Agriculture ScienceAS Degree

This course is a study of the agriculture, environmental science and natural resources industries with a focus on career opportunities, self evaluation, and skills necessary for successful job procurement. Topics include job trends, resumes and cover letters, interviewing skills, and the types of careers available in agriculture, environmental science, and natural resources.

This course covers computer use in the workplace with emphasis on agribusiness situations. Computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation managers will be covered. Also included will be accessing information through the Internet and World Wide Web, telecommunications, an introduction to web page design and other software appropriate to agribusiness. Application of these concepts and methods through hands-on projects developing computer-based solutions for agriculture business. (C-ID AG-AB 108).

This course covers design principles, selection, maintenance, adjustment, and safe operation of wheel and crawler type tractors used in agriculture and in the construction industry. (C-ID AG-MA 108L).

This course provides students with a basic understanding of the business and economics of the agricultural industry; an introduction to the economic aspects of agriculture and their implications to the agricultural producer, consumer and the food system; management principles encountered in the day to day operation of an agricultural enterprise as they relate to the decision making process. (C-ID AG-AB 104).

This course introduces students to the knowledge and skills relevant to the supervisor in agricultural business. Topics include the regulatory requirements relevant to labor management in agriculture and effective communication with native and non-native English speakers. The course will include case studies on labor management, human relations, public relations, production control techniques and job analysis.

The study of soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Soil use and management including erosion, moisture retention, structure, cultivation, organic matter and microbiology. Laboratory topics include soil type, classification, soil reaction, soil fertility and physical properties of soil. (C-ID AG-PS 128L).

Work experience is an experiential course where students apply what they have learned in the classroom to a work environment. The course offers students the opportunity to develop technical skills, explore possible career choices, build confidence, network with people in the field, and transition into the world of work. Work experience may include paid or unpaid employment. Students may earn one semester unit of college credit in this course for every fifty-one hours of work experience. Students may enroll in this course up to 8 unit(s) to complete the entire curriculum of the course. A maximum of sixteen units can be earned in work experience courses during a student’s enrollment with Butte College.

Prerequisite: Permission of Work Experience Education instructor and employment supervisor

This course covers the place of agriculture and farming in the economic system. Topics include basic economic concepts, problems of agriculture, pricing and marketing problems, factors of production, and state and federal farm programs that affect the farmer's economic position. (C-ID AG-AB 124).

This course is a study of the principles of agricultural accounting systems and types of records, their use and how to compute and use measures of earnings and cost of production to improve agribusiness efficiency. Farm income tax, Social Security, and employee payroll records also included. Application of these concepts and methods through hands-on projects developing computer-based solutions for agriculture business. (C-ID AG-AB 128).

This course is an introduction to plant science including structure, growth processes, propagation, physiology, growth medica, biological competitors, and post-harvest factors of food, fiber, and ornamental plants. (C-ID AG-PS 104).

In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. (C-ID COMM 110).

This course involves the design principles, uses, maintenance, adjustment, calibration, and repair of machinery used in California agriculture. Emphasis is placed on primary and secondary tillage, planting, chemical application, and harvesting equipment. Selection and operation of both machinery and tractors will be practiced. Safety will be stressed throughout.