Agricultural Science A.S. Degree

Why Choose Agricultural Science A.S. Degree at CLC?

  • Low instructor to student ratios (approximate class & lab sizes of 20) – allow for students to receive personal attention from their instructors and develop working relationships with classmates.
  • CLC offers an affordable education option without compromising the quality of education – allowing students to save money for use in the completion of a Bachelor’s degree upon transfer to a four-year institution.
  • Fulfillment of all Minnesota Transfer Curriculum goals with carefully chosen courses which transfer as core requirements into many different bachelor degrees – allows undecided students numerous options while limiting unnecessary and costly electives.
  • A variety of technical courses instructed by professionals working in the industries makes the A.S. degree versatile and practical – allowing students an introduction to an area of interest/specialization of their choice and ensuring that what they are learning is current.
  • Availability of internships in agriculturally related fields – allows students hands-on experience to help them decide if they have made the right career choice.
  • Articulation agreements with Southwest Minnesota State University, and pending with University of MN Crookston, North Dakota State and South Dakota State – allow for seamless transfer into select Bachelor’s degrees.
  • Industry professionals serving as student Advisors provide practical, real-life experience recommendations and guidance to help students in choosing a career pathway.
  • Located in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area, students studying at CLC have ample resources for recreation to help them balance the stress of academic life with rest and relaxation.
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About the Program

Completion of the Central Lakes College, Agricultural Science A.S. Degree provides students with numerous routes to either continue a formal education or to move directly into the workforce. After successful completion of the degree, articulations with two different colleges, into six different Bachelor degree programs can provide for a seamless transfer for those interested in continuing their education. Internship opportunities in Agriculture, Animal Science, Horticulture and Natural Resources offer hands on field experience and can provide for direct entry into the workforce for those who prefer to complete their education in two years.

The A.S. Degree provides students with a strong foundation of coursework that has been carefully researched to assure that it transfers as a core requirement into an agriculture related, Bachelor’s degree at a four year college. In addition to required courses, students can choose nine credits from a variety of introductory level technical courses related to their specific field of interest.

For those not interested in pursuing a four year degree, completion of the two year Agricultural Science degree, and the accompanying internships, will provide the background knowledge and skills needed to get a successful start in the agriculture industry.

If, after exploring the various introductory technical courses and completing the degree, a student decides that none of the targeted fields would be a good career choice for them, they still will have completed all of the courses required by the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) and their A.S. degree will readily transfer into any additional degree program, fulfilling all MnTC goal requirements for the new degree. Having fulfilled all of the MnTC requirements in their first two years of college, students will now have an opportunity to study specific coursework for whatever new major or program they choose to pursue.

Program Information

Program Course Requirements

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AS DEGREE
Program Course Requirements

Required General Education
Students completing the general education courses listed below will satisfy all required credits for all 10 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum goals.

BIOL 1431  General Biology (Goal 3), 5 credits
CHEM 1414  Fundaments of Chemistry OR CHEM 1407 Life Science Chemistry OR PHYS 1401 College Physics I (Goal 3), 4 credits
COMM 1430  Public Speaking (Goals 1 and 2), 3 credits
COMM 2420  Intercultural Communication (Goals 1 and 7), 3 credits
ECON 2402  Microeconomics (Goal 5), 3 credits
ENGL 1410  Composition I OR ENGL 1420 Honors Composition I (Goal 1), 4 credits
ENGL 1411  Composition II OR ENGL 1421 Honors Composition II (Goal 1), 4 credits
MATH 1460  Introduction to Statics (Goal 4), 4 credits**
MATH 1470  College Algebra (Goal 4), 3 credits
PHIL 1421  Critical Thinking (Goal 2) OR PHIL 1421 Honors Critical Thinking (Goals 1 and 2), 3 credits

Select one course that meets both Goals 5 and 8. One of the following courses is recommended:
GEOG 1410  Maps and Places (Goals 5, 8), 3 credits
GEOG 1459  Cultural Geography (Goals 5, 8), 3 credits
GLST 1401   Introduction to Global Studies (Goals 5, 8), 3 credits
Total – 3 credits

Select one course that meets both Goals 5 and 10. One of the following courses is recommended:
ENVR 1400   Introduction to Environmental Studies (Goals 5,10), 3 credits
GEOG 1400  Physical Geography (Goals 5,10), 3 credits
PSYC 1425   Environmental Psychology (Goals 5,10), 3 credits
SOCL 2422  Culture and Environment (Goals 5,10), 3 credits
Total – 3 credits

Select one course that meets both Goals 6 and 9. One of the following courses is recommended:
PHIL 2420  Ethics (Goals 6, 9), 3 credits
PHIL 2421  Honors Ethics (Goals 6, 9), 3 credits
PHIL 2430  Contemporary Moral Problems(Goals 6, 9), 3 credits
Total – 3 credits

Select two additional courses from Goal 6
Total – 6 credits

**ACCT 2011 Principals of Accounting I, 4 credits may be substituted for MATH 1460 Intro to Statistics for degree articulations requiring the course. Consult an advisor for specific programs.

Total General Education – 51 credits

Required Technical Courses
Students will select from any of the following technical or internship courses for a total of 9 credits.  Total internship credits may not exceed 4. Students pursuing articulation degrees should consult an advisor to determine which courses transfer into their chosen degree program.

AGRICULTURAL STUDIES
AGRI 2150 Agricultural Studies Internship, 1-4 credits

ANIMAL SCIENCE
ANSI 1100  Introduction to Animal Science, 4 credits
ANSI 1110  Food Safety: From Farm to Fork, 3 credits
ANSI 2150  Animal Science Internship, 1-4 credits

HORTICULTURE
HORT 1104  Plant Science, 4 credits
HORT 1106  Applied Plant Science Lab, 2 credits
HORT 1345  Horticulture Internship, 1-4 credits

NATURAL RESOURCES
NATR 1100  Introduction to Natural Resources, 3 credits
NATR 1112  Land Measurement, 3 credits
NATR 1115  Plant Taxonomy, 2 credits
NATR 1280  Introduction to GPS and GIS, 2 credits
NATR 1310  Natural Resources Internship, 1-4 credits
NATR 2155  Soil Science, 3 credits
NATR 2170  Advanced GPS and GIS, 2 credits

Total Technical Courses – 9 credits

 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT – 60 CREDITS

Detailed Program Information

Career Description: Students completing and transferring the Agricultural Science A.S. to a 4 year institution will have the opportunity to graduate with a degree related to agriculture or agricultural education, food science, horticulture or natural resources. The career description could include: wildlife and ecosystem management and consulting, greenhouse management and crop production, soil monitoring and consulting, agricultural education for producers, schools and the general public, animal science research, management of crop or animal production facilities, food safety research and inspection, technical and regulatory work within the USDA, Board of Animal Health or state Department of Agriculture, and agricultural finance and consulting.

Program Information: The Agricultural Science degree is intended to be a broad-based curriculum leading to a 4-year degree in agriculture & agricultural education, food science, horticulture, and natural resources.

Program Outcomes:
Graduates will be able to:

  • Develop as writers and speakers who use the English language effectively and who read, write, think, speak, and listen critically;
  • Develop capacity to identify, discuss and reflect upon social, cultural, ethical, behavioral and environmental issues;
  • Demonstrate comprehension of basic principles of chemistry or physics and biological systems;
  • Increase their knowledge of and ability to employ mathematical techniques and strategies to solve problems, manage accounts or analyze data;
  • Demonstrate comprehension of how markets, prices, demand, profit maximization and other factors of production affect economic behavior of individual units of an economy;
  • Increase their knowledge and understanding of techniques and practices utilized in the fields of agriculture, natural resources or horticulture; and
  • Increase their awareness and understanding of careers available in the fields of agriculture, natural resources or horticulture.

Special Program Requirements:

Students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

  1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted at CLC must be at least 2.0;
  2. College Technical Core GPA Requirement: cumulative GPA of credits attempted towards the technical core of the diploma or degree must be at least 2.0; and
  3. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.

 

Transfer Opportunities: Southwest Minnesota State University – Active articulations: Agronomy, Agribusiness, Agricultural Solutions, Agricultural Communication Leadership, Agricultural Education U of Minnesota Crookston – Active articulation: Agricultural Education

Career Opportunities: According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of agriculture and food scientists is expected to grow 9% from 2012 to 2022 and these scientists should have good job prospects overall. Nationally, according to the USDA, we will need approximately 33,000 graduates in agriculture over the next five years in excess of current projected supply. In 2015, USA Today listed agriculture as the #5 career opportunity field in the nation.

Career Titles: After completion of a 4 year degree: Animal Scientist, Animal Nutritionist, Geneticist, Agronomist, Meat Scientist, Biotechnology Scientist, Agriculture Specialist, Crop Scientist, Hydrologist, Research Scientist, Environmental Scientist, Agricultural Education Instructor, Soil Conservationist, Agricultural Loan Officer, Agricultural Inspector, Agricultural Manager, Feed Mill Manager, USDA Agriculture Specialist, Laboratory Technician, Research Associate, Research Technician

Instructors

Ann Domagala

Instructor
Phone: 218-825-4963
Dual E343

Employment Statistics

For more information regarding employment statistics, career salary information and estimated job growth, follow the resource links below:

https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ces/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
http://www.iseek.org/jobs/jobmarket.html

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