Agribusiness
Course Descriptions
ACCT 2113 – Financial Accounting – 3 credit hours
Introduction to the concepts and principles involved in the preparation of financial statements. Topics covered include: the accounting cycle, the balance sheet, income statement, assets, liabilities, and stockholder equity. The emphasis is on external reporting requirements. Prerequisite: BUSI 2503.
AGBS 1033 – Survey of Agribusiness – 3 credit hours
Survey of Agribusiness introduces students to various aspects of the business of agriculture by exploring the three major agribusiness sectors (production agriculture, input supply industries, and food processing and distribution) regionally and internationally. Topics include agricultural economics, finance, technology, marketing, management, accounting, sales, entrepreneurship, and the future of agribusiness.
AGBS 2003 – Rural Development – 3 credit hours
This course introduces students to the social, economic, and institutional factors influencing rural
development and community sustainability. Students examine the role of agriculture,
agribusiness, policy, and local leadership in shaping rural economies, with attention to challenges
such as population change, workforce development, and access to resources. Emphasis is placed
on understanding strategies that support resilient and thriving rural communities.
AGBS 3003 – Farm & Agribusiness Management – 3 credit hours
This course examines the principles and practices of managing farm and agribusiness operations
with an emphasis on decision-making, resource allocation, and operational efficiency. Students
analyze financial, human, and physical resources within agricultural enterprises and apply
management strategies to real-world farm and agribusiness contexts, with particular attention to
risk, sustainability, and rural economic conditions.
AGBS 3013 – Agricultural Marketing & Supply Chains – 3 credit hours
This course explores marketing strategies and supply chain systems within agricultural and food
industries. Students examine how agricultural products move from producers to consumers,
analyzing pricing, distribution, logistics, value-added strategies, and market coordination.
Emphasis is placed on market analysis, risk management, and the role of supply chains in
supporting rural economies and food system resilience.
AGBS 3023 – Agricultural Technology & Information Systems – 3 credit hours
This course examines the role of technology and information systems in modern agricultural and
agribusiness operations. Students explore precision agriculture, data management, decision-
support tools, and emerging digital technologies used to enhance productivity, efficiency, and
sustainability. Emphasis is placed on applying technology to real-world farm and agribusiness
decision-making within contemporary agricultural systems.
AGBS 3033 – Food Systems & Supply Chain Analysis – 3 credit hours
This course examines food systems as interconnected networks linking agricultural production,
processing, distribution, consumption, and waste management. Students analyze supply chain
structures, coordination, and vulnerabilities within regional, national, and global food systems.
Emphasis is placed on systems thinking, data-informed analysis, and strategies to enhance
efficiency, resilience, equity, and sustainability across food supply chains.
AGBS 4033 – Agricultural Policy – 3 credit hours
This course examines agricultural policy at the local, national, and global levels and its impact on
farm, agribusiness, and food systems. Students analyze policies related to farm programs, trade,
conservation, labor, and rural development, with emphasis on how policy decisions shape
agricultural markets, management practices, and rural communities. The course develops
students’ ability to critically evaluate policy outcomes and engage in informed policy discussions.
AGBS 4053 – Agribusiness Issues – 3 credit hours
This course examines contemporary and emerging issues affecting agribusiness at the local,
national, and global levels. Students critically analyze topics such as sustainability, labor, trade,
technology adoption, environmental regulation, food security, and ethical challenges within
agricultural systems. Emphasis is placed on evaluating multiple perspectives, integrating
research, and developing informed responses to complex agribusiness challenges.
AGBS 4093 Agribusiness Capstone Seminar – 3 credit hours
This capstone seminar provides students with the opportunity to integrate and apply knowledge
gained throughout the agribusiness curriculum to real-world agricultural challenges. Students
engage in applied projects, case analyses, or community-based partnerships addressing farm and
agribusiness issues such as management, marketing, policy, technology, and sustainability.
Emphasis is placed on professional communication, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making
in agribusiness contexts.
BIOL 2603 – Conservation Biology – 3 credit hours
Introduces conservation biology, the science of preserving biodiversity. Conservation biology incorporates biological principles in the design of effective strategies for the sustainable management of populations, species, and ecosystems. In particular, it explores the fundamental problems of habitat loss and fragmentation, habitat disturbance, and the non-sustainable exploitation of species in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Prerequisite:Successful completion, with a minimum grade of C, of BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Varies.
BIOL 2604 – Environmental Science – 4 credit hours
Physical processes of the environment and their interaction with human development, industrialization, and pollution are examined. Labs with special emphasis on environmental ecology, resource management, and aquatic environments from a watershed perspective. Course rotation: Varies.
BIOL 3304 – Ecology – 4 credit hours
Concentrates on fundamental principles of ecology and modern topics of ecological interest, e.g., community and biosphere ecology and biodiversity. Laboratory of a strong field component that emphasizes various data collection methods, identification of local flora and fauna, and statistical analysis. Requires independent effort and may exceed scheduled time. Prerequisite:BIOL 1204 and BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C and junior standing or instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Varies.
