Agriculture: Natural Resources AS Degree

Associate in Science | SC Program: AS.1495

This curriculum is designed to provide technician-level training for students interested in working in such areas as wildlife, forestry, range, and outdoor recreation. Typical employers include local, county, and U.S. Government agencies, as well as private companies. Particular attention should be paid to course prerequisites and to whether a class is taught during the fall or spring semester, or both.

This degree is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements and filing an application for graduation with Admissions and Records, the student’s transcript will reflect completion of this degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this degree, the student should be able to:

• Have sufficient coursework and field experience to pursue seasonal technician jobs or to transfer to a University in a Natural Resources-related field.
• Be able to use a taxonomic key or field guide to correctly identify unknown species of plants, birds, mammals, and aquatic invertebrates to the level of genus.
• Be able to select and use an appropriate protocol following the scientific method to collect, statistically analyze, evaluate, and document original research data.
• Be able to accurately navigate in the field using maps, compass, a Global Positioning System (GPS). Students will also be able to use GPS for field data collection and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for data mapping and display.
• Be able to evaluate basic theory, concepts, and ecological principles as they apply to Forestry, Wildlife, Water Resources, and Ecosystem Restoration and will use his/her cumulative skills to think critically and to work out possible solutions to address problems facing Natural Resources managers today and in the future.

Degree Requirements

Core Courses:

• AGNR 1* Introduction to Natural Resources 3
• AGNR 6 Native Plant Identification 3
• AGNR 12 Environmental Policy and Law 2
• AGNR 50 Natural Resource Measurements 4
• AGNR 52 Computers in Agriculture/Natural Resources 3
• AGNR 60* Environmental Science (GE-Natural Science) 3
• AGNR 64* Watershed Management and Ecology 3
• AGNR 65 Forest Ecology 3
• AGNR 66A Watershed Restoration Practicum I 1
• AGNR 70 Wildlife Management and Conservation 3
• AGNR 94 Natural Resources Worksite Learning 1
• AGMA 44 Intro. to Const. Skills for Ag/Natural Resources 3
• AGPS 24* Soils 3
• GEOG 9 Map and Geospatial Principles 3

*May be used to fulfill General Education requirements. See a counselor.

Associate in Science Degree Requirements:

Major: 38

Additional General Education: 18

General Electives: 4

Degree Total: 60*

*Note: Calculation assumes a student will double-count the Multicultural graduation requirement with either a social science or humanities G.E. requirement and that the student will fulfill computer literacy through a test. If students plan well and see a counselor, they may be able to double count the Multicultural and Computer Literacy units. If these graduation requirements are added, the number of units is increased by 6 units. 

For reference only as of 2019/2020