Want more information about our Agricultural Systems Management option in Yuma?

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Agricultural Systems Management - Yuma 

 

Some people understand the basics of business and management, but few understand the complexities of the agricultural systems involved in modern agricultural enterprises. These complexities and opportunities have brought about the need for and design of the ASM curriculum. Agricultural Systems Management major is designed to meet the educational needs of a specialized agricultural economy in the desert southwest region of the United States.

The ASM is a hands-on major where students learn technical agriculture and management strategies. An emphasis on agriculture systems drives the professional coursework that includes qualitative business analysis, advances in agriculture technology, technical sales, personnel supervision, agricultural law, agricultural leadership and communication, and case studies.

Additionally, students take coursework in plant sciences, including entomology, crop production, plant pathology, fertility, citrus, and date production and irrigation. Students will enrich their professional and technical preparation by participating in one or more internship experiences and a defined undergraduate senior project.

The ASM option is delivered through a 2-way academic partnership between community college partners (Arizona Western College (AWC)/ Imperial Valley College (IVC)) and the University of Arizona, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences.

The curriculum consists of completing an Associate of Arts degree and AGEC-A at AWC or IGETC at IVC with an emphasis in Agriculture. These two community college partners provide an excellent opportunity to meet the general education requirements in smaller classes with more individualized attention than is often available at a larger school. The remainder of the course schedule comprises business and management-related classes and agricultural systems and plant sciences courses taught by faculty in the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Arizona- Yuma. While attracting many traditional undergraduate students, the program attracts many older non-traditional students working full time.

 

Coursework

An emphasis on agriculture systems drives the professional coursework that includes qualitative business management, technical sales, personnel supervision, agricultural law, agricultural leadership and communication, advanced agricultural technology, and case studies. Additionally, students will take course work in plant sciences, including entomology, crop production, plant pathology, fertility, citrus, and date production and irrigation.

 

Internships and Field Experiences

Students enrich their professional and technical preparation by participating in one or more internship experiences and/or defined field experiences during their junior/senior years. Internships allow students to link theory with practice and serve as a temporary labor pool for those agencies and companies that have agreed to participate in these internship programs. Internships focus on experiences in the field of choice by the student. Students gain valuable experiences and training working for industry professionals 

 

Major Core Requirements (46 credits):

ASM 195  Introduction to Agriculture Systems Management (1) 
ASM 301  Agriculture Systems Management (3) 
ASM 380  Leadership in Agriculture Systems Management (3) or ALC 309 Leadership Principles and Practices (3)
ASM 404  Irrigation Principles and Management (3)
ASM 409  Systems and Advanced Technologies in Agriculture (3)
ASM 490  Case Studies for Agriculture Systems Management (3)
ASM 493  Internship (3) 
ASM 499  Independent Study (3) 
AGTM 375 Legal Issues in Agriculture (3) 
AGTM 380 Global Agricultural and International Relations (3)
PLS 397A  Yuma Production Systems (3) 
ASM 311  Quantitative Business Analysis in Agricultural Systems (3) 
ASM 321  Personnel Supervision in Agriculture Systems Management (3)
ASM 470  Scientific and Technical Sales (3)
ASM 481  Simulation and Decisions (3) 
ALC 422   Communicating Knowledge in Agriculture and the Life Sciences (3) 

 

Major Electives (12 credits, Choose 4): 

ENTO 300 Insect Pest Management for Desert Cropping Systems (3) 
ENVS 316 Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition (3) 
PLP 305   Introductory Plant Pathology (3)
PLS 300   Applied Weed Science (3)
PLS 306   Crop Science and Production (3)
PLS 403   Citrus Production (3)
PLS 497F  Community and School Garden Workshop (3) 
PLS 467  Fresh Produce Safety (3) 
AGTM 391 Preceptorship (3)  

 

Possible Entry Career Areas for Graduates

  • Production managers for farms
  • Marketing representatives for farms and agriculture companies
  • Ag Product Sales
  • Seed Industry - both production and sales
  • Ag Chemical Industry - Sales and inventory
  • Ag Equipment company
  • Food Safety inspector/ Ag Inspector
  • Operations manager and production supervisor
  • Agricultural processing plants
  • Natural resources
  • USDA plant protection agency
  • Ag Extension Specialist
  • Ag Teacher

 

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