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Bachelor of Science Degree - Agricultural Studies

Degree Requirements:

General Education

Core Curriculum

Option(s) Courses

Electives

Student Learning Outcomes

Agricultural Studies graduates will be able to demonstrate:

  1. The application of basic scientific and economic principles to agricultural production, business, and resource management. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcome II.) 
  2. The application of production concepts appropriate to the Northern Great Plains region. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes II and VI.)
  3. Oral, written, and graphical communication skills. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcome III.)
  4. An understanding of agricultural resource management in a broader global, socioeconomic context. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I and V.)
  5. The application of leadership skills necessary for successful advocacy at local, state, regional, and national levels.  (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcome IV.)

Requirements

THE FOLLOWING ARE REQUIRED AS PART OF GENERAL EDUCATION

ECON 201Principles Of Microeconomics

3

MATH 103College Algebra

4

AGRICULTURAL STUDIES CORE CURRICULUM

AGEC 241Introduction to Agricultural Economics

3

AGEC 342Introduction to Agricultural Management

3

AGRI 350Agricultural Data Analysis and Statistics

4

AGRI 391Junior Seminar

1

AGRI 394Undergraduate Research

1

H&CE 241Leadership and Presentation Techniques

3

PLSC 110World Food Crops

3

RNG 236Introduction to Range Management

4

SOIL 210Introduction to Soil Science

4

One course from the following two courses (3 credits):

ANSC 114Introduction to Animal Science

3

ANSC 123Feeds and Feeding

3

One course from the following two courses (3 credits):

BOTE 247Spreadsheet Applications

3

CSCI 200Database Software Applications

3

One course from the following two courses (1 credit):

AGRI 491Agricultural Seminar

1

RNG 491Range Seminar

1

AGRI 491 and RNG 491 are capstone experience seminars that consist of an independent study with a public presentation and a professional paper requirement.

One course from the following three courses (3 credits):

AGRI 280Technology in Agriculture

3

GIS 380Applied Arc GIS

3

GIS 381Geographic Information Systems for Business

3

One course from the following four courses (3 credits):

BOTE 210Business Communication

3

COMM 212Interpersonal Communication

3

COMM 216Intercultural Communication

3

COMM 317Organizational and Group Communication

3

Total Credit Hours:39

Option

Students must select and complete at least one option (Business/Marketing, International Agri-Business, Integrated Farm Management, Integrated Ranch Management, Natural Resource Management, Range Management, Soil Science, Equine, General Agriculture, or Agricultural Communications) to complete the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Studies degree.

Business/Marketing Option

Students pursuing the Business/Marketing option combine business techniques with knowledge of agricultural production to prepare for employment managing an agriculturally related business or in agricultural banking and finance.

Students will be required to take BOTE 210 – Business Communication and GIS 381 – GIS for Business as part of the Agricultural Studies core curriculum.

AGEC 244Introduction to Agricultural Marketing

3

AGEC 246Introduction to Agricultural Finance

3

AGEC 375Applied Agricultural Law

3

AGEC 387Commodity Futures and Options

3

AGEC 474Cooperatives

3

 

AGRI 297Agricultural Management Internship; Externship; Cooperative Education

1-6

Two Credits Required

 

BADM 369Business Ethics and Critical Thinking

3

BADM 455International Business

3

ECON 202Principles Of Macro-Economics

3

MATH 146Applied Calculus I

3

One course from the following two courses (3 credits):

ANSC 220Livestock Production

3

PLSC 225Principles of Crop Production

3

One course from the following two courses (3 credits):

AGEC 422Resource Economics and Environmental Protection

3

AGEC 442Advanced Farm Management

3

One course from the following two courses (3 credits):

ACCT 200Elements Of Accounting I

3

AGEC 142Agricultural Accounting

3

One course from the following four courses (3 credits):

BADM 336Management and Leadership

3

BADM 346Human Resource Management

3

BADM 364Electronic Commerce

3

BADM 388Management Information Systems

3

Two courses from the following five choices (6 credits):

RNG 458Rangeland Ecology

3

SOIL 321Soil Management and Conservation

3

SOIL 322Soil Fertility and Fertilizers

3

VETS 339Animal Health

3

Approved Agriculture elective(s)

3

Total Credit Hours:47

International Agri-Business Option

Students pursuing the International Agri-Business option combine business and supply-chain techniques with knowledge of agricultural production to prepare for employment developing, maintaining and expanding export opportunities for agricultural goods and services.

Students will be required to take GIS 381 - GIS for Business as part of the Agricultural Studies core curriculum. Students will also be required to take Foreign Language 101 or higher as part of the General Education requirements.

