XII. Course Descriptions
Agriculture
Ontario Agricultural College, Dean's Office.
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AGR*1100 Introduction to the Agrifood System F (2-3) [0.50]
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| A survey of the agri-food system, with reference to current events and development in the various sectors. The course will include exposure to resources of the university and basic skills development in preparation for further study at the university level. It will introduce B.SC. (Agr.), B.COMM. (Ag. Bus.), and B.A. (Ag. Ec.) students to the Experience Agriculture Program, Numeracy Companion, and the O.A.C. Writing Portfolio. |
| Restriction(s): |
AGR*1150, UNIV*1500, enrolment in the B.SC. (Agr.), B.COMM. (Ag. Bus.), or B.A. (Ag. Ec.) program |
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AGR*1250 Agrifood System Trends and Issues W (3-2) [0.50]
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| The course will improve the awareness and increase the critical appreciation and understanding of students for the breadth and complexity of the agriculture and food system from producer to consumer. Students will understand the ways in which consumers empower the various components of the food system. Students will gain experience in understanding major issues and consumer trends in the food system including those related to environment, food safety, and animal welfare. The role of the Canadian food system in world markets will be presented. Students will be introduced to the basic skills of problem-solving, report preparation, and delivery. |
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AGR*2301/2 Resources and Agroecosystems F-W [1.00]
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| The course is an introduction to soil, air and water resources as they relate to one another with some emphasis on temporal and spatial variabilities both within and between landscapes of agroecosystems. The roles of geological, geomorphological, biological, climatic and temporal factors will be included. Responses to these influences will be developed in a framework of soils as a resource in the natural landscape, focusing on soil formation processes, properties, classification and uses. This is a two-semester course offered over consecutive semesters. When you select it you must select AGR*2301 in the Fall semester and AGR*2302 in the Winter semester. A grade will not be assigned to AGR*2301 until AGR*2302 has been completed. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
AGR*1250, CHEM*1040, MATH*1080, 0.50 credits in biology |
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AGR*2360 Challenges and Opportunities in Animal Production F (2-6) [0.75]
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| This course consists of lecture presentations on animal science and projects which will expose students to challenges and opportunities in animal production systems. This course is recommended for students with a strong interest in the animal sciences. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
AGR*2350
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| Restriction(s): |
Registration in B.Sc. Animal Biology, B.Sc. (Agr.) Animal Science or B.Comm. (Ag. Bus.) |
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AGR*2401/2 Economics of the Canadian Food System F-W [1.00]
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| A two-semester course that introduces students to the major aspects of agricultural economics and business. The course is based on the notion of a consumer driven economy for food and non-food products; how this is affected by international trade and domestic agricultural policies; and how in turn these affect resource use and farm/firm management decisions. The four components are: 1) prices, production and marketing; 2) agricultural policy and international trade; 3) resources and the environment. This is a two-semester course offered over consecutive semesters. When you select it you must select AGR*2401 in the Fall semester and AGR*2402 in the Winter semester. A grade will not be assigned to AGR*2401 until AGR*2402 has been completed. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
AGR*1250, ECON*1050
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| Co-requisite(s): |
ECON*2740 or STAT*2040
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AGR*2451/2 Plant Agriculture F-W [1.00]
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| Basic principles of plant physiology, morphology, genetics and ecology influence plant production systems around the world. Students will expand their understanding of these principles by learning about managed plant ecosystems, plant domestication and use, zones of adaptation, breeding, propagation, production systems and the interactions between those systems and the environment. This is a two-semester course offered over consecutive semesters. When you select it you must select AGR*2451 in the Fall semester and AGR*2452 in the Winter semester. A grade will not be assigned to AGR*2451 until AGR*2452 has been completed. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
BIOL*1030
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AGR*2500 Field Trip in International Agriculture W (3-0) [0.50]
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| A 2 week field study program to Costa Rica costing approximately $2000 per student in addition to regular tuition fees during winter semester reading week. Students will visit corporate and individual farms, university and government research stations and become familiar with agricultural production systems. Projects and/or assignments will be completed during the winter semester. Classes are scheduled to meet once a week in the evening during the winter semester. It is important that students identify their interest in taking this course by contacting the OAC Dean's Office in September of the previous year. A deposit of $875 in the form of a cheque made payable to the University of Guelph must be in the OAC Dean's Office by November in order to confirm a reservation for travel arrangements. Scholarship support is available to B.SC.(AGR.) students through the Cavers Memorial Scholarship and the Wolff International Scholarships. Applications are due in Student Financial Services, Office of Registrarial Services by April 1. This course must be recorded as part of your Winter course selection and tuition and compulsory fees will be calculated accordingly. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
AGR*1250 or registration in International Development |
| Restriction(s): |
Registration in B.Sc.(Agr.) Or B.A.(I.D.). Instructor consent. |
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AGR*3010 Special Studies in Agricultural Science I S,F,W (3-0) [0.50]
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| A special study option that enables undergraduate students in semesters 5 through 8 to undertake specific projects in agricultural science or course(s) on an approved study abroad or exchange program at an accredited university. The topic of the special study will be determined in consultation with an OAC faculty member and the individual student. Students are responsible for making appropriate arrangements with faculty at the departmental and/or college level prior to registration for the course. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
10.00 credits |
| Restriction(s): |
Participation in an approved study abroad or exchange program |
