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:

Agriculture and Natural Resource Science
Tropical Agriculture Production
Human Nutrition and Food
Child and Family Life Sciences.

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 MA387/L OR BI412	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 OR ALS Internship	3
AL499*	ALS Capstone Seminar	3
Total		22-25

III. Track-specific Course Requirements (55-58 credits)

Agriculture and Natural Resource Science Track

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

Tropical Agriculture Production Track

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

Human Nutrition and Food Sciences Track

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

Child and Family Life Sciences Track

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

Minor-specific Course Requirements (22-27 credits)

“Minor in “Tropical Horticulture”

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

"Minor in "Crop and Environmental Protection Science (CEPS)"

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

“Minor in “Farm and Natural Resources Management”

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

"Minor in “Food Science”

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

“Minor in “Nutrition”

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

Faculty Advisor and Advisement Liaison

Agriculture and Natural Resource Science

Andrea Blas, PhD

Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology

College of Natural and Applied Sciences

Office Location: ALS, RM 217

Mailing Address: UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam 96923

Tel: (671) 735-2140
- ablas@triton.uog.edu

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About

Research Interests:

Evaluation and improvement of Papaya ringspot virus resistant breeding lines
Transmissibility and molecular and pathogenic characterization of Coconut tinangaja viroid
Evaluation and implementation of organic cropping practices for disease management in tropical island farming systems
Soil microbial community dynamics with soil-borne plant pathogens in organic cropping systems

Hobbies: gardening, hiking, outrigger canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding