Agriculture - Plant and Soil Science

The Agriculture program offers several degree tracks for students which include Plant and Soil Science, Ag Business, Animal Science and Integrated Ag Systems. Certificate, Associate in Applied Sciences degrees (AAS) and transfer options are available.

Agriculture Science combines the fields of biology and chemistry with a practical understanding of crop management. The primary objectives of the program are to offer students technical knowledge in the areas of soils and fertilizers, pests and control procedures, and crop management. These objectives are accomplished with lecture/discussion periods, lab exercises, and field trips to production enterprise areas. Many courses are available for distance learning for students. The Agriculture Science curriculum is reviewed by an advisory committee composed of local and regional industry members and adheres to national and state skill standards.

Degrees

Courses

  • AGSC 100 Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resource Careers
    A survey of the agriculture industry looking at different jobs, working conditions, employment structure, and employee-employer relationships. Formerly AGPR 100.

  • AGSC 101 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
    Provides a study of natural and modified systems and their interactions with humans and other living organisms. Students will gain scientific understanding of natural environments and the effects of human modification upon the natural world. Topics include climate, soil, water resources, riparian areas, hazardous waste, and pollution of air, food, water, and agriculture. Students will learn about assessment procedures and riparian habitat improvements used by local government agencies. Lab work required. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement score or grade of C or higher in ENGL 097; or permission of the Science Division Chair or designee. Recommended: READ 088 or higher. Student may not earn credit for both AGSC 101 and ENVS& 101. Formerly AGPR 101.

  • AGSC 105 Weed Biology and Identification
    Introduction in weed science to provide an understanding of the principles and methods of controlling weeds, use and development of herbicides, methods of application and rate calculation, sprayer components and calibration, and practical knowledge of plant and seed samples of weeds common to the Pacific Northwest. Formerly AGPR 105.

  • AGSC 113 Cultivated Plants
    Provides a practical understanding of plant anatomy, morphology, and growth of agriculture crops. Formerly AGPR 113.

  • AGSC 114 Plant Physiology
    Provides a practical understanding of plant structure, function and physiological processes involved in growth and development. Formerly AGPR 114.

  • AGSC 120 Agricultural Chemistry
    Fundamental course in chemistry which overviews the basics of inorganic, organic, and biochemistry with applications to agriculture and other applied science fields. Recommended: high school chemistry or equivalent. Formerly AGPR 120.

  • AGSC 121 Biomass Feedstock Management
    Learn about growing, harvesting, storage, processing, and utilization of biomass such as: manure, forest slash, food waste, agriculture residues, wood processing residues, and dedicated energy crops (e.g. oilseeds, grasses, hybrid poplar, etc.). Review technologies that can utilize biomass to sequester carbon and generate electricity, heat, transportation fuels, recovered nutrients/soil amendments, reclaimed water, animal feed, bio-chemicals, and other byproducts. Lay the groundwork for soil fertility studies for oilseed crops and field corn amended with biochar, compost, and/or digestate from an anaerobic digester. Recommended for students working towards Biomass Feedstock Management Certificate, Plant and Soil Science, and/or Precision Agriculture degree(s). Formerly AGPR 121.

  • AGSC 130 Fundamental Agroecology
    This lab science course will examine the interactions that govern system production between both the abiotic and biotic factors across scales within the boundaries of the agroecosystem. This course will provide students with an understanding of the fundamental agroecological principles and their application associated with the productivity of agricultural systems, including areas of biodiversity, redundancy, and resiliency. This course is open to both science and non-science majors and fulfills the general education lab science requirements. Recommended Pre-Requisite: ENGL 087 [NS]. Formerly AGPR 130.

  • AGSC 135 Mechanization of GIS
    This course is an introduction to the practical applications of Geographic Informational Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in agriculture. Content will include reasoning, methods, and technology used for data collection, and how that data is further applied through integration with mechanized equipment. Formerly AGPR 135.

  • AGSC 139 Agriculture Safety
    This course is a synopsis of safety practices and worker protections in the agricultural workplace. Topics will include safety in and around shops, on farm vehicles, using farm equipment, and safe practices around rotational and directional moving equipment. Personal protection equipment, pesticide standards, and MSDS sheets will be included. Safety plans will be analyzed and evaluated for completeness. Safety standards for agriculture identified by the Washington State Administration codes(WAC 296-307) will be covered. Formerly AGPR 139.

