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 on the agrifood systems. A series of 14 agricultural science (AGR*XXXX) courses throughout the program enables students to further develop their abilities in communications, analysis and problem solving, computer applications and to increase their interpersonal skills. Students will be involved in cooperative 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 an unspecialized program or identifying one of five areas of specialization, or majors, in which they take a series of 4.00 credits.

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 communications 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. There is a strong commitment in the curriculum to the philosophy of "whole person development" and students are encouraged to identify personal goals that they wish to accomplish in each of these areas of their development.

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 1999.

Students may graduate with a degree in honours agricultural science. Courses are selected in consultation with a faculty advisor and must include 4 courses in the agricultural sciences at the 3000 level or higher. Students who wish to specialize in 1 of the major areas of study may do so by completing the 8 courses identified for each major and taken in semesters 5 through 8, plus the 2 designated restrictive electives in semesters 3 and 4.

Majors are available in:

Agricultural Economics

Agroecosystem Management

Agronomy

Animal Science

Horticultural Science

Students may, with appropriate approvals, elect to complete Minors associated with other degree programs as listed in the undergraduate calendar.

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to participate in national and international study opportunities at other faculties of agricultural science in Canada and in selected countries around the world.

The B.Sc.(Agr.) degree program is similar in many respects to programs offered at faculties of agricultural science in other provinces in Canada. On occasion students may wish to consider taking a year of study at one of these other faculties or colleges. Students interested in a transfer program should consult the Dean's Office, O.A.C. to discuss their interest, and refer to the scholarship section for financial support. Students are also encouraged to consider studying for 1 or 2 semesters in a faculty or college of agriculture in another country.

For more specific information on these opportunities refer to Section V - Special Study Opportunities in this calendar, or contact the OAC Dean's Office.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Students in the B.Sc.(Agr.) program normally 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 biology, chemistry, and physics in addition to calculus in their OAC program 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 Section VIII, Undergraduate Degree Regulations & Procedures.