Bachelor of Science in Agriculture [B.Sc.(Agr.)]
Program Information
The B.Sc.(Agr.) degree program is a 4 year honours science program designed to provide a fundamental education in the science of agriculture. The curriculum includes courses in the agricultural sciences, the physical, biological and social sciences, and in the arts.
Agricultural scientists must be effective communicators and problem solvers, self-directed in their learning, and have a global perspective of the agrifood systems. Students will be involved in co-operative group learning activities and will experience courses that are multidisciplinary and integrate the teaching activities of many faculty and departments.
Students will have the option of completing a broad agricultural program (honours agricultural science) or another major in which they take courses towards a more focused subject area. The curriculum provides opportunities for students to select courses that will help them prepare for professional careers as entrepreneurs, scientists, marketing specialists, financial managers, technical advisors, or communication specialists. Students will have a comprehensive understanding of the food system when they graduate. They will be able to integrate their knowledge of production agriculture, environmental management, resource allocation and business management as it applies to the food system nationally and globally.
Students will be encouraged to integrate their academic program with a well-planned series of employment activities in the summer months and to develop their leadership and interpersonal skills in on-campus and community activities.
Graduates meet the educational requirements for membership in the Ontario Institute of Agrologists. The Ontario Institute of Agrologists is the professional organization in agriculture in the Province of Ontario. Professional institutes in the various provinces in Canada and the scientific societies in agriculture collectively comprise the Agricultural Institute of Canada. The program received full accreditation from the Agricultural Institute of Canada in April 2007.
B.Sc.(Agr.) Majors:
- Animal Science
- Crop Science
- Horticulture
- Honours Agricultural Science
First Year Curriculum
The first year courses have been selected to provide students with sufficient background and knowledge to enter any one of the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture majors.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| AGR*1110 | Introduction to the Agri-Food Systems | 1.00 |
| BIOL*1050 | Biology of Plants & Animals in Managed Ecosystems | 0.50 |
| CHEM*1040 | General Chemistry I | 0.50 |
| MATH*1080 | Elements of Calculus I | 0.50 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| AGR*1350 | Animal Production Systems and Industry: Dairy, Poultry and Egg | 0.50 |
| BIOL*1090 | Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology | 0.50 |
| CHEM*1050 | General Chemistry II | 0.50 |
| FARE*1400 | Economics of the Agri-Food System | 1.00 |
Declaration of a Major
All students are admitted into an undeclared major upon entry. Students will be required to select a major by semester 3 through consultation with the Program Counsellor and Faculty Advisors. The course requirements are listed for each major in the following section.
Students may, with appropriate approvals, elect to complete Minors associated with other degree programs as listed in the undergraduate calendar.
Honours Minor
A minor is a group of courses which provides for exposure to and mastery of the fundamental principles of a subject. A minor consists of a minimum of 5.00 credits (normally 10 courses). It may also require certain other courses from other areas to be taken along with the specified courses of the minor. A minor is taken in conjunction with a major.
A maximum of 2.50 credits required in a major program may be applied to meet the requirements of a minor.
Students should seek advice from the B.Sc.(Agr.) Program Counsellor about the addition of a minor. Students in the B.Sc.(Agr. ) are not eligible for a minor in Agriculture.
Co-operative Education
A 5-year Honours Bachelor of Science in Agriculture is offered as a Co-operative Education Program. This option is offered within the B.Sc. (Agr.) degree and is available to all majors. The course requirements are the same as those listed for the regular B.Sc. (Agr.) program, the Co-operative Education Program and as outlined in the Continuation of Study policy (Chapter VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations & Procedures).
Since some of the course requirements in the degree program (core or major) are not offered each semester, careful planning and program consultation with the Faculty Co-op Advisor is essential.
Crop Science or Horticulture Academic and Co-op Work Term Schedule
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Academic Semester 1 | Academic Semester 2 | Off |
| 2 | Academic Semester 3 COOP*1100 | Academic Semester 4 | COOP*1000 Work Term I |
| 3 | COOP*2000 Work Term II | Academic Semester 5 | Off |
| 4 | Academic Semester 6 | COOP*3000 Work Term III | COOP*4000 Work Term IV |
| 5 | Academic Semester 7 | Academic Semester 8 | N/A |
Animal Science Academic and Co-op Work Term Schedule
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Academic Semester 1 | Academic Semester 2 | Off |
| 2 | Academic Semester 3 COOP*1100 | Academic Semester 4 | COOP*1000 Work Term I |
| 3 | Academic Semester 5 | Academic Semester 6 | COOP*2000 Work Term II |
| 4 | COOP*3000 Work Term III | COOP*4000 Work Term IV | Off |
| 5 | Academic Semester 7 | Academic Semester 8 | N/A |
Honours Agriculture Academic and Co-op Work Term Schedule
| Year | Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Academic Semester 1 | Academic Semester 2 | Off |
| 2 | Academic 3 COOP*1100 | Academic Semester 4 | COOP*1000 Work Term I |
| 3 | Academic Semester 5 | Academic Semester 6 | Off |
| 4 | Academic Semester 7 | COOP*2000 Work Term II | COOP*3000 Work Term III |
| 5 | COOP*4000 Work Term IV | Academic Semester 8 | N/A |
Study Abroad
The B.Sc.(Agr.) degree program is similar in many respects to programs offered at faculties of agricultural science in other provinces in Canada. Students are strongly encouraged to consider studying for 1 or 2 semesters in other faculties of agricultural science in Canada and in selected countries around the world.
Students interested in studying at another institution should consult the B.Sc.(Agr.) Program Counsellor to discuss their plans, and refer to the scholarship section for financial support.
For more specific information on these opportunities refer to Chapter V--International Study in this calendar, or contact the OAC Dean's Office.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Students in the B.Sc.(Agr.) program may apply for admission to the D.V.M. program after semester 4 or later. Applications must be submitted to the Admissions Services, Office of Registrarial Services. Students should consult the D.V.M. Section of the calendar. Students who do not gain admission to the D.V.M. program are eligible to continue in the B.Sc.(Agr.) program through to graduation.
Students planning to enter the D.V.M. program are advised to include 12U biology, 12U chemistry, and 12U physics in addition to calculus in secondary school.
Continuation of Study
Students are advised to consult the regulations for continuation of study within the program which are outlined in detail in Chapter VIII--Undergraduate Degree Regulations & Procedures.
Conditions of Graduation
To qualify for the degree Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), the student must successfully complete a minimum of 20.00 credits as set out in the Schedule of Studies listed below. In addition, students must meet the continuation of study requirements at the time of graduation and have a minimum of 60% cumulative average.