XII. Course Descriptions
Agriculture
Ontario Agricultural College, Dean's Office
| AGR*1110 Introduction to the Agri-Food Systems F (6-0) [1.00] | |
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| This introductory course provides an overview of Canadian and global agri-food systems. Students will be introduced to many different facets of agriculture, including primary production (conventional and organic) of commodity, mid-value and high-value crops, and livestock. Students will explore the agri-food system by tracing consumer end-products back to primary production. Modern, industrial agri-food systems as well as subsistence farming will be discussed. The course incorporates an experiential learning component in which students will explore a new agri-food opportunity for Ontario by designing and assessing the value chain. | |
| Restriction(s): | AGR*1100. AGR*1250. Restricted to students in BAH.FARE, BSC(AGR), Minor in Agriculture |
| Department(s): | Department of Plant Agriculture, Department of Animal Biosciences |
| Location(s): | Guelph |
| AGR*2030 Pasture Management F (3-2) [0.50] | |
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| This course focuses on forage and weed identification, establishing, maintaining and improving pasture for grazing or cropping, and environmental and conservation stewardship approaches to pasturelands. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | (ENVS*2060 or SOIL*2010). |
| Restriction(s): | Registered in BBRM.EQM |
| Department(s): | Dean's Office, Ontario Agricultural College |
| AGR*2050 Agroecology W (3-0) [0.50] | |
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| Agroecology uses ecological theory to study, design, manage and evaluate agricultural systems. This course considers the interactions of all important biophysical, technical and socioeconomic components of farming systems and examines these systems as the fundamental units of study. Mineral cycles, energy transformations, biological processes and socioeconomic relationships are analyzed as a whole in an interdisciplinary fashion. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | (BIOL*1050 or BIOL*1070) CHEM*1040 |
| Restriction(s): | CROP*2110 |
| Department(s): | Department of Plant Agriculture, Department of Animal Biosciences |
| AGR*2150 Plant Agriculture for International Development F (3-0) [0.50] | |
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| This course will provide students interested in international development with an introductory mechanistic understanding of the biology underlying crop production in developing nations. Emphasis will be placed on simple, low-cost solutions from biology that have the potential to aid efforts in international development. This course is accessible to science and non-science students. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | 4.00 credits |
| Restriction(s): | AGR*2470 |
| Department(s): | Department of Plant Agriculture |
| AGR*2320 Soils in Agroecosystems F (3-2) [0.50] | |
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| This course is an introduction to soil resources with emphasis on management practices that will sustain the productivity of these resources and enhance the quality of the ecosystems of which they are a part. Students will develop a management plan for a farm that will take into account the roles of geological, geomorphological, biological, climatic and temporal factors on the formation, properties and uses of soils. The management plans will be placed in the broader context of provincial policies related to soil, air and water resources and local zoning regulations. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | 2.50 credits |
| Restriction(s): | ENVS*2060 or SOIL*2010 |
| Department(s): | School of Environmental Sciences |
| AGR*2350 Animal Production Systems, Health and Industry F (3-3) [0.50] | |
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| This course is designed to introduce the student to the Agri-food system in Ontario, nationally and internationally. All major animal industries will be covered starting from the grocery store and working back to the primary producer. Companion and exotic animals will also be covered. Topics include food, health and wellness (domestic animals and human), nutrition, housing, genetics, reproduction, husbandry practices and processing. . The course includes laboratories and animal production unit tours. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | BIOL*1030 or (2 of BIOL*1050, BIOL*1070, BIOL*1080, BIOL*1090) |
| Department(s): | Department of Animal Biosciences |
| AGR*2470 Introduction to Plant Agriculture F (3-3) [0.50] | |
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| The basic principles of plant morphology, nutrition, growth and development will be related to where and how agriculturally significant plants are grown. Agroecosystems and farming systems will be considered as frameworks for crop production analyses. The course uses examples from temperate, sub-tropical and tropical crops and cropping systems. Labs include problem-solving exercises in the context of plant production. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | 1 of BIOL*1030, BIOL*1050, BIOL*1070 |
| Restriction(s): | AGR*2150 |
| Department(s): | Department of Plant Agriculture |
| AGR*2500 Field Course in International Agriculture W (3-0) [0.50] | |
