Interdisciplinary Studies | Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources

major | UF Online

This degree program uses an interdisciplinary approach to provide the scientific and technical foundation needed to integrate and communicate the diverse environmental issues associated with urban, agricultural, and natural ecosystems. Students develop an understanding of the best use of our natural resources for their social and economic benefits while protecting associated resource values, property rights and the environment. This degree provides a solid grounding in the areas of hydrology, soil science, pest management, water resources, and agricultural ecology.

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

The Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department researches and teaches about soil, water, and environmental sciences in urban, agricultural, and natural ecosystems. Since its origins over 100 years ago, the department has made significant contributions to improving the productivity of Florida’s agriculture, helping protect the state's unique ecosystems, and contributing to soil and water science at national and international levels.
Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.294.3`51

P.O. Box 110290
2181 MCCARTY HALL A
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-0290
Map

 Curriculum

This major is for students who desire education in environmental management with substantial emphasis on agriculture and natural resources.

Graduates will find employment with agricultural producers, consulting companies and government agencies that are involved in maintaining a sustainable environment.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

Semester 2

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses, excluding labs
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course, excluding labs
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete all critical-tracking courses, including labs from semesters 1 – 4
  • Complete 1 additional tracking course
  • 2.0 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.0 upper division GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 6

  • Complete 1 additional tracking course
  • 2.0 upper division GPA required
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 7

  • Complete 2 additional tracking courses
  • 2.0 upper division GPA required.
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 8

  • Complete all remaining tracking course from semester 5 - 8
  • 2.0 upper division GPA required.
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
MAC 2233 Survey of Calculus 1 (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Two
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
Select one: 3-4
AEB 2014
 Economic Issues, Food and You (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
ECO 2013
 Principles of Macroeconomics (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
ECO 2023
 Principles of Microeconomics (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences)
Select one: 4
BSC 2005
& 2005L
 Biological Sciences
and Laboratory in Biological Sciences (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
BSC 2010
& 2010L
 Integrated Principles of Biology 1
and Integrated Principles of Biology Laboratory 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Biological Sciences)
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
Gen Ed Composition (Writing Requirement) 3
 Credits16-17
Semester Three
Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 3
Select one: 3
AEC 3030C
 Effective Oral Communication (Critical Tracking)
SPC 2608
 Introduction to Public Speaking (Critical Tracking)
CHM 2045
& 2045L		 General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences)		 4
GLY 2030C Environmental and Engineering Geology (Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 3
Gen Ed Humanities 3
 Credits16
Semester Four
ALS 3133 Agricultural and Environmental Quality (Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 3
CHM 2046
& 2046L		 General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences)		 4
Select one: 3
PHY 2020
 Introduction to Principles of Physics (Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
PHY 2004
 Applied Physics 1 (Gen Ed Physical Sciences)
SWS 2007
 The World of Water
Elective 3
 Credits13
Semester Five
Select one: 3
ALS 3153
 Agricultural Ecology
SWS 4303C
 Soil Microbial Ecology
WIS 3404
 Natural Resource Ecology
SWS 3022 Introduction to Soils in the Environment (Critical Tracking; Gen Ed Physical Sciences) 3
SWS 4244 Wetlands 3
Approved elective 3
 Credits12
Semester Six
AEB 3133
or MAN 3025
 Principles of Agribusiness Management
or Principles of Management
 3-4
AEC 3033C Research and Business Writing in Agricultural and Life Sciences (Writing Requirement) 3
Select one: 3
ENY 3005
& 3005L
 Principles of Entomology
and Principles of Entomology Laboratory (Critical Tracking)
IPM 3022
 Fundamentals of Pest Management (Critical Tracking)
Approved elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15-16
Summer After Semester Six
Select one: 3
SWS 4900
 Supervised Extension Experience in Soil and Water Sciences
SWS 4905
 Individual Work
SWS 4911
 Supervised Research in Soil and Water Science
SWS 4915
 Honors Thesis Research in Soil and Water Science
SWS 4941
 Full-time Practical Work Experience in Soil and Water Science
Approved elective 3
 Credits6
Semester Seven
AOM 4643 Environmental Hydrology: Principles and Issues (Critical Tracking) 3
FNR 4660 Natural Resource Policy and Economics (Critical Tracking) 3
SWS 4116 Environmental Nutrient Management 3
Approved elective 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Eight
SWS 4223 Environmental Biogeochemistry (Critical Tracking) 3
SWS 4720C GIS in Soil and Water Science 3
Approved electives 6
 Credits12
 Total Credits120

Other electives require advisor approval

AGG 4502Nanotechnology in Food, Agriculture, and Environment3
AEB 2014Economic Issues, Food and You3
AEB 3671Comparative World Agriculture3
ALS 4162Consequences of Biological Invasions3
BUL 4310The Legal Environment of Business4
ECO 2013Principles of Macroeconomics4
ECO 2023Principles of Microeconomics4
ENT 3003Principles of Entrepreneurship4
ENY 3007CLife Science3
GEB 3373International Business4
MAR 3023Principles of Marketing4
SWS 2007The World of Water3
SWS 4180Earth System Analysis3
SWS 4204Urban Soil and Water Systems3
SWS 4207Sustainable Agricultural and Urban Land Management3
SWS 4233Soil and Water Conservation3
SWS 4800Environmental Soil and Water Monitoring Techniques3
SWS 4932Special Topics in Soil and Water Science (Math for Environmental Professionals)2
SWS 4932Special Topics in Soil and Water Science (Wetlands Seminar)1
WIS 3404Natural Resource Ecology3

The interdisciplinary major in environmental management in agriculture provides students with the scientific and technical foundation to integrate and communicate the diverse environmental issues associated with agriculture and natural resources. Students will be able to deal in an informed manner with the agricultural regulations and permitting requirements established by various agencies and jurisdictions, and students will achieve an appreciation for the complexities of agricultural practices. Students will learn to integrate, balance and communicate the mix of agricultural and environmental issues that need to be addressed in modern society.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Complete an approved senior-year research project, SWS 4905, related to management and science skills.
  • Achieve minimum grades of C in AEC 3030C and AEC 3033C. These courses are graded using rubrics developed by a faculty committee.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

  1. Appraise similarities between agronomic production and environmental protection issues.
  2. Describe the processes in the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycles, and relate these processes to global patterns of productivity, pollution, and consequences of environmental change.

Critical Thinking

  1. Critically evaluate natural resource policies using basic economic tools, identify factors that influence the success of resource policy implementation and apply ecological, social and political criteria.
  2. Develop a plan for the analysis of an environmental / agricultural study using geographic information systems software.
  3. Compare the effects of different fertility sources on nutrient cycling, interpret soil tests and quantify crop nutrient requirements and fertilizer application rates.

Communication

  1. Create, interpret and analyze written text, oral messages and multimedia presentations used in agricultural and life sciences.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4 SLO 5 SLO 6
AEB 3133 R
AEC 3030C I, R, A
AEC 3033C I, R, A
ALS 3133 I, A I I I
AOM 4643 R R I
FNR 4660 R, A R
SWS 3022 I I
SWS 4116 R R R, A R
SWS 4223 R R, A R
SWS 4244 R R R
SWS 4720C R, A R

Assessment Types