Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness and Environmental Sciences

An introduction to agribusiness management focused around the four functions of management: planning, organizing, controlling and directing. Applications of budgeting and elementary economic analysis.

An introduction to agricultural economics including consumer and producer theory, marginal analysis, the definition of supply and demand, their movements and role in price determination and market characteristics.

Industrial organization and historical development of the grocery business. Examination of the food chain, perishable product storage and distribution and centralized purchasing functions. Management of the retail profit function with consideration of customer psychology and behavior. Retail food safety with Hazard Assessment and Critical Control Points (HACCP).

A multi-disciplinary introduction to agriculture, agribusiness, and environmental science with emphasis on a systems approach to natural resource problem solving.

A dynamic approach to understand different systems of interest with emphasis given to decision support systems (DSS) and how different types of models are used to aid in management decision making. Prerequisites: AGBU 3320.

Management principles relevant to agribusiness firms, including integration of marketing, human resource management, managerial and leadership concepts, organizational structure, and the financial considerations managers face.

Estimating prospective demands for farm products in relation to supplies, improving the accuracy of the system that reflects consumers' demands to producers and reducing costs and increasing efficiency of marketing. Prerequisite: junior standing.

Description of major markets and competition. Effects of U.S. agricultural trade policies and exchange rates on agriculture and firm rationalization. Topics include strategic alliance formation, market entry strategy, business ethics and corruption, pricing and terms of sale, payment methods, trade finance, cultural analysis, Foreign Trade Zones and Foreign Sales Corporations. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing.

Laws affecting the organization and decision of agricultural enterprises.

Agricultural and food policies studied from domestic and international perspectives with emphasis on the economic framework used to assess policies that improve the competitive structure, operation, and performance of U.S. food and agriculture. Prerequisite: AGBU 2317.

This course focuses on practical applications of skills needs to develop your own agri-business, agri-consulting or agri-sales business. This courses focuses on financing your agribusiness, marking your services, writing winning proposals, meeting legal requirements, setting fees, keeping the books, and much more.

Types of farming, size of farms, capital requirements, methods of renting, farm equipment, cropping and marketing system, credit system and farm accounts. Prerequisite: junior standing.

Overview of water resources policy and management issue with specific focus to agricultural water use and the policy and management considerations for farming, ranching, industry, and conservation problems. Prerequisite: AGBU 2317.

The human-environment relationship studied relative to economic issues of property rights, externalities and resource scarcity as they relate to markets, economies and sustainable development. Prerequisite: junior standing.

Selected topics not currently available in existing courses. May be repeated once under different topic. Prerequisite: junior standing.

Supervised and planned work experience under college guidelines in an agriculture enterprise or agency setting. Practical application of knowledge and skills of major subject area without classroom consultation, but with formal evaluation.  May be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours toward degree. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: Permission from department chair.

Economics, management and planning of the ranching industry, range livestock and natural resources. Prerequisite: 3 semester hours of agribusiness.

Integration of agribusiness marketing and practices to solve contemporary problems faced by agribusiness marketers. Analyses of agribusiness marketing problems through the application of case studies and strategic planning projects. Prerequisites: AGBU 2301, AGBU 2317 and AGBU 3340.

Monetary affairs of farming and ranching emphasizing the Farm Credit Administration, credit policies, facilities, procurement, statement analysis, cost of capital, firm growth and management of financial resources.

Investigation of market operations which determine prices in the agricultural industry. Types of markets that affect price, cycles and trends; relative government policy and techniques of price analysis. Prerequisite: AGBU 3350.

The systematic analysis of agribusiness strategic decision-making and management strategies with emphasis on the use of case studies to illustrate different strategic management concepts and the various issues and opportunities faced by today's agribusiness firms. Prerequisites: AGBU 2317 and AGBU 3310.

Literature review, laboratory field problem. May be repeated for a total of 6 semester hours, only 3 hours may count toward a minor. Prerequisite: approval of supervising professor and permission per advisor and department chair.

Techniques of oxy-acetylene processes in fusion welding of mild steel, bronze welding, hard facing and oxy-acetylene cutting; skills of arc welding in level, horizontal, vertical and overhead position.

