Minor in Agroecology (21–24 credits)

The Agroecology Minor helps students explore the relationships between plants, humans, and our shared environment. The minor is for those interested in sustainable agriculture, global food and plant commerce, and tackling modern issues with evidence-based plant science solutions. Students minoring in Agroecology can select from a diverse courseload that familiarizes them with current limitations in plant production, including pests, diseases, nutrient management, and geopolitics, while also discussing modern and sustainable solutions to these issues.

This minor complements many SEBS majors including but not limited to Plant Science, Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Environmental and Business Economics, Public Health, and Nutritional Sciences.

Learning goals for the Agroecology Minor align closely with program goals for the Plant Science undergraduate program (technical proficiency, context, communication, and critical thinking). Students completing program requirements will be able to:

• Technical proficiency: Describe and analyze the major world plant production industries as well as world issues facing modern agriculture production and describe how ecological considerations can play a role in making these industries more sustainable. 
• Context: Summarize the contributions that plants and plant products, and agroecology, make to human livelihoods and as well as human well-being.
• Communication: Communicate, in written and oral forms, plant science knowledge and other agricultural knowledge and connect this to agroecological knowledge for their peers and others in society.
• Critical Thinking: Critically examine the role that plants and agroecology play in human well-being from the perspective of basic and applied science, as well as psychological perspective. 

Notice to students seeking to enroll in Plant Biology Minors
A new policy enacted by the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences on February 27, 2021 provides the following guidance on completion of minors. The policy states, “Minors are intended to expand or supplement an educational experience beyond a students’ declared major.” In the spirit of this guidance, students seeking enrollment in one of the Plant Biology Minors, will not be permitted to apply more than 50% of course credits used to fulfill a major, nor will students seeking to declare a second minor be permitted to apply more than 50% of course credits used to fulfill a first minor requirement.
**Students enrolled in minor programs prior to February 27, 2021, will be permitted to complete the program even if it does not comply with this course overlap policy.
[Contact Dr. Patel (npatel@sebs.rutgers.edu) for clarification and/or questions].

Required Courses (9–10 credits)

01:119:1__ At least one semester of introductory biology (3–4) OR
11:776:242 Plant Science (3)
11:776:221 Principles of Organic Crop Production (3)
11:776:442 Agroecology (3)

Practical Experience (3)

11:776:495,496 Advisor-approved practical experience

Electives (9–11)

11:020:321 Principles and Practices of Small-Scale Organic Farming (3)
11:020:340 Indoor Cultivation of High Value Crops (4)
11:020:436 Sustainable Agriculture (3)
11:370:350 Agricultural Entomology and Pest Management (3)
11:370:381 Insect Biology (4)
11:375:360 Soils and Water (4)
11:375:453 Soil Ecology (3)
11:776:102 Soil and Society (3)
11:776:302 General Plant Pathology (3)
11:776:310 Plant Propagation (3)
11:776:312 Medicinal Plants (3)
11:776:321 Greenhouse Systems Management (3)
11:776:341 Fruit Production (3)
11:776:391 Diseases and Insects of Ornamental Plants (3)
11:776:400 Fungi in the Environment (3)
11:776:402 Introduction to Weed Science and Management (3)
11:776:439 Nursery Crop Production (3)

or other advisor-approved electives

Agroecology Minor Advisor

Dr. Nrupali Patel
Foran Hall, Rm. 372
848-932-6392
Email: npatel@sebs.rutgers.edu

Martin Hall, Suite 109
848-932-3516