The Stockbridge Associate Degree Curriculum

The Stockbridge Associate Degree Curriculum Bill Leahy

Our associate degree curriculum is designed in cooperation with industry professionals to quickly deliver the minimum specialized knowledge needed to gain employment in the associated field. After two years, graduates can seek immediate employment, or start their own businesses as entrepreneurs. As such, the associate degree curriculum has limited choice and flexibility.

 

Students seeking a more flexible curriculum, with access to a wide range of elective courses, should apply directly to a Stockbridge bachelor program. Our bachelor programs are designed to allow students to discover new areas, and then tailor their course work to best reflect their individual academic interests and career objectives.

 

All Stockbridge associate degree students start together each Fall in two introductory Stockbridge courses—Introductory Botany and Soils—where they get to know each other in a small school environment. From there, class sizes get smaller as students take specialization courses within their major.

 

Every associate degree program includes an internship—a work-and-learn experience in which you can earn both money and academic credit, in the summer after your first year. With a Stockbridge Internship, you’ll graduate with field experience on your resume, and a relationship with at least one employer central to your major.

 

 

Arboriculture and Community Forest Management

Arboriculture and Community Forest Management Bill Leahy
Kristina Bezanson

2-year Associate Degree

Program Advisor: Kristina Bezanson, ISA BCMA®, MCA

@email

 

This major prepares graduates for careers in residential, commercial, municipal, and utility arboriculture, as well as the non-profit sector. Students will learn how to plant, prune, fertilize, cable, and remove trees.  Pest and disease management, plant health care, quantifying the benefits that trees provide, and identifying the risks they present, are topics in the program.

Courses in bold require a minimum grade of C.

 

FIRST SEMESTER (FALL)

NRC 102 Arboricultural Field Techniques I  2

NRC 232 Principles of Arboriculture  3

STOCKSCH 105 Soils  4

STOCKSCH 108 Introductory Botany  4

STOCKSCH 192F First Year Seminar  1

SUSTCOMM 335 Plants in Landscape 4

Credit Total  18

 

SECOND SEMESTER (SPRING)

Courses for First Seven Weeks Only, Followed by Internship

NRC 191A Seminar in Arboriculture & Comm. Forestry  2

NRC 210 Arboricultural Field Techniques II  2

STOCKSCH 101 Exploring the Wonders and Applications of Entomology  2

STOCKSCH 111 Introductory Plant Pathology  2

NRC 198Y Arboriculture Internship (April-August)  4

Credit Total  12

 

THIRD SEMESTER (FALL)

MATH 100/101/104 Course Based on Math Placement Exam Score  3

STOCKSCH 109 Insects of Ornamentals  3

STOCKSCH 230 Introductory Turfgrass Management  4

ELECTIVE xxx (With Advisor Approval: See Examples Below)  3-4

Credit Total 13-14

 

FOURTH SEMESTER (SPRING)

ENGLWRIT 111/112 Course Based on Writing Placement Exam Score  3-4

LANDARCH 297M Business Concepts of Landscape Contracting  3

NRC 310 Community Forestry  3

ELECTIVES or GEN EDS (With Advisor Approval: See Examples Below)  6-7

Credit Total  15-17

 

Grand Total 60-63

 

Arboriculture Electives (Taken with Advisor Approval)

Note: May take other courses with advisor approval. Students planning to transfer to a 4-year bachelor’s program may be encouraged to complete general education courses that count towards that goal.

STOCKSCH 289 Forest Gardens  3

NRC 160 Forest Fire Control  1

NRC 225 Forests and People  3

NRC 235 Sensible Pruning for Beginners & Experts  2

NRC 261 Wildlife Conservation  3

 

General Education Courses (Only For Students Transferring to a BS Program)

STOCKSCH 105 Soils (BioSci)  4

CHEM 111 General Chemistry (PS)  4

MATH 104 Algebra, Analytic Geometry, and Trigonometry (R1)  3

NRC 100 Environment and Society (SI)  4

RES-ECON 102 Introduction to Resource Economics (SB)  4

STOCKSCH 172 Plants in Our World (SI)  4

Landscape Contracting

Landscape Contracting Bill Leahy
Michael Davidsohn

2-year Associate Degree

Program Advisor: Mike Davidsohn, MLA

@email

 

The landscape contracting curriculum develops a foundation around three primary areas: landscape design, horticulture, and landscape construction/business.

