Undergraduate Course Catalog 2013-2014
Thompson School of Applied Science
» http://www.thompsonschool.unh.edu/
Integrated Agriculture Management (IAG)
Professor: Andrew B. Conroy, John L. Hart
The course of study in integrated agriculture management addresses the critical importance of understanding the relationships among agriculture, forestry, business management and marketing, nutrition, food systems, the environment, and community. We are in a world where everything is connected. No one piece can be managed without some understanding of the other pieces and their connections. We are also in a world in which diversification – whether in biology or in business – is a necessary ingredient for rapid adaptation and continued survival.
Integrated agriculture management (IAG) guides students to apply systems thinking, to examine ecological and cultural relationships, and to assemble a diversified collection of coursework while at the Thompson School. The IAG program is truly inter-disciplinary, drawing upon diverse course offerings across all of the academic programs at the Thompson School.
First-year students in IAG take a core of courses covering the basics of soils, plants, and animals. This provides a strong foundation for second-year study, during which the student may either specialize in one or two areas or take courses across the breadth of programs in horticultural technology, applied animal science, forest technology, civil technology, culinary arts and nutrition, applied business management, and community leadership. Working closely with a faculty adviser, and benefitting from a wide array of flexible concentration courses, the student in integrated agriculture management designs the path of study that aligns with his or her particular talents and interests.
Graduates of IAG will be able to choose from a large number of opportunities across an array of fields, including sustainable agriculture, fruit and vegetable production, livestock production, community-supported agriculture, value-added agricultural products, sustainable forest management, soil/water/forest conservation, cooperative extension, organic certification, and diversified farm management, or in more specific areas such as greenhouse production, sustainable landscape construction and maintenance, forest technician, dairy management, business management, and others. A number of current students will return to family farms with new information and insight on determining the future of their lands and enterprises as the world changes.
Graduates are also encouraged to consider adding a third-year option in applied business management, or transferring into the growing baccalaureate program in sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to integrated agriculture management must present at least two years each of satisfactory work in college preparatory mathematics and sciences. One of the science courses should be biology with a lab.
Curriculum Fee
Integrated agriculture management: $XXX*
*This one-time curriculum fee is required to cover lab materials, specialized equipment maintenance, and transportation that are unique to the applied nature of the program. The curriculum fee covers the entire two-year course of study. There may be additional fees for uniforms, specific high-cost courses, and/or professional equipment. Any non-TSAS student may be assessed specific course fees, details of which are included in each semester's Time and Room Schedule. All fees are subject to change.
Career Opportunities
- Working on diversified farms where forestry, horticulture, and/or livestock and dairy might be a component
- Working for non-profit farm and forest education centers
- Managing New England farms based on dairy, horticulture, livestock, forestry, etc.
- Technicians working in pest control for commercial greenhouses, dairy and livestock farms, or forest operations
- Technicians for the Natural Resource Conservation Service
- Marketing farm products for New England farmers
- Operating community-supported agriculture (CSA) and farm stands
- Producing unique, local and/or organic products for direct marketing to consumers
- Partnering with horticultural growers and dairy producers to create high-end market opportunities
Integrated Agriculture Management Program of Study
The curriculum checklist (or road map to the degree) that follows is the recommended sequence of courses for IAG students. However, the sequence of when courses are taken can be modified in consultation with the student's faculty adviser.
First Year, Fall Semester
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | |||
| FORT | 261 | Dendrology OR HT 205 (below) | 3 |
| HT | 205 | Plants, People, Place | 2 |
| HT | 286 | Fruit and Vegetable Production | 3 |
| HT | 415 | Soils and Land Use | 2 |
| General Education Courses | |||
| COM | 209 | Expository Writing and Reading | 4 |
| ** Flexible Concentration Course | 2 - 4 |
First Year, Spring Semester
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | |||
| CT | 250 | GIS Apps in Sustainability | 4 |
| HT | 417 | Soils and Plant Nutrition | 2 |
| IAG | 208 | * Foundations for Living Sustainably in New England | 4 |
| General Education Courses | |||
| COM | 210 | Public Speaking or COM 212 (below) | 2 |
| COM | 212 | Technical Writing | 2 |
| MTH | 202 | College Algebra | 3 |
| ** Flexible Concentration Course | 4 |
Second Year, Fall Semester
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | |||
| AAS | 231 | Introduction to Animal Science OR AAS 425 (below) | 4 |
| AAS | 425 | Introduction to Dairy Herd Management | 4 |
| AAS | 432 | Introduction to Forage and Grassland Management | 3 |
| IAG | 297 | Integrated Agriculture Management Work Experience | 0 |
| General Education Courses | |||
| Social Science OR Arts & Humanities Course | 2 | ||
| ** Flexible Concentration Courses | 8 total |
Second Year, Spring Semester
| Abbreviation | Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | |||
| HT | 488 | Horticultural Business Management | 4 |
| IAG | 289 | *Integrated Agriculture Management Capstone | 2 |
| General Education Course | |||
| SSCI | 201 | Human Relations OR SSCI 202 (below) | 4 |
| SSCI | 202 | Social Issues | 4 |
| ** Flexible Concentration Courses | 8 total |
Total: 67 - 69 credits
* Courses under development or modification.
**Flexible Concentration Courses: Students select 20 credits from approved courses in the following program areas: Horticultural Technology, Applied Animal Science, Forest Technology, Civil Technology, Community Leadership, Culinary Arts and Nutrition, Technical Practices and Applied Business Management by working with their faculty advisor.
