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Degree at a Glance

Degree Type

Associate of Applied Science

Location

Fort Lupton Campus

Credits

60

Tuition*

In-District
$5,620
In-State
$8,500
WUE
$12,400
In-District
$29,440

*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates

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Production Agriculture

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Production Agriculture

Production AgricultureRequirements

Pursue an associate of applied science in production agriculture and you’ll be prepared to enter the workforce as an asset to employers after completing the two-year program. Learn about the optimal growing conditions, healthy plant growth and crop management that are needed every day to supply our food systems. 

In addition to earning general education credits, you’ll also study subjects including cultivated crop production, farm and ranch management, precision agriculture, farm equipment management and maintenance, agricultural finance and marketing. You'll also gain the needed math and science foundations to apply what you’ve learned. 

Major Requirements:

  • Provide students with practical experience in applying principles of economics, business, marketing, and finance to the management of a farm/ranch operation. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces the biology of horticultural plants, and basic horticultural practices. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Provides students with the opportunity to supplement coursework with practical work experience related to their educational program. Students work under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel at the business location and with the direct guidance of the instructor. Department approval is required. This course has admission requirements.  Please call or email the Agricultural Sciences and Technology department for more information. See the department web page at https://www.aims.edu/degrees-certificates/production-agriculture for contact information. Course is repeatable with a maximum of 12 credit hours.
    0 to 12

  • (Students must take 5 credits in AGP 2080)

  • Introduces applied geospatial principles and advanced technologies in agriculture, including; coordinate systems, mapping use, general navigation, computer technology, precision agriculture concepts, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), and remote sensing. Attention is also given to the history, development, and future of these technologies. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces various methods in precision navigation of agricultural equipment utilizing Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and other support networks. Focus is placed on working with control consoles, equipment, GIS data integration, field planning, zone management, and variable rate applications. Attention is also given to differential correction systems, error sources, environmental variables, and precision accuracy. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Focuses on production and adaptation of cultivated crops, principles affecting growth, development, management, and utilization. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Focuses on formation, physical properties, chemical properties, and management of soils emphasizing conditions that affect plant growth. This is a statewide Guarantee Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Covers safety, proper tool use, tool reconditioning, A.C. electricity, D.C. electricity, domestic water supply, and farm sanitation systems. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    2
  • Emphasizes the safe operation, construction, purpose, maintenance, and adjustment of farm machinery. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Develops basic welding skills, principles, and practices in arc and oxy-acetylene welding. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
Total Major Credits 34

General Education Courses:

  • Examines the fundamental molecular, cellular and genetic principles characterizing plants and animals. Includes cell structure and function, and the metabolic processes of respiration, and photosynthesis, as well as cell reproduction and basic concepts of heredity. The course includes laboratory experience. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. It is recommended that ENG 1021 and MAT 1340 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    BIO 1005 with a grade of "C" or better. Students who have completed one year of high school biology within the last seven years with a grade of "C" or better, or have scored 70% or higher on the BIO 1005 test out exam may be eligible for a prerequisite override.
    5
  • Combines the basic theories of communication with public speech performance skills. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, audience analysis, and delivery. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Focuses on the study of the national economy, emphasizing business cycles and long-run growth trends. Explores how macroeconomic performance is measured, including Gross Domestic Product and labor market indicators. Examines the saving-investment relationship and its relationship to Aggregate Supply and Aggregate Demand. Discusses money and banking, international trade, fiscal and monetary policy. Explores the macroeconomic role of the public sector. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • OR

  • Develops skills one can apply to a variety of technical documents. Focuses on principles for organizing, writing, and revising clear, readable documents for industry, business, and government. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Covers mathematical material designed for career and technical students. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and vectors. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4

  • OR

  • Focuses on a variety of functions and the exploration of their graphs. Topics include: equations and inequalities, operations on functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems, and an introduction to conic sections. This course provides essential skills for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) pathways. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
Total General Education Credits 18

Degree Electives:

Select 8 credits from the following courses:

  • Focuses on economic principles and decision-making by consumers, firms, and government with emphasis on their application to the food, fiber, and natural resource sectors of the economy. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Emphasizes principles of finance and their application to agriculture and agribusiness, including the time value of money, net present value analysis, interest, credit lending institutions, financial statements, and financial ratios. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Studies the agricultural marketing system and methods of marketing crops and livestock. Emphasizes hedging with futures options. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Provides a study of applied fundamentals of anatomy and reproduction as they pertain to artificial insemination. This course emphasizes the handling of frozen semen, heat detection and nutritional management for artificial insemination (AI). Individualized training is given in developing and perfecting insemination techniques in live cattle. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    2
  • Covers concepts and issues related to world population, food, and agriculture. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Teaches the theory of operation and maintenance of small engines and related power equipment used on the farm. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    2
  • Covers the basic fundamentals of livestock production including the principles of nutrition, reproduction, breeding, genetics, health, and physiology of cattle, sheep, swine, horses, and other farm species. Trends and issues in animal science and animal agriculture are also discussed in this course. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Focuses on the basic nutrients, common feeds and feed additives, anatomy of digestsive systems, and basic feeding practices for beef, sheep, and dairy. The lab portion of the class is devoted to calculating and balancing rations to fulfill nutrient requirement for farm animals for growth, finishing, reproduction, lactation, work, and wool production. Explores least cost ration balancing on the computer. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ASC 1100 with a grade of "C" or better
    4
  • Introduces students to the basic concepts of farm animal anatomy and physiology with emphasis on concepts relating to nutrition, reproduction, Immunology, and growth of the basic farm species. ~Anatomy and Physiology is taught in the context of applying basic principles to production practices in the industry including reproductive management, livestock nutrition management, and animal health practices. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ASC 1100 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Explores meat carcass evaluation and the related yield and quality grading system. Emphasizes selection of breeding stock based on performance data. Covers comparative selection, grading, and judging of market and breeding classes of livestock based on knowledge of phenotype, performance, information, and/or carcass merit. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ASC 1100 with a grade of "C" or better.
    3
  • Provides experiential learning with beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine and sheep. Course is repeatable with a maximum of 12 credit hours.
    Course Prerequisites
    ASC 1100 with a grade of "C" or better
    0 to 12

  •   (ASC 2188 must be taken for 2 credits)

  • Introduces the application of fundamental business principles to local, national, and international forums. This course examines the relationship of economic systems, governance, regulations, and law upon business operations. It surveys the concepts of career development, business ownership, finance and accounting, economics, marketing, management, operations, human resources, regulations, and business ethics. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • This course introduces basic computer terminology, file management, and PC system components. Provides an overview of office application software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation graphics. Includes the use of a web browser to access the Internet. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces the design and construction of scientific and/or engineering experiments. This course covers the entire life cycle of the experiment or prototype from concept generation and design through construction, making measurements, analysis of collected data, and communication of results. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    2
  • Surveys the development, application and use of geographic information systems (GIS). Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
Total Elective Credits 8
Total Credits for A.A.S. Degree 60