Science, Agriculture Technology

Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree, Horticulture major

The Bachelor of Agricultural Science (BAS), Horticulture major emphasizes the academic study of the natural sciences in combination with an applied agriculture curriculum. The program will provide students with an understanding of science and the practical nature of large scale horticulture production. Breadth of knowledge will be enhanced by communication, business, and general elective courses related to agriculture in society, in addition to science and agriculture courses.

The BAS requires 125 credits. To receive a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree, students must complete an industry-based practicum (AGRI 192) and an applied research project (via a Capstone course) which provides graduates with practical experience with which to enter the workforce and face the challenges associated with the horticulture industry.

Entrance requirements

Students may enter directly from secondary school, from another post-secondary program, or transition into the program from an Agriculture Technology certificate or diploma.

Option 1: Secondary school (for students with secondary school graduation only)

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
2. Prerequisites for CHEM 110.
3. Prerequisites for BIO 111.
4. Prerequisites for STAT 104.
5. Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

Option 2: Students transitioning from a UFV agriculture certificate or diploma

Students transitioning from one of UFV's agriculture certificates or the Agriculture Technology diploma must satisfy the Agriculture Technology diploma's entrance requirements, as well as meeting the prerequisites for BIO 111, CHEM 110, and STAT 104.

Option 3: University entrance (for students who have attended some post-secondary school)

1. Completion of a minimum of nine credits at the 100 level and above, transferable to a degree program, with a minimum GPA of 2.00 on all credits attempted.
2. Prerequisites for CHEM 110.
3. Prerequisites for BIO 111.
4. Prerequisites for STAT 104.
5. Prerequisites for CMNS 125.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies and a meeting with an Academic Advisor to plan for the degree.

When to apply

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. However, Agriculture Technology diploma students are encouraged to apply to the degree prior to the end of the third semester of the diploma. Applications will be reviewed based on work complete to date.

Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
2. Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section.

Program duration

With appropriate planning, the Bachelor of Agricultural Science requirements (125 credits) can be completed in four years of full-time study. Because upper-level courses are offered on a limited basis, students should seek the help of an Academic Advisor to plan their coursework in advance, in order to complete their degree in a timely manner. The choice of which courses are to be offered each year will be made with reference to the needs of students who have been admitted in the program or have formally declared their intention to complete the degree.

Location

The degree can be largely completed on the UFV Canada Education Park campus in Chilliwack, although some courses, especially at the upper level, may be offered at the Abbotsford campus only. Practicum may be on off-campus sites.

Program outline

BAS general requirements

Business, statistics, and communication: 13 credits

Lower-level science: 21–22 credits

Note: Students wishing to take GEOG 353 as an Agrology elective will need GEOG 253.

Agriculture in society: 8 credits

Horticulture major requirements

Horticulture technology: 33–36 credits

Agrology: Agriculture: 21 credits

Note: Students who have taken AGRI 206 will be considered to have satisfied the AGRI 306 requirement. Students with AGRI 206 cannot take AGRI 306 for further credit and must ensure they satisfy the minimum of 45 upper-level credits required for the BAS degree through their selection of elective courses.

Agrology: Elective courses: 14–20 credits

Independent studies: 3 credits

Note: Specific topics to be approved by the Bachelor of Agricultural Science Program Committee.

General electives: 12 credits

Co-operative Education option

The Co-operative Education option provides students with the opportunity to acquire paid, career-related work experience in conjunction with their studies in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree. See the Co-operative Education section for more details.

Program requirements

To receive a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, students must complete 125 credits including the general requirements (Business, Statistics, and Communication; lower-level Science; and Agriculture in Society) and the Horticulture major requirements. At least 45 credits must be at the upper level.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or above) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV’s Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Course repetition

Students may not register for a course more than twice without permission of the department head or designate for the discipline. Where a course has been repeated, only the higher grade is counted in the GPA calculation. See UFV's Course Repeat policy (86).

No more than five upper-level course duplications will be permitted on courses which apply to the BAS. Students with more than five upper-level course duplications will be required to withdraw from the program.

Residency

Of the 125 credits, 60 credits must be completed at UFV. At least 50% of the upper-level credits in the Horticulture major (including the capstone course) must be completed at UFV.

Graduation requirements

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with an Academic Advisor. All degree candidates must be approved by UFV Advising. To be eligible to graduate, students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the BAS program, a minimum GPA of 2.00 in their major, and a minimum CGPA of 2.00 in all upper-level credits is required for graduation.

Students must apply for graduation by completing the Graduation Request form available at ufv.ca/registrar/forms, or from the Office of the Registrar. This should be done in the first month of the final semester. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by the Winter semester grade deadline (see Important Registration Dates) of each year.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.