Agronomy is the study of the science
and technology of crop production for food, forage and fiber.
This discipline feeds and clothes a growing world population.
Graduates in the Agronomy major can look forward to a wide range
of rewarding career opportunities, both domestically and internationally.
Students receive excellent training in fundamental principles
as well as the more technical and scientific areas. Agronomy students
have the freedom to pursue individual interest areas via a 48
unit directed elective package from which they choose their courses
from approved department lists.
The Agronomy major is divided into two options: Crop Production
and Crop Sciences.
The Crop Science option is an exciting area, combining agronomy
with biotechnology and advanced sciences. Studies in these areas
prepare students for entrance into graduate plant science programs
throughout the country. Recent graduates from this option are
actively employed in careers in plant breeding and genetic engineering,
plant pathology, nematology, environmental crop physiology,
conservation, and ecology. The Department has excellent rapport
with the University of California, Davis where a number of our
students pursue graduate studies. Agricultural biotechnology
companies actively seek graduates in this option because of
their advanced science training combined with sounds fundamental
agronomic training.
The Crop productions option is designed to give students a
practical, yet scientific, background in the production of crops.
Courses emphasize current practices employed by commercial agriculture
in California and other major agricultural areas. Students in
the Corp Production option choose from career tracks in production
or a new area in sustainable agriculture. The 48-unit directed
elective area contains courses in environmental protection,
ecology, toxicology and conservation. This emphasis area is
tied closely to programs at the Regenerative Studies Center
where students work and live in a sustainable community growing
their own food.
Agronomy students at Cal Poly Pomona have the unique opportunity
to obtain actual experience with crop plants. The University
farm regularly hires students and interns to assist in the maintenance
of over 800 acres of vegetable, field, forage, and cereal crops
as well as native range and irrigated pastures. Enterprising
students are allowed to conduct individual or group crop projects,
many involving several acres of land. These projects provide
valuable training in all phases of crop and farm management
and at the same time, allow students to share in the profits.
Employment possibilities are numerous and varied. In addition
to commercial crop production, students are prepared to work
as consultants to growers, the seed industry, crop processing
and marketing, the agricultural chemical industry, as well as
numerous other careers. Excellent opportunities also exist at
the county, state and federal levels with agricultural commissioners,
California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the United
States Department of Agriculture.
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The Agronomy minor is designed for
students majoring in another discipline that has close ties to
plant growth, production and nutrition. It is a valuable addition
for those majoring in Botany, Horticulture, Soil Science, Food
Marketing and Agribusiness, Animal and Veterinary Science, Agricultural
Biology, Agricultural Science, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences,
Agricultural Engineering and Landscape Irrigation Science.
Required of all students. A 2.0
cumilative GPA is required in core courses including option courses
for the major in order to receive a degree in the major.
| Orientation to the College of Ag |
AG 100 |
(1) |
| Agriculture and the Modern World |
AG 101 |
(4) |
| Ethical Issues in Agriculture |
AG 401 |
(4) |
| Introduction to Arthropods |
AGB 165/165L |
(4) |
| Environmental Toxicology |
AGB 411 |
(4) |
| Weeds and Weed Control |
AGR 330/330L |
(4) |
| Crop Ecology |
AGR 401 |
(4) |
| Senior Project |
AGR 461 |
(2) |
| Senior Project |
AGR 462 |
(2) |
| Undergraduate Seminar |
AGR 463 |
(2) |
| Plant Structures and Functions |
BOT 124/124L |
(5) |
| Plant Pathology |
BOT 323/323L |
(4) |
| Basic Soil Science |
SS 231/231L |
(4) |
| Agronomic Practices |
AGR 120/120L |
(4) |
| Field Crop Systems |
AGR 220/220L |
(4) |
| Pasture and Forage Systems |
AGR 223/223L |
(4) |
| Vegetable Crop Systems |
AGR 226/226L |
(4) |
| Plant Breeding |
AGR 404/404L |
(4) |
| Crop Diseases |
AGR 421/421L |
(4) |
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(Required for specific option)
Crop Science Option
| Integrated Pest Management |
AGB 231 |
(1) |
| College Chemistry |
CHM 122 |
(3) |
| College Chemistry Laboratory |
CHM 122L |
(1) |
| Elements of Organic
Chemistry |
CHM 201 |
(3) |
| Elements of Organic
Chemistry Lab |
CHM 201L |
(1) |
| Soil Fertility and
Fertilizers |
SS 233/233L |
(4) |
| Statistics with Applications |
STA 120 |
(4) |
Directed Electives - 38 units of directed
electives to be selected from approved departmental lists with
prior consent of instructor (courses are listed on the curriculum
sheet). Approved lists include study areas in:
| Basic Science |
(8) |
| Advanced Science |
(20) |
| Agricultural Support |
(10) |
| Total |
(38) |
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A total of 68 quarter units of General
Education courses are required for all majors in the College of
Agriculture. A new GE program will be adopted beginning fall 2001
with full implementation targeted for fall 20002. Unless specific
courses are stated below, see the list of approved courses under
General Education Requirements, Areas A through E, in this catalog.
