consecutive quarters. Formal report and evaluation by work supervisor required. Total credit limited to 16 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and consent of instructor.

AG 500 Individual Study (1–6)

Advanced independent study planned and completed under the direction of a member of the college faculty. Total credit limited to 6 units. Prerequisite: Consent of department head, graduate advisor and supervising faculty member.

AG 539 Graduate Internship in Agriculture (1–9)

Application of theory to the solution of problems of agricultural production or related businesses in the field. Analyze specific management problems and perform general management assignments detailed in a contract between the student, the firm or organization, and the faculty advisor before the internship commences. Degree credit limited to 6 units. Prerequisite: Consent of internship instructor.

AG 581 Graduate Seminar (1-3 1) (CR/NC)

Advanced topics in agriculture and natural resources. Group study of current research and industry trends. Invited speakers covering a variety of topics. Total credit limited to 9 3 units. 1-3 hours 1 hour seminar. Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. Change effective Fall 2004. Updated 2/18/04.

AG 585 Cooperative Education Experience (6) (CR/NC)

Advanced study analysis and part-time work experience in student's career field; current innovations, practices, and problems in administration, supervision, and organization of business, industry, and government. Must have demonstrated ability to do independent work and research in career field. Total credit limited to 9 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

AG 595 Cooperative Education Experience (12) (CR/NC)

Advanced study analysis and full-time work experience in student's career field; current innovations, practices, and problems in administration, supervision, and organization of business, industry, and government. Must have demonstrated ability to do independent work and research in career field. Total credit limited to 9 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

AG 598 Reading and Conference (1–12) (CR/NC)

Systematic development of an agricultural thesis research project including literature searches, reports and experimental design.

Repeatable for up to 12 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and instructor consent.

AG 599 Thesis (1–9)

Systematic research of a significant problem. Thesis will include problem identification, significance, methods, data analysis, and conclusion. Students must enroll every quarter in which facilities are used or advisement is received. Degree credit limited to 6 units. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.