The goal of the landscape contracting program is to prepare students to become crew leaders, project supervisors, and estimators, as well as to hold other managerial positions. This is done by developing a student's skills in these areas: design, estimating, installation, and management. The program is offered through the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning and administered through the Stockbridge School of Agriculture.

This program prepares students with the horticultural, design, and construction background to organize and execute the installation of landscape projects on private, commercial, and public properties.

Courses in bold require a minimum grade of C.

 

FIRST SEMESTER (FALL)

STOCKSCH 105 Soils  4

STOCKSCH 108 Introductory Botany  4

STOCKSCH 192F First Year Seminar  1

LANDCONT 112 Introduction to Landscape Design  4

SUSTCOMM 335 Plants in Landscape  4

Credit Total  17

 

SECOND SEMESTER (SPRING)

Courses for First Seven Weeks Only, Followed by Internship

STOCKSCH 101 Exploring the Wonders and Applications of Entomology  2

STOCKSCH 111 Introductory Plant Pathology  2

LANDCONT 105 Landscape Drafting  2

LANDARCH 297C Design Studio III  3

LANDCONT 198Y Landscape Contracting Internship (April-August)  4

Credit Total  13

 

THIRD SEMESTER (FALL)

STOCKSCH 109 Insects of Ornamentals  3

STOCKSCH 230 Introductory Turfgrass Management  4 (even years)

or NRC 232 Principles of Arboriculture  3 (odd years)

LANDCONT 107 Land Form  4

MATH 100/101/104 Course Based on Math Placement Exam Score  3

Credit Total  13-14

 

FOURTH SEMESTER (SPRING)

STOCKSCH 234 Irrigation and Drainage  3

or STOCKSCH 255 Herbaceous Plants  3

LANDCONT 213 Small Property Design  4

LANDARCH 294A Construction Materials  3

LANDARCH 294B Construction Materials Practicum  1

LANDARCH 297M Business Concepts of Landscape Contracting  3

ENGLWRIT 111/112 Course Based on Writing Placement Exam Score  3-4

Credit Total  17-18

 

Grand Total 60-62

Sustainable Food & Farming

Sustainable Food & Farming Bill Leahy
Jaime Piñero

2-year Associate Degree

Program Advisor: Jaime Piñero, PhD

jpinero@umass.edu

 

Students in this major learn the complexities of farming and pursue careers in farming, education, and/or advocacy. The curriculum is flexible, with a wide range of electives, allowing students to specialize their degree as they desire.

Courses in bold require a minimum grade of C.

 

FIRST SEMESTER (FALL)

STOCKSCH 105 Soils  4

STOCKSCH 108 Introductory Botany  4

STOCKSCH 120 Organic Farming and Gardening  4

STOCKSCH 192F First Year Seminar  1

STOCKSCH 320 Organic Vegetable Production  3

Credit Total  16

 

SECOND SEMESTER (SPRING)

STOCKSCH 101 Exploring the Wonders and Applications of Entomology (1st Seven Weeks)  2

STOCKSCH 104 Plant Nutrients (1st Seven Weeks)  2

STOCKSCH 111 Introductory Plant Pathology (1st Seven Weeks)  2

STOCKSCH 298 Optional: Practicum (2nd Seven Weeks)  2

SFF ELECTIVES xxx (Advisor Approved: See Lists Below) (Full Semester)  6

STOCKSCH 198F Sustainable Food & Farming Internship (June-August)  3-4

Credit Total  15-18

 

