The minor in Agroecology is open to all undergraduate students at NC State University. It is designed for students majoring in the biological sciences, agronomy, horticulture and animal sciences, but will be of interest to a wide array of students as agriculture has broad implications in the life sciences, economics, and sociology. Agroecology instruction provides students a fundamental understanding of agriculture and its interaction with natural and social systems. Students selecting the Agroecology minor will gain an understanding of modern production agriculture from an ecological and sociological perspective, obtain new skills in analyzing agricultural systems, and the knowledge to design a plan for change. This knowledge will improve a student’s ability to work with agricultural professionals to implement a system that meets ecological and social needs while remaining profitable for farmers.

Admissions

Admission to the minor requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. 

Certification

The minor should be declared as soon as the student makes the decision to pursue a minor. Minor coursework must be completed no later than the semester in which the student expects to graduate from his or her degree program.

Contact Person

Undergraduate Programs Office
Crop & Soil Sciences Department
2234 Williams Hall
Campus Box 7620
919-515-5820
cropsoil-undergraduate-office@ncsu.edu

SIS Code: 11AGECM

Plan Requirements

A minimum of 17 hours is required for the minor in Agroecology. Students are required to complete 11 credits of required courses and a minimum of 6 credits of restricted elective courses. A minimum grade of ‘C-‘ or better is required in each course selected. No courses for the minor may be taken using the S/U option.

Students majoring in Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (11ASFSBS), Crop and Soil Sciences (11CSSCBS), and Natural Resources - Soil, Water and Land Use (11NATRLBS) are not eligible to enroll in this minor. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours	Counts towards
Required Courses
PB/AEC 360	Ecology	4
CS 230	Introduction to Agroecology	3
CS 430	Advanced Agroecology	4
Elective Courses
Select one course from at least two of the following groups:		6
Group 1: Ecology and Agricultural Production
ANS 150	Introduction to Animal Science
BAET 323	Water Management
PB 200	Plant Life
PB 213/CS 214	Plants and Civilization
PB 250	Plant Biology
CS 213	Crop Science
CS 411	Crop Ecology
CS 415	Integrated Pest Management
ENT 212	Basic Entomology
ENT 401	Honey Bee Biology and Management
ENT 425	General Entomology
FW 221	Conservation of Natural Resources
FOR 260	Forest Ecology
HS 432	Introduction to Permaculture
NR 300	Natural Resource Measurements
NR 406	Conservation of Biological Diversity
SSC 200	Soil Science
SSC 201	Soil Science Laboratory
Group 2: Social Science
HI 340	History of Agriculture
IDS 201	Environmental Ethics
SOC 241	Sociology of Agriculture and Rural Society
SOC 450	Environmental Sociology
Group 3: Economics
ARE 309	Environmental Law & Economic Policy
ARE 336	Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics
ARE 433	U.S. Agricultural Policy
Total Hours		17