  • AGSC 140 Agriculture Safety and Pesticides
    This course is a synopsis of safety and worker protection in the agricultural workplace. Topics will include safety in and around shops, on farm vehicles, using farm equipment, and safe practices around rotational and directional moving equipment. Personal protection equipment, pesticide standards, and MSDS sheets will be included. Safety plans will be analyzed and evaluated for completeness. It emphasizes agricultural pesticide uses and applications, chemical safety, and waste hazards associated with pesticides and fertilizer use. This course will prepare the student to become a licensed pesticide applicator with the state of Washington. Safety standards for agriculture identified by the Washington State Administration codes(WAC 296-307) will be covered. Formerly AGPR 140.

  • AGSC 170 Precision Equipment Installation and Troubleshooting
    This course is an introduction to precision ag field equipment. Tracking, auto steering, and precision spraying equipment will be installed, calibrated, troubleshot and repaired. Hands on labs will have students in the field operating these types of equipment. Data acquisition, data analysis and compilation will also be covered. Formerly AGPR 170.

  • AGSC 197 Project Design
    Students will plan and propose a workplace or research project and explore workplace leadership skills. Formerly AGPR 197.

  • AGSC 199 Special Topics
    Gain exposure to and critically analyze agricultural enterprises. Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Formerly AGPR 199.

  • AGSC 201 Basic Soil Science
    Provides an understanding of soil structure and composition as related to temperature, water, and other environmental controls. Lab work required. [NS]. Formerly AGPR 201.

  • AGSC 202 Soils Fertility and Management
    Study of macro- and micronutrient uptake and utilization by plants and the fertilizer products used to supply different nutrients. Prerequisite: AGSC 201 or instructor permission. Formerly AGPR 202.

  • AGSC 215 Field Crop Production
    Production and management of field crops designed to provide the most current information in the production and management of agronomic crops important to the economy of the Pacific Northwest. Formerly AGPR 215.

  • AGSC 230 Plant Diseases and Insects
    Introduction to the identification, life cycles, and control of insects and diseases common to crops in Washington. Formerly AGRI 215 and AGPR 230.

  • AGSC 254 Robotics and Drone Technologies
    This course is an introduction to robotics and drone technologies in regards to precision agricultural applications. Autonomous and non-autonomous robots will be discussed. The laws of physics will be applied to the use of drones and how those laws affect the flying and/or driving of these apparatus. Wheeled and flying drones will be assembled, programmed and operated. Drones will also be programmed to perform duties using inputs and outputs from a multitude of different types of sensors. Prerequisite: CS 121 or instructor permission. Formerly AGPR 254.

  • AGSC 292 Leadership
    Explore issues related to effective workplace relationships and applying leadership skills to promote personal development. Students will also be required to participate in the activities of the Ag Technology club. Formerly AGPR 292.

  • AGSC 297 Special Project
    Students will prepare and defend a presentation on a previously approved workplace or research project. Prerequisite: AGSC 197 or IRR 197 or TURF 197. Formerly AGPR 297.

Degrees

Degrees

Courses

Courses

  • AGSC 100 Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resource Careers
    A survey of the agriculture industry looking at different jobs, working conditions, employment structure, and employee-employer relationships. Formerly AGPR 100.

  • AGSC 101 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
    Provides a study of natural and modified systems and their interactions with humans and other living organisms. Students will gain scientific understanding of natural environments and the effects of human modification upon the natural world. Topics include climate, soil, water resources, riparian areas, hazardous waste, and pollution of air, food, water, and agriculture. Students will learn about assessment procedures and riparian habitat improvements used by local government agencies. Lab work required. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement score or grade of C or higher in ENGL 097; or permission of the Science Division Chair or designee. Recommended: READ 088 or higher. Student may not earn credit for both AGSC 101 and ENVS& 101. Formerly AGPR 101.

  • AGSC 105 Weed Biology and Identification
    Introduction in weed science to provide an understanding of the principles and methods of controlling weeds, use and development of herbicides, methods of application and rate calculation, sprayer components and calibration, and practical knowledge of plant and seed samples of weeds common to the Pacific Northwest. Formerly AGPR 105.

  • AGSC 113 Cultivated Plants
    Provides a practical understanding of plant anatomy, morphology, and growth of agriculture crops. Formerly AGPR 113.

  • AGSC 114 Plant Physiology
    Provides a practical understanding of plant structure, function and physiological processes involved in growth and development. Formerly AGPR 114.

  • AGSC 120 Agricultural Chemistry
    Fundamental course in chemistry which overviews the basics of inorganic, organic, and biochemistry with applications to agriculture and other applied science fields. Recommended: high school chemistry or equivalent. Formerly AGPR 120.