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| This course introduces students to a wide range of tropical and subtropical agricultural production systems and issues. The course is comprised of a weekly 3 hour evening lecture and a two week field trip to Costa Rica where students will visit corporate and individual farms, university and government research stations. The field trip occurs during Reading Week in February. This course must be recorded as part of your Winter course selection. The cost of the course is approximately $2500.00 per student, in addition to tuition and compulsory fees. Students must identify their interest in taking this course by contacting the OAC Dean's Office before the October course selection period of the previous year. In order to confirm reservations for travel arrangements a deposit of $300 in the form of a cheque, made payable to the University of Guelph, must be submitted to the OAC Dean's Office by November. Some financial support for travel may be available. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | (AGR*1110 or AGR*1250) or registration in International Development |
| Restriction(s): | Registration in BSC(AGR) or BA.ID or Minor in Agriculture Instructor consent required. |
| Department(s): | Dean's Office, Ontario Agricultural College |
| 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 sciences. The topic of the special study will be determined in consultation with an 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): | Instructor consent required. |
| Department(s): | Department of Plant Agriculture |
| AGR*3450 Research Methods in Agricultural Science F (3-2) [0.50] | |
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| This course provides students with an opportunity to enhance their understanding of the principles and processes of agricultural research. The course will provide students with a foundation in critical thinking, experimental design and data analysis that will be applicable to independent research projects and graduate studies. Students will also explore the practical requirements and limitations of scientific research. Laboratory and field safety, animal care, intellectual property and research ethics will be reviewed. Students will be required to practice both oral presentation and writing skills as core components of their evaluation. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | Completion of 7.50 credits including (1 of GEOG*2460, STAT*2040 , STAT*2060, STAT*2080) |
| Restriction(s): | Enrollment in the BSC(AGR), BBRM, BSC.ABIO or Minor in Agriculture. |
| Department(s): | Department of Plant Agriculture, Department of Animal Biosciences |
| AGR*3500 Experiential Education I F (3-0) [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 BSC(Agr.), BBRM and Agricultural Business students. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | 5.00 credits |
| Restriction(s): | Instructor consent required. |
| Department(s): | Department of Plant Agriculture |
| AGR*3510 Experiential Education II F (3-0) [0.50] | |
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| The purpose of this course is to enable students to gain generic career skills by actively reflecting on their own skills in the context of their own summer employment. Students conduct a self-assessment, and work to improve skills they themselves select as goals. They also undertake a major project that is probably, but not necessarily, related to their summer employment. This project is done with the assistance of a faculty advisor. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | AGR*3500 |
| Restriction(s): | Instructor consent required. |
| Department(s): | Department of Animal Biosciences |
| AGR*4010 Special Studies in Agricultural Science II S,F,W (3-0) [0.50] | |
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| This special study option enables undergraduate students in semesters 5 through 8 to undertake specific projects in agricultural science. The topic of the special study will be determined in consultation with a faculty member and the individual student. Students are responsible for making appropriate arrangements with faculty member prior to registration for the course. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | 15.00 credits |
| Restriction(s): | Instructor consent required. |
| Department(s): | Department of Animal Biosciences |
| AGR*4450 Research Project I S,F,W (0-12) [1.00] | |
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| This course provides for the independent study of a current topic in agricultural or environmental science designed to encourage senior undergraduates to conduct research. 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. This course will normally be followed by AGR*4460 to provide 2 semesters to complete the research project. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | 10.00 credits |
| Restriction(s): | Permission of the course coordinator (contingent on the availability and agreement of a faculty advisor). BSC(Agr) or BSC or BBRM, 70% cumulative average. |
| Department(s): | Dean's Office, Ontario Agricultural College |
| AGR*4460 Research Project II S,F,W (0-12) [1.00] | |
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| Independent study of a current topic in agricultural or environmental science designed to encourage senior undergraduates to conduct research. 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 6, 7 and 8 of the B.SC. (Agr.) or B.Sc. degree program. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | AGR*4450 |
| Restriction(s): | Permission of the course coordinator and faculty advisor. |
| Department(s): | Dean's Office, Ontario Agricultural College |
| AGR*4600 Agriculture and Food Issues Problem Solving W (3-0) [1.00] | |
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| The issues facing the agriculture and food sector are many and varied and relate to the economy, the environment and society. Within these issues there are problems which require thoughtful solutions. Working in teams, with guidance from faculty advisors, students will have an opportunity to develop solutions to real-world problems facing the agriculture and food sector. In the process students will have an opportunity to develop their research, communication, presentation, writing and group work skills. | |
| Prerequisite(s): | 12.50 credits |
| Restriction(s): | Registration in BSC(AGR), BBRM, BCOMM.FAB, B.COMM.FAB:C or BA.FARE program. |
| Department(s): | Department of Plant Agriculture |