Quick Facts

Degree Certificate

Areas of Study Agriculture

Agriculture: Pest Control Advisor Preparation Certificate

Certificate | SC Program: CT.3450

Pest Control Advisors (PCAs) are licensed professional production consultants who serve California agriculture, natural resource and horticulture producers. PCAs specialize in pest management, but they are also an important resource to producers in a wide range of production concerns related to plant health. This certificate satisfies the core-course requirements specified for option “3.b” in preparing to take the Pest Control Advisor’s exam with the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. The following courses need to be completed with a 2.0 grade point average or better. Note: In addition to completing the course work, the Department of Pesticide Regulation requires PCA exam applicants to have completed 24 months of technical work experience before taking the exam.

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

Choose your path

Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.

A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.

Fall Semester, First Year

14 Units Total

AGEH 10

M 3

Plant Identification and Usage

AGEH 10

Units 3

This course teaches identification, growth habits, culture and ornamental use of commonly used landscape plants adapted to climates of California. Plant materials from our local region will be emphasized. This course is required for an AA or AS degree in Environmental Horticulture. This course may be offered in a distance education format.

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AGEH 33

M 3

Environmental Horticulture

AGEH 33

Units 3

Environmental horticulture provides students with an understanding of how various aspects of the environment relate to plant growth and how human horticultural practices can influence the environment. This course explains the basic principles of botany and horticulture. Topics include plant structure, growth, physiology, and reproduction; climate, soil, and ecology; plant problems, including pests, diseases, and effects of pollution; plant genetics and human-manipulated plants; and the world food picture. This course is useful for plant scientists, horticulturists, and those seeking science credits, and is required for first-year Environmental Horticulture Majors. This course may be offered in a distance education format.

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BIOL 10

M 3

General Biology

BIOL 10

Units 3

Note: BIOL 10 will meet the general education requirement for a laboratory science if taken with BIOL 10L.

This course is an introduction to the major concepts of modern biology. Topics covered include biochemistry, cell biology, heredity, and nature of genes, evolution, diversity of life, and principles of ecology. Emphasis will be placed on those aspects of biology that are rapidly reshaping our culture. This course may be offered in a distance education format. This course will meet the general education requirement for a laboratory science if taken with BIOL 10L.

Alternative Courses

AGNR 65 Forest Ecology

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CHEM 2A

M 5

Introduction to Chemistry

CHEM 2A

Units 5

Note: Students must provide those materials which are of continuing value outside of the classroom setting. This cost will be explained at the first class meeting.

This course is a survey of inorganic chemistry and some organic chemistry suitable for agriculture and nursing students. The basic fundamentals of the metric system, chemical nomenclature, atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, energy changes, states of matter, solutions, chemical equilibria and kinetics, and organic functional groups are presented. The quantitative nature of chemistry is developed by introduction of the Avogadro's number and the mole and continuing with stoichiometry, gas law, solution concentrations and pH calculations. The lecture/discussion portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.

Alternative Courses

AGNR 70 Wildlife Conservation & Mgmt

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Spring Semester, First Year

13 Units Total

AGEH 26

M 3

Integrated Pest Management

AGEH 26

Units 3

Exploration, identification, and control of major horticultural pests, including insects, weeds, and diseases; impact of pests on commercial nursery crops and the landscape is also discussed. Integrated pest management, including cultural, biological, mechanical/physical, and chemical control methods is emphasized. This course is designed to assist students in preparing for California licensing examines in pest management. Laboratory work is required. This course may be offered in a distance education format. (C-ID AG-EH 120L)

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AGEH 38

M 3

Landscape & Turf Management

AGEH 38

Units 3

Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher; and MATH 220 with a grade of C or higher, or Math Placement Level 1 or higher.

This is a required course for Environmental Horticulture majors. The installation of lawns, groundcovers, shrubs and trees will be covered. The practices of pruning, trimming, mowing, watering, fertilizing, and pesticide application as applied to landscape management of home, parks, highways, and how to estimate and bid in all areas of landscape management will also be covered. This course may be offered in a distance education format.

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AGEH 61

M 3

Plant Protection Materials

AGEH 61

Units 3

Course will cover pesticide laws and regulations, risks, benefits and mode of action, safe and responsible use, toxicology, and environmental issues related to the use of all agricultural chemicals. Fertilizers, plant growth regulators, defoliants, antimicorbials and other new generation pesticides will be discussed. Sustainable practices will be emphasized and examples used to generate students ability to solve pest problems and formulate integrated pest /agrichemical management plans. This course may be offered in a distance education format.

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AGPS 20

M 4

Plant Science

AGPS 20

Units 4

Note: Field trips to local areas will be included.

This course offers an introduction to the biological principles of plant growth and development. Ecosystem relationships will be covered with particular emphasis on succession, water cycle, mineral cycle, and energy flow. In addition to investigating modern production and marketing practices of agronomic crops, the impact of commercial crop production upon mankind and the environment will be considered. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.

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Fall Semester, Second Year

15 Units Total

AGEH 31

M 3

Landscape Irrigation

AGEH 31

Units 3

Advisory: MATH 100 with a grade of C or higher, or Math Placement Level 3 or higher; and ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

This is a study of water hydraulics, irrigation systems design, and installation procedures and irrigation scheduling. Techniques in the operation and maintenance of irrigation systems will also be presented. Emphasis will be placed on residential design and installation, but commercial design and installation will be covered. This course is required for all Environmental Horticulture majors. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.

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AGEH 60

M 3

Master Gardener Training

AGEH 60

Units 3

Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190 or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

This is the training course for the Master Gardener Program, a community service organization designed to relay research-based horticultural information to the home gardener. The Master Gardener program was developed by the University Cooperative Extension to train interested horticultural enthusiasts to assist local gardeners in diagnosing plant problems and to provide science-based information for keeping home landscapes and the environment healthy. The University of California has agreed to let Shasta College use their training materials which are provided through this class. Topics covered in this course include pesticide use, IPM, weed identification and management, pruning, plant diseases, soils, fertilizers, growing vegetables, native plants, vermiculture, watering and many other plant-related topics. This is a required course for anyone interested in obtaining a UC Extension certification as a Shasta College Master Gardener. This course may be offered in a distance education format.

Alternative Courses

AGEH 50 Intro to Tree Care/Urbn Frstry

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AGNR 53

M 3

Forest Protection and Health

AGNR 53

Units 3

Note: Several field trips to various locations will occur as feasible.

This course will discuss the biotic and abiotic stress factors that influence forest resource values. Direct and indirect management practices, in addition to silvicultural principles that maintain and enhance biotic balance, biological diversity, and ecosystem health and productivity, will be covered. Issues related to fuels management and prescribed fire will also be covered. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.

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AGPS 24

M 3

Soils

AGPS 24

Units 3

Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher; and one year of high school chemistry or equivalent.

Note: This class includes two Saturday field trips on classification, judging, and conservation of soils. The class is required for all agriculture, natural resources, and horticulture majors.

This class is an introductory course on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil as it relates to agriculture and natural resources. Ecosystem relationship of soil use and management is emphasized. The effects of drainage, tillage, and irrigation on land use are discussed. A portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.

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AGPS 25

M 3

California Water

AGPS 25

Units 3

This course is an interdisciplinary examination of California's water use and management with a historical emphasis on the politics and conflict arising from water scarcity. Topics of water quality, water law, measurement of water, evaluation of irrigation methods and systems, and issues relating to water use will all be covered. This course may be offered in a distance education format.

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Total Units

Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.

*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:

Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).