Foreign Language 102 or higher

4

ACCT 200Elements Of Accounting I

3

ACCT 201Elements Of Accounting II

3

AGEC 244Introduction to Agricultural Marketing

3

AGEC 387Commodity Futures and Options

3

 

AGRI 497Agricultural Management Internship; Externship; Cooperative Education

1-6

Three Credits Required

 

BADM 376Production/Operations Management

3

BADM 455International Business

3

ECON 106Global Economics

3

ECON 202Principles Of Macro-Economics

3

FIN 300Financial Institutions and Markets

3

FIN 326Managerial Finance

3

MATH 146Applied Calculus I

3

One course from the following three courses (3 credits):

AGEC 474Cooperatives

3

BADM 346Human Resource Management

3

BADM 369Business Ethics and Critical Thinking

3

Two courses from the following four courses (6 credits):

BADM 420International Management

3

BADM 456International Business Strategy

3

FIN 430International Finance

3

MRKT 357International Marketing

3

Total Credit Hours:49

Integrated Farm Management Option

Students pursuing the Integrated Farm Management option combine a strong foundation in agricultural production with business and resource management techniques necessary to operate a successful farming operation in the Northern Great Plains.

Students will be required to take GIS 380 – Applied Arc GIS as part of the Agricultural Studies core curriculum.

AGEC 142Agricultural Accounting

3

AGEC 244Introduction to Agricultural Marketing

3

AGEC 246Introduction to Agricultural Finance

3

AGEC 375Applied Agricultural Law

3

AGEC 387Commodity Futures and Options

3

AGEC 442Advanced Farm Management

3

AGEC 474Cooperatives

3

GIS 382Applied GPS

3

PLSC 225Principles of Crop Production

3

PLSC 235Field Scouting Techniques

2

PLSC 323Principles Of Weed Science

3

SOIL 321Soil Management and Conservation

3

SOIL 322Soil Fertility and Fertilizers

3

SOIL 350Soil Health and Productivity

3

Choose course not taken in agricultural core curriculum (3 credits):

ANSC 114Introduction to Animal Science

3

ANSC 123Feeds and Feeding

3

Choose courses from the following (5-7 credits):

ANSC 220Livestock Production

3

GIS 480GPS/GIS II

3

PLSC 486Forages and Forage Systems

3

RNG 350Range Plants and Communities

3

RNG 436Range and Pasture Management

3

RNG 458Rangeland Ecology

3

SOIL 444Soil Genesis and Survey

4

SOIL 455Soil Microbiology

3

Approved Agriculture elective(s)

1-3

Total Credit Hours:49-51

Integrated Ranch Management Option

Students pursuing the Integrated Ranch Management option combine a strong foundation in agricultural production with business and resource management techniques necessary to operate a successful ranching operation in the Northern Great Plains.

Students will be required to take GIS 380 – Applied Arc GIS as part of the Agricultural Studies core curriculum.

AGEC 142Agricultural Accounting

3

AGEC 244Introduction to Agricultural Marketing

3

AGEC 246Introduction to Agricultural Finance

3

AGEC 375Applied Agricultural Law

3

AGEC 387Commodity Futures and Options

3

ANSC 220Livestock Production

3

ANSC 420Animal Genetics and Applied Animal Breeding

3

ANSC 445Problems in Livestock Management

3

ANSC 463Physiology of Reproduction

3

ANSC 463LPhysiology of Reproduction Laboratory

1

ANSC 470Applied Ruminant Nutrition

3

VETS 339Animal Health

3

Choose course not taken in agricultural core curriculum (3 credits):

ANSC 114Introduction to Animal Science

3

ANSC 123Feeds and Feeding

3

Two courses from the following four courses (6 credits):

PLSC 486Forages and Forage Systems

3

RNG 350Range Plants and Communities

3

RNG 436Range and Pasture Management

3

RNG 458Rangeland Ecology

3

Two courses from the following nine choices (5-6 credits):

AGEC 442Advanced Farm Management

3

ANSC 260Introduction to Equine Studies

3

GIS 382Applied GPS

3

GIS 480GPS/GIS II

3

PLSC 225Principles of Crop Production

3

SOIL 321Soil Management and Conservation

3

SOIL 322Soil Fertility and Fertilizers

3

SOIL 455Soil Microbiology

3

Approved Agriculture elective(s)

2-3

Total Credit Hours:48-49

Natural Resource Management Option

Students pursuing the Natural Resource Management option combine a strong science foundation with an understanding of agriculture and resource management to prepare for employment as a soil conservationist in government service, such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

Students will be required to take GIS 380 – Applied Arc GIS as part of the Agricultural Studies core curriculum. Students will be required to take GEOL 105, GEOL 105L – Physical Geology and Lab as the General Education science elective. If not taken as a General Education class, it must be taken to fulfill the Natural Resource Management option requirements.

