Bachelor of Science in Agriculture - Agronomy

at University of Saskatchewan Canada

The Bachelor of Arts and Science (B.A. & Sc.) degrees are distinct degrees combining the science disciplines with studies in the humanities, social sciences, and/or fine arts.  These unique and highly completive interdisciplinary programs are focused in areas of high demand and allow students to make connections needed to succeed in these areas. These programs are truly inter- and multi-disciplinary.

Arts and Science Majors

• Environment and Society
• Health Studies
• Interactive Systems Design

Health Studies

• This program examines the issue of health and wellness, including mental health, from a variety of perspectives including how biological, cultural, social, and environmental contexts influence the health and well-being of the individual.

What you will learn

• You will learn about issues of health ranging from biological, psychological, cultural and environmental and how factors such as genetics, personality, attitudes and abilities influence healthy social and emotional development throughout the life span. You will study the role of cultural and community processes in health and healing and examine how groups interact with their environment in healthy and unhealthy ways.

Sociology is the study of human social life, focusing on developing an understanding of changes in social structure and human interaction on an individual, societal and global level.

What you will learn
You will examine human behavior and why people interact the way they do. You will focus on current social issues and the evolutionary changes of societies as you explore criminology and legal studies, race and ethnic relations, medical sociology, labour and education, agriculture and development, women's and gender studies, mass media and communications, and religion.You will also have the opportunity to develop skills related to research methods, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication.

Discover some of the roots of the modern world by examining the development of culture and thought from Graeco-Roman antiquity through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance. Explore, understand and appreciate ancient languages and the literature, art, ideas, and historical movements that informed Western civilizations.

What you will learn
You will examine the development of European cultures and societies between 700 B.C. and A.D. 1600. An understanding of these societies requires the integration of three dimensions: the historical (including archaeology and the history of society and politics); the intellectual (including philosophy, science, and religion); and the cultural (including languages, arts, drama, literature, and architecture). You will apply this understanding to a particular discipline and period of cultural tradition.

Crop scientists contribute to global food security by increasing local and global food production, developing new crop varieties, and protecting plants from disease and environmental stresses. Discover alternatives to traditional cropping systems and learn to improve the quality and nutrition of crops that feed the world.

What you will learn
Crop Science is the study of agricultural issues and challenges, including:

• Resource use consistent with sustainable production of food, feed, fibre and fuel
• Production, processing and marketing of high quality food and non-food products
• Research
• Development and implementation of innovative and efficient production
• Processing and marketing systems.

Crop Science integrates a broad range of disciplines, including genetics, pathology, crop quality and biotechnology, leading to the development of superior varieties of horticulture and field crops.

In Linguistics you gain a better understanding of the function of language in society and develop the skills essential for exciting careers in language pathology/audiology, language teaching, speech recognition and artificial intelligence, forensics, translation, interpretation, publishing and many others.

What you will learn
You will learn how language functions in the lives of individuals, groups, and societies. You will study the basic nature of human language such as speech sounds, characteristics of word and sentence structure, geographical and historical variation of languages and dialects. You will learn about the cognitive aspects of language in child language development, language processing, language learning, writing, and reading.

Sustainable use of our land, water and plant resources is increasingly recognized as a key societal goal. Resource Science provides essential skills and knowledge in applied sciences and resource management which can be used to influence sustainable development such as rejuvenating disturbed land or reducing greenhouse gas emissions from landscapes.

What you will learn
The Resource Science specialization provides you with hands-on, practical experience in field measurement and assessment. You will learn about:

• Environmental site assessment and soil landscape relationships
• In-field understanding of the spatial relationships of ecosites and soil units
• Remediation and reclamation practices
• Analysis and aggregation of field data
• Application of ecological land classification

Mathematical physics connects mathematics to physical phenomena. Its tools allow us to describe how a top spins, how a pendulum swings or how a rattleback rocks and defies normal intuition. Studying mathematical physics reveals the hidden intricacies of relativity and quantum theory.

What you will learn
You will study conceptual, mathematical frameworks that describe or explain physical phenomena. You will learn how one builds theories of physical phenomena, accounting for physical features which are then expressed in precise mathematical terms. The deductions of the theory capture essential aspects of physical reality.

Environmental science explores the relationships between environmental constraints and sustainable development. An emphasis is placed on the challenges faced in Canada, including the impact of climate change, agriculture, forestry, and oil and gas exploration on the environment.

What you will learn
Environmental science looks at ongoing and emerging environmental issues such as:

• Biological remediation agents,
• Disposal of toxic chemicals,
• Ground water contamination,
• Overgrazing,
• Ozone depletion,
• Pesticides,
• Preservation of wetlands and other natural habitats,
• Production of greenhouse gases and
• The production of genetically engineered plants, animals and microorganisms.

Physics is the study of matter and energy and how they interact. Physics helps us understand how the world, and everything in it, really works. Physicists study all aspects of nature—from the study of subatomic particles to the study of astronomical objects many times larger than the sun.

What you will learn
You will discover the particles that make up the universe and the forces with which they interact. You will learn about black holes, atmospheric phenomena, new materials, quarks and gluons. You will investigate such phenomena as the big bang, quantum mechanical paradoxes and superconductivities. You will experiment using telescopes, satellites, radar, tokamaks, synchrotron and particle accelerators, and conduct space weather observations and atmospheric ozone monitoring.

Soil forms an essential part of the environment—affecting or controlling most living things. Soil science studies the soil system to find the best ways of producing food, fuel, and fibre while still preserving soil for use by future generations.

What you will learn
Soil science draws from biology, ecology, geography, geology and a variety of other natural and life sciences. The soil science program at the University of Saskatchewan provides an in-depth understanding of the physical, biological and chemical processes that occur in soil and the role soil plays in plant production and environmental management.