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AGR*3400 Sustainable Rural Communities W (2-1) [0.50]
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| The structure, function and trends affecting agri-food community settings including historical, ecological and social factors, institutions, agencies and change processes are discussed. The agricultural role of the Provincial Government and the contemporary impact of the agro-industrial complex on Ontario communities will be considered mainly from a comparative perspective. Related topics will include physical infrastructure, political conflicts, labour markets, settlement patterns, housing, gender relations, landscape management, quality of life, sustainability and the promotion of community leadership. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
AGR*1250 or 10.00 credits |
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AGR*3500 Experiential Education F (0-0) [0.50]
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| Student initiated experiential learning opportunities can be developed as a credit course in consultation with a supervising faculty member. Details of the activities included in the program will be outlined in a learning contract initiated by the student and agreed by the faculty supervisor in the April prior to the commencement of the work experience. The employer will also provide a description of the project and/or the work experience. The course is designed to meet the needs of B.SC.(Agr.) and Agricultural Business students. Interested students in other programs should consult the OAC Dean's Office. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
5.00 credits |
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AGR*4010 Special Studies in Agricultural Science II S,F,W (3-0) [0.50]
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| A special study option that enables undergraduate students in semesters 5 through 8 to undertake specific projects in agricultural science or course(s) on an approved study abroad or exchange program at an accredited university. The topic of the special study will be determined in consultation with an OAC faculty member and the individual student. Students are responsible for making appropriate arrangements with faculty at the departmental and/or college level prior to registration for the course. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
10.00 credits |
| Restriction(s): |
Participation in an approved study abroad or exchange program |
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AGR*4050 Professionalism and Agrology W (3-0) [0.50]
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| This course is designed for students in the final year of the B.SC.(Agr.) program who wish to understand the responsibilities of professionals in agrology and the responsibilities that professional organizations have in Ontario and Canada. The course is offered in conjunction with the Ontario Institute of Agrologists and will be offered in a series of ten 3-hour evening sessions. The first three sessions will deal with the topics of professionalism, ethics and professional development and utilize materials prepared jointly by the OIA and OAC Access. The remainder of the course will be comprised of discussions of ethical issues and workshops that will help students develop their personal professional development plan, improve their personal resume, and provide a framework for identifying potential professional employment opportunities. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
15.00 credits |
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AGR*4400 Independent Research F (2-3) [0.50]
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| This course will provide instruction and practical experience in planning and reporting of independent research. Students will reinforce their depth of understanding of a particular component of the agriculture and food system by developing a research project proposal. The course will also provide students with an opportunity to integrate the communication skills that they have developed in previous courses. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
AGR*2301/2, AGR*2401/2, AGR*2452, AGR*3400
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AGR*4450 Research Project in Agriculture I S,F,W (0-12) [1.00]
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| Independent study of a current topic in Agriculture designed to encourage senior undergraduates to conduct research in Agriculture. The course includes participation in meetings organized by the coordinator, work with a faculty advisor to develop a research project, formulate hypotheses, design and carry out preliminary experiments to test the hypotheses. Students will carry out independent library research, begin experimental work, prepare a written report and make a presentation to other students in the course of the research plan and preliminary results. Students must make arrangements with both the faculty supervisor and the course coordinator at least one semester before starting the course. Open to students in semesters 6, 7, and 8 of the B.SC. (Agr.) degree program. This course will normally be followed by AGR*4460 to provide 2 semesters to complete the research project. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
completion of semester 5 of the B.Sc. (Agr.) program, 70% cumulative average |
| Restriction(s): |
AGR*4400, permission of the course coordinator (contingent on the availability and agreement of a faculty advisor) |
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AGR*4460 Research Project in Agriculture II S,F,W (0-12) [1.00]
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| Independent study of a current topic in Agriculture designed to encourage senior undergraduates to conduct research in Agriculture. The focus of this course will be the completion of the research plan developed in AGR*4450 by the student in consultation with a faculty advisor. The course includes participation in meetings organized by the coordinator and meetings with a faculty advisor to review research progress. Students will carry out independent research, prepare a written report of the research findings in a scholarly style and make a presentation to other students in the course of the research results. Open to students in semesters 7 and 8 of the B.SC. (Agr.) degree program. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
AGR*4450
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| Restriction(s): |
AGR*4500, permission of the course coordinator and faculty advisor |
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AGR*4500 Agrifood Industry Problem-Solving W (1-6) [0.50]
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| This course will provide senior level students in agricultural and related sciences with experience in working as a team to propose solutions to agrifood industry problems. The perspective of the best solution will be the agrifood system rather than any individual stakeholder group. Attention will be given to integrating material from different disciplines, further refining skills in problem-solving, and communication. Students and faculty will meet prior to the conclusion of the preceding semester to identify industry projects, student expertise, and to develop a preliminary strategy. |
| Prerequisite(s): |
3.50 credits at the 3000 level or 1.50 credits at the 4000 level in any agricultural science area, environmental science, business or veterinary medicine |
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