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 120 credits. To receive a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree, students must complete an industry-based practicum (AGRI 292) and an applied research project (via a directed studies 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 including:
• English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 with a C+ or better.
• Anatomy and Physiology 12 with a C+ or better (see Note).
• Chemistry 11 with a C or better.
• One of Foundations of Mathematics 11, Pre-calculus 11, Calculus 12, or Statistics 12 with a C or better.

Note: Life Sciences 11 with a C+ or better is an acceptable equivalent when combined with Chemistry 12 with a C or better.

2. 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)

Applicants with fewer than 15 transferable credits will be assessed based on their high school record if they have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better on all attempted post-secondary courses. Applicants with 15 credits or more of transferable credits will be considered if they have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better on all attempted courses. Students that do not have the prerequisites for required UFV courses will need to take them as part of their program.

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 (120 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 courses 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. Biology and Geography some courses, especially at the upper level, are primarily offered at the Abbotsford campus only. Practicum may be on off-campus sites.

Program outline

To receive a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, students must complete 120 credits, including the both the BAS general requirements and the Horticulture major requirements.

At least 45 credits in the degree must be at the upper level (300- and 400-level courses).

BAS general requirements

Business, statistics, and communication: 13 credits

Lower-level science: 20–22 credits

Indigenous communities and knowledges: 3-4 credits

Horticulture major requirements

Horticulture technology: 24 credits

Agrology core: 39 credits

Agrology electives: 12-15 credits

Note: Students wishing to take GEOG 353 will also need GEOG 253.

Directed studies: 3 credits

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

General electives: 1-6 credits

Note: Students should ensure they have 45 upper-level credits in their program when selecting electives.

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.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or higher) 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 are not permitted to register for the same course more than three times. Students wishing to register for a course for a fourth time should connect with the Student Rights and Responsibilities Office. 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 120 credits, 60 credits must be completed at UFV. At least 50% of the upper-level credits in the Horticulture major (including the directed studies 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 in the first month of their final semester. Visit the Graduation webpage for more information. 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 April 30.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.