Agriculture-Agricultural Science

Application Code:
0514
Degree Received:
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department:
Agriculture and Horticulture

Description:

In recent years the science of agriculture has made rapid advances. With this increase in technology has come a need for specialized technicians in the varied fields of agricultural laboratory sciences.

The agricultural science program is primarily a transfer-oriented program. The first year is devoted to general agriculture and science courses. Subsequent semesters are devoted to more specialized study in a chosen area such as preparation for transfer, animal science, or food quality and inspection, or pre-vet.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations:

  • Required: Math A (algebra), Biology, Chemistry
  • Recommended: Math B (geometry and trigonometry)

Features & Facilities:

  • Trains technicians for non-production agricultural careers in applied biological and physical sciences
  • Agricultural business transfer
  • Modern, well-equipped labs
  • 750-acre College Farm

Articulation Agreements:

Students in this program benefit from an articulation agreement with Cornell University.

Graduation Requirements:

  • Succesfully complete the prescribed sequence of courses
  • achieve a minimum index of 2.0 in their core courses
  • achieve a minimum index of 2.0 overall
  • be recommended by the department faculty

Transfer Opportunities:

Selection of the appropriate courses including Calculus, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Economics I & II, along with a cumulative index of 3.0 will guarantee acceptance to Cornell University in Food Science and other selected programs. The agricultural science program can be used for full transfer into an advanced degree in Pre-Veterinary Science. Formal articulation agreement exists with Alfred State College.

Career Opportunities:

Demand for graduates from this program continues to be very high. Agricultural Scientists hold positions as:

  • Dairy Food Processing
  • Food Quality Control
  • Dairy/Food Inspection
  • Pharmaceutical Work
  • Fruit/Vegetable Inspection
  • Fertilizer Manufacturing
  • Pollution Monitoring
  • Farm Chemical Industry
  • Biological Laboratories
  • Animal Research
  • Plant Pest Control
  • Federal/State Grading of Agricultural Commodities

Many of these positions are held by students who have transferred to colleges for advanced degrees. Graduates not pursuing a four-year degree usually receive between 5 and 10 job offers each.

Typical Semester Layout:

An average week consists of 18-24 hours spent in the classroom. Agricultural science is a hands-on program with a fairly heavy laboratory emphasis in some courses. Students will be assigned an adviser from within the program to assist in career and academic planning.

First Semester credits
ANSC 1204 Intro to Animal Science 4
CHEM 1114 General Chemistry I 4
BIOL 1104 General Biology I 4
AGRI 1492 Professional Practice 2
COMP 1503 Freshman Composition 3
      17
Second Semester credits
MATH XXX3 Math (By Advisement) 3
ANSC 3213 Intro to Dairy Cattle Production 3
BIOL 1314 Botany 4
SPCH 1183 Effective Speaking  


or  

XXX3 Gen Education Elective 3
  XXXX Ag or Transfer-related Elective 3-4
      16-17
Third Semester credits
AGPS 1103 Soils 3
ANSC 3013 Animal Disease Control  
    or  
HORT 4403 Plant Pathology 3
BIOL 5254 Principles of Microbiology 4
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
  xxxx Ag or transfer-related Elective 3-4
      16-17
Fourth Semester credits
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
AGEC 3204 Ag Management & Finance 4
AGRI 4002 Sr Seminar/Capstone Project 2
  xxxx Ag or transfer-related Elective 3-4
  xxxx Ag or transfer-related Elective 3-4
      15-17
Suggested Agriculture or Transfer-related Electivescredits
ANSC 2114 Domestic Animal A&P 4
ANSC 3004 Feeds and Nutrition 4
ANSC 3203 Dairy Cattle Production I
3
ANSC 3223 Dairy Calf Management 3
ANSC 2102 Dairy Cattle Reproduction & A.I. Tech 1
AGPS 2114 Field and Forage Crops 4
BIOL 4534 Genetics 4
BIOL 2803 Environmental Science 3
BIOL 2801 Environmental Science Lab 1
CHEM 2124 General Chemistry II 4
HORT 1313 Entemology 3
HORT 2544 Woody Plants 4
HORT 4403 Plant Pathology 3
HORT 2543 Herbaceous/Bedding Plants 3

Also required: One unit of Physical Education.

Employment and Transfer Report
Employment and Transfer Rate:
100%
Survey Details200420052006
Receiving Degrees 2 2 1
Responding to Survey 2(100%) 2(100%) 1(100%)
Employed -- 1(50%) 1(100%)
Employed in Field -- 1(100%) --
Transfered 1(50%) 1(50%) --
Unemployed & Seeking Employment -- -- --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment 1(50%) -- --
Salary Information
NACE Annual Average Salary Survey Data
(2003-04 survey for associate degree program;
2006-07 for baccalaureate degree program)
N/A
DOL Annual Mean Salary
(2006 survey for those employed in this career path)
$38,800