Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: CNS

 (Revised Spring 2018)

Stockbridge School of Agriculture

How to Explore/Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

NRC 185 (I), RES-ECON 121 (SBDG), PUBHLTH 160 (SI), NRC 100 (SI), ECON 105 (SBDU), and/or ANTHRO 270 (SBDU)

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

Required prerequisites, including recommended sequence:

  • ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
  • STOCKSCH 108 – Intro Botany (Fall Semester)
  • STOCKSCH 105 – Soil Science (Fall or Spring Semester)
  • An ecosystems course: BIOLOGY 287, NRC 100, STOCKSCH 186, STOCKSCH 378
  • An education or policy course: STOCKSCH 297AL, STOCKSCH 355, STOCKSCH 356
  • MATH 104 (R1) – Note: An R1 waiver does not satisfy this requirement.
    Students may take MATH 101 & 102 if their MPE score indicates that they are not ready for 104.
  • CHEM 110 (PS) This course has no math prerequisites.
    Students who are exempt from or have completed MATH 104 may take CHEM 111.

Suggested Electives:

  • STOCKSCH 118 Intro to the Sustainable Food and Farming Major (Fall or Spring)
  • STOCKSCH 186 Intro to Permaculture (Fall)
  • STOCKSCH 265 Sustainable Agriculture (Fall)

How to Declare the Major

Students should declare the major prior to the fourth semester (but asap to avoid a delay in graduation). See the Program Coordinator listed below.

Transfer Students:

Students should see the Program Coordinator as soon as possible to plan their program.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # or range of credits required: 66-77 depending on the number of 3-and 4-credit classes taken

  • Core Requirements (24-29 cr.)
    The courses listed above under “required prerequisites” plus a policy course.
  • Agricultural Science and Practice Requirements (24 cr.)
    Selected from food production, marketing, and pest management classes in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture or related departments, with approval of the Program Coordinator.
  • Professional Electives (18 cr.)
    Selected from the areas of biophysical, economic and social systems in the Five Colleges to focus on individual career interests, with approval of the Program Coordinator.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
No, but there is a certificate for non-majors. Contact the Program Coordinator for details.

For further information, contact:
Professor John M. Gerber
308 Bowditch Hall; (413) 545-5301
jgerber@umass.edu
website: https://stockbridge.cns.umass.edu/SFF-BS