BIOL 4214 – Plant Propagation – 4 credit hours
Provides an overview of plant propagation techniques, from seed propagation to micropropagation (tissue culture). Plant genetics and breeding techniques are covered as part of the seed propagation process. Most of the labs are applied in emphasis and directed toward producing plants for an Earth Day Plant Sale. The class will be enhanced by field trips to commercial nurseries and/or greenhouses in the region. Prerequisite: BIOL 1214 with a minimum grade of C. Course rotation:
BUSI 2203 – Entrepreneurship – 3 credit hours
Focuses on the following fundamentals of entrepreneurship: creative thinking, leadership, problem-solving, risk-taking, and adaptation to change along with basic concepts in economics, accounting, and marketing. Strong emphasis on experiential learning activities which will involve student interaction with business leaders and entrepreneurs.
BUSI 2303 – Business Communication – 3 credit hours
Study of communication processes in business as related to managerial and professional communication. Emphasis on interpersonal and organizational concepts; goals, skills, and criteria; cultural aspects; electronically assisted communication; collaborative communication; planning, organizing, and developing business messages; message patterns; visual and oral media; research and reports; and the employment process. Prerequisite: ENGL 1023.
BUSI 2503 – Business Mathematics – 3 credit hours
This course equips students with essential mathematical skills for business and managerial problem-solving. Topics include financial mathematics, algebraic techniques, introductory statistics, and their mathematical applications across areas such as accounting, economics, and finance. Students will learn to use mathematical methods to analyze business operations, make informed decisions, and address real-world economic and financial challenges.
Recommended: Completion of the general education mathematics requirement.
BUSI 3213 – Entrepreneurship Project – 3 credit hours
Students will apply entrepreneurial concepts to the development of a business plan covering such areas as market research, financial analysis, strategic planning, and effective resource allocation. Students will also implement projects conducted at companies. This course may be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: BUSI 2203.
BUSI PN00 – Internship in Business – 1-6 credit hours
Provides experiential learning at an on-campus or off-campus site. Internships give students the opportunity to actively participate in a business related to their emphasis/concentration; integrate classroom knowledge and theory with practical application and skills; and provide the opportunity to make connections in the industry and to develop hard and soft skills. Working closely with a faculty member and an on-site professional supervisor, the intern receives valuable work experience and may receive an advantage in competition for full-time, ongoing employment after graduation. May be taken during the fall or spring semester or during the summer. Forty hours constitute one credit hour. Grading: Credit/No Credit.
COMM 3503 – Organizational Communication – 3 credit hours
A management approach to communication within business environments. Includes team approaches, problem-solving, and development of professionalism.
COMM 4803 – Special Topics in Communication – 3 credit hours
This course is designed to explore diverse and evolving subjects within the field of communication. It will allow students to delve into specific areas of interest that will vary each time it is offered. This course is designed to provide a unique and enriching learning experience that can be repeated once for continued exploration.
ECON 2203 – Statistics for Business & Economics – 3 credit hours
Content includes descriptive statistics, survey of probability concepts, discrete probability distribution with emphasis on Poisson and binomial distributions, continuous normal distribution, simple random sampling, and sampling distribution. Prerequisite: BUSI 2503.
ENGL 4783 - Grant Writing – 3 credit hours
This course introduces students to the practice of grant writing across disciplines. Students will
learn how to identify funding opportunities and become familiar with the proposal and case
statement formats used by foundations and government grantmaking agencies. The course also
explores the grant review, budgeting, and reporting processes, giving students a practical
understanding of how grants function from start to finish. This course emphasizes intellectual
development, critical analysis, and professional writing skills. Topics, subject matter, and
approaches may vary depending upon the instructor. Prerequisite: ENGL 1023 or
instructor’s permission. Course rotation: Alternate Spring
SES 3223 - Environmental Policy – 3 credit hours
This course focuses on the key policy instruments utilized to foster sustainability through the major environmental statutes and the common and constitutional laws that are relevant to environmental protection in the United States. It covers the basic introduction to a variety of important environmental challenges addressed by environmental laws, the difficult policy issues surrounding environmental problems, and the legal complexities of environmental regulatory and administrative schemes. The goal is to develop the analytical framework to understand the variety of impacts, range, and scope of policy, and a practical foundation for understanding the history of federal environmental statutes and case law.
SES 3323 – Topics in Sustainability & Environmental Studies – 3 credit hours
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of technical thinking and problem-solving skill applications in a project-based learning environment. Emphasis and application will be on the presentation and discussion of relevant concepts, issues, and current events in sustainability and environmental studies. This course may be repeated for credit as long as topic changes. Prerequisite: SES 1123 or instructor’s permission. Course rotation:Varies.
SES 3623 – Sustainable Agriculture – 3 credit hours
This course is designed as an introduction to the concepts and principles associated with sustainable agriculture. Students will explore environmental, economic, and social considerations of sustainability in agroecosystems. The course will review a brief history of agriculture from its original inception, to the Green Revolution in the mid-1900s, to the current push for sustainability in its various forms. Emphasis will be placed on the contrast between properties of natural ecosystems, sustainable agroecosystems, and conventional agroecosystems. Students will explore various strategies of sustainable agriculture and alternative farming including regenerative agriculture, permaculture, organic farming, biodynamic farming, biological farming (eco-agriculture), nature farming, no-till farming, as well as agroforestry farming methods. Course rotation: Alternate fall.