Undergraduate Studies

Program of Studies Description: Bachelor of Arts, Agricultural Studies (40 - course, direct entry program)

This degree introduces students to a broad range of topics that affect agriculture, while dealing with the industry's role in provincial, Canadian, and international society. It combines perspectives from the Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences with the teaching of applied agriculture; and it offers opportunities throughout the agricultural industry- on farms, in agribusinesses and government agencies, and in research labs.

Students pursuing this degree program are required to complete 40 courses at the University: these must meet our general liberal education requirement, the 20 course major and one semester at Olds College (or under special circumstances another partner college). Students can choose one of two focus areas: Agricultural Economics or Rural Sociology and Development. They also may choose to do a 5 course concentration in agricultural business as part of their 40-course program. Modeling is a central and required part of the program. Students may take courses offered by scientists at the Lethbridge Research Centre as part of our unique Partner Professor agreement. At least one of the required computer modeling courses is taught by scientists at the Lethbridge Research Centre.

Objectives of the Program

Students are exposed to farm-level and firm-level decision analysis tools which aid at the primary agricultural production level and the secondary production level as well as a number of additional modeling tools used in research analysis. Along with these modeling and decision analysis skills, students with the Agricultural Economics focus also are instructed in agricultural economics, agriculture and the environment, government policy, statistics, and micro- and macroeconomics. Students with the Rural Sociology and Development focus are introduced to rural development concerns, rural politics, aboriginal agriculture, and Canadian public policy.

Methods of Training

The students learn in small social cohorts, and are trained to use an array of advanced computer and laboratory equipment. Instruction consists of formal lecture courses and seminar-style courses in which students are required to actively participate in presentations and discussions. Written and oral communication skills, linked with computer-based graphics, are particular goals of the senior-level courses. Seminar courses also involve guest presentations by regional experts in the agribusiness and research fields.

The University of Lethbridge has an agreement with Olds College to provide the technical semester for our 4-year degree students. In addition, the University has a unique partner professor agreement with the Lethbridge Research Centre that adds breadth to our course offerings, student research opportunities and co-op placements. Last year scientists from the LRC taught 6 courses and provided a number of Co-op work terms for Agricultural Studies students.

Program of Studies Description: Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Studies (40 - course, direct entry program)

This degree introduces students to a broad range of topics that affect agriculture, while dealing with the industry's role in provincial, Canadian, and international society. It combines perspectives from the Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences with the teaching of applied agriculture; and it offers opportunities throughout the agricultural industry- on farms, in agribusinesses and government agencies, and in research labs.

Students pursuing this degree program are required to complete 40 courses at the University: these must meet our general liberal education requirement, the 20 course major and one semester at Olds College (or under special circumstances another partner college). Students can choose one of two focus areas: Biological Science (animal and plant science) or Geography (soils, irrigation, climate, and GIS). They also may choose to do a 5 course concentration in agricultural business as part of their 40-course program. Modeling is a central and required part of the program. Students may take courses offered by scientists at the Lethbridge Research Centre as part of our unique Partner Professor agreement. At least one of the required computer modeling courses is taught by scientists at the Lethbridge Research Centre.

Objectives of the Program

Students are exposed to farm-level and firm-level decision analysis tools which aid at the primary agricultural production level and the secondary production level. Along with these modeling and decision analysis skills, students also are instructed in agricultural economics, agriculture and the environment, statistics and government policy. However, their primary focus areas are either animal and plant science or soils, irrigation, climate, and GIS.

Methods of Training

The students learn in small social cohorts, and are trained to use an array of advanced computer and laboratory equipment. Instruction consists of formal lecture courses and seminar-style courses in which students are required to actively participate in presentations and discussions. Written and oral communication skills, linked with computer-based graphics, are particular goals of the senior-level courses. Seminar courses also involve guest presentations by regional experts in the agribusiness and research fields.

The University of Lethbridge has an agreement with Olds College to provide the technical semester for our 4-year degree students. In addition, the University has a unique partner professor agreement with the Lethbridge Research Centre that adds breadth to our course offerings, student research opportunities and co-op placements. Last year scientists from the LRC taught 6 courses and provided a number of Co-op work terms for Agricultural Studies students.

Program of Studies Description: Post-Diploma Bachelor of Arts, Agricultural Studies (20 - course program)

This degree introduces students to a broad range of topics that affect agriculture, while dealing with the industry's role in provincial, Canadian, and international society. It combines perspectives from the Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences with the teaching of applied agriculture; and it offers opportunities throughout the agricultural industry- on farms, in agribusinesses and government agencies, and in research labs.

Students enter this degree program from one of our partner institutions that offer two-year diploma programs: Fairview College, Lakeland College, Lethbridge Community College, and Olds College. They are required to complete 20 courses at the University in order to meet our general liberal education requirements and one of two focus areas: Agricultural Economics or General Agriculture. Students also may choose to do an additional 5 course concentration in agricultural business (this would bring their total number of courses to 25). Students can even put their college training to work before they begin their first University course through an option that allows them to complete their first Co-op placement in an agriculturally-related business before their first semester of classes.

Eligibility

You're automatically eligible for the Post-Diploma degree programs if you're a college graduate of an approved Agricultural two-year diploma program offered by the following Alberta colleges. Fairview College, Lakeland College, Lethbridge Community College, Olds College. You may also be eligible if you have graduated from an approved college program at another institution.

The required cumulative grade point average for graduates of approved college programs is 2.50 or more. However, if you've graduated from an appropriate college program and have a grade point average of 2.00 to 2.49 in the diploma program you will be considered.

Objectives of the Program

The graduates from the program have been well-received by industry. Students are exposed to farm-level and firm-level decision analysis tools which aid at the primary agricultural production level and the secondary production level. Along with these modeling and decision analysis skills, students also are instructed in agricultural economics, agriculture and the environment, statistics, and government policy.

Methods of Training

The post-diploma students receive two years of extensive hands-on training in agricultural techniques in small group settings during their college programs. At the University, the students continue to learn in small social cohorts, and are trained to use an array of advanced computer and laboratory equipment. Instruction consists of formal lecture courses and seminar-style courses in which students are required to actively participate in presentations and discussions. Written and oral communication skills, linked with computer-based graphics, are particular goals of the senior-level courses. Seminar courses also involve guest presentations by regional experts in the agribusiness and research fields.

The University of Lethbridge is the only institution in Canada that offers post-diploma degrees in agriculture. The University has signed agreements with partner colleges to provide such opportunities to students. Finally, the Lethbridge Research Centre contributes through a unique partner professor agreement that adds breadth to our course offerings, student research opportunities and co-op placements.