COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Agriculture at KPU is a comprehensive 123-credit program structured to integrate academic learning with practical, seasonally aligned agricultural experience. It includes 27 elective credits, of which at least 15 must be from non-agriculture subjects, and at least 3 credits must be at the 3000 level or higher. Year 1 introduces foundational concepts and practices, with courses like Applied Organic Agriculture I and II, Indigenous or Environmental Perspectives in Food Systems, Foundations of Sustainable Agriculture, Biology, University Writing, Environmental Chemistry, Statistics, and a sustainability elective in government, ethics, or community. These courses align with the agricultural calendar and give students early hands-on exposure. Year 2 builds technical understanding with subjects such as Soil Stewardship, Agricultural Technologies, Plant Science, Agroecology, Ecology, and British Columbia-specific agricultural systems. A summer intersession course, Agri-Food in the Field, provides immersive field-based learning. Year 3 continues the alignment with the agricultural cycle, emphasizing business planning and management through courses like Agricultural Enterprise Design, Business Plans for Agriculture, Experimental Design and Analysis, and both pest and crop production management, including vegetable and fruit cultivation. A Crop Management Field Lab further grounds theoretical knowledge in applied practice, while students also complete 6 elective credits. In Year 4, the focus shifts to advanced understanding and leadership within the field, with courses such as Crop Physiology and Ecology, Agroecology in Action, and Agroecology as a Global Movement, alongside 22 elective credits to support students’ specific interests or professional goals. The program culminates in a deep, interdisciplinary understanding of sustainable agriculture from local and global perspectives, preparing graduates for a range of roles in farming, policy, education, or food systems development.