Undergraduate Catalogue - UPRM

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
a Bachelor in Agricultural Sciences. Students
are trained in all areas related to the science and
art of modern agriculture, as well as in the
knowledge and ability to express themselves. In
addition, the student is provided with
opportunities for the development of an
analytical, critical, and reflective mind.
To accomplish these aims, the Faculty of
Agricultural Sciences offers eleven programs
leading to the Bachelor's degree:
• Agribusiness
• Agricultural Economics
• Agronomy-Crops
• Agronomy-Soils
• Animal Industry
• Crop Protection
• Education in Agricultural Extension
• General Agriculture
• Horticulture
• Mechanical-Agricultural Technology
• Vocational Agriculture Education
In addition, the Faculty offers a non-degree
program of study in Pre-Veterinary Studies for
those students pursuing studies in Veterinary
Medicine.
The Faculty follows an interdisciplinary
approach in its programs of study, which, in
addition to the various specialties in the
agricultural sciences, encompass teaching
natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and
languages. The goal of formal teaching is to
prepare scientists, agronomists, and technicians
for the development and progress of Puerto
Rico’s agriculture and to provide them with the
knowledge and competence in their fields of
specialization, as well as with indispensable
background in socio-humanistic disciplines and
the positive attitudes necessary to serve the
Island well. The first year of study is the same
for all programs in the Faculty of Agricultural
Sciences, with the exception of the Pre-
Veterinary Program. Beginning in sophomore
year, students take the required courses and the
professional electives pertaining to a particular
field of specialization. All programs require
students to enroll at the end of the third year of
study in a summer practicum under the
supervision of a professor of the department.
The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences also offers
graduate courses leading to the Master of
Science Degree. The student is able to specialize
in one of the seven following disciplines:
Agronomy-Crops, Agronomy-Soils, Horticulture,
Crop Protection, Animal Industry, Agricultural
Economics, and Food Science and Technology.
For more information refer to the Graduate
Studies Catalogue of the Mayagüez Campus.
Cooperative Education Program
The Co-op Program offers all qualified students
majoring in Agricultural Economics,
Agribusiness, Agronomy, Soil Sciences, Animal
Industry, Crop Protection, Horticulture,
Mechanical Technology in Agriculture and
General Agricultural Sciences Program, an
opportunity to enhance their academic
preparation, acquire valuable work experience,
and explore career options. Through this
program, students alternate terms of full-time
study with terms of full-time paid employment.
Work experiences are supervised jointly by a
mentor in the cooperating institution (private
business or government agency) and a faculty
member. A fundamental purpose of cooperative
education is on the job training.
Student Eligibility
To be eligible for the Coop-program, students
must meet the following minimum requirements:
• A 2.50 GPA
• To have completed 2 years of
study, and
• Register in professional courses
which are considered as prerequisites
by some employers
Employment Participation
The coop organization is committed, through a
written agreement to provide the student with a
learning experience in the workplace and to
evaluate the student’s work experience. Since
during work-experience periods students are
considered employees of the hiring organization,
the following norms are applicable:
• Student is considered an employee of the
hiring organization and subject to policies
and laws that relate to other employees.
• Student receives compensation in the form
of wages for work performed.
• Student is under the supervision of the
employer and performs work assigned.
• Employers make hiring decisions.
Undergraduate Catalogue 2004-2005 63