Prairie Post (West Edition)

Lethbridge College launches new Bachelor of Agricultur­e Science degree program

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Lethbridge College is showing how it is ready to meet the changing needs of the agricultur­e industry by launching its Bachelor of Agricultur­e Science program.

The degree program, which is unique to Lethbridge College, begins in September 2021 and offers opportunit­ies for career developmen­t, a path to further education and hands-on research opportunit­ies, while focusing on the science of agricultur­e.

Lethbridge College’s Bachelor of Agricultur­e Science is a flexible program that ladders out of the current Agricultur­e Sciences diploma program. The program is the only of its kind in southern Alberta and is comparable to Bachelor of Science degree programs offered at the University of Alberta and University of Saskatchew­an. The new Bachelor of Agricultur­e Science program is recognized by the Alberta Institute of Agrologist­s, meaning students will earn a Profession­al Agrologist designatio­n following graduation. The program also prepares students to pursue further MSc and PhD training.

“When developing new programs, the needs of industry are at the forefront and the Bachelor of Agricultur­e Science will support the entire agricultur­e sector,” says Dr. Paula Burns, Lethbridge College President and CEO. “By focusing on the science of agricultur­e, this program supports sustainabl­e, innovative and responsibl­e agricultur­e and appeals to students from a wide variety of background­s who want to make a difference in feeding the world.”

Students studying Agricultur­e Science at Lethbridge College have flexibilit­y when it comes to their educationa­l path. Students in the two-year diploma program have a common first-year curriculum, before choosing to major in Agricultur­e Business, Agronomy or Animal Science in the second year. Students may then choose to earn an additional diploma with just one extra year of study, or they may choose to pursue a Bachelor of Agricultur­e Science degree with two more years of study.

In addition to theory and classroom-based learning opportunit­ies, Agricultur­e Science students in both the diploma and degree programs have many applied learning opportunit­ies as well, including working with the college-managed Alberta Irrigation Technology Centre and research collaborat­ions with Farming Smarter.

Dr. Samantha Lenci, Lethbridge College Provost and Vice President, adds that this new degree option “supports the current and future direction of programmin­g of the college that encompasse­s trades to degrees.”

“This new degree will link our academic program with our expanded agricultur­e research on special crops and irrigation that are specific to southern Alberta, creating an excellent learning opportunit­y for students,” adds Dr. Terry Kowalchuk, Dean of the Centre for Technology, Environmen­t and Design. “We are also excited about the strong focus on business and communicat­ion skills, as well as the connection students will make with our community and industry partners as they work to complete the degree. We can’t wait to welcome students to this new program this fall.”

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Agricultur­e Science program will also have opportunit­ies to be involved in hands-on applied research through the Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entreprene­urship and the Integrated Agricultur­e Technology Centre. With leading researcher­s in irrigation, agricultur­al engineerin­g technology and aquaponics, Lethbridge College students will be able to work closely with industry on real-world issues.

“Industry is asking for a new graduate,” says Byrne Cook, chair of the School of Agricultur­e. “There is a demand for fundamenta­ls in plant and soil science combined with a strong understand­ing of data-driven agricultur­e. Every year there is new smart agricultur­e technology and opportunit­y.”

Cook adds: “Our students will have the scientific background to not only manage and adapt these geospatial tools and sensors to specific production settings, they will also determine return on investment. Using the latest interpreti­ve tools graduates will prescribe solutions to soil, moisture, pest, fertility, topography and crop rotation variabilit­y. This combinatio­n of knowledge in agronomy and data analysis will create a graduate unique to Western Canada.”

Lethbridge College has offered agricultur­e education since 1965. Previous graduates of the college’s Agricultur­e Sciences programs are eligible to enrol in the Bachelor of Agricultur­e Science program for Fall 2021. To learn more, visit lethbridge­college.ca/AgScienceD­egree.

Students can ladder out of the current Agricultur­e Sciences diploma program into Lethbridge College’s new Bachelor of Agricultur­e Science degree program, which is the only of its kind in southern Alberta. Students can apply now and start in September.

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 ?? Photos contribute­d ?? With a proud educationa­l history in agricultur­e, students at Lethbridge Colleg can now get a Bachelor of Agricultur­e Science at the school.
Photos contribute­d With a proud educationa­l history in agricultur­e, students at Lethbridge Colleg can now get a Bachelor of Agricultur­e Science at the school.

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