Agriculture Sciences Diploma
Program Office: 403.382.6991 • agsciences@lethbridgecollege.ca
Pursue the Field of Your Dreams
Plant the seeds for your future success in our Agriculture Sciences program, where you can choose from majors in Agriculture Business, Agronomy or Animal Science. Guided by experienced instructors, you’ll learn in the classroom as well as through benchtop processes, industry involvement and practical application.
You’ll learn the scientific background to why we do what we do in agriculture. You’ll also get a foundation in the ever-changing sector through workshops, tours and involvement with alumni and specialized ag partners. The Agronomy major ladders directly into Lethbridge College’s Bachelor of Agriculture Science degree program, while students in the other two majors can get credit for one year of the four-year program.
Your Investment
Program fees will vary. To view fee information, click here and select your program.
Graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded an Agriculture Sciences diploma that designates the appropriate major.
New applicants are accepted into the Agriculture Sciences program for Fall (September) term.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
Academic Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar, applicants must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):
- Grade 12 Math (equivalent to Alberta's Math 30-2 or a higher level Math)
- Applicants intending to ladder into the Bachelor of Agriculture Science Degree will also be required to have Biology 30 and Chemistry 30 at the point they apply to the degree.
All three majors in the Agriculture Sciences program have a common first year. However, students must choose their major when applying to the program. Students have the option of switching majors at the end of the first year.
Common First Year Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Term I | ||
| ACC-1170 | Financial Accounting I | 3 |
| BIO-1167 | Botany | 3 |
| BIO-1175 | Animal Science | 3 |
| COM-1162 | Interpersonal Relationships and Communications | 3 |
| ECN-1180 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| AGS-1150 | Agriculture Finance | 3 |
| AGS-2255 | Sustainable Agriculture | 3 |
| BUS-1166 | Business Law | 3 |
| ENG-1150 | Composition | 3 |
| SOL-1150 | Agriculture Soils | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Students must select one major from the following: | ||
Agriculture Business Major |
||
Agronomy Major |
||
Animal Science Major |
||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Major Requirements
Upon completion of Year One, Agriculture Sciences students will focus on studies in their selected major.
Agriculture Business Major
After taking a common first year of study in our Agriculture program, students can choose to major in Agriculture Business. The program focuses on the business side of agriculture. Students will learn agriculture management policy, marketing and how international events affect agriculture and the economy globally and locally. Agriculture Business majors learn a combination of economics, business and agriculture well suited to a range of jobs, including managing ag production operations or working in ag finance, insurance and all aspects of ag business.
Our Agriculture Business grads can also consider transferring some of their diploma courses toward ag degrees at other institutions. The ag industry is growing and offers many opportunities for people who understand the business of growing and producing food.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | ||
| Term I | ||
| ACC-1175 | Financial Accounting II | 3 |
| AGS-2250 | Canadian and World Agriculture | 3 |
| BUS-1170 | Introduction to Management | 3 |
| MKT-1152 | Commodity Marketing | 3 |
| PLT-2262 | Field Crops | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| AGS-2251 | Agriculture Policy | 3 |
| BUS-2292 | Business Finance | 3 |
| ECN-2253 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MKT-1188 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| STS-1155 | Descriptive Statistics | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Agronomy Major
Agronomy is the science of producing plants for agriculture. After taking a common first year of study in Agriculture, our Agronomy majors will devote their second year of study to deepening their understanding of soils, botany, field and special crops, soil fertility and pest management. Tools of irrigation, precision agriculture and greenhouse management will be introduced, giving our Agronomy majors the training needed to work at the technician level in many jobs related to growing crops. This could include ag production, retail, service and research careers.
Our Agronomy diploma graduates can also continue their education in our Bachelor of Agriculture Sciences degree to become experts in irrigation, specialized crops and data-driven agriculture. Students who attain their degree qualify for professional agrologist status. This knowledge is needed in a range of ag-related fields.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | ||
| Term I | ||
| AGS-2280 | Precision Agriculture I | 3 |
| MKT-1152 | Commodity Marketing | 3 |
| PLT-2253 | Integrated Pest Management I | 3 |
| PLT-2260 | Special Crops | 3 |
| PLT-2262 | Field Crops | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| IRR-2252 | Irrigation Systems | 3 |
| PLT-1155 | Pasture and Forage Production | 3 |
| PLT-2254 | Integrated Pest Management II | 3 |
| PLT-2264 | Greenhouse Management | 3 |
| SOL-2250 | Soil Fertility | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Animal Science Major
After taking a common first year of study in our Agriculture program, students can choose to major in Animal Science. The primary focus of this program is cow-calf and feedlot management — a major industry in the Lethbridge region, which offers plenty of employment opportunities. Students will learn animal nutrition, health and physiology, and some basic agronomy skills.
While many of our Animal Science graduates head straight into the workforce after graduation, students can also consider transferring their credits to a university toward a degree that would include training in dairy, swine and poultry management.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | ||
| Term I | ||
| ANM-2250 | Cow Calf Management | 3 |
| ANM-2251 | Animal Health | 3 |
| BIO-2263 | Animal Physiology I | 3 |
| MKT-1152 | Commodity Marketing | 3 |
| PLT-2262 | Field Crops | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| ANM-2252 | Intensive Livestock Production | 3 |
| ANM-2253 | Beef Feedlot Management | 3 |
| ANM-2254 | Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| BIO-2264 | Animal Physiology II | 3 |
| PLT-1155 | Pasture and Forage Production | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Lethbridge College
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Agriculture Sciences - Agronomy diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.00 or equivalent, will be accepted directly into the Bachelor of Agriculture Science program at Lethbridge College.
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Agriculture Sciences - Agriculture Business or Animal Science diplomas will be eligible for entry into the Bachelor of Agriculture Science following the completion of the second year of the Agronomy diploma programming. A minimum GPA of 2.00 or equivalent is required for admission.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Agriculture Sciences - Business Operations diploma, with a minimum GPA of 2.7, are eligible for admission into the Bachelor of Technology program at NAIT. Graduates must meet the competitive admission and selection requirements of the Bachelor of Technology at the time of application. Students should consult an Academic Advisor at NAIT for further information.
University of Lethbridge
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Agriculture Sciences - Agriculture Business, Agronomy, or Animal Science diplomas, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, are eligible for admission into the post-diploma Bachelor of Arts (Agriculture Studies) or the Bachelor of Science (Agriculture Studies) at the University of Lethbridge. Admitted students will be third-year degree level students in the university's Faculty of Arts and Science in all respects. For more information, please see an Academic Advisor at the University of Lethbridge and visit their website.
University of Saskatchewan
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Agriculture Sciences - Agronomy diploma, with a minimum graduating average of 60% or higher, are eligible to receive up to 57 credits towards the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Agronomy) at the University of Saskatchewan. For more information, please contact an Academic Advisor at the University of Saskatchewan.