Tropical Agriculture Science Program

Advisement Liaison:

Dr. Mari Marutani
Tel: (671) 735-2131 
Contact via email

 

The Tropical Agriculture Degree is offered by the Tropical Agriculture Science Program and is designed to provide students with knowledge in agricultural and natural resources and to prepare students for careers in natural resources and plant/animal industry. The program also aims to promote advances in Tropical Agriculture on Guam and in the Western Pacific by teaching fundamental principles and technology of agriculture. This program offers two degrees:  Bachelor of Science in Tropical Agriculture, and a Secondary Education degree specialization in Tropical Agriculture Science. 

The Program offers a Bachelor of Science in Tropical Agriculture with either an Applied Emphasis or Research Emphasis.  Students need to prepare for a University degree in Tropical Agriculture by taking the following courses during high school:  English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. 

The Research Emphasis 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 Environmental Science or any graduate agriculture or related science program 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. 

The Applied Emphasis is intended to produce society-ready agricultural students in order to place them in careers immediately after graduation.  The core courses will provide students with a broad foundation in agriculture, with a concentration in tropical agriculture. Career opportunities include:  agriculture agent, agricultural instructor, quarantine officer, service professional working in such areas of agricultural loans in banks or government, land management, crop assessment and forecasting technician in government or private industry, farm management, livestock operation, park or hotel grounds, aquaculture business, pesticide company, farm cooperative, farm supply business, greenhouse or nursery. 

  

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENT 

Students who wish to enroll in the Tropical Agricultural Science Program should follow the general regulations and procedures regarding admission to the University of Guam.  Students need to only declare a major in Tropical Agriculture Science and this can be done as early as the freshman year. 

  

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS 

The Tropical Agriculture Science Program is able to offer students a number of scholarship opportunities with public and private contributions.   Current programs include: Guam Nurserymen’s Association Scholarship, USDA/CSREES Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program, Tropical Agriculture and Consumer and Family Sciences Scholarship, and Resources for Involving Scientist in Education program-RISE.  For details on these and other scholarship opportunities contact the University Financial Aid Office and the Dean of CNAS. 

  

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 

Secondary Educational Degree (See Major in Secondary Education, School of Education); Option specializing in Tropical Agriculture Science (SEED) 

Students majoring in Secondary Education with Agriculture as a teaching specialty must complete 31 credits of Agriculture courses with at least a “C” or better: AG101, AG281, AG211, AG380 and 15 credits of upper division agriculture courses. 

 

Bachelor of Science Degree in Tropical Agriculture 

All Students in a Bachelor of Science curriculum are required to complete a minimum of 124 credit hours.  The University and Degree Program establish the specific course requirements.  The University mandates completion of College Success Seminar (1 credit) (required of all new first year students) and General Education requirements (55 credits) (GE).  The Tropical Agriculture Degree Program requires completion of the Agriculture Core (13 credits) and program emphasis requirements.  Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in the Agriculture Degree Program Core and in their chosen area of emphasis. Students must also have completed a minimum of 15 credits of upper division agriculture courses.   

  

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIRMENT (55 CREDITS) 

Students must complete the General Education requirements listed in this catalog.  Some of these courses are also program requirements; refer to completed course requirements for Bachelor of Science in Tropical Agriculture with applied and research emphasis. 

  

I. Tropical Agriculture Degree Program Core (13 credits) 

• AG281 Principles of Horticulture 4 credits 
• AG/NS380 Principles of Soil Science 4 credits 
• AG211 Principles of Animal Science 4 credits 
• AG491 Seminar (one semester) 1 credit 

Applied Emphasis Requirements (63 credits) 

• AG136 Science of Aquaculture 4 credits 
• AG/BI345 General Entomology 4 credits 
• AG323 Plant Pathology 4 credits 
• AG101 Introduction to Agri Science or 4 credits 
• BI157/157L Principles of Biology 
• AG102 Introduction Plant Biology or 4 credits 
• AG158/158L Principles of Biology 
• AG340 Crop Protection 4 credits 
• AG342 Principles of Agriculture  Engineering 4 credits 
• CF351 Consumer Economics 3 credits 
• AG425 Plant Diagnostics 3 credits 
• AG498 Internship 3 credits 
• CF230 Nutrition and Health or 3 credits 
• CF231 Human Nutrition for Health 
• CH100/100L Intro to Inorganic Chemistry or 4 credits 
• CH102/102L General Chemistry 
• CH101/101L Intro to Organic Chemistry or 4 credits 
• CH103/103L General Chemistry 
• BA110 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 credits 
• MA151 Statistics 3 credits 
• Math 110 or higher 6 credits 
• Any computer operations course 3 credits 

Electives (12 credits): 

Students must complete an additional 12 credit hours of electives.  Students need to take enough upper level courses to complete the University’s 40 upper-division credits requirement and the tropical agriculture science program requirement of 15 upper-division agriculture courses.  Upper level courses are those at 300 and above. 

