Agronomic science (agronomy) is defined as the combination of crop and soil sciences principles and practices. At the University of Arizona in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), the Plant Sciences (PL S) and Soil, Water and Environmental Science (SWES) departments provide the base courses that are required for the development of an undergraduate degree of this nature (Crop Production/Agronomy). Thus, the UA Crop Production program is directed and managed by both the SWES and PLS departments.
This undergraduate program provides a solid foundation for students who are entering a career in modern agriculture and crop production. It is also important to note that this degree program provides a good base for students interested in work associated with field crop, permanent tree crop production, turf grass systems, and/or a broad array of horticultural crops that are grown throughout the western United States and other regions in the world. The fundamentals derived from this type of educational program can be applied to crop production systems and land management programs (soil and water management in general) locally, regionally, or globally. Also, graduates from this program will be well prepared academically to enter graduate degree programs.
Expected Outcomes
- Have an appreciation and knowledge of the physical Earth.
- Understand the relationship of Crop Production to other areas of science and to society in general.
- Integrate and apply the general principles of crop production to specific crop production systems.
- Develop an awareness of the history, current conditions, and future challenges associated with crop science and production on a local and global scale.
- Understand soils as natural entities and the factors of soil formation and erosion.
- Understand important physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil and water.
- Apply the basic principles of botany and plant biology to crop science.
- Understand the functioning of nutrient cycles in terrestrial and aquatic systems.
- Understand how to describe soils and soil profiles in the field, and relate field-observed properties to proper use of soils.
- Understand how to properly collect soil and water samples, identify and implement appropriate analytical techniques, and interpret results.
- Think critically as demonstrated by evaluating information from multiple perspectives, drawing reasonable conclusions, and defending them rationally.
- Be able to create a hypothesis, design an experiment to test that hypothesis, analyze the results, and draw appropriate conclusions.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Be proficient in writing a technical report or proposal in the field of soil and crop science.
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