2002-2003 Edition
Texas A&M University Undergraduate CatalogTexas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog
Catalog Contents
Academic Calendar
Board of Regents and System Administrative Officers
TAMU Administrative Officers
General Information
International Programs for Students
University Honors Program
Environmental Program
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
College of Architecture
Lowry Mays College and Graduate School of Business
College of Education
Dwight Look College of Engineering
College of Geosciences
College of Liberal Arts
College of Science
College of Veterinary Medicine
General Academic Programs
School of Military Sciences
Texas A&M University at Galveston
Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies
Course Descriptions
Faculty
Appendices
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Curricula in
Agricultural Economics

The Department of Agricultural Economics offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics. The B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics offers students four options: Finance and Real Estate, Food Marketing Systems, Policy and Economic Analysis, and Rural Entrepreneurship. In addition, in conjunction with the Mays Business School, the department also offers a B.S. in Agribusiness.

Requirements for Graduation

Requirements for graduation are listed in the Texas A&M University Student Rules and this catalog. With the exception of physical activity and general elective requirements, courses taken to satisfy degree requirements must be taken for letter grades.

Curriculum in
Agricultural Economics
Bachelor of Science

The curricula in Agricultural Economics are designed to train graduates for a wide variety of jobs in agriculturally-oriented business firms and agencies. Flexibility is included in the curricula so that a student, in consultation with an academic advisor, can develop a degree program which best fits personal career objectives.

While not required on the degree plan, students are strongly encouraged to participate in internships (AGEC 484) to broaden their knowledge base and gain real-world experience to greater enhance employability after graduation. Students also have an opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty member in a directed studies project. Directed studies projects (AGEC 485) enable students to receive additional instruction in areas of their career choice. To receive credit for AGEC 484 and/or AGEC 485 course work, which can be used as part of the student's free electives, the student must meet the following requirements: (1) must have completed 30 hours total (a minimum of 12 of those hours at Texas A&M University); (2) have completed AGEC 105, either ECON 202 or ECON 203, MATH 141, MATH 142, AGEC 217, and ACCT 209 or 229 (or their equivalents); (3) have a 2.75 GPR (overall, in major, and in CBK classes, if applicable) for students having completed between 30-60 hours or a 2.5 GPR (overall, in major, and in CBK classes, if applicable) for students having completed 60 or more hours; and (4) obtain approval of department head and supervising professor.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Internship program. This internship allows students to work a semester in Washington, D.C. with a member of the Texas delegation. To receive credit for this experience, the student must meet the following requirements: (1) have completed AGEC 105 or 3 hours of economics; (2) have a minimum GPR of 2.25 (overall, in major, and in CBK classes, if applicable); (3) be classified as a junior or senior; and (4) obtain approval from the department head and supervising professor.

Options available in agricultural economics are Finance and Real Estate, Food Marketing Systems, Policy and Economic Analysis, and Rural Entrepreneurship. The course requirements are the same during the freshman and sophomore years for all options. Students may select an option at any time, but must do so prior to registering for their junior year.

FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester
(Th-Pr)
Cr
   Second Semester
(Th-Pr)
Cr
AGEC 105 Intro. to Ag. Economics
(3-0)
3
   MATH 142 Business Math. II
(3-0)
3
AGLS 101 Modern Ag. Systems and Renewable Natural Resources
(1-0)
1
   American history elective 1,5
3
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric
(3-0)
3
   Humanities elective 1,3
(3-0)
3
MATH 141 Business Math. I
(3-0)
3
   Natural sciences elective 1
4
American history elective 1,5
3
   Technical agriculture elective 2
3
Technical agriculture elective 2
3
   * KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity
(0-2)
1
16
17

SOPHOMORE YEAR
ACCT 209 Survey of Accounting Prin (3-0) 3  
ACCT 210 Survey of Mgrl. and Cost Accounting Prin.
(3-0) 3
AGEC 217 Fund. of Ag. Econ. Anlys.
(1-4) 3  
COMM 203 Public Speaking
(3-0) 3
ECON 202 Prin. of Economics
(3-0)
3
   ECON 203 Prin. of Economics
(3-0)
3
POLS 206 American Natl. Govt. 5
(3-0)
3
   POLS 207 State and Local Govt. 5
(3-0)
3
Natural science elective 1  
4
   Visual and performing arts elective  
3
   
16
   * KINE 199 Required Physical Activity 4
(0-2)
1
16

NOTES: 1. To be selected from the University Core Curriculum.

