Agriculture: Tropical Plant Science and Agroecology Specialty
This is content from the Catalog 2019–2020 back issue. Please visit the current catalog for current information.
Contact:
Email: mhopkins@hawaii.edu
Tel: (808) 932-7691
Website: https://hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/cafnrm/
The undergraduate Tropical Plant Science & Agroecology (TPSA) specialization is designed to provide an opportunity for students interested in tropical crop science or a plant-related field to have access to selected courses or topics in their area of interest. The curriculum is structured to offer a well-rounded undergraduate education emphasizing the long-term sustainability of our managed crop production systems and the surrounding ecosystems. The TPSA student learns to manage a wide variety of plant production challenges. Since production constraints in the tropics come from many sources, this curriculum draws its core courses from the areas of Plant Physiology, Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Soil Science, Weed Science, Entomology, Agribusiness, and Agricultural Economics.
Graduates in TPSA can obtain employment with private enterprises or government agencies concerned with conservation and environmental protection, crop production, plant pest control, plant ecology, laboratories specializing in plant and soil analyses, and farm services/agribusiness. Other graduates may elect to start their own enterprises or proceed to graduate school for advanced degrees.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Explain the principles, concepts, applications, and inter-relations of biology, chemistry, soil science, and mathematics as they apply to natural and agrarian "crop-based" plant ecosystems,
- Use the principles of scientific inquiry to describe, analyze, solve, and report on scientific problems involving tropical plant science and related fields,
- Exhibit proficiency in the use of technology, critical thinking, and quantitative tools used in plant-science applications,
- Interact and communicate effectively with peers, mentors, and the larger community through internships, work-related activities, presentations and reports,
- Exhibit proficiency and practical skills in various areas of crop production, and demonstrate awareness of the impact of agriculture on our environment and natural resources, and
- Successfully pursue diverse careers or enter graduate programs in plant science, applied ecology and other related fields.