Agriculture Technology

Application Code:
0510
Degree Received:
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Department:
Agriculture and Horticulture

Description:

During the first semester, the agriculture technology student takes basic courses in agriculture and in the liberal arts and sciences. This major is designed to give students experience and course work in all areas of agriculture.

Originally, the program was to provide a broad general background of agricultural production information rather than aiming at a specific portion of the field. This is still valid today, but the elective courses make it possible for a student to prepare for work in many phases of agriculture other than farming itself. Students in agriculture technology can follow a variety of career paths upon graduation. The program allows students to gain experience in many disciplines. This program also serves as a good starting point for individuals interested in a career teaching high school agricultural programs. Students who enter the College with advanced credit from other institutions have found the program flexible enough to permit graduation with a minimum amount of time lost due to transfer. In addition, many students transfer to four-year institutions.

Entrance Requirements & Recommendations:

Recommended: Math A (algebra), Biology

Features & Facilities:

  • Students can take courses in any agriculture program as well as other programs at Alfred State & Alfred University
  • Individual programs designed for each student based on needs/interests
  • Utilizes all facilities in the Ag Science building and college farm
  • Students may remain in agriculture technology or transfer to another agricultural program

Articulation Agreements:

Graduates of the agriculture technology program have transferred to many four-year colleges and universities to continue their education. In recent years, this list of four year institutions has included Cornell University, Penn State University, University of Georgia, Delaware Valley College, Ohio State University, and the University of Wisconsin. Usually, an agriculture technology graduate can obtain a bachelor's degree with only two additional years of study.

Graduation Requirements:

  • successfully complete the prescribed sequence of courses
  • achieve a minimum index of 2.0 in their core courses
  • achieve a minimum index of 2.0 overall
  • be recommended by the department faculty

Transfer Opportunities:

Many schools, including Cornell University, grant full credit to students wishing to transfer to four-year programs. Formal articulation agreement exists with Alfred State College.

Career Opportunities:

  • Owners, Operators, Managers, and Herdsmen for Dairy Cattle, and Meat Animal Farms
  • Fruit, Vegetable, and Field Crop Production
  • Food Industry
  • Salespeople and Consultants for Feed, Fertilizer, Agricultural, and Veterinary Supply Companies
  • Agricultural Banking and Lending
  • Federal and State Inspectors of Agricultural Products

Typical Semester Layout:

A typical first semester would consist of 17 academic hours which translates into approximately 21 class hours per week, eight of which are in a laboratory situation and 13 in a lecture format. Subsequent semesters are comparable. For each hour spent in class, an additional two hours outside of class is usually required. The total academic week, therefore, may require as much as 60 hours in order to excel. Class sizes are small, ranging from 15 to no more than 60 in lectures and fewer than 20 in laboratories. All students are assigned an adviser who meets regularly with each advisee to plan the student's academic career, semester schedules, and to address any other counseling needs.

First Semester credits
ANSC 1103 Soils 3
ANSC 1204 Intro to Animal Sciece 4
HORT 2011 Landscape Equipment
1
AGRI 1492 Professional Practice 2
COMP 1503 Freshman Composition 3
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
      16
Second Semester credits
BIOL 2803 Environmental Science
3
ANSC 3213 Intro to Dairy Cattle Production 3
BIOL 1314 Botany 4
    or  
AGPS 2203 Plant Pysiology
3-4
SPCH 1183 Effective Speaking
 
    or  
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
      17
Third Semester credits

xxxx
Ag or Transfer-related Elective
3-4
HORT 1313 Entomology 3
AGPS 2114 Field & Forage Crops 4
HORT 4403 Plant Pathology 3
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3
      16
Fourth Semester credits
  xxxx Agriculture or Transfer-related Elective 3-4
  xxx3 Gen Education Elective 3

xxxx Ag or Transfer-related Elective
3-4
AGRI 4002 Seminar/Capstone Project 2
AGEC 3204 Ag Management & Finance
4
      15-17

Agriculture Electives:

Also required - One unit of Physical Education.

Employment and Transfer Report
Employment and Transfer Rate:
100%
Survey Details200420052006
Receiving Degrees 2 1 --
Responding to Survey 2(100%) 1(100%) --
Employed 1(50%) -- --
Employed in Field -- -- --
Transfered 1(50%) 1(100%) --
Unemployed & Seeking Employment -- -- --
Unemployed & Not Seeking Employment -- -- --
Salary Information
NACE Annual Average Salary Survey Data
(2003-04 survey for associate degree program;
2006-07 for baccalaureate degree program)
N/A
DOL Annual Mean Salary
(2006 survey for those employed in this career path)
$22,000