THIRD SEMESTER (FALL)

MATH 100/101/104 Course Based on Math Placement Exam Score  3

STOCKSCH 270 Sustainable Soil and Crop Management  3

SFF ELECTIVES xxx (Advisor Approved: See Lists Below)  9

Credit Total  15

 

FOURTH SEMESTER (SPRING)

ENGLWRIT 111/112 Course Based on Writing Placement Exam Score  3-4

SFF ELECTIVES xxx (Advisor Approved: See Lists Below)  12

Credit Total  15-16

 

Grand Total  61-65

 

SUSTAINABLE FOOD & FARMING ELECTIVES (TAKEN WITH ADVISOR APPROVAL)

  • Must earn a minimum of 27 credits across all 5 categories of electives below
  • Each course can only be used to satisfy one category (no double dipping)
  • Additional courses may be taken with advisor approval

Note: Students planning to transfer to a 4-year bachelor’s program may be required to complete general education courses that count towards that goal.

 

Economic & Social Systems (Must take one course)

ANIMLSCI 260 Animal Care & Welfare  4 (Fall)

NRC 225 Forests and People  3 (Spring)

RES-ECON 262 Environmental Economics  4 (Spring)

RES-ECON 263 Natural Resource Economics  4 (Fall)

 

Pests & Pest Management (Must take one course)

STOCKSCH 326 Insect Biology  3 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 581 Integrated Pest Management  4 (Fall)

 

Plant & Animal Systems (Must take two courses)

ANIMLSCI 103 Introductory Animal Management  4 (Spring)

ANIMLSCI 260 Animal Care & Welfare  4 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 165 Intro to Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems  3 (Fall)

 

Practica and Related Experiences (Must take one course)

ANIMLSCI 238 Dairy Calf Management  2 (Fall)

ANIMLSCI 239 Livestock Classic  1 (Spring)

ANIMLSCI 251 Dorset Sheep Management II  2 (Spring)

ANIMLSCI 252 Belted Galloway (aka “Oreo cow”) Management II  2 (Spring)

ANIMLSCI 253 Boer Goat Management II  2 (Spring)

ANIMLSCI 298 Animal Science Practicum  1+ (Both)

STOCKSCH 170 Pesticide Certification  1 (Both)

STOCKSCH 196 Independent Study  1+ (Both)

STOCKSCH 298 Stockbridge Practicum  1+ (Both)

STOCKSCH 398G Greenhouse Practicum  1+ (Both)

 

Production Systems (Must take one course)

ANIMLSCI 103 Introductory Animal Management  4 (Spring)

ANIMLSCI 332 Basic Animal Nutrition & Feeding  4 (Spring)

STOCKSCH 370 Tropical Agriculture  3 (Spring)

 

GENERAL ED COURSES (ONLY FOR STUDENTS TRANSFERRING TO BS PROGRAM)

CHEM 111 General Chemistry (PS)  4

MATH 104 Algebra, Analytic Geometry, and Trigonometry (R1)  3

NRC 100 Environment and Society (SI)  4

RES-ECON 102 Introduction to Resource Economics (SB)  4

STOCKSCH 172 Plants in Our World (SI)  4

Sustainable Horticulture

Sustainable Horticulture Bill Leahy
Elsa Petit

2-year Associate Degree

Program Advisor: Elsa Petit, PhD

@email

 

Students interested in gaining knowledge in a range of sustainable horticulture topics enroll in this major. The curriculum is flexible, with a wide range of electives, allowing students to specialize their degree as they desire.

Courses in bold require a minimum grade of C.

