Agriculture

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

AG 93V : Cooperative Education

This course provides college credit for compensated work experience to reinforce knowledge and skills learned in coursework for the Agricultural Technology Program. Related instruction may be provided as appropriate. Seventy-five hours of work per semester is required for each credit earned. Repeatable to a total of 4 credits that may be applied to the AS degree, 1 credit applicable toward Certificate of Completion.

Credits:

1 - 4

Prerequisites:

Open to Agriculture majors only. Instructor’s permission is required.

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Demonstrate the utilization of course work in the field.

AG 100 : Agriculture Orientation: Careers

Familiarizes students with different agricultural operations in Hawai‘i through lectures, guest speakers and fieldtrips.

Credits:

1

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Describe various careers in agriculture.
  • Identify positive and negative aspects of various agriculture careers.

AG 120 : Plant Science

The study of plant science, morphology, anatomy, physiology classification, growth, growth regulators, and propagation. Students are required to write a 10 to 15 page research report.

Credits:

3

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Describe and explain general plant structure and function in relation to plant growth and development.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of horticultural principles in the cultivation of plants.
  • Examine commercial agricultural enterprises for to become familiar with employment opportunities and the impact of horticulture on our lives.
  • Research and report on a horticultural plant.

AG 132 : Integrated Pest Management

Strategies of integrated pest management; biological and cultural pest controls, weed control, disease control, insect control.

Credits:

3

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Identify major insects, weeds, diseases that are detrimental to the horticulture industry in Hawai‘i.
  • Define Integrated Plant Management and develop an IPM plan.
  • Understand and use economic thresholds.
  • Identify common predators and parasites.
  • Identify management strategies to reduce pest pressures on plants.

AG 149 : Plant Propagation

Introduction to the principles and practices of propagation of fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops by seed, cuttings, grafting, budding, layering and division.

Credits:

3

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Describe basic plant growth.
  • Relate the principles of plant growth to the solution of everyday problems in plant production.
  • Understand the influence of environmental factors on plant growth.
  • Propagate plants by various methods.
  • Determine the best form of propagation for a selected plant.

AG 152 : Orchid Culture

An extensive study of orchid identification, breeding, growth, and culture. Students are required to write a 10 to 15 page research report.

Credits:

3

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Identify orchid species, hybrids and trace their pedigrees.
  • Provide cultural requirements for each genus, including temperature, light intensity, humidity, watering, fertilizing, media composition, and pest or disease control and repotting.
  • Perform traditional and in vitro propagation techniques.
  • Perform orchid breeding and discuss its economic importance.
  • Conduct research and submit research paper.

AG 170 : Introduction to Aquaponics

The course covers aquaculture, hydroponics, aquaponics, sustainable aquatic feed production, renewable local seeding technologies and micronutrient supplementation, fish and plant physiology, renewable energy systems, water catchment and conservation techniques, and best aquaponic food safety practices. The basic physical and biological principles governing sustainable farm and agribusiness operations are emphasized.

Credits:

4

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Design and construct a basic aquaponic system that uses all three grow-out technologies (nutrient film technique, ebb and flow, and floating raft) either alone or in combination.
  • Apply best aquaculture practices for culturing fishes in an aquaponic setting.
  • Identify the water quality parameters and manage them in order to maximize fish, plant and microbial outputs in an aquaponic setting.
  • Use best agricultural practices for plant crop production in an aquaponic setting. Prepare seedlings for planting, harvest produce, stagger production of both plant and fish, and apply food safety procedures.

AG 171 : Farm Renewable Energy Systems

This course explores the various renewable energy systems potentially employable on small farms. Topics such as solar, solar thermal, wind, micro-hydraulic, biomass, and hybrid technologies are covered in the course.

Credits:

3

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Evaluate photovoltaic systems applicable to small farms
  • Evaluate solar thermal applications for small farms
  • Evaluate biomass systems applicable to small farms
  • Evaluate wind systems for small farms
  • Evaluate micro-hydraulic systems for small farms
  • Evaluate hybrid system applications for small farms

AG 192V : Special Topics in Agriculture

Topics related to diversified agriculture chosen by the Instructor. Course content may vary. May be repeated up to 5 credits with different topics.

Credits:

1 - 4

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Identify the important concepts and facts presented for the topic (s) under examination.
  • Make inferences and draw conclusions from the topic (s) under discussion.
  • Develop skills appropriate to the topic (s) under discussion.
  • Gain a higher appreciation for the human endeavor of agriculture.
  • Gain a higher awareness of the potential career paths that this special topic course in agriculture covers.

AG 202 : Agriculture, Environment, and Society

The goal of this course is to establish foundational knowledge of agroecosystems. Emphasis is on the interrelationship among the crop plants, essential plant nutrients, social factors, and cultural practices. Key goals are to introduce students to the broad range of topics covered within agroecosystems, as well technical writing in agricultural science, and oral discussion and argument. 

Credits:

3

Prerequisites:

A grade of C or better in AG 120

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Analyze and interpret information from technical and non-technical sources, with an emphasis on scientific articles.
  • Discuss interrelationship between plants and animals, and the socio-economic importance of them to humans.
  • Describe the relationship(s) between agriculture, society and the environment.
  • Describe the concept of agroecosystems and form critical questions for in-class discussion.

AG 202L : Agriculture, Environment, and Society Laboratory

The goal of this course is to establish foundational knowledge of agroecosystems. Emphasis is on the interrelationship among the crop plants, essential plant nutrients, social factors, and cultural practices. Key goals are to introduce students to the broad range of topics covered within agroecosystems, as well as field and laboratory investigations in agroecology.

Credits:

1

Prerequisites:

Grade of C or better or concurrent enrollment in AG 202.

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Use the scientific method of inquiry to investigate ecological concepts and principles in an agricultural setting.
  • Prepare written objective reports describing and interpreting experimental and observational results.
  • Conduct experiments that evaluate the application of ecological concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable food systems.

AG 235 : Irrigation Principles and Design

Fundamentals of irrigation principles, plant, soil, water relationships, soil moisture sensing devices, delivery systems, set up of drip, sprinkler, and surface irrigation systems. Use of chemigation.

Credits:

3

Student Learning Outcomes Are:

  • Determine water requirements for plant growth.
  • Describe soil water concepts.
  • Select the appropriate irrigation method and components for the situation.
  • Design a basic drip and sprinkler irrigation system.
  • Trouble shoot irrigation problems.

Plant Food Production and Technology

Agriculture/agriculture9

The Certificate of Competence in Plant Food Production and Technology is a nine- (9) credit certificate that appeals to a new generation of skilled agricultural-food technicians who seek to expand their skills and knowledge in agricultural biotech and related fields. Besides employing people for research and development, the industry also caters to various other agricultural biotech-related fields including horticulture, floriculture, and tissue culture.

Agripharmatech

Agriculture/agriculture30-32

The Certificate of Achievement in Agripharmatech is organized in two tracks: Plant Biotechnology and Ethnopharmacognosy.  Each track consists of 30–32 credits, and requires a unique capstone class (see below).

The Plant Biotechnology track deals with developing and improving plant production in order to supply the world’s need for healthier (decreased use of pesticides) and more nutritious food crops, novel ornamentals, and plant-derived pharmaceuticals. Ethnopharmacognosy is the study of traditional medicines derived from natural sources (medicinal/nutritious plants).