Chairperson
| Jaafar, Hadi
|
| Professor Emeritus | Kawar, Nasri |
Professors
| Abou Jawdah, Yusuf; Chalak, Ali; Farran, Mohamad Talal; Haidar, Mustapha; Hamadeh, Shady; Jaafar, Hadi |
| Adjunct Professor | Mohtar, Rabi |
| Adjunct Associate Professor | Chaaban, Jad |
| Assistant Professors | El Kayal, Walid; Gedikoglu, Haluk |
| Lecturers | Jaber, Lina; Doughan, Youssef |
| Instructor | Sobh, Hana
|
The Department of Agriculture offers a multidisciplinary program with the objective of training students in the various theoretical and practical aspects of agricultural sciences and agribusiness. Department graduates are prepared to successfully contribute to the agricultural research, business, and education programs in the region.
The agriculture (AGRI) program prepares students to become:
- Agricultural engineers and professionals with central positions, who create sustainable and ethical solutions and enhance knowledge in various sub-disciplines of agriculture in local, regional, and global practices.
- Graduates who attend and complete advanced degrees at top universities worldwide.
- Leaders and innovators in their profession and serving their community.
Students will be trained to address current agricultural issues at the regional and global levels using their scientific knowledge to improve production and protect the environment. The department provides practical and up-to-date knowledge in plant production, plant health management, animal production and health, and land and water conservation. The department also trains students to become skilled farm operators and managers who are innovative and responsive to local and regional needs and who are capable of adapting to market changes and rising production costs.
The department offers two concentrations. A concentration requires a total of 9 credits. Students in their final year may select 9 credits from the lists, which include courses in agricultural sciences and animal and veterinary sciences. Students who do not wish to do a concentration will be considered to be following the broader Agriculture sequence (Receive a bachelor of science in agriculture and diploma of ingénieur agricole with no concentration).
Undergraduate courses are offered in the areas of crop systems, agro-chemicals, farm power and alternative energy, plant health, organic and intensive agriculture, water technologies, conservation agriculture, soils, GIS in agriculture, agricultural economics, and rural development. In addition, the program covers animal agriculture including nutrition, genetics and physiology, management, and health. Introductory courses in these subjects are offered to agriculture students within the framework of a core curriculum. Specialized and advanced courses are also offered as electives to undergraduates.
The agribusiness (AGBU) program combines the study of management with agricultural sciences in order to provide students with an understanding of the economic and business principles that underlie management tools and their application to agricultural and related businesses. The educational objectives of the AGBU program are to prepare students to become entrepreneurs, business leaders, skilled farm operators and future policy advisers who are well-grounded in the fields of agriculture and food production and who are capable of communicating and using their skills in order to improve their livelihood and that of their community.
Undergraduate courses are offered in the areas of agriculture, business management and accounting, marketing, agricultural economics, entrepreneurship, and rural development. Specialized and advanced courses are also offered as electives to undergraduates.
BS in Agriculture and the Diploma of Ingénieur Agricole
The BS in agriculture and the diploma of ingenieur agricole is a four-year multidisciplinary program with the objective of producing graduates who become:
- Agricultural engineers and professionals with central positions, who create sustainable and ethical solutions and enhance knowledge in various sub-disciplines of agriculture in local, regional, and global practices.
- Graduates who attend and complete advanced degrees at top universities worldwide.
- Leaders and innovators in their profession and serving their community.
The program trains students in the various theoretical and practical aspects of agricultural sciences. It prepares students to address current agricultural issues at the regional and global levels. It prepares students to address current agricultural issues at the regional and global levels using their scientific knowledge to improve production and protect the environment. Specifically, the program aims to develop students’ understanding of the principles and practices of sustainable agriculture and its role in food production, environmental conservation, and community development. Students will build the necessary skills to design, implement, and evaluate agricultural systems and technologies that are technically and scientifically effective, but also economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. Through critical thinking and problem-solving, students will analyze and address the complex challenges facing agriculture and food systems, against a backdrop of mounting climate change and food security vulnerabilities. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the political, economic, and social factors that shape agricultural policies and practices and be able to advocate for sustainable and climate-smart solutions. The program emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience through internships, research projects, or other field-based learning opportunities, and the use of technology to improve the performance of agriculture and food systems. Students will gain an understanding of the relationship between agriculture and the environment, human health, and economic development. In addition, the program enhances the ability of its graduates to manage farming operations and agricultural businesses.
Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for graduation with the degree of BS in agriculture (AGRI), and the diploma of ingénieur agricole, students must:
- complete a minimum of 128 term credit hours (AGRI).
- complete a minimum of eight terms of residency (AGRI).
- achieve an overall minimum grade average of C+ (GPA 2.3).
- be approved for graduation by the faculty.
Classification and Promotion
For clear promotion from year I to year II, students must complete a minimum of 27 credits. For promotion from year II to year III, students must complete a minimum of 58 credits. For promotion from year III to year IV, students must complete a minimum of 98 credits. All such credits should be from courses specified in the regular program.
Second BS Degree
To obtain a second BS in agriculture and the diploma of ingénieur agricole, non-FAFS students must complete:
- all AGRL III and AGRL IV courses, including all FAFS electives and Cultures and Histories courses. Applicants who have a BS degree in biology, chemistry, or environmental health do not need to take any additional prerequisite courses.
- at least five terms of residency at FAFS.
Holders of BS degrees from other majors will be required to complete additional prerequisite courses as recommended by the Admissions Committee and approved by the Academic and Curriculum Committee for holders of BS degrees other than the above-mentioned majors.
To obtain a second BS in agriculture and the diploma of ingénieur agricole, agribusiness students must complete:
- a minimum of 53 credit hours.
- a minimum residency period of two terms and the following course requirements.
List of Required Courses for Second BS Agribusiness Students
|
Term |
Credit hours |
Courses |
Fall
| 15
| AGSC 220 (Principles of Plant Physiology), AGSC 230 (Crop Systems), AGSC 233 (Plant Health I), AVSC 243 (Genetics and Biotechnology), AVSC 275 (Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals) |
Spring AREC
| 16
| AGSC 222 (Farm Practices,) AVSC 223 (Livestock Systems), AGSC 244 (Agricultural Water Technologies), AGSC 245 (Plant Health II), AGSC 246 (Intensive Agriculture), AGSC 250 (Organic Farming) |
Summer AREC
| 7
| AGSC 223 (Agricultural Project and Entrepreneurship), AGSC 235 (Agricultural Extension in Development), AGSC 247 (Farm Power and Alternative Energy) |
Fall
| 15
| AGSC 234 (Chemicals in Agriculture), AGSC 249 (GIS for Agriculture), AGSC 265 (Soil Fertility), two concentration courses in AGSC or AVSC |
|
Total |
53
|
To obtain a second BS in agriculture and the diploma of ingénieur agricole, food science and management students must complete:
- a minimum of 53 credit hours.
- a minimum residency period of two terms and the following course requirements.
List of Required Courses for Second BS Food science and Management Students
|
Term |
Credit hours |
Courses |
Fall
| 15
| AGSC 207 (Land and Water Resources), AGSC 220 (Principles of Plant Physiology), AGSC 230 (Crop Systems), AGSC 233 (Plant Health I), AVSC 275 (Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals) |
Spring AREC
| 16
| AAGSC 222 (Farm Practices,) AVSC 223 (Livestock Systems), AGSC 244 (Agricultural Water Technologies), AGSC 245 (Plant Health II), AGSC 246 (Intensive Agriculture), AGSC 250 (Organic Farming) |
Summer AREC
| 7
| AGSC 223 (Agricultural Project and Entrepreneurship), AGSC 235 (Agricultural Extension in Development), AGSC 247 (Farm Power and Alternative Energy) |
Fall
| 15
| AGSC 234 (Chemicals in Agriculture), AGSC 249 (GIS for Agriculture), AGSC 265 (Soil Fertility), AVSC 271 (Animal Nutrition), one concentration course in AGSC or AVSC |
|
Total |
53
|
Eligibility for the Regular AREC Program
To be eligible to enroll in the regular program at AREC during the third year of agriculture, students must:
- complete a minimum of 58 credits by the end of the first term of Agriculture III with a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher and must not have accumulated more than 12 credits of failed and/or missed courses (of which no more than 6 credits are failed courses) specified in the regular program.
- be approved for such action by the Academic and Curriculum Committee.
Elective Courses
Candidates for the degree of BS in agriculture must complete 21 credits of elective courses: 9 credits of concentration courses in FAFS, 6 credits in the Cultures and Histories, 3 credits in Human Values, and 3 credits in Societies and Individuals.
Curriculum for the BS Degree in Agriculture and Diploma of Ingénieur Agricole
A minimum of 128 credits are required for graduation.
Year 1
First Term
|
Credits |
| AGSC 205 | The Food Odyssey (Cultures and Histories) | 3 |
| BIOL 200 | Diversity of Life (Understanding the World) | 4 |
| CHEM 208 | Brief Survey of Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| ENGL 203 | Academic English | 3 |
| CMPS 209 | Computers and Programming for the Sciences | 3 |
| |
Total 16 |
Second Term
|
Credits |
| ARAB | Understanding Communication - Arabic | 3 |
| NFSC 261 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3 |
| AGSC 206 | Agriculture and the Environment | 3 |
| MATH 204 or 201 | Mathematics for Social Sciences II (Quantitative Reasoning) | 3 |
| ENGL 204 | Advanced Academic English | 3 |
| |
Total 15 |
Year II
First term
|
Credits |
AGSC 212
|
Microeconomic Theory of Food and Farming (Societies and Individuals)
| 3
|
| AGSC 207 | Land and Water Resources | 3 |
| AVSC 275 | Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals | 3 |
| AVSC 243 | Genetics and Biotechnology | 3 |
| AGSC 220 | Principles of Plant Physiology | 3 |
| |
Total 15 |
Second term
|
Credits |
STAT 210/
NFSC 210 |
Elementary Statistics for the Sciences/ Statistics in Nutrition and Food Sciences
| 3
|
| AVSC 224 | Agricultural Microbiology | 3 |
| AGBU 213 | Legal and Policy Aspects of the Agriculture Sector | 3 |
| AGSC 225 | Rural Community Development | 3 |
| Cultures and Histories Elective (History of Ideas) | 3 |
| |
Total 15 |
Year III
First term
|
Credits |
| AGSC 230 | Crop Systems | 3 |
| AGSC 233 | Plant Health I | 3 |
| AGSC 234 | Chemicals in Agriculture | 3 |
| AVSC 252 | Conservation Agriculture | 3 |
| AGBU 240 | Career Planning Workshop for Agribusiness | 0 |
| Human Values Elective | 3 |
| |
Total 15 |
Second term (AREC)
|
Credits |
| AGSC 222 | Farm Practices | 1 |
| AGSC 244 | Agricultural Water Technologies | 3 |
| AGSC 245 | Plant Health II | 3 |
| AGSC / AVSC 250 | Organic Farming | 3 |
| AVSC 223 | Livestock Systems | 3 |
| AGSC 246 | Intensive Agriculture | 3 |
| AGBU 256 | Summer Internship | 1 |
| |
Total 17 |
Summer term (AREC)
|
Credits |
| AGSC 223 | Agricultural Project and Entrepreneurship | 2 |
| AGSC 247 | Farm Power and Alternative Energy | 3 |
| AGSC 235 | Agricultural Extension in Development | 2 |
| |
Total 7 |
Year IV
First term
|
Credits |
| AGSC 249 | GIS for Agriculture | 3 |
| AGSC 257 | Emerging Issues in Agriculture: Networking with the Private Sector | 1 |
| AVSC 271 | Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| AGSC 265 | Soil Fertility | 3 |
| AGSC 298A | Capstone Course: From Seed to Table | 0 |
| Societies and Individuals Elective | 3 |
| |
Total 13 |
Second term
|
Credits |
| AGSC/AVSC | Concentration Courses Sciences | 9 |
| AGSC 298B | Capstone Course: From Seed to Table | 3 |
| Cultures and Histories Elective | 3 |
| |
Total 15 |
Course Descriptions
Core Courses for the BS Degree in Agriculture
Concentration Courses
Elective Courses
BS in Agribusiness
The BS in agribusiness is a three-year cross-disciplinary program designed to provide students with comprehensive knowledge in the decision-making processes of business and the technical aspects of modern agriculture and food systems. Graduates of this program do not receive the diploma of ingénieur agricole.
Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for graduation with the degree of BS in agribusiness (AGBU), students must:
- complete a minimum of 97 term credit hours for the NTDT program: 97 term credit hours for the FSMT program and 96 term credit hours for the AGBU.
- complete a minimum of six terms of residency.
- achieve an overall minimum average grade of C+ (GPA 2.3).
- be approved for graduation by the faculty.
Classification and Promotion
For clear promotion from year I to year II, students must complete a minimum of 30 credits. For promotion from year II to year III, students must complete a minimum of 60 credits. All such credits should be from courses specified in the regular program.
Second BS Degree
To obtain a second BS in agribusiness, students must complete:
- a minimum of 54 credits while registered in FAFS, including all AGBU II and AGBU III required core courses listed in this catalogue (of which up to 15 credits can be from transferred course credits).
- additional prerequisite courses as recommended by the Admissions Committee and approved by the Academic and Curriculum Committee.
Minor in Agribusiness
The courses required for a minor in agribusiness are AGBU 210/MKTG 210, AGBU 213, AGBU 229 or AGBU 236, AGBU 239, AGBU 240, AGBU 248/INFO 200, and AGBU 292.
Elective Courses
Candidates for the degree of BS in agribusiness must also complete 9 credits in Cultures and Histories and 3 credits in Human Values.
Curriculum for the BS Degree in Agribusiness
A minimum of 96 credits are required for graduation.
Agribusiness I
First Term
| Credits |
| AGSC 204 | Natural Sciences for Agribusiness (Understanding the World) | 3 |
| AGBU 211 | Introduction to Agricultural Issues and Policies | 3 |
CMPS 209
| Computers and Programming for the Sciences (Quantitative Reasoning)
| 3
|
| ENGL 203 | Academic English | 3 |
| MATH 204 | Mathematics for Social Sciences II (Quantitative Reasoning) | 3 |
| | Total 15 |
Second Term
| Credits |
| ACCT 210 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| AGSC 207 | Land and Water Resources | 3 |
| AGSC 203 | Crop Production and Protection | 3 |
| ARAB | Understanding Communication - Arabic | 3 |
| ENGL 204 | Advanced Academic English | 3 |
| | Total 15 |
Agribusiness II
First term
| Credits |
| ACCT 215 | Management Accounting | 3 |
AGSC 212
| Microeconomics Theory of Food and Farming (Societies and Individuals)
| 3
|
| AGBU 239 | Agribusiness Communication Skills Workshop | 0 |
| NFSC 252 | Food Processing | 3 |
| NFSC 210 | Statistics in Nutrition and Food Sciences | 3 |
| Human Values Elective | To be chosen from PHIL 206 or PHIL 209
| 3
|
| | Total 15 |
Second term
| Credits |
| AGBU 210 | Marketing in Agribusiness | 3 |
| ECON 212 | Elementary Macroeconomic Theory (Societies and Individuals) | 3 |
| AGSC 253 | Harvest and Post-harvest Issues and Strategies | 3 |
AGBU 255
| Field Study of the Rural Agro-economy (Community Engaged Learning)
| 3
|
| AVSC 220 | Livestock Production (Understanding the World) | 3 |
| | Total 15 |
Summer term
| Credits |
| AGBU 229 | Entrepreneurship in Agriculture (Theory + Project) | 3 |
| AGBU 256 | Summer Internship | 1 |
| | Total 4 |
Agribusiness III
First term
| Credits |
| AGBU 236 | New Trends in Agricultural and Food Systems | 3 |
| AGBU 240 | Career Planning Workshop for Agribusiness | 0 |
| FINA 210 | Business Finance | 3 |
| INFO 200 | Foundations of Information Systems | 3 |
| MNGT 215 | Fundamentals of Management and Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| Cultures and Histories (History of Ideas) Elective | 3 |
| | Total 15 |
Second term
| Credits |
| AGBU 213 | Legal and Policy Aspects of the Agriculture Sector | 3 |
| AGBU 248 | Operation Management for Agribusiness | 3 |
| AGBU 292 | Agribusiness Final Year Project (capstone course) | 5 |
| Cultures and Histories Elective | 3 |
| Cultures and Histories Elective | 3 |
| | Total 17 |
Core Courses for BS in Agribusiness