2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 18, 2024

2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

General Agriculture Major

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Donald Marshall, Associate Dean
College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
Agricultural Hall 156
605-688-5133
e-mail: donald.marshall@sdstate.edu

Programs

The General Agriculture curriculum is designed for the student undecided as to a specific major field of study within the area of agriculture, or who may want to combine multiple fields of study within agriculture, or plans to return to the farm or ranch after college. A large number of free electives are available allowing the student to take courses in the different disciplines needed for a diversified career or to manage a production unit. Two options are included in this curriculum: a two-year Associate of Science degree and a four-year Bachelor of Science degree.

The two-year program is designed for the student who does not find it advisable or possible to enter a regular four-year college program. A typical student in this situation could be one who desires some education but not necessarily four years before returning to the farm or ranch. Courses in the major field of concentration must be from departments within the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences and be related to agriculture. All courses in the major field of concentration need not be in one department, although this may be a possibility. Consult your adviser when selecting courses in the major field of concentration. These courses should relate to your career interests.

General electives may be selected from any area and allow students to develop special competencies or interests. When qualifying for a Bachelor of Science degree a student may, through a choice of electives, complete courses in business, prepare for graduate study, or enroll in special areas of study such as plant and/or animal science.

Requirements for Associate of Science in Agriculture

The two-year program is designed for the student who does not find it advisable or possible to enter a regular four-year college program. A typical student in this situation could be one who desires some education but not necessarily four years before entering the work force or returning to the farm or ranch. The core requirements are as follows:

Mathematics: (minimum level:
MATH 102
or
MATH 104
) Credits: 3
SGR Goal 3 *: Social Science
Credits: 3
SGR Goal 4 *: Humanities and Arts
Credits: 3
SGR Goal 6 *: Natural Science
Credits: 3
Major field of concentration Credits: 16
General electives Credits: 28
ENGL 101
Credits: 3
SPCM 101*
Credits: 3
GS 143
or
WEL 100-100L
Credits: 2

Curriculum Notes:

* A minimum of 15 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 32 credits.

Proficiency Examination

Each student enrolled in an Associate of Arts degree program must take the Proficiency Examination after the completion of 32 passed credit hours or prior to graduation. The student must have completed, or be enrolled in courses required to complete the 18 credit hours. Students who do not complete the proficiency exam requirements cannot continue registration at the university.

Requirements for General Agriculture Major, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

System General Education Requirements*: 31

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
and
ENGL 201
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101*
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity
:
ECON 201
or
ECON 202
Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity
Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 102
Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
BIOL 103-103L
and
CHEM 106-106L
Credits: 7

Elective Credits: 53-54

Agriculture Electives: 6

At least 6 credits to be selected from the following:

Any course with the prefix(es) of ABE, ABS, AST, DS, HO, LA, PR, PRM, RANG or VET

PS 223-223L - Principles of Plant Pathology and Lab Credits: 3
PS 307-307L - Insect Pest Management and Lab Credits: 3

Ag Product Electives: 2-4

Choose one from the following:

AS 241-241L - Introduction to Meat Science and Lab Credits: 3
AS 285-285L - Livestock Evaluation and Marketing and Lab Credits: 4
AST 443-443L - Food Processing and Engineering Fundamentals and Lab Credits: 3
DS 231 - Dairy Foods Credits: 3
PS 303-303L - Seed Technology and Lab Credits: 3
PS 308-308L - Grain Grading and Lab Credits: 2
PS 312 - Grain and Seed Production and Processing Credits: 3

Capstone Requirements: 3-4

Choose one of the following:

ABS 475-475L - Integrated Natural Resource Management and Lab (AW) Credits: 3
AGEC 421-521 - Farming and Food Systems Economics ** Credits: 3
AS 474-474L - Cow/Calf Management and Lab Credits: 3
AS 477-477L - Sheep and Wool Production and Lab Credits: 3
AS 478-478L - Swine Production and Lab Credits: 3
AST 303-303L - Design Management Experience and Lab Credits: 3
DS 412-412L - Dairy Farm Management and Lab Credits: 4
PS 440-440L - Crop Management with Precision Farming and Lab Credits: 3
RANG 485-485L - Advanced Integrated Ranch Management and Lab Credits: 3

Communication Electives (AW): 3

Choose one of the following:

ABS 475-475L - Integrated Natural Resource Management and Lab (AW) Credits: 3
ENGL 379 - Technical Communication (AW) Credits: 3
PS 383-383L - Principles of Crop Improvement and Lab (AW) Credits: 3

Program Concentration Electives or General Electives: 37-40

Total Required Credits: 128

Curriculum Notes:

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has an 8-9 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.

General Agriculture Major

Programs

Requirements for Associate of Science in Agriculture

Curriculum Notes:

Requirements for General Agriculture Major, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

System General Education Requirements*: 31

Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 8-9

College Requirements: 13

Major Requirement Credits: 22-23

Choose one of the following:

Elective Credits: 53-54

Agriculture Electives: 6

Ag Product Electives: 2-4

Capstone Requirements: 3-4

Communication Electives (AW): 3

Program Concentration Electives or General Electives: 37-40

Total Required Credits: 128

Curriculum Notes: