University Studies: Agriculture Sciences AA Degree
University Studies – 18 Unit Emphasis | SC Program: AA.1491
The emphasis in Agriculture Sciences is designed to provide the lower division major courses to transfer to a university and earn a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Business, and Horticulture.



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
15 Units TotalIn this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. An argumentative research essay is required for the successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
The course is designed to develop leadership qualities in students. "Hands-on" techniques will be used to facilitate problem solving, cooperative work ethics, developing initiative, managing and organizing information, flexible thinking and effective questioning. Practical experience in conducting business as a group will be gained by participation.
Spring Semester, First Year
14 Units TotalThis 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 learning format.
Fall Semester, Second Year
15 Units TotalNote: This class may include field trips on soil classification, land evaluation, soil sampling and soil conservation.
This class is a study of soil derivation, classification, and characteristics as related to natural and human systems. Soil as a natural system includes chemistry, ecology, physics, and geology. This course introduces students to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil as it relates to agriculture and natural resources. The ecosystem relationship of soil use and management is emphasized. The effects of drainage, erosion, fertilizers, tillage, and irrigation on native and agronomic lands are discussed. A portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.
Spring Semester, Second Year
16 Units TotalThis 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.
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:
- California State Universities – General Education
- IGETC – Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
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