Associate in Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture
Mesa, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2024
TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
With alternative food sources and new methods for sustainable farming cropping up every day, the need for skilled individuals who understand farming, sustainable methods for producing goods, and how to improve economics in agriculture roles are valued more than ever.
The Agriculture program focuses on sustainable agriculture in rural and urban farm settings, agribusiness planning and management, and essential farming principles and practices that can transfer to the agriculture sector and agriculture-related roles, such as agribusiness, organic farming, agricultural and greenhouse management, beekeeping, and more!
MCC’s associate degrees enhance your resume and prepare you to enter the workforce with an advantage. Whether you are interested in simply completing basic, required college courses or specializing in a specific area, there’s a degree for you.
Program Outcome
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Utilize computer applications relevant to the field for communication, production decisions, business management, and cost analysis.
- Synthesize multiple sources of information to assist in decision-making relative to agricultural business planning and operations.
- Demonstrate professional behaviors and abide by norms and conventions appropriate to the field.
- Employ effective oral, written, and visual communication skills in a culturally sensitive and responsive manner.
- Evaluate sustainable food production systems in rural and urban settings.
- Operate equipment adhering to proper safety, ethical, and environmental protocols.
- Effectively plant, maintain, and harvest crops by synthesizing principles of plant growth and responses to particular soils, climates, sun exposure, water availability, nutrients, and pests.
- Apply environmentally and socially responsible agricultural practices.
- Establish, select, and maintain facilities for alternative crop production systems, including raising fish and vegetables in a closed-looped system.
- Use various media to market agricultural crops, including brand development, social networking, direct marketing, community supported agriculture.
- Explain the physical and chemical properties of soil as they relate to pH, water, nutrients, and organic matter.
- Analyze sustainable and conventional food production systems within historical and contemporary contexts.
- Design and install irrigation systems using blueprints, specifications, and appropriate equipment.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Curriculum
The following is the suggested course sequence by term.
Full-time
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
- AGB139 Agribusiness Computer Operations
- CHM130 Fundamental Chemistry
- FON161 Sustainable Food Production Systems
- ENG101 or ENG107 First-Year Composition/ First-Year Composition for ESL
- Humanities and Fine Arts Any approved general education course in the Humanities, Arts, and Design area
- FYE101 or FYE103 Introduction to College, Career, and Personal Success/ Exploration of College, Career, and Personal Success
Term 2
- AGS164 Plant Growth and Development
- RE Restricted Elective
- MAT112 Mathematical Concepts and Applications OR Higher level mathematics course
- AGS260 Soils
- ENG102 or ENG108 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL
- CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking
Term 3
- AGS165AA Fall Sustainable Crop Production
- AGS166 Aquaponics
- AGS262 Irrigation Design, Installation, Operation, and Trouble Shooting
- SSH111 Sustainable Cities Meets Social and Behavioral Sciences
- RE Restricted Elective AGB132 or AGB144 or AGS186
Term 4
- AGB130 Establishing And Running An Agribusiness Course offered Spring only.
- AGB231 Marketing of Agricultural Products Course offered Spring only. Offered online only
- AGS165AB Spring Sustainable Crop Production View requisites Course offered Spring only.
- COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230
- AGS268 Integrated Pest Management in the Cultivated Environment Course offered Spring only. 4
Restricted Electives
- AGB132 Agribusiness and Management
- AGB144 Agriculture Processing
- AGS186 Greenhouse Management And Construction
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of a degree or certificate within the Sustainable Agriculture program may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages*. Some occupations may require additional education or training. You can click on any occupation to view more detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
- Agricultural Managers $33,252
- Nursery and Greenhouse Managers $62,865
* Career and wage information provided by Emsi using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Emsi’s proprietary analytical processes. Emsi’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer
English Language Requirements
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