Fee: $5.00

A study and application of basic agricultural system processes. Includes design graphics, use of basic tools and machines, instrumentation and basic construction.

Fee: $20.00

Study of internal combustion engines; principles of operation, construction, ignition, carbureting, cooling systems, lubrication, transmission and diesel engines. Agricultural machinery design, construction and use. Prerequisite: AGSC 1451.

Fee: $5.00

Planning, delivering and evaluating programs for agricultural service agencies such as the cooperative extension service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and any other public or private agency which is responsible for the dissemination of information. Time management, public relations, identification of program goals and industry needs, community needs.

Philosophy, aims and objectives of agriculture science and technology; historical background of agricultural service agencies and organizations programs; career opportunities and qualifications of personnel as related to agricultural service agencies. Prerequisite: junior standing.

Selected topics not currently available in existing courses. May be repeated once under a different topic. Prerequisite: junior standing.

Supervised and planned work experience under college guidelines in an agriculture enterprise or agency setting. Practical application of knowledge and skills of major subject area without classroom consultation, but with formal evaluation.  May be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours toward degree. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: written consent of adviser and dean.

Construction materials, costs, environment, arrangements and types of structures. Plans and drawings will be made for farmsteads, service buildings and dwellings. Prerequisite: AGSC 1451.

Fee: $5.00

Methods, materials and techniques in teaching agricultural science; essential elements; daily and annual teaching plans; curriculum organization, planning and evaluation; instructional methods and strategies, adult and young farmer education; students with special needs; and basic principles and procedures of classroom management.

Theory and practice in designing instruction for secondary agricultural science programs including effective planning and deliver methods; designed for students preparing to teach agricultural science in Texas public schools.

Literature review, laboratory field problem. May be repeated for a total of 6 semester hours, only 3 hours may count toward a minor. Prerequisite: approval of supervising professor, and permission per advisor and department chair.

Student teaching in agricultural science classes in selected secondary schools. Requires daily (Monday through Friday) laboratory experience of performing the duties of an agricultural science teacher for at least nine weeks. Prerequisites: overall grade point average of 2.5 or better; junior or senior standing; AGSC 3367, AGSC 4361.

Fundamental principles of environmental systems including biological, chemical, social, political, cultural, and economic factors that affect the environment: scientific and social implications of climate change, including anthropogenic pollutants and human population on the environment.

Impact of land use on natural resource conservation; land ownership and management issues; and development of environmental impact statements.

Impact of natural occurring and anthropogenic environmental pollutants on human health.

The principles and processes that determine the patterns of terrestrial ecosystems, ecosystem relationship with abiotic factors, and the return of biomass to the abiotic cycles. Emphasis on temperate ecosystems of North America, with review of global ecosystems. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

Inland wetlands, estuaries, nearshore, coral reefs and open ocean habitats; explores vegetation, hydrology, water chemistry, management strategies, flow alterations, nutrient enrichment, and chemical contamination of aquatic habitats. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

Student experiential learning through research under direction of a faculty advisor. May be repeated for a total of six semester hours; only three may count toward a minor. Prerequisites: Junior standing and approval of instructor. Permission from advisor and department chair.

Current issues that impact agriculture that include: world food supply/security; the human diet, cultural, economic, and political consideration; environmental concerns; food safety; animal rights/ welfare, genetic engineering, etc., are presented and discussed to provide students with practical and technical knowledge to prepare them for their careers.

Supervised and planned work experience under college guidelines in an agriculture enterprise or agency setting. Practical application of knowledge and skills of major subject area without classroom consultation, but with formal evaluation.  May be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours toward degree. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: Permission from department chair.

A review of current literature on agricultural subjects. Assigned reading on selected topics with weekly conferences.

Through case studies, reflective analysis, scenario learning and service learning, students will develop leadership skills in a systems thinking approach to issues in agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences, by application of knowledge in real world contexts. Students will acquire an understanding of the inextricable relationship among agriculture, natural resources, human sciences, and society. Prerequisite: senior standing.