2. Any course offered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, except 484s, 485s and AGEC courses.

3. The 6 hours of international and cultural diversity courses, as required for graduation, may be met in the curriculum. Students may select humanities and visual and performing arts electives that also meet the international and cultural diversity requirement.

4. Must be taken S/U.

5. For those students under ROTC contract, see section on "Requirement in Political Science (Government) and History" in this catalog.

 
Finance and Real Estate Option
Pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The Finance and Real Estate option is designed to provide a well-founded basis in principles, concepts and methods for students interested in finance and/or real estate professional careers in the agricultural industry and/or related professions.

(See Freshman and Sophomore Years)
JUNIOR YEAR
AGEC 314 Marketing Ag. and Food Prod.
(3-0)
3
  
AGEC 317 Econ. Anlys. for Agbu. Mgmt.
(3-0)
3
AGEC 340 Agribusiness Management
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 330 Fin. Management in Ag.
3
AGEC 422 Land Economics (3-0)
3
   AGEC 432 Rural Real Est. and Fin. Anlys.
(3-0)
3
ECON 323 Microeconomics
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 481 Seminar
(1-0)
1
STAT 303 Statistical Methods
(3-0)
3
   ENGL 301 Technical Writing
(3-0)
3
Directed agricultural economics elective 1  
3
   Directed agricultural economics elective 1  
3
   
18
   Free elective 2  
3
 

 

 

 

 

 

19
AGEC 424 Rural Entrepreneurship I
(2-2)
3
  
AGEC 430 Macroeconomics of Ag. or ECON 311 Money and Banking
(3-0)
3
AGEC 429 Agricultural Policy
(3-0)
3
   Directed agricultural economics elective 1
3
Directed non-agricultural econ. elective 3 (3-0)
3
   Directed non-agricultural econ. elective 3
(3-0)
6
Free electives 2
(3-0)
6
   Free electives 2
(3-0)
3
 
15
    
15
SENIOR YEAR

NOTES: 1. Select 3 courses from AGEC 344, 350, 425, 447, 448, and {452 or 453].

2. Nine of the 12 hours must be at the 300 or 400 level.

3. Nine hours, excluding 484s and 485s, to be selected in one or more departments outside the Department of Agricultural Economics. A minimum of 6 of these hours must be at the 300 or 400 level, of which at least 3 hours must be at the 400 level. These courses should be selected with the objective of supporting a focused career interest consistent with the Finance and Real Estate Option. Contact the Department of Agricultural Economics undergraduate advisors for additional information regarding potential career emphasis areas for this option.

Food Marketing Systems Option
Pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The Food Marketing Systems Option is designed to provide a well-founded basis in principles, concepts and methods for students interested in management, marketing, sales and related professional careers in the agricultural industry and/or related professions.

(See Freshman and Sophomore Years)
JUNIOR YEAR
AGEC 314 Mkt Ag. and Food Products
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 317 Econ. Anlys. for Agbu. Mgmt.
(3-0)
3
AGEC 315 Food and Ag. Sales
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 330 Fin. Management in Ag.
(3-0)
3
ECON 323 Microeconomic Theory
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 340 Agribusiness Management
(3-0)
3
STAT 303 Statistical Methods
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 481 Seminar
(1-0)
1
Directed non-agricultural econ. electives 1
6
   Directed agricultural economics elective 2
3
 
18
   Free elective 3
 
   
16
 
SENIOR YEAR
AGEC 429 Agricultural Policy
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 430 Macroeconomics of Ag. or ECON 311 Money and Banking
(3-0)
3
AGEC 452 International Trade and Ag. or AGEC 453 Int. Agbu. Marketing
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 447 Food Ag. Price Analysis or AGEC 448 Ag. Commodity Futures
(3-0)
3
Directed agricultural economics elective 2
(3-0)
6
   ENGL 301 Technical Writing
(3-0)
3
Free electives 3
(3-0)
6
   Directed non-agricultural econ. elective 1
(3-0)
3
 
18
   Free elective 3
3
 
   
15

NOTES: 1. Nine hours, excluding 484s and 485s, to be selected in one or more departments outside the Department of Agricultural Economics. A minimum of 6 of these hours must be at the 300 or 400 level, of which at least 3 hours must be at the 400 level. These courses should be selected with the objective of supporting a focused career interest consistent with the Food Marketing Systems Option. Contact the Department of Agricultural Economics undergraduate advisors for additional information regarding potential career emphasis areas for this option.

2. Select 3 courses from AGEC 413, 422, 424, 425, 432, and [452 or 453].

3. Nine of the 12 hours must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Policy and Economic Analysis Option
Pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The Policy and Economic Analysis Option is designed to provide a well-founded basis in principles, concepts and methods for students interested in pursuing graduate study and/or law school following their graduation with a B.S. degree.