 

II. Research Emphasis Requirement (62 credits) 

• AG495 Senior Thesis 3 credits 
• AG/BI345 General Entomology or 4 credits 
• AG323 Plant Pathology  
• BA110 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 credits 
• CF230 Nutrition and Health or 3 credits 
• CF231 Human Nutrition for Health 
• BI157/157L Principles of Biology  4 credits 
• AG158/158L Principles of Biology 4 credits 
• BI315/315L General Genetics 4 credits 
• CH102/102L General Chemistry 4 credits 
• CH103/103L General Chemistry 4 credits 
• CH310a Organic Chemistry 3 credits 
• CH311 Basic Lab Tech in Organic Chemistry 2 credits 
• CH310b Organic Chemistry 3 credits 
• CH312 Lab Tech in Organic Chemistry 2 credits 
• MA161a-b College Algebra or 6 credits 
• MA165 Pre calculus  
• MA203 Calculus 5 credits 
• MA151 Statistics 3 credits 
• PH251 University Physics 4 credits 
• PH210 Introductory Physics Lab 1 credit 

  

Electives (13 credits) 

Students must complete an additional 13 credit hours of electives.  Students need to take enough upper level courses to complete the University’s 40 upper-division credits requirement and the tropical agriculture science program requirement of 15 upper-division agriculture courses.  Upper level courses are those at 300 and above. 

  

SPECIAL PROJECT COURSES 

Special –90 series - Courses are offered to provide students an opportunity to learn more in specific areas of Agricultural Science or to provide students with specific work experience. Registration for these Special Courses requires the approval of advisor, instructor, Administrative Chair, and Dean.  Agriculture students must receive a “C” or better in all Special Project courses. For more information refer to the catalog section titled Course Listing. 

AG390 and AG490: Special Projects (1-3 credits)  -Courses are designed for individual students, including problems, special studies, and individual research. 

AG492: Practicum (1-3 credits)

AG392: Laboratory Teaching Assistantship (1 credit) - Students earn practical undergraduate laboratory teaching experience.  Student must have completed the course and lab to which the student plans to register as a TA. 

AG495: Senior Thesis (1-3 credits)  - Senior Thesis is available to all agriculture students, but is required of those in the Research Emphasis curriculum.  Students will be required to submit a research proposal at the beginning of their second semester of their junior year. This project will need the approval of a faculty advisor and will need to be completed by the end of their senior semester. Each credit requires one hour of advisor contact per week.  Students may take up to a maximum of six credit hours. 

 AG398 and AG498: Internship (1-3 credits)  - The Agriculture Internship course is available to all agriculture students, but is required of those in the Applied Emphasis curriculum.  Student works in a technical or professional area under the supervision of an expert in the field.  For the internship course, a “Student Contract Form” needs to be signed by the Dean, student advisor and the supervisor of the participating party such as a government agency or a private sector business engaged in activities that relate to Agriculture, Natural Resources, or Environmental Sciences. Each credit requires 3 hours of on the job training per week. Students may take up to a maximum of six credit hours. 

AG491: Seminar (1 credit) or multiple credits - This Course is designed to familiarize the student with current agricultural research and issues.  This course is intended for upper level students, others must have consent from the instructor. 

 Suggested upper level electives in various agricultural related areas: 

• Agricultural Business/Economics/Statistics 
• CF351 Consumer Economics 3 credits 
• AG451 Agricultural Business Management 3 credits 
• and Related courses from college of Professional Studies 

 

Crop Protection or Plant Pest Management 

• AG323 Plant Pathology 3 credits 
• AG324 Plant Pathology Laboratory 1 credit 
• AG/BI345 General Entomology 4 credits 
• AG340 Crop Protection 4 credits 
• AG425 Plant Diagnostics 3 credits 
• Plant Science (Tropical Horticulture) 
• AG321 Horticultural Plant ID 2 credits 
• AG484 Tropical Vegetable Production 4 credits 
• AG485 Tropical Fruits Horticulture 4 credits 
• AG486 Ornamental Crop Production in the Tropics 4 credits 
• and any upper level plant related biology course 

Soil Science and Natural Resources 

• AG480 Tropical Soil Management and Fertility 3 credits 
• AG481 Environmental Soil Sciences 4 credits 
• and any upper level courses in Geology, Ecology, or Chemistry 

Agricultural  Communication & Technology 

• AG/CF389 Extension Program and Planning 3 credits 
• AG/PA401  Community Planning 3 credits 
• AG/BI430 Scientific Digital Photography 2 credits

 

Degree Program Requirements

• Agriculutre and Consumer Sciences - Tropical Agriculutre Science Program