AGEC 422Resource Economics and Environmental Protection

3

BIOL 151General Biology II

3

BIOL 151LGeneral Biology II Lab

1

GIS 382Applied GPS

3

PLSC 225Principles of Crop Production

3

PLSC 323Principles Of Weed Science

3

RNG 350Range Plants and Communities

3

RNG 436Range and Pasture Management

3

RNG 458Rangeland Ecology

3

SOIL 321Soil Management and Conservation

3

SOIL 444Soil Genesis and Survey

4

Two pairs from the following three choices (9-10 credits):

BIOL 150General Biology I

3

BIOL 150LGeneral Biology I Lab

1

Or

CHEM 121General Chemistry I

4

CHEM 121LGeneral Chemistry Lab I

1

Or

CHEM 122General Chemistry II

4

CHEM 122LGeneral Chemistry Lab II

1

At least five to six credits from the following choices:

BIOL 250Wildlife Management

3

BIOL 254Introduction to Botany

4

BIOL 415Ecology

4

GEOL 311Process Geomorphology

4

GEOL 330Physical Geology of North Dakota

3

GIS 480GPS/GIS II

3

PLSC 235Field Scouting Techniques

2

PLSC 486Forages and Forage Systems

3

SOIL 322Soil Fertility and Fertilizers

3

SOIL 350Soil Health and Productivity

3

SOIL 455Soil Microbiology

3

Total Credit Hours:46-48

Range Management Option

Students pursuing the Range Management option combine a strong science foundation with an understanding of agriculture and resource management to prepare for employment as a range conservationist in government service of perennial grasslands, such as the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

Students will be required to take GIS 380 – Applied Arc GIS as part of the Agricultural Studies core curriculum. They will be required to take GEOL 105, GEOL 105L – Physical Geology and Lab in the General Education requirements. If not taken as a General Education class, it must be taken to fulfill the Range Management option requirements.

AGEC 422Resource Economics and Environmental Protection

3

BIOL 151General Biology II

3

BIOL 151LGeneral Biology II Lab

1

BIOL 250Wildlife Management

3

BIOL 254Introduction to Botany

4

CHEM 121General Chemistry I

4

CHEM 121LGeneral Chemistry Lab I

1

GIS 382Applied GPS

3

RNG 350Range Plants and Communities

3

RNG 436Range and Pasture Management

3

RNG 446Advance Range and Forage Planning

1-2

RNG 453Rangeland Resources Watershed Management

3

RNG 457Range Reclamation and Restoration

3

RNG 458Rangeland Ecology

3

RNG 480Conflict Resolutions in Agriculture

1

One course from the following two courses (3 credits):

PLSC 323Principles Of Weed Science

3

PLSC 486Forages and Forage Systems

3

One course from the following two courses (1 credit):

RNG 451Range Monitoring Techniques

1

 

RNG 496Summer Field Study

1-6

One Credit Required

 

Two courses from the following four courses (6 credits):

SOIL 321Soil Management and Conservation

3

SOIL 350Soil Health and Productivity

3

SOIL 444Soil Genesis and Survey

4

SOIL 455Soil Microbiology

3

Total Credit Hours:49-51

Soil Science Option

Students pursuing the Soil Science option combine a strong science foundation with an understanding of soils, agriculture and resource management to prepare for employment as a soil scientist in government service.

Students will be required to take GIS 380 – Applied Arc GIS as part of the Agricultural Studies core curriculum. They will be required to take GEOL 105, GEOL 105L – Physical Geology and Lab as the General Education science elective. If not taken as a General Education class, it must be taken to fulfill the Soil Science option requirements.

CHEM 121General Chemistry I

4

CHEM 121LGeneral Chemistry Lab I

1

CHEM 122General Chemistry II

4

CHEM 122LGeneral Chemistry Lab II

1

GEOL 311Process Geomorphology

4

GEOL 320Hydrogeology

3

SCNC 315Weather and Climate

3

Select four of the five following courses (12-13 credits):

SOIL 321Soil Management and Conservation

3

SOIL 322Soil Fertility and Fertilizers

3

SOIL 350Soil Health and Productivity

3

SOIL 444Soil Genesis and Survey

4

SOIL 455Soil Microbiology

3

One course from the following two courses (3 credits):
GIS 382Applied GPS

3

GIS 480GPS/GIS II

3

One course from the following two courses (3 credits):

PLSC 225Principles of Crop Production

3

RNG 350Range Plants and Communities

3

Two pairs of courses from the following choices (8 credits):

BIOL 151General Biology II

3

BIOL 151LGeneral Biology II Lab

1

Or

PHYS 211College Physics I

3

PHYS 211LCollege Physics I Lab

1

Or

PHYS 212College Physics II

3

PHYS 212LCollege Physics II Lab

1

Total Credit Hours:46-47

Equine Option

Students pursuing the Equine option combine business, production and resource management as they relate to horses and horse production to prepare for employment managing an equine-related business.

