Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Life Sciences
The Undergraduate Agriculture and Life Sciences (ALS) program serves both CNAS majors and non-major students of the University of Guam and other regional institutions. The program prepares majors to graduate with the knowledge, skills, and values that will enable them to succeed in: professions (both public and private) in the life sciences and agriculture; graduate or other professional schools; and contributing to their families and communities. To non-majors, the program offers disciplinary knowledge and skills in agriculture and the life sciences through courses and minor programs.
Given the relevance of the program's disciplines to Guam's sustainability we actively develop our courses to both interest and accommodate students from other disciplines at both the lower and upper division levels. The ALS program curriculum provides graduates with education, work and training experiences designed to guide them into becoming professionals and leaders in Guam, the Western Pacific, and globally.
Agriculture and Life Sciences Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcome 1, Disciplinary Knowledge and Skills: Graduates will demonstrate integrated knowledge in their chosen fields of study and related sciences.
Program Learning Outcome 2, Research Skills: Graduates possess critical thinking and analytical skills. Graduates are competent in basic procedures and safety protocols in conducting research. Graduates can use their knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts to explain and solve problems in their field.
Program Learning Outcome 3, Analytical Skills: Graduates can apply quantitative and/or qualitative analytical methods in agriculture and the life sciences.
Program Learning Outcome 4, Communication Skills: Graduates can gather and assess information and use it to create effective research and outreach communication media and oral presentations.
Program Learning Outcome 5, Ethics and Professionalism: Graduates understand the ethical principles underlying research, publication, and professional behavior. Graduates can demonstrate teamwork and networking skills, and understand the importance of providing correct credit for others' work.
Program Learning Outcome 6, Multicultural Competence: Graduates will develop cross-cultural respect and a foundation for life-long multicultural competence.
Program Learning Outcome 7, Life-Long Learning and Integration of Knowledge from the Sciences and the Arts: Graduates can empower themselves through life-long learning to enhance their knowledge base, and demonstrate an ability to integrate knowledge from the sciences and the arts.
The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Life Sciences degree program has four (4) tracks:
Students enrolled in the ALS degree are required to complete the University of Guam's General Education requirements. ALS students must also complete the "core requirements" then choose the following courses corresponding to their selected track. Upon entering the program track, students will be assisted by an academic adviser to identify their career objectives and select an appropriate option for study.
Agriculture and Life Science majors must have a "C" or better in all courses required
for the major. Students must also complete a minimum of 15 credits of upper division
Agriculture and Life Sciences courses. When selecting their electives, students are
encouraged to complete one or more of the many minor options offered under the program.
The Minor options are designed to provide areas of specialization to both ALS majors
and non-majors. See Course Catalog pages 117-118 for minor course requirements.
I. General Education Requirements (35-47 credits)
Students must complete the General Education requirements listed in the Course Catalog, pages 78-84. Some of these courses are also ALS program requirements and may be applied towards both sets of requirements. Consult your CNAS Academic Advisor or Major Advisor for recommendations that may count towards both GE and major requirements.
II. ALS Core Requirements (22-25 credits)
Note: Courses marked with an asterisk (*) may also apply to General Education Requirements.
Course | Title | Credits |
AL101/L* | Introduction to Agriculture | 4 |
MA151 OR |
Introductory Statistics OR Statistics for Sciences OR Biometrics |
3-4 |
MA161a OR MA165 |
College Algebra and Trigonometry OR Pre-Calculus |
3-5 |
AL185* |
Human Nutrition |
3 |
AL351 |
Personal & Family Financial Management |
3 |
AL490 OR AL498 |
ALS Special Projects |
3 |
AL499* |
ALS Capstone Seminar |
3 |
Total | 22-25 |
III. Track-specific Course Requirements (55-58 credits)
The Agriculture and Natural Resource Science track is intended for students who wish to continue their studies at the graduate level. This course of study will provide students with the necessary background to pursue the University’s Master of Science degree in Sustainable Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (SAFNR) or Environmental Science (EV) or any graduate program in agriculture and related fields in the United States or abroad. With advanced training, the student could become a scientist working in a wide variety of fields, or a professional in areas of engineering, veterinary medicine and natural resources.
Course | Title | Credits |
BI157/158 | Biology I and II | 8 |
BI315 |
General Genetics | 4 |
CH102/103 | Chemistry I and II | 8 |
CH310a/311 |
Organic Chemistry A |
5 |
MA203 |
Calculus I |
5 |
PH251/210 |
University Physics A |
5 |
AL136 OR AL211 |
Science of Aquaculture OR Animal Science |
4 |
AL281 |
Princ. of Horticultural Science |
4 |
AL323 OR AL340 OR AL345 |
Plant Pathology OR Pest Management OR General Entomology |
4 |
AL380 | Soil Science | 4 |
Upper division electives (selected with Advisor; recommended to coordinate with ALS or other UOG minor options) |
4 | |
Total | 55 |
The Tropical Agriculture Production track is intended for students interested in professional careers in agriculture and related fields. The Core courses will provide students with a broad foundation in agriculture with a concentration in tropical agriculture. Potential careers include: agriculture agent; quarantine officer; farm, landscape or nursery management; agribusiness entrepreneur; natural resource conservation technician; service professional working with agricultural loans, crop assessment and forecasting agencies in government or private industry.
