Description
The minor in Agroecology is open to all undergraduate students at NC State University. It is designed for students majoring in the biological sciences, agronomy, horticulture and animal sciences, but will be of interest to a wide array of students as agriculture has broad implications in the life sciences, economics, and sociology. Agroecology instruction provides students a fundamental understanding of agriculture and its interaction with natural and social systems. Students selecting the Agroecology minor will gain an understanding of modern production agriculture from an ecological and sociological perspective, obtain new skills in analyzing agricultural systems, and the knowledge to design a plan for change. This knowledge will improve a student’s ability to work with agricultural professionals to implement a system that meets ecological and social needs while remaining profitable for farmers.
Requirements
- A minimum of 17 hours is required for the minor in Agroecology. Students are required to complete 11 credits of required courses and a minimum of 6 credits of restricted elective courses. A minimum grade of ‘C-‘ or better is required in each course selected. No courses for the minor may be taken using the S/U option.
Required Courses (11 credit hours)
- PB/AEC 360 Introduction to Ecology (4 cr)
- CS 230 Introduction to Agroecology (3 cr)
- CS 430 Advanced Agroecology (4 cr)
Elective Courses (minimum of 6 credit hours)
Choose 1 course from at least two different groups
Group I: Ecology and Agricultural Production
- ANS 150 Introduction to Animal Science (4 cr)
- AES 323 Water Management (3 cr)
- BAE 442 Systems Approach to Agricultural and Environmental Issues (3 cr)
- PB 200 Plant Life (4 cr)
- PB 213 Plants and Civilization (3 cr)
- PB 250 Plant Biology (4 cr)
- CS 213 Crop Science / CS 214 Crop Science Laboratory (4 cr)
- CS 411 Crop Ecology (3 cr)
- CS 415 Integrated Pest Management (3 cr)
- ENT 212 Basic Entomology (3 cr)
- ENT 401 Honey Bee Biology and Management (3 cr)
- ENT 425 General Entomology (3 cr)
- FW 221 Conservation of Natural Resources (3 cr)
- FOR 260 Forest Ecology (3 cr)
- HS 432 Introduction to Permaculture (3 cr)
- NR 300 Natural Resource Measurements (4 cr)
- NR 406 Conservation of Biological Diversity (3 cr)
- SSC 200 Soil Science (3 cr)
- SSC 201 Soil Science Laboratory (1 cr)
Group 2: Social Science
- HI 340 Perspectives in Agricultural History (3 cr)
- IDS 201 Environmental Ethics (3 cr)
- STS 303 Humans and the Environment (3 cr)
- SOC 241 Sociology of Agriculture and Rural Societies (3 cr)
- SOC 450 Environmental Sociology (3 cr)
Group 3: Economics
- ARE 309 Environmental Law and Economic Policy (3 cr)
- ARE 336 Environmental Economics (3 cr)
- ARE 433 US Agricultural Policy (3 cr)
Admissions
Admission to the minor requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. Students should contact the Crop and Soil Sciences Undergraduate Programs Office to inquire about adding the minor no later than the registration period for the student’s final semester at NC State. A minor advisor will be assigned to all students interested in completing the Agroecology minor. Students enrolled in the minor must consult with their minor advisors during each registration period.
Certification
The minor should be declared as soon as the student makes the decision to pursue a minor. Minor coursework must be completed no later than the semester in which the student expects to graduate from his or her degree program. Paperwork to declare the minor should be completed no later than the registration period for the student’s final semester at NC State. Students should contact the Crop and Soil Sciences Undergraduate Programs Office for certification of the minor.
Contact Person
Undergraduate Programs OfficeCrop & Soil Sciences Department
2234 Williams Hall
Campus Box 7620
919-515-5820
cropsoil-undergraduate-office@ncsu.edu
SIS Code: 11AGECM