Strategies for the management of agricultural, food, and natural resources systems (including business, non-profits, government) using an evidence based – data driven approach. Their focus will be on learning how to find and analyze data satisfying the needs of decision makers to implement practical improvements that benefit food security and safety, as well as human and ecosystem well-being. The bulk of their coursework in classes related to data analysis for decision making; the use of real-world data will result in a skillset that will provide data-informed technical advice for actors operating in agricultural, food and natural resource systems. The primary needs for using data in agricultural decision making include crop management, risk assessment, animal health, livestock management, soil health, agricultural environmental protection, climate change mitigation and adaptation, supply chain management, food access, food and nutrition security, and urban farming.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Describe data needs and requirements for decision making in agricultural, food and natural resource systems.
- Describe agricultural, food, and natural resource systems, and business environments through data and data analytics.
- Use data analytics to identify and solve problems related to the management of agricultural, food and natural resource systems and business.
- Develop plans to identify, collect, analyze, and store data related to agricultural, food, and natural resource systems decision making.
Effective Spring 2025
Students must satisfactorily complete the total credits required for the minor. Minors and interdisciplinary minors require 12 or more upper-division (300- to 400-level) credits.
Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AREC 230 | Agricultural Data Management and Analysis | 3 |
| AREC 330 | Data-Driven Ag and Res Econ Decision Making | 3 |
| STAT 204 | Statistics With Business Applications (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| Select 4 or more upper-division elective courses from the list below. At least 6 credits must be AREC. | 12 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 21 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AB 330 | Applications in Agricultural Biology I | 2 |
| AB 415 | Agricultural Data Science | 3 |
| AB 420 | Horticultural Entomology | 2 |
| AB 430 | Applications in Agricultural Biology II | 3 |
| AB 451 | Integrated Pest Management | 3 |
| ANEQ 313 | Prevention and Control of Livestock Diseases | 3 |
| ANEQ 330 | Principles of Animal Breeding | 3 |
| ANEQ 346 | Equine Disease Management | 4 |
| ANEQ 470 | Meat Processing Systems | 4 |
| ANEQ 472 | Sheep Systems | 3 |
| ANEQ 473 | Dairy Systems | 3 |
| ANEQ 474 | Swine Systems | 3 |
| ANEQ 476 | Feedlot Systems | 3 |
| ANEQ 478 | Beef Systems | 3 |
| AREC 305 | Agricultural and Resource Enterprise Analysis | 3 |
| AREC 310 | Food and Agricultural Markets | 3 |
| AREC 311 | Agricultural and Resource Product Marketing | 3 |
| AREC 335/ECON 335 | Introduction to Econometrics | 3 |
| AREC 405 | Agricultural Production Management | 3 |
| AREC 408 | Agricultural Finance | 3 |
| AREC 428 | Agricultural Business Management | 3 |
| BSPM 302 | Applied and General Entomology | 2 |
| HORT 310 | Greenhouse Management | 4 |
| HORT 321 | Nursery Production and Management | 4 |
| HORT 451 | Vegetable Crop Management | 3 |
| HORT 453 | Principles of Fruit Crop Management | 3 |
| HORT 454 | Horticulture Crop Production and Management | 2 |
| HORT 462 | Viticulture Practices in Grape Production | 3 |
| HORT 464A | Arboriculture | 3 |
| SOCR 350 | Soil Fertility Management | 3 |
| SOCR 370 | Climate-Smart Irrigation Principles | 2 |
| SOCR 371 | Climate-Smart Irrigation Management | 1 |
| SOCR 377/AB 377 | Geographic Information Systems in Agriculture | 3 |
| SOCR 405/ESS 405 | Global Agriculture and Environmental Change | 3 |
| SOCR 425 | Internet of Ag Things--Sensors and Data Lab | 2 |
| SOCR 460/HORT 460 | Plant Breeding and Biotechnology | 3 |
| SOCR 401 | Greenhouse Gas Mitigation, Land Use, and Mgmt | 3 |