Some of the classes in this option are only available in an online format. Additional fees will apply for the delivery of these online courses.

AGEC 142Agricultural Accounting

3

AGEC 246Introduction to Agricultural Finance

3

AGEC 375Applied Agricultural Law

3

ANSC 164Equine Behavior, Groundwork and Safety

2

ANSC 260Introduction to Equine Studies

3

ANSC 261Basic Equitation and Horsemanship

2

ANSC 265Equine Marketing

2

ANSC 268Basic Colt Training

3

ANSC 368Advanced Colt Training

3

ANSC 420Animal Genetics and Applied Animal Breeding

3

ANSC 463Physiology of Reproduction

3

ANSC 463LPhysiology of Reproduction Laboratory

1

ANSC 466Advanced Equine Nutrition

3

PLSC 225Principles of Crop Production

3

PLSC 486Forages and Forage Systems

3

One course from the following two courses (2-3 credits):

ANSC 123Feeds and Feeding

3

ANSC 160Equine Nutrition

2

Two courses from the following five courses (4 credits):

ANSC 161Equine Business Management

2

ANSC 162Equine Reproduction

2

ANSC 262Equine Anatomy and Selection

2

ANSC 263Stallion Management

2

ANSC 267Equine Facility Management

2

One course from the following two courses (2-3 credits):

ANSC 163Equine Health and Disease

2

VETS 339Animal Health

3

Total Credit Hours:48-50

General Agriculture Option

Students pursuing the General Agriculture option combine business, production and resource management as they relate to agriculture in the North Great Plains. Employment opportunities include agricultural education and extension.

Students will be required to take GIS 380 – Applied Arc GIS and COMM 216 – Intercultural Communication as part of the Agricultural Studies core curriculum. Students will be required to take BIOL 111/BIOL 111L – Concepts of Biology and Lab, CHEM 115/CHEM 115L – Introduction to Chemistry and Lab, and PSYC 111 – Introduction to Psychology as part of General Education curriculum. If not taken as a General Education class, it must be taken to fulfill the General Agriculture option requirements. Students pursuing a Masters of Education in Agricultural Education from NDSU must also complete the Agricultural Education minor.

AGEC 244Introduction to Agricultural Marketing

3

ASM 155Agricultural Welding

3

ASM 255Advanced Welding

2

HORT 270Horticulture Science

3

If pursuing a Masters of Education in Agricultural Education from NDSU, the following three courses are required. If not, seven additional credits of agricultural electives are required, of which three must be at the 300- or 400- level.

EDUC 250Introduction to Education with Field Experience

4

H&CE 232Philosophy and Policy

3

H&CE 322Agriculture Educational Psychology

3

Choose course not taken in agricultural core curriculum (3 credits):

ANSC 114Introduction to Animal Science

3

Or

ANSC 123Feeds and Feeding

3

Choose ASM or GIS Electives (6 credits):

Select six credits of electives in ASM (Agricultural Systems Management) or GIS (Geographical Information Systems) courses. Three of these credits must be at the 300- or 400- course level. 

Choose Agricultural Electives (15 Credits):

Select 15 credits of electives in AGEC (Agricultural Economics), ANSC (Animal Science), PLSC (Plant Science), RNG (Range Science), SOIL (Soil Science) or VETS (Veterinary Science) courses. All of these credits must be at the 300- or 400-course level. No more than six credits of agricultural electives can be taken from any one prefix.

Total Credit Hours:42-45

Agricultural Communication Option

Students pursuing the Agricultural Communication option combine a strong foundation in agricultural production, business, and resource management with the communication skills necessary to become effective in public relations and advocacy regarding agriculture and natural resource issues in the Northern Great Plains.

Students will be required to take BIOL 111/BIOL 111L - Concepts of Biology and Lab, BIOL 150/BIOL 150L - General Biology I and Lab or BIOL 151/BIOL 151L - General Biology II and Lab as part of General Education curriculum. If not taken as a General Education class, it must be taken to fulfill the Agricultural Communication option requirements.

A Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Studies with an option in Agricultural Communication requires students to complete a minor in some form of communication (e.g. Communication minor). 

CHEM 115Introductory Chemistry

3

CHEM 115LIntroductory Chemistry Lab

1

HORT 270Horticulture Science

3

Choose course not taken in agricultural core curriculum (3 credits):

ANSC 114Introduction to Animal Science

3

ANSC 123Feeds and Feeding

3

Choose agricultural electives (12 credits):

Select 12 credits of 300- or 400- course level electives in AGEC (Agricultural Economics), ANSC (Animal Science), GIS (Geographic Information Systems), PLSC (Plant Science), RNG (Range Science), SOIL (Soil Science), or VETS (Veterinary Science) courses. No more than six credits of agricultural electives can be taken from any one prefix.

Total Credit Hours: 43