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Agriculture Plant Science
View Catalog Details

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Contact: Agricultural SciencesTitle: DepartmentContact: agsci@mtsac.edu
Career Outlook Agriculture Plant Science

Natural Sciences Division
Degree S0847

Plant Science includes topics such as propagation, plant production practices, nursery operations, soil science, plant pest and disease control, and landscape management. The Associate in Science in Agriculture Plant Science for Transfer prepares students with the foundational knowledge necessary to pursue post-secondary degrees in Plant Science and careers within a variety of specializations in the field. The Associate in Science in Agriculture Plant Science for Transfer is designed to assist students in seamlessly transferring to a CSU major in Plant Science.

To earn an Associate in Science in Agriculture Plant Science for Transfer, a student must complete a minimum of 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the CSU system that consist of the IGETC pattern or CSU GE breadth and a major of at least 18 units more. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 (or “P”) in all CSU-transferable coursework to receive an associate degree for transfer and all courses in the major must be completed with a C or better. Students earning an associate degree for transfer will not be required to complete any other local graduation requirements

Required Courses

Industry StatisticsJob Titles & Salaries
Select a related job title below to view demand & salary information
    • Agricultural Managers

      Agricultural Managers

      SOC Career Code: 11-9013.00

      Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $11.43

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $35,897.65
      Annual Job Openings
      6,410

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Soil and Plant Scientists

      Soil and Plant Scientists

      SOC Career Code: 19-1013.00

      Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $25.32

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $70,016.19
      Annual Job Openings
      170

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Conservation Scientists

      Conservation Scientists

      SOC Career Code: 19-1031.00

      Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $26.89

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $73,519.12
      Annual Job Openings
      203

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Range Managers

      Range Managers

      SOC Career Code: 19-1031.02

      Research or study range land management practices to provide sustained production of forage, livestock, and wildlife.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $26.89

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $73,519.12
      Annual Job Openings
      203

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
    • Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

      Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

      SOC Career Code: 45-1011.00

      Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

      Typical Hourly Salary
      $16.69

      The figure above is based off a percentile of 25 percent. 100 mile radus icon for career resultsAll job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Top Entry-Level Education
      Chart Legend
      • Doctoral Degree Or More
      • Master's Degree
      • Bachelor's Degree
      • Associate's Degree
      • Some College
      • Certificate
      • High School Diploma Or Less
      Median Salary Earnings
      $46,112.57
      Annual Job Openings
      1,918

      Openings are regional vacancies due to growth and turnover in this career.All job data and figures based on a 100 mile radius from Mt. SAC

      Historical Wages
How to Complete the Program

Guided Pathways

Program Guided Pathways

Certificate & Degree Details

Select a certificate below to expand details
  • Agriculture Plant Science

    Natural Sciences Division
    Degree S0847

    Plant Science includes topics such as propagation, plant production practices, nursery operations, soil science, plant pest and disease control, and landscape management. The Associate in Science in Agriculture Plant Science for Transfer prepares students with the foundational knowledge necessary to pursue post-secondary degrees in Plant Science and careers within a variety of specializations in the field. The Associate in Science in Agriculture Plant Science for Transfer is designed to assist students in seamlessly transferring to a CSU major in Plant Science.

    To earn an Associate in Science in Agriculture Plant Science for Transfer, a student must complete a minimum of 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to the CSU system that consist of the IGETC pattern or CSU GE breadth and a major of at least 18 units more. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 (or “P”) in all CSU-transferable coursework to receive an associate degree for transfer and all courses in the major must be completed with a C or better. Students earning an associate degree for transfer will not be required to complete any other local graduation requirements

    Required Courses

    Course Prefix Course Name Units
    Core Courses
    AGOR 1Horticultural Science3
    AGOR 50Soil Science and Management3
    BUSC 1BPrinciples of Economics - Microeconomics3
    or BUSC 1BH Principles of Economics - Microeconomics - Honors
    CHEM 40Introduction to General Chemistry5
    or CHEM 50 General Chemistry I
    or CHEM 50H General Chemistry I - Honors
    MATH 110Elementary Statistics3
    or MATH 110H Elementary Statistics - Honors
    List A
    Choose one course from the following:3
    AGOR 2
    Plant Propagation/Greenhouse Management
    AGOR 29
    Ornamental Plants - Herbaceous
    AGOR 30
    Ornamental Plants - Trees and Woody Shrubs
    AGOR 51
    Tractor and Landscape Equipment Operations
    CHEM 80
    Organic Chemistry I
    List B
    Select any course not already used above, or none or one course from the following list:0-3
    AGAG 1
    Food Production, Land Use, and Politics - A Global Perspective
    AGOR 32
    Landscaping and Nursery Management
    AGOR 62
    Irrigation Principles and Design
    AGOR 71
    Construction Fundamentals
    AGOR 72
    Landscape Hardscape Applications
    BIOL 4
    Biology for Majors
    or BIOL 4H
    Biology for Majors - Honors
    Total Units for the Major20-30
    CSU General Education or IGETC Pattern 139-42
    Total Units60
    1

     Courses may be double-counted with either CSU-GE or IGETC.

Contacts

Department Contact

Contact: Agricultural SciencesTitle: DepartmentContact: agsci@mtsac.edu

Office Contact

Hours: M-F 8:00 AM - 3:30 PMLocation: Building 80-2301Phone: (909)-274-4540