AGSC 130 - Fundamental Agroecology

Credits: 5
LEC hours per week: 4
LAB hours per week: 2
This lab science course will examine the interactions that govern system production between both the abiotic and biotic factors across scales within the boundaries of the agroecosystem. This course will provide students with an understanding of the fundamental agroecological principles and their application associated with the productivity of agricultural systems, including areas of biodiversity, redundancy, and resiliency. This course is open to both science and non-science majors and fulfills the general education lab science requirements. Formerly: AGPR 130.
Course Outcomes:

Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts and methods associated with agroecology by applying them to various agricultural management scenarios.
Identify and explain agricultural production constraints using agroecological principles.
Use the scientific method to explore system manipulation, which includes developing and testing the null hypothesis, recording both empirical and observational data, as well as results reporting and interpretation using the principles of agroecology.
Predict system resiliency by evaluating inter and intra species interaction with the environment using descriptive statistics and strength of association.
Evaluate the critical components necessary to create system resiliency within agricultural systems management.
Articulate experiment results in lab report form.
Demonstrate accuracy by following lab protocols safely with precision and continuity.

Course Topics:

Biotic Factors in Agroecosystems
Abiotic Factors in Agroecosystems
Population Ecology in Agroecosystems
Genetic Resources in Agroecosystems
Species Interactions in Crop Communities
Agroecosystem Diversity and Stability
Disturbance, Succession, and Agroecosystem Management
Energy in Agroecosystems
Animals in Agroecosystems
Ecologically Based Management in Agroecosystems

Course Attribute(s): Natural Science