Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 UMaine Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 UMaine Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Sustainable Agriculture


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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: C- or higher is required for EES 140/141 and all required PSE courses.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: None.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: PSE 430

Contact Information:  Charlene Gray, SAG Program Coordinator, 102 Deering Hall, (207) 581-2948, charlene.gray@maine.edu


The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Agriculture, offered by the School of Food and Agriculture, is built upon fundamental knowledge of ecological and biological systems as applied to agricultural production.  The program is designed for students interested in working in the growing field of ecologically-based agriculture in areas of production, research and education.  The BS degree in Sustainable Agriculture can also be used as preparation for postgraduate study in a variety of disciplines.

The Sustainable Agriculture degree program emphasizes:  how to build soil health and fertility through rotations, multiple cropping and nutrient recycling; how to protect water quality and human health by decreasing the need to use synthetic agrochemicals; how to manage crop pests and livestock diseases with integrated, ecologically sound strategies; how to create a profitable, diversified agriculture that is stable through market and weather fluctuations.

Black Bear Food Guild:

The Black Bear Food Guild (BBFG) is a student-run organization that manages a three-acre certified organic vegetable operation at the University of Maine’s Rogers Farm, located approximately three miles from campus.  The BBFG markets their produce through a community share-holder plan.  BBFG members make use of Sustainable Agriculture faculty and staff as resources for planning and managing the operation, but the emphasis is on student cooperative decision-making.  Students often fulfill their degree requirement for the Field Experience through a summer with the BBFG.

BS in Sustainable Agriculture  (120 credits)
Required Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science Courses (48 credits)
Science and Mathematics Courses (35 credits)
Economic Courses (3 credits)
English/Communication Courses (9 credits)
Human Values and Social Context Courses (9 credits)
Ethics Course (3 credits)
NFA 117 - Issues and Opportunities (1 credit)
General Elective Courses (12 credits)

Program Requirements
Courses are arranged in the recommended sequence. Each semester serves as a prerequisite for the following semester.  PSE courses with a grade below a C- will not count towards graduation credits. Students who wish to transfer into the undergraduate program in Sustainable Agriculture from other programs or institutions must have a 2.0 grade point average or above.

Required Courses in Suggested Sequence for the BS in Sustainable Agriculture


First Year - Second Semester


Second Year - First Semester


Summer


Third Year - First Semester


Third Year - Second Semester


Fourth Year - First Semester


Fourth Year - Second Semester


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