Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (BS): Community Food Systems Concentration
To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the Learning Outcomes website!
Bachelor of Science in Plant and Soil Sciences degree is a flexible program that allows students to choose from a wide range of programs, based on their personal interests and career goals. Students can select a concentration from six areas of study including Agroecology, Agronomic Business, Agronomic Science, Crop Biotechnology, Crop Production, and Soil Science. Each concentration provides a strong science-based foundation as well as technical and supporting courses related to each individual discipline.
Plan Requirements
Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (BS): Community Food Systems Concentration: 120 Total Units
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | ||
| ALS 103 | Freshman Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences | 1 |
| or ALS 303 | Transfer Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences | |
| Mathematics & Natural Sciences | ||
| MA 107 | Precalculus I | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Elements of Calculus | ||
| Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| or PB 200 | Plant Life | |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| AEC 360 | Ecology | 4 |
| Communication/Advanced Writing | ||
| COM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| or COM 112 | Interpersonal Communication | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Communication Methods and Media | ||
| Communication for Engineering and Technology | ||
| Communication for Business and Management | ||
| Communication for Science and Research | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| CS 230 | Introduction to Agroecology | 3 |
| CS 415 | Integrated Pest Management | 3 |
| CS 430 | Advanced Agroecology | 4 |
| HS 410 | Community Food Systems | 3 |
| HS 480 | Sustainable Food Production (capstone) | 1 |
| ARE 201 | Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | 3 |
| SSC 200 | Soil Science | 3 |
| SSC 201 | Soil Science Laboratory | 1 |
| STS 323 | World Population and Food Prospects | 3 |
| SSC 427 | Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems | 3 |
| or SSC 332 | Environmental Soil Microbiology | |
| SOC 241 | Sociology of Agriculture and Rural Society | 3 |
| SSC 428 | Service-Learning in Urban Agriculture Systems | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Eating through American History | ||
| Humans and the Environment | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Professional Internship Experience in Crop and Soil Sciences | ||
| Research Experience in Crop and Soil Sciences | ||
| Horticulture Internship | ||
| Research Experience in Horticultural Science | ||
| CSSC 290 | Professional Development in Crop & Soil Sciences | 1 |
| Concentration Electives | ||
| Foundational Electives | 11 | |
| Restricted Electives | 21 | |
| GEP Courses | ||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | |
| GEP Additional Breadth (Humanities/Social Sciences/Visual and Performing Arts) | 3 | |
| GEP U.S. Diversity (verify requirement) | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | ||
| Foreign Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 1 | A grade of C- or higher is required. |
| 2 | Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement. |
Foundational Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Group I (Max: 4 Units ) | ||
| NTR 220 | Food and Culture | 3 |
| NTR 420 | Applied Nutrition Education | 3 |
| SOC 311 | Community Relationships | 3 |
| Group II (Max: 4 Units ) | ||
| FS 301 | Introduction to Human Nutrition | 3 |
| GPH 201 | Fundamentals of Global Public Health | 3 |
| NTR 301 | Introduction to Human Nutrition | 3 |
| STS 214 | Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society | 3 |
| Group III (Max: 4 Units ) | ||
| AEE 206 | Introduction to Teaching Agriculture | 3 |
| AEE 230 | Introduction to Cooperative Extension | 3 |
| AEE 311 | Communication Methods and Media | 3 |
| NPS 340 | Fundamentals of Grant Development for Nonprofits | 3 |
Restricted Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AEE 311 | Communication Methods and Media | 3 |
| AEE 323 | Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences | 3 |
| AEE 325 | Planning and Delivering Non-Formal Education | 3 |
| ARE 301 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| ARE 433 | U.S. Agricultural Policy | 3 |
| EC 301 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| HS 431 | Vegetable Production | 4 |
| HS 432 | Introduction to Permaculture | 3 |
| HS 532 | Introduction to Permaculture | 3 |
| IDS 303 | Humans and the Environment | 3 |
| NR 303 | Humans and the Environment | 3 |
| PB 321 | Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology | 3 |
| PB 345 | Economic Botany | 3 |
| PB 346 | Economic Botany Lab | 1 |
| SOC 342 | International Development | 3 |
| SOC 350 | Food and Society | 3 |
| SOC 402 | Urban Sociology | 3 |
Semester Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| ALS 103 or ALS 303 |
Freshman Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences or Transfer Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences |
1 |
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| MA 107 | Precalculus I | 3 |
| Foundation Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIO 183 or PB 200 |
Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology or Plant Life |
4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Elements of Calculus | ||
| Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| COM 110 or COM 112 |
Public Speaking or Interpersonal Communication |
3 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CSSC 290 | Professional Development in Crop & Soil Sciences | 1 |
| CH 101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science | 3 |
| CH 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| CS 230 | Introduction to Agroecology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Eating through American History | ||
| Humans and the Environment | ||
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARE 201 | Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | 3 |
| AEC/PB 360 | Ecology | 4 |
| SSC 200 | Soil Science | 3 |
| SSC 201 | Soil Science Laboratory | 1 |
| Foundation Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| SOC 241 | Sociology of Agriculture and Rural Society | 3 |
| SSC 427 or SSC 332 |
Biological Approaches to Sustainable Soil Systems or Environmental Soil Microbiology |
3 |
| CS/HS 410 | Community Food Systems | 3 |
| Foundation Elective | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Communication for Engineering and Technology | ||
| Communication for Business and Management | ||
| Communication for Science and Research | ||
| Communication Methods and Media | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CS 430 | Advanced Agroecology | 4 |
| SSC/HS 428 | Service-Learning in Urban Agriculture Systems | 1 |
| STS 323 | World Population and Food Prospects | 3 |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| CS/HS 480 | Sustainable Food Production (capstone) | 1 |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| CSSC 492 or CSSC 493 |
Professional Internship Experience in Crop and Soil Sciences or Research Experience in Crop and Soil Sciences |
3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CS 415 | Integrated Pest Management | 3 |
| GEP Additional Breadth | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Restricted Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120-121 | |
Career Opportunities
The breadth and depth of education and experiences you will gain from our department will set you on a path toward a rewarding career in one of the following specialties:
- Agronomist
- Agronomy Sales and Management
- Athletic Turf Manager
- Crop Advisor
- Conservationist
- Crops Systems Specialist
- Ecologist
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist
- Extension Agent
- Golf Course Superintendent
- Hydrologist
- Nutrient Management/ Waste Management Specialist
- Plant Breeder
- Precision Agriculture Specialist
- Real Estate Manager
- Research Station Manager
- Restoration Specialist
- Seed Production Agronomist
- Soil Scientist
Learn more about future job prospects, representative salaries, and major employers for each of the above listed careers at go.ncsu.edu/careers