  • AGSC 121 Biomass Feedstock Management
    Learn about growing, harvesting, storage, processing, and utilization of biomass such as: manure, forest slash, food waste, agriculture residues, wood processing residues, and dedicated energy crops (e.g. oilseeds, grasses, hybrid poplar, etc.). Review technologies that can utilize biomass to sequester carbon and generate electricity, heat, transportation fuels, recovered nutrients/soil amendments, reclaimed water, animal feed, bio-chemicals, and other byproducts. Lay the groundwork for soil fertility studies for oilseed crops and field corn amended with biochar, compost, and/or digestate from an anaerobic digester. Recommended for students working towards Biomass Feedstock Management Certificate, Plant and Soil Science, and/or Precision Agriculture degree(s). Formerly AGPR 121.

  • AGSC 130 Fundamental Agroecology
    This lab science course will examine the interactions that govern system production between both the abiotic and biotic factors across scales within the boundaries of the agroecosystem. This course will provide students with an understanding of the fundamental agroecological principles and their application associated with the productivity of agricultural systems, including areas of biodiversity, redundancy, and resiliency. This course is open to both science and non-science majors and fulfills the general education lab science requirements. Recommended Pre-Requisite: ENGL 087 [NS]. Formerly AGPR 130.

  • AGSC 135 Mechanization of GIS
    This course is an introduction to the practical applications of Geographic Informational Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in agriculture. Content will include reasoning, methods, and technology used for data collection, and how that data is further applied through integration with mechanized equipment. Formerly AGPR 135.

  • AGSC 139 Agriculture Safety
    This course is a synopsis of safety practices and worker protections in the agricultural workplace. Topics will include safety in and around shops, on farm vehicles, using farm equipment, and safe practices around rotational and directional moving equipment. Personal protection equipment, pesticide standards, and MSDS sheets will be included. Safety plans will be analyzed and evaluated for completeness. Safety standards for agriculture identified by the Washington State Administration codes(WAC 296-307) will be covered. Formerly AGPR 139.

  • AGSC 140 Agriculture Safety and Pesticides
    This course is a synopsis of safety and worker protection in the agricultural workplace. Topics will include safety in and around shops, on farm vehicles, using farm equipment, and safe practices around rotational and directional moving equipment. Personal protection equipment, pesticide standards, and MSDS sheets will be included. Safety plans will be analyzed and evaluated for completeness. It emphasizes agricultural pesticide uses and applications, chemical safety, and waste hazards associated with pesticides and fertilizer use. This course will prepare the student to become a licensed pesticide applicator with the state of Washington. Safety standards for agriculture identified by the Washington State Administration codes(WAC 296-307) will be covered. Formerly AGPR 140.

  • AGSC 170 Precision Equipment Installation and Troubleshooting
    This course is an introduction to precision ag field equipment. Tracking, auto steering, and precision spraying equipment will be installed, calibrated, troubleshot and repaired. Hands on labs will have students in the field operating these types of equipment. Data acquisition, data analysis and compilation will also be covered. Formerly AGPR 170.

  • AGSC 197 Project Design
    Students will plan and propose a workplace or research project and explore workplace leadership skills. Formerly AGPR 197.

  • AGSC 199 Special Topics
    Gain exposure to and critically analyze agricultural enterprises. Prerequisite: Instructor permission. Formerly AGPR 199.

  • AGSC 201 Basic Soil Science
    Provides an understanding of soil structure and composition as related to temperature, water, and other environmental controls. Lab work required. [NS]. Formerly AGPR 201.

  • AGSC 202 Soils Fertility and Management
    Study of macro- and micronutrient uptake and utilization by plants and the fertilizer products used to supply different nutrients. Prerequisite: AGSC 201 or instructor permission. Formerly AGPR 202.

  • AGSC 215 Field Crop Production
    Production and management of field crops designed to provide the most current information in the production and management of agronomic crops important to the economy of the Pacific Northwest. Formerly AGPR 215.

  • AGSC 230 Plant Diseases and Insects
    Introduction to the identification, life cycles, and control of insects and diseases common to crops in Washington. Formerly AGRI 215 and AGPR 230.

  • AGSC 254 Robotics and Drone Technologies
    This course is an introduction to robotics and drone technologies in regards to precision agricultural applications. Autonomous and non-autonomous robots will be discussed. The laws of physics will be applied to the use of drones and how those laws affect the flying and/or driving of these apparatus. Wheeled and flying drones will be assembled, programmed and operated. Drones will also be programmed to perform duties using inputs and outputs from a multitude of different types of sensors. Prerequisite: CS 121 or instructor permission. Formerly AGPR 254.

  • AGSC 292 Leadership
    Explore issues related to effective workplace relationships and applying leadership skills to promote personal development. Students will also be required to participate in the activities of the Ag Technology club. Formerly AGPR 292.

  • AGSC 297 Special Project
    Students will prepare and defend a presentation on a previously approved workplace or research project. Prerequisite: AGSC 197 or IRR 197 or TURF 197. Formerly AGPR 297.