Course | Title | Credits |
CH100/101 OR CH102/103 |
Intro Chemistry I and II OR Chemistry I and II |
8 |
AL102 |
Introduction to Plant Science | 4 |
AL136 OR AL211 |
Science of Aquaculture OR Animal Science |
4 |
AL281 |
Princ. of Horticultural Science |
4 |
AL321 |
Horticulture Plant ID |
4 |
AL323 |
Plant Pathology |
4 |
AL340 |
Pest Management |
4 |
AL345 |
General Entomology |
4 |
AL380 |
Soil Science |
4 |
AL389 OR AL451 |
Extension Programs and Planning OR Farm and Natural Resource Management |
3 |
AL484 OR AL485 OR AL486 |
Tropical Vegetable Production OR Tropical Fruits Production OR Ornamental Crop Production |
4 |
Upper division electives (selected with Advisor; recommended to coordinate with ALS or other UOG minor options) |
12 | |
Total | 59 |
Students majoring in the ALS – Human Nutrition and Food Sciences track are prepared for diverse careers in nutrition and food, as well as, to continue on to an approved dietetics program to become an eligible Registered Dietitian or pursue graduate school in a related field. The Human Nutrition and Food Sciences field of study includes work in environments such as the food industry, healthcare and fitness facilities, nutrition education, extension education in nutrition, government or private-sector food and nutrition agencies, and science education.
Course | Title | Credits |
CH102/103 |
Chemistry I and II |
8 |
BI124/125 |
Anatomy and Physiology I and II | 8 |
AL140 |
Scientific Principles of Food Preparation |
4 |
CH310a/311 |
Organic Chemistry A |
5 |
AL330 |
Nutrition Throughout the Lifespan |
3 |
AL335 |
Nutrition for Health, Fitness and Sports |
3 |
AL439 |
Community Nutrition |
3 |
AL445 |
Food Chemistry |
3 |
AL460/G |
Advanced Human Nutrition |
4 |
AL470 OR BI225 |
Nutrition Education and Counseling OR Basic Microbiology |
3 |
AL455 AND AL475 OR AL300 |
Nutritional Assessment AND Medical Nutrition Therapy OR Food Processing Technology
|
4-5 |
Upper division electives (selected with Advisor; recommended to coordinate with ALS or other UOG minor options) |
6 | |
Total | 57-58 |
The Child and Family Life Science track prepares students for careers with a diverse range of agencies and organizations that focus on improvement and/or maintenance of the well-being of individuals, families and communities in Guam, the Western Pacific and the world. Professional networking opportunities with Guam-based organizations and community groups are fostered through the Capstone experience requirements for the ALS degree.
Course | Title | Credits |
AL140 |
Scientific Principles of Food Preparation |
4 |
HS200 OR ED363 |
Health and Wellness OR PE and Health Methods Elementary |
3 |
ED201 |
Human Growth and Development |
3 |
AN212 |
Cultural Anthropology |
3 |
SO230 |
Marriage and the Family |
3 |
AL309 OR ED336 |
Prevention Programming for Youth at Risk OR Building Home and School Relationships |
3 |
HS210 OR BI110 |
Human Biology & Behavior OR Human Biology |
3 or 4 |
SW313 |
Research Methods for Health and Social Services |
3 |
ED331 |
Teaching the Young Child |
3 |
AL330 |
Nutrition Throughout the Lifespan |
3 |
SW344 |
Aging: Myths and Realities
|
3 |
AL389 OR PE214 |
Extension Programs and Planning OR Community Health for Educators |
3 |
ED330 | Language Arts in Early Childhood | 3 |
ED333 | Creative Arts in Early Childhood | 3 |
AL450 |
Family Resources |
3 |
SW480 OR ED334 |
Family Violence OR Solving Discipline Problems |
3 |
Upper division electives (selected with Advisor; recommended to coordinate with ALS or other UOG minor options) |
9 | |
Total | 58-59 |
Course | Title | Credits |
AL281 | Princ. of Horticultural Science | 4 |
AL340 | Pest Management | 4 |
AL380 | Soil Science | 4 |
AL443 | Sustainable Agriculture | 4 |
Two courses from: | ||
AL484 or AL485 |
2 courses in Horticulture Production | 8 |
<<<OR>>> | ||
AL481 | Environmental Soil Science | 4 |
AL484 or AL485 |
1 course in Horticulture Production | 4 |
Total | 24 |
Course | Title | Credits |
AL281 | Princ. of Horticultural Science | 4 |
AL380 | Soil Science | 4 |
AL443 | Sustainable Agriculture | 4 |
AL323 or Al340 or AL 345 |
Plant Pathology OR Pest Management OR General Entomology |
4 |
CEPS-related upper division electives (selected with and approved by ALS advisor) | 8 | |
Total | 24 |
Course | Title | Credits |
AL102 | Introduction to Plant Science | 4 |
AL281 | Princ. of Horticultural Science | 4 |
AL351 | Personal and Family Financial Management | 3 |
AL451 | Farm & Natural Resource Management | 3 |
Two courses from: | ||
AL484 or AL485 |
2 course in Horticulture Production | 8 |
Total | 22 |
Course | Title | Credits |
CH310a/311 | Organic Chemistry A | 5 |
AL140 | Sci Princ of Food Preparation | 4 |
BI225 | Basic Microbiology | 4 |
AL300 | Food Processing Technology | 4 |
AL445 | Food Chemistry | 3 |
Total | 23 |
Course | Title | Credits |
AL140 | Sci Princ of Food Preparation | 4 |
AL185 | Human Nutrition | 3 |
AL330 | Nutrition Throughout the Lifespan | 3 |
BI124/125 OR BII157/158 |
Anatomy & Physiology I+II OR Biology I and II |
8 |
Sub-total | 18 | |
3 courses selected with and approved by Minor Advisor | ||
AL439 | Community Nutrition | 3 |
AL335 | Nutrition for Health, Fitness and Sports | 3 |
AL445 | Food Chemistry | 3 |
AL470 | Nutrition Education & Counseling | 3 |
AL475 | Medical Nutrition Therapy | 3 |
Sub-total | 9 | |
Total | 27 |
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