Area 1:
| Select one course |
(4) |
| Select one course |
(4) |
| Select one course |
(4) |
Area 2:
| Select one course |
|
(4) |
| College Chemistry |
CHM 121 |
(3) |
| College Chemistry Laboratory |
CHM 121L |
(1) |
| Basic Biology |
BIO 115/115L |
(5) |
| Select one course (upper division) |
|
(4) |
Area 3:
| Select one course |
|
(4) |
| Select one course |
|
(4) |
| Select one course |
|
(4) |
| Select one course |
|
(4) |
Area 4:
| Intro to American Government |
PLS 201 |
(4) |
| U.S. History |
HST 202 |
(4) |
| Select one course |
|
(4) |
| Select one course |
|
(4) |
| Select one course |
|
(4) |
Area 5:
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Units Required-24
Upper Division Units Required-12
Required Courses (all students)
| Plants and Civilization |
AGR 311 |
(4) |
Select 16 units from the following:
| Field Crops Systems |
AGR 220/220L |
(4) |
| Pasture and Forage Systems |
AGR 223/223L |
(4) |
| Vegetable Crop Systems |
AGR 226/226L |
(4) |
| Crop-Animal Systems |
AGR 229/229L |
(5) |
| Crop Quality and Utilization |
AGR 322/322L |
(4) |
| Weeds and Weed Control |
AGR 330/330L |
|
| Seed Production |
AGR 331/331L |
(4) |
Select 4 units from the following:
| Crop Ecology |
AGR 401 |
(4) |
| Plant Breeding |
AGR 404/404L |
(4) |
| Crop Diseases |
AGR 421/421L |
(4) |
| Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture |
AGR 437/437L |
(4) |
All courses offered in Agronomy may
be taken on a CR/NC basis except by majors.
AGR 120/120L Agronomic Practices (2/2)
Practical application of primary and secondary crop production
cultural practices with a relationship to field conditions. Sequence
and necessity of operations from soil preparation through harvesting.
Analysis of equipment efficiency to crop culture. 2 one-hour lecture,
2 three-hour laboratories. Corequisites: AGR 120/120L.
AGR 200 Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-2)
Individual or group investigation, research, studies or surveys
of selected problems. Total credit limited to 4 units, with a
maximum of 2 units per quarter.
AGR 220/220L Field Crop Systems (3/1)
Production and management of the major California field crops
such as cereals, cotton, field beans, sugar beets and potatoes.
Characteristics of the major varieties in relation to applicable
cultural practices, cost of production, harvesting, marketing,
grading and processing. 3 lectures, 1 three-hour laboratory. Corequisites:
AGR 220/220L
AGR 222 Culinary Produce Technology (4)
Integration of principles of culture, procurement, identification,
and quality of standard and gourmet vegetables, fruits, and herbs,
for restaurant and culinary uses. Onsite studies/discussion. Organic
vs. standard produce. Case studies. 4 one-hour lecture/problem-solving.
AGR 223/223L Pasture and Forage Systems (3/1)
Establishment, management, and composition of irrigated and range
land pastures adapted to Southwestern conditions. Identification,
botanical characteristics, and livestock utilization of major
pasture species. 3 lectures, 1 three-hour laboratory. Corequisites:
AGR 223/223L.
AGR 226/226L Vegetable Crop Systems (3/1)
Cultural practices, varieties, economics of production of major
warm and cool season vegetables. Application of production techniques
on college-operated acreage. 3 lectures, 1 three-hour laboratory.
Corequisites: AGR 226/226L
AGR 229/229L Crop-Animal Systems (3/2)
Production, management and utilization of principal feed crop
species in the Southwest. Identification, botanical characteristics,
and nutrient value of major feed crops. Poisonous plants and toxicology.
Animal health as affected by crops and crop contaminants. Ecology
of pasture and range systems. 3 lectures, 2 three-hour laboratories.
Prerequisite: BIO 110 or BIO 115/115L. Corequisites: AGR 229/229L.