A capstone exploration of the role of leadership and commitment to civic engagement with emphasis on the application of leadership development in order to become a socially responsible leader and an active, engaged citizen in agriculture. Prerequisite: AGRI 2380.

Fundamental principles underlying the selection, growth, development, maintenance, improvement, utilization and harvesting of cultivated plants.

Fee: $5.00

Art and science of soil description using Soil Taxonomy of the United States Department of Agriculture and Intercollegiate Soil Judging. Provides essential experience for those in soil-related careers. Open to all university students.

Classification, life histories, habits, and management practices of common local insects and insect pests of plants and animals. Collect, preserve and identify anthropods with emphasis on insects.

Fundamentals of landscape design including historical survey of garden designs, site analysis, development and evaluation of exterior and interior environments of residential, school, commercial and public park areas. Open to all university students.

Fee: $5.00

The genesis and evolution of soil profiles as influenced by soil forming agencies, classification schemes, soil survey techniques and utilization of soil maps in management of the soil. Prerequisite: PLSS 3410.

Fee: $5.00

Methods of reclamation, conservation and management of soils based on the kinds of soils and adapted crops.

Production practices, produce quality, environmental considerations in the production of field crops and forage crops. Prerequisite: PLSS 1407.

Characteristics, description, identification and landscape uses of ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, flowers, ground-covers and grasses adapted to tropic and subtropical zones of the world. Prerequisite: Junior standing.

A study of principles and practices of asexual and sexual propagation of horticultural crops. Prerequisite: PLSS 1407.

Fee: $5.00

Proper selection, mode of action and application of chemicals for proper weed control and management. Prerequisite: PLSS 1407.

Fee: $5.00

A study of principles and practices used in commercial production, harvesting, storage and processing of fruit and vegetable crops. Prerequisite: PLSS 1407.

Fee: $5.00

Physiological concepts underlying the practices utilized in crop production systems as related to growth processes and their mechanisms. Prerequisite: 3 semester credit hours of biology.

Fundamental principles underlying the formation, characteristics and management of soil.

Fee: $5.00

Supervised and planned work experience under college guidelines in an agriculture enterprise or agency setting. Practical application of knowledge and skills of major subject area without classroom consultation, but with formal evaluation.  May be repeated for a maximum of six semester hours toward degree. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: Permission from department chair.

Current Management practices used to control agriculture, horticulture, wildlife and animal pests. This includes insects, weeds, plant diseases and nematodes as they affect crop and animal production. Introduction to pesticide groups and their ecological effects. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing.

Grading, drainage and construction of landscaped areas to include cost and bid estimation, soil preparation, transplanting operations, arboriculture, turf management, pest and disease control and general maintenance of landscaped areas. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing.

Fee: $3.00

Tropical and subtropical climates and physiography related to production and management of tropical and subtropical crops including fruits and vegetables, root and tuber crops, beverage crops, oil and industrial crops, legumes, spices, herbs and medicinal plants. Recent significant development in production technology will be presented. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing.

The water-related properties of plants and soil, the properties of water and the natural processes that affect the behavior of water in plants. Prerequisite: PLLS 3410.

Comprehensive study of diseases and arthropod pests of cultivated crop plants with emphasis on symptoms identification, economic importance and control measures. The concept of integrated pest management is discussed. Prerequisite: Introductory Biology and junior or senior standing.

The principles of soil fertility, mechanisms of plant nutrient uptake and plant nutrient requirements. Includes a study of soil fertility management. Prerequisite: PLSS 3410.

Fee: $5.00

Commercial production and management of floricultural crops in greenhouses, modern nurseries and other forcing structures. Prerequisite: PLSS 1407.

Fee: $5.00

Material offered to be determined by the needs of the students. Lecture will vary according to the subject needs with each course having three hour credit. May be repeated for credit when the topic changes. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing.

Literature review, laboratory field problem or undergraduate research under direction of a faculty advisor. May be repeated for a total of six semester hours, only three hours may count toward a minor in PLSS. Prerequisite: approval of supervising professor.