 

FIRST SEMESTER (FALL)

STOCKSCH 105 Soils  4

STOCKSCH 108 Introductory Botany  4

STOCKSCH 192F First Year Seminar  1

MATH 100/101/104 Course Based on Math Placement Exam Score  3

ELECTIVE xxx (Advisor Approved: Below)  3

Credit Total  15

 

SECOND SEMESTER (SPRING)

STOCKSCH 101 Exploring the Wonders and Applications of Entomology (1st Seven Weeks)  2

STOCKSCH 104 Plant Nutrients (1st Seven Weeks)  2

STOCKSCH 111 Introductory Plant Pathology (1st Seven Weeks)  2

STOCKSCH 315 Greenhouse Management (Full Semester)  4

STOCKSCH 398D HydroFarm Practicum (Optional) (2nd Seven Weeks)  1

ELECTIVES xxx (Advisor Approved: See List Below) (Full Semester) 3

STOCKSCH 198G Horticulture Internship (June-August)  3

Credit Total  16-17

 

THIRD SEMESTER (FALL)

STOCKSCH 109 Insects of Ornamentals  3

STOCKSCH 200 Plant Propagation  3 (odd years)

or STOCKSCH 230 Introductory Turfgrass Management  4 (even years)

SUSTCOMM 335 Plants in Landscape  4

ELECTIVES xxx (Advisor Approved: See List Below)  6

Credit Total  16-17

 

FOURTH SEMESTER (SPRING)

ENGLWRIT 111/112 Course Based on Writing Placement Exam Score  3-4

ELECTIVES xxx (Advisor Approved: See List Below)  10

Credit Total  13-14

 

Grand Total  60-62

 

SUSTAINABLE HORTICULTURE ELECTIVES (TAKEN WITH ADVISOR APPROVAL)

Note: May take other courses with advisor approval. Students planning to transfer to a 4-year bachelor’s program may be required to complete general education courses that count towards that goal.

STOCKSCH 100 Botany for Gardeners  4 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 110 Sustainable Horticulture  3 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 120 Organic Farming and Gardening  4 (Both)

STOCKSCH 165 Intro to Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems. 3 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 172 Plants in Our World  4 (Spring)

STOCKSCH 186 Introduction to Permaculture  3 (Both)

STOCKSCH 200 Plant Propagation  3 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 210 Retail Floral Design  3 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 230 Introductory Turfgrass Management  4 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 234 Irrigation & Drainage  3 (Spring)

STOCKSCH 255 Herbaceous Plants  3 (Spring)

STOCKSCH 270 Sustainable Soil and Crop Management  3 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 275 Turfgrass Physiology & Ecology  3 (Spring)

STOCKSCH 280 Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants  3 (Spring)

STOCKSCH 281 Topics in Herbalism I (Online only)  2 (Winter)

STOCKSCH 282 Topics in Herbalism II  2 (Spring)

STOCKSCH 315 Greenhouse Management  4 (Spring)

STOCKSCH 320 Organic Vegetable Production  3 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 326 Insect Biology  3 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 358 Social Permaculture: Building Resilient Communities  3 (Spring)

STOCKSCH 365 Hydroponics  4 (Fall)

STOCKSCH 386 Sustainable Site Design and Planning  3 (Fall)

ENVIRSCI 101 Introduction to Environmental Science  4 (Fall)

LANDARCH 294A Construction Materials  3 (Spring)

LANDARCH 294B Construction Materials Practicum  1 (Spring)

NRC 100 Environment and Society  4 (Fall)

NRC 210 Arboricultural Field Techniques II  2 (Spring)

NRC 232 Principles of Arboriculture  3 (Fall)

NRC 310 Community Forestry  3 (Spring)

 

GENERAL ED COURSES (ONLY FOR STUDENTS TRANSFERRING TO BS PROGRAM)

CHEM 111 General Chemistry (PS)  4

MATH 104 Algebra, Analytic Geometry, and Trigonometry (R1)  3

NRC 100 Environment and Society (SI)  4

RES-ECON 102 Introduction to Resource Economics (SB)  4

STOCKSCH 172 Plants in Our World (SI)  4

Turfgrass Management

Turfgrass Management Bill Leahy
Michelle DaCosta

2-year Associate Degree

Program Advisor: Michelle DaCosta, PhD

@email

 