AGR 299/299L/299A Special Topics for Lower Division Students
(1-4)/(1-4)/(1-4)
Group study of a selected topic, the title to be specified in
advance. Total credit limited to 8 units, with a maximum of 4
units per quarter. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Instruction
is by lecture, laboratory, activity, or a combination. Corequisites:
AGR 299L/299A individually or in combination.
AGR 311 Plants and Civilization (4)
A critical review of science, technology and the environment as
related to plant domestication and current world food and fiber
production. Societal implications associated with the biological
and technical innovations in world cropping systems will be discussed.
Students will evaluate and discuss issues in an open classroom
forum. Oral and written reports. 4 lecture-problem solving. Prerequisites:
ENG 104 and satisfactory completion of Category II a, b and c.
AGR 322/322L Crop Quality and Utilization (3/1)
Grades, quality factors, and processing of cereal, fiber, and
forage crops. Market and nutritional values. Optimum harvesting
and storage conditions to preserve quality and facilitate utilization.
3 lectures. 1 three-hour laboratory. Corequisites: AGR 322/322L.
AGR 330/330L Weeds and Weed Control (3/1)
Recognition and control of weeds occurring in crop and range lands,
ornamental plantings, and non-cropped situations. Classification
of weeds. Cultural, chemical, and biological control practices.
Laws and regulations. 3 lectures, 1 three-hour laboratory. Prerequisite:
BIO 115/115L or BOT 124/124L. Corequisites: AGR 330/330L.
AGR 331/331L Seed Production (3/1)
California field, vegetable and flower seed production. Location
and methods of growing, harvesting, storing. Economic outlook
for principal kinds. Certified seed production. Seed laws. 3 lectures,
1 three-hour laboratory. Corequisites: AGR 331/331L.
AGR 351/351L Post Harvest Physiology
of Fruit and Vegetables (3/1)
Issues affecting the quality of fruit, vegetables and floral
commodities from the point of harvest, transportation through
marketing channels, and to the consumer. Topics will include storage,
ripening, and processing of these fresh commodities. Major pathological
organisms affecting quality will be discussed. 3 lectures, 1 three-hour
laboratory. Prerequisite: Bio 115/115L. Co requisite: AGR 351/351L
AGR 400 Special Problems for Upper Division Students (1-2)
Individual or group investigation, research, studies, or surveys
of selected problems. Total credit limited to 4 units, with a
maximum of 2 units per quarter.
AGR 401 Crop Ecology (4)
The environmental, physiological, and production factors in the
growth of horticultural and agronomic plants in a managed setting.
4 lectures. Prerequisite: SS 231/231L, senior standing.
AGR 404/404L Plant Breeding (3/1)
Principles and techniques of improving agronomic and horticultural
crop species. Application of field plot design and statistics
to experimentation in crop improvement. 3 lectures. 1 three-hour
laboratory. Prerequisite: BIO 115/115L. Corequisite AGR 404/404L.
AGR 437/437L Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (2/1)
An examination of environmental problems which will impact the
sustainability of the American agricultural system into the future.
Studies on waste management, nitrogen and pest management, soil
conservation and health, land conservancy, food distribution,
and governmental policies affecting plant and animal agriculture.
3 lectures, 1 three-hour laboratory. Corequisite: AGR 437/437L.
AGR 441, 442 Internship in Agronomy (1-4) (1-4)
On-the-job experience with public and private agencies for advanced
students. Professional type experience new to the student so that
a valuable contribution toward career development results. One
unit credit for each 100 hours of experience. Written reports
necessary. Approval required before enrolling. Prerequisite: Junior
standing.
AGR 461, 462 Senior Project (2) (2)
Selection and completion of a project under faculty supervision.
Projects typical of problems which graduates must solve in their
fields of employment. Project results are presented in a formal
report. Minimum 120 hours total time. Prerequisite: Student must
take GWT before enrollment in AGR 461.
HPS 463 Undergraduate Seminar (2)
Critical review of contemporary research in the field of Agronomy.
The student will analyze, criticize and advocate by inductive
and deductive methods that inferences in contemporary literature
are based on fact or logical, unambiguous extension of fact. Oral
reports of contemporary literature and senior projects are required.
Prerequisite: AGR 462
AGR 499/499L/499A Special Topics for Upper Division Students
(1-4)/(1-4)/(1-4)
Group study of a selected topic, the title to be specified in
advance. Total credit limited to 8 units with a maximum of 4 units
per quarter. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Instruction
is by lecture, laboratory, activity, or a combination. Corequisites:
AGR 499/499L/499A individually or in combination.
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