(See Freshman and Sophomore Years)
JUNIOR YEAR
AGEC 314 Mkt Ag. and Food Products
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 317 Econ. Anlys for Agbu. Mgmt.
(3-0)
3
AGEC 340 Agribusiness Management
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 330 Fin Management in Ag.
(3-0)
3
ECON 323 Microeconomic Theory
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 429 Agricultural Policy
(3-0)
3
STAT 303 Statistical Methods
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 481 Seminar
(1-0)
1
Directed agricultural economics electives 1
3
   Directed agricultural economics electives 1
3
Free elective 2
3
   Directed non-agricultural econ. elective 3
3
 
18
    
16
 
SENIOR YEAR
AGEC 344 Food and Ag. Law or AGEC 452 International Trade in Ag.
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 430 Macroeconomics of Agriculture or ECON 311 Money and Banking
(3-0)
3
AGEC 350 Environ. and Nat. Res. Econ.
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 447 Food and Ag. Price Anlys.
(3-0)
3
ENGL 301 Technical Writing
(3-0)
3
   Directed non-agricultural econ. elective 3
3
Directed agricultural economics elective 1
3
   Free electives 2
6
Directed non-agricultural econ. elective 3
3
    
15
Free elective 2
3
    
 
18
    

NOTES: 1. Select 3 courses from AGEC 422, 432, 448, and [452 or 453].

2. Nine of the 12 hours must be at the 300 or 400 level.

3. Nine hours, excluding 484s and 485s, to be selected in one or more departments outside the Department of Agricultural Economics. A minimum of 6 of these hours must be at the 300 or 400 level, of which at least 3 hours must be at the 400 level. These courses should be selected with the objective of supporting a focused career interest consistent with the Policy and Economic Analysis Option. Contact the Department of Agricultural Economics undergraduate advisors for additional information regarding potential career emphasis areas for this option.

Rural Entrepreneurship Option
Pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The Rural Entrepreneurship Option is designed to provide a well-founded basis in principles, concepts and methods for students interested in owning and/or managing or otherwise being engaged in working with a rural business.

(See Freshman and Sophomore Years)
JUNIOR YEAR
AGEC 314 Mkt Ag. and Food Products
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 317 Econ. Anlys. for Agbu. Mgmt.
(3-0)
3
AGEC 340 Agribusiness Management
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 330 Fin. Management in Ag.
(3-0)
3
ECON 323 Microeconomic Theory
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 429 Agricultural Policy
(3-0)
3
STAT 303 Statistical Methods
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 481 Seminar
(1-0)
1
Directed agricultural economics elective 1
3
   ENGL 301 Technical Writing
(3-0)
3
Directed non-agricultural econ. elective 2
3
   Directed non-agricultural econ. elective 2
3
 
18
   Free elective 3
3
 
   
19
SENIOR YEAR
AGEC 344 Food and Ag. Law
(3-0)
3
   AGEC 425 Rural Entrepreneurship II
(2-2)
3
AGEC 424 Rural Entrepreneurship I
(2-2)
3
   AGEC 430 Macroeconomics of Ag. or ECON 311 Money and Banking
(3-0)
3
Directed agricultural economics elective 1
3
   Directed agricultural economics elective 1
3
Directed non-agricultural econ. elective 2
3
   Free electives 3
6
Free elective 3
3
    
15
 
15
    

NOTES: 1. Select 3 courses from AGEC 315, 413, 422, 432, 448, and [452 or 453].

2. Nine hours, excluding 484s and 485s, to be selected in one or more departments outside the Department of Agricultural Economics. A minimum of 6 of these hours must be at the 300 or 400 level, of which at least 3 hours must be at the 400 level. These courses should be selected with the objective of supporting a focused career interest consistent with the Rural Entrepreneurship Option. Contact the Department of Agricultural Economics undergraduate advisors for additional information regarding potential career emphasis areas for this option.

3. Nine of the 12 hours must be at the 300 or 400 level.

Certificate In International Trade and Agriculture
Open to All Majors

The Certificate in International Trade and Agriculture (CITA) is designed to provide students with a complete knowledge and understanding of the global forces shaping change in agriculture. The CITA is available to all students provided that all prerequisites are met. The program requires a minimum of 15 credit hours in designated courses. Students who pursue the CITA must complete all requirements prior to graduation. Specific certificate requirements are available in the Undergraduate Programs Office, Room 331 Blocker, of the Department of Agricultural Economics or at agecon.tamu.edu/undergraduate.