This course is designed to introduce students to strategies for effective learning that will help them succeed at NC State University and in their future careers. Students will have the unique opportunity to participate in a class format that focuses on building academic as well as personal skills. This course provides one-on-one and small group interaction with the instructor to help individuals identify potential obstacles to their academic performance.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Introduction to the collegiate experience; academic skills of successful students; curricula of the Agricultural Institute; career opportunities of graduates; introduction to computers.

Requisite: Agricultural Institute Only

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

This is an introductory conversational Spanish course specifically designed for agricultural students. The main goal of this course is to give students some basic grammatical and communication skills so that they will be able to interact with Spanish speaking employees in different work environments and under different situations within their specific agricultural fields. This course does not satisfy the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement of the GEP.

Requisite: Agricultural Institute Only

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is designed to introduce students to cultural diversity; the value it adds to the agricultural workplace; and how to increase, improve, and support cultural diversity in the workplace. This course will challenge students to get to know people of other cultures on a personal and individual level, with hopes that they will then have an increased appreciation for cultural differences. In efforts to do that, this course will include topics such as: mental health and farmers; the banana massacre; appreciating others' first languages; history of the U.S. agricultural workforce; racial history in U.S. agriculture; stopping the stigma of black farmers; migrant farm labor and how we treat farm workers; and the importance of international relationships in global trade. Students who successfully complete this course will walk away with cultural diversity skills that will increase their effectiveness as managers and business owners in the agricultural industry.

Typically offered in Spring only

Businesses in the agricultural industry are looking to hire employees that have knowledge of computer applications relevant to business operations. This course will introduce students to applications necessary to run a successful agricultural operation. A focus of the course will be on Excel, since its use is instrumental to the business functions of agricultural operations. Other topics covered will include online marketing tools, online meeting platforms, and the use of social media to further the business goals of an agricultural operation.

Restriction: Agricultural Institute Students Only

Typically offered in Fall only

Ag Operations is a three (3) credit hour course designed to introduce students to employability skills that are desired by employers in the agricultural industry according to current research. Students will learn about what is necessary to manage people through positive organizational behavior in the 21st century through a hands-on approach that includes lectures, discussions, case studies, and experiences outside of the classroom. The course will start with a focus on self-development, understanding how to work in a team, and conclude with how to successfully lead a team in an agricultural organization. Multiple in and out of class assignments will be assigned and students will complete a handbook to take into the workforce by the end of the course.

Restriction: Agricultural Institute Students Only

Typically offered in Fall only

Professional Development is designed to introduce students to various skills (as identified by current research) that employers feel are important for prospective employers to have. This course will provide students the opportunity to develop and practice these in a variety of contexts.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Learning experience in one of the six majors in the Agricultural Institute that utilizes facilities and resources external to the campus. Students can choose from multiple external learning experiences. Students who complete an external learning experience will have a unique opportunity to put to practice the skills and knowledge they have learned in the classroom in an external setting.

Prerequisite: Agricultural Institute Only and AGI 191

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Learning experience in one of the eight majors in the Agricultural Institute that utilizes facilities and resources on the campus. (Contact with the project supervisor must be initiated by student and approved by the faculty adviser and the Director of the Agricultural Institute prior to the experience).

Requisite: Agricultural Institute Only

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Course offered as needed for international learning experiences in the Agricultural Institute involving international travel and immersion in an international culture. A written report is required and student must identify a faculty member to work with them. Travel expenses may be incurred by the student. Departmental approval required.

Requisite: Agricultural Institute Only

Typically offered in Spring only

Timely topical courses or experimental course offerings in the Agricultural Institute.

Requisite: Agricultural Institute Only

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer