Curriculum
The Agricultural Business program emphasizes management preparation for careers in agribusiness as part of the world's food system. The food system encompasses all the direct functions such as inputs to producers, production, processing, distribution, and marketing. Emphasis is placed on support functions such as finance, domestic policy, and international policy. The curriculum is based on a solid background in production agriculture.
AGB Learning Objectives
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AGB students will exhibit critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills promoting lifelong learning.
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AGB students will demonstrate strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, as well as the ability to work independently.
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AGB students will develop technical competency while learning to think in a broader global context.
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AGB students will act with professionalism, high ethical standards, and respect for diversity and sustainability.
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AGB students will possess oral and written communication skills that are effective with diverse audiences (employers, employees, industry, and government).
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AGB students will be industry-ready with skills and knowledge that employers value.
Catalog Information
Tentative Course Offerings
Undergraduate Flowchart and Curriculum Sheets
Ag Science Electives
AGB Students choose three courses from the following list:
- AEPS 120, 132, 150, 190, 230, 421
- ASCI 112, 211, 225, 229, 321
- BRAE 340, 438
- DSCI 230, 231
- FSN 210, 230, 250, 275, 341
- SS 120, 130, 221, 31, 440
Senior Project
All Cal Poly students are required to do a senior project prior to graduation. The Agribusiness department has two senior project course options for students.
- AGB 462- Applied Agribusiness Problems-(4 units)-Applied Agribusiness Problems-Selection and analysis of agribusiness problems and opportunities in directed group-based projects. Exploration of problems which agribusiness graduate students may encounter in marketing, finance, management and production in the food and fiber industry. Formal report and presentation required. 4 lectures.
- For AGB 463 (4 units)-Agribusiness Consulting-Client-centered course where self-managed teams develop solutions to agribusiness problems. Exploration of problems typical to those which agribusiness graduates may encounter in marketing, finance, management and production in the food and fiber industry. Formal report and presentation to client required. 4 lectures.
Resources
Change of Major Policy & Procedures
General Guidelines for Changing Majors
- Students must complete at least one term at Cal Poly before entering into an Individualized Change of Major Agreement (ICMA).
- Review Cal Poly’s General Change of Major Policy in full.
- Students are allowed only 1 ICMA per major. Students who do not meet the conditions of their ICMA will not be issued another ICMA for that major.
- Students must be able to graduate in a timely manner. A realistic graduation plan may be required to demonstrate whether this is feasible.
Complete the Change of Major Inquiry Form
- Complete the Change of Major Inquiry Form through your Cal Poly Portal
- Instructions found here: https://advising.calpoly.edu/change-major
- You will receive an email response from the Change of Major Coordinator within 10 business days with details regarding next steps
Meet with Department Contact
- Once eligibility is determined, students should meet with a Peer Advisor in the CAFES Academic Advising Center. Peer Advisors can answer general questions pertaining to the ICMA and make appointments for the student with the AGB Change of major coordinator.
**The completion of coursework without prior consultation with the intended major department does not guarantee the student eligibility to switch into the intended major.**
ICMA Criteria:
If a student is granted an ICMA, it will not exceed one term. Students will be required to take two specified courses for the ICMA and meet a specific grade and GPA requirement.
Requirements included in the ICMA to the Agricultural Business major are:
- The completion of two of the following three courses. Students must achieve a grade of C or better in these two courses. The course choices are:
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- AGB 212 (2212)
- AGB 214 (2214)
- MATH 221 (1267) OR STAT 251 (1210)
- Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.8 during the ICMA term.
Agribusiness Minor Requirements
Minor Application Requirements
- At least half of the units must be from upper-division courses (300- or 400-level).
- At least half of the units must be taken at Cal Poly.*
- Not more than one-third of the courses in a minor can be graded Credit/No Credit (CR/NC), except for courses that are only offered CR/NC.
- A minimum 2.000 GPA is required for all units counted for completion of the minor.
- The minor must be completed prior to, or at the same time as, the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. A major and minor may not be taken in the same degree program, and a minor is not required for a degree.
Agribusiness Minor Course Listing (28 units)
Core Courses
| AGB 212 | Agricultural Economics | 4 |
| AGB 214 | Agribusiness Financial Accounting | 4 |
| or BUS 212 | Financial Accounting for Non-business Majors | |
| AGB 301 | Food and Fiber Marketing | 4 |
| AGB 310 | Agribusiness Credit and Finance | 4 |
| AGB 369 | Ag Personnel Management | 4 |
Elective Courses
| Choose 8 units of AGB Courses | 8 |
Important Notes
- At least 2 units must be at the upper division level (300 or 400)
- AGB 101 and AGB 339 will not count as an AGB minor elective
- Consult the Cal Poly Catalog for prerequisites to AGB minor elective courses
- Elective courses must be within the Agribusiness department (contain AGB prefix) How to Declare an Agribusiness Minor
Procedure
To apply for the Agribusiness minor, or if you have any questions about the AGB minor, please email Dr. Sean Hurley
Graduate Curriculum - The Agribusiness graduate program has been suspended at this time.
- MS 2013-2015 catalog
- MS 2011-2013 Catalog (PDF)
- MBA Curriculum (through Orfalea College of Business)
