A second source of information is the Schedule of Courses published each semester. This booklet can be purchased in the Kennel Bookstore in April (for the fall semester) and November (for the spring semester). It contains policies, calendars, fees, exam dates, and times and locations of courses being offered that semester.

A third source of information is other students. Networking with your peers can provide valuable information on part-time jobs, internships, and industry contacts as well as opinions on elective course content and instructor teaching styles.

The fourth, and most important source of information is your adviser. Every Agricultural Business major is assigned a faculty adviser. Assignments are posted on the Departmental Bulletin Board in the hall outside the Departmental Office (Peters Business Building, Room 302). If your name is not listed, please notify us. Students may request a change in adviser or express a preference if unassigned. Information about each faculty adviser is included in the biographical sketch section.

Faculty advisers serve as a resource. They can offer guidance regarding your college education, job opportunities and advanced degrees. They can also identify other campus and community resources that may be helpful. Faculty offices are located on the third floor (south wing) of the Peters Business Building. Departmental faculty maintain an open door policy -- if the door is open, come in. All faculty post office hours during which students are welcome. If these hours are not convenient, you can make an appointment by telephone. Each has an answering machine and will get back to you as soon as they can if they are out when you call. You can also leave messages at the departmental office (278-2949).

It is a good idea to visit with your adviser at least once each semester.

If you are unable to get help you need from your faculty adviser, ask for assistance in the departmental office.

Prior to enrolling in the English and Math courses, you must take and pass the Entry Level Math (ELM) exam and the English Placement Test (EPT). Failure to pass either exam means that you must take remedial Coursework. Since Core Math and English courses should be completed during the first year of your college career, these tests should be taken at the earliest opportunity. Ag Ec 71 can be taken as the Math course in the Core area of General Education.

The Breadth area of General Education is divided into nine areas. You must take one course from each area. Some of the courses in this area are particularly relevant to agricultural business and are "additional requirements" for an agricultural business degree. These include Chemistry 3A in Division 1, Biology (Biology 10, Botany 10 or Zoology 10) in Division 2, and Ag Ec 1 in Division 8. These courses should be completed by the middle of your sophomore year. Additionally, other General Education courses are recommended (Plant Sci 105 or Psych 10 in Division 3, Nutr 53 in Division 4).

Two courses are required in Capstone. The Agriculture and Government Policy cluster (Ag Ec 150 and either Poli Sci 150 or Phil 125) satisfies the Capstone requirement.

If you are a transfer student, nine units of your General Education must be taken at CSUF. Nine upper Division General Education units (courses numbered 100 or higher at CSUF) are required of all students. These courses must be taken after 56 units of coursework have been completed. Since six units of upper division credit are earned in Capstone, three additional units of upper division coursework must be taken in either Core, Breadth or Capstone.

General Education courses cannot be counted in the major.

The agricultural science foundation consists of four courses that should be completed early in your college career (before your junior year). These courses come from four different agricultural areas. One course (Ag Ec 2) is an agricultural economics course. The other three may be chosen from the areas of Ag Engineering Technology, Animal Sciences, Enology, Food Science and Nutrition, Plant Science, or Soils/Irrigation, The courses you will take will depend upon your areas of interest as well as previous experience. For example, if you plan to take advanced courses in Soils/Irrigation, then you will want to make certain you have the necessary prerequisites. Therefore, you may wish to take the introductory level course as part of your agricultural science foundation.

Business Management Base

The business management base consists of courses in law, computers, accounting, and mathematics. Courses taken to fill these areas should be taken during the freshman and sophomore years. Introductory Agricultural Law (Ag Ec 28) or Business Law (BA 18) satisfy the law requirement. Ag Ec 76 or IS 50 meet the computer requirement. A full year of accounting (either Ag Ec 31-32 or Acct 4A-4B) is required. The mathematics requirement can be met by either Ag Ec 78 or DS 71.

Agricultural Economics Core

The agricultural economics core consists of seven courses integral to the major. Ag Ec 100 is the theory course that serves as the foundation for many of the other upper division courses. Therefore, it should be taken during the first semester of your junior year. Ag Ec 120, 130, and 160 should also be taken during the junior year. Ag Ec 110 and 170 should be taken during the senior year. The seventh course in the agricultural economics core is an upper division agricultural economics elective that you choose.

Career Specialty

Four courses (12 units) form a career specialty. You decide what particular area you are interested in studying and select either a formal or a flexible concentration. A formal concentration consists of four courses selected from a prearranged group of courses focusing on particular areas. Flexible concentrations can be composed of courses selected by you in consultation with your adviser. The courses must be logically integrated. Six of the twelve units in the career specialty must be upper division Ag Ec courses to ensure cross-disciplinary integration with the major.

If you are considering graduate school, you should take note of the agricultural business master's degree preparation and agricultural economics concentrations.

Recommended electives include three Ag Ec classes: 185T, 195, and 194. Ag Ec 185T is an introduction to the university and the professions in agriculture. It is strongly recommended that you take this courses during your first semester in residence. In addition, to getting acquainted with University policy, requirements, and resources, you will learn time management, study, and personal skills that will enable you to get everything possible out of your college experience. Ag Ec 195 (career planning) should be taken during your junior year. This course will provide you with the skills necessary to market yourself and find that first job. Ag Ec 194 is the internship course. A number of agricultural businesses provide students with opportunities to work one day per week and gain exposure to what goes on in particular segments of the industry. While some of these are paid positions and others are not, they are all valuable for the work experience that can be gained. Many of our former students have moved into positions with the firms for which they worked as interns. (Internship units are not permitted as academic units in the major but do count as electives.)

During your second to last semester, you should meet with your adviser and fill out the "Certification of Major Requirements" . During the first three weeks of your last semester, you must file for graduation and pay a fee in the Joyal Administration Building, Room 115.

There are a wide range of other activities in which students are involved. The university's athletic teams provide year round entertainment. Cultural arts activities are also abundant. Taken together, the strong curriculum, excellent faculty, and modern facilities coupled with CSUF's location in the agribusiness capital of the world make an unbeatable combination. We think you will find CSUF a fantastic place to earn your college degree!

Advising sheets for the various minors are available in the offices of the department offering the minor. Examples of minors that might be of interest to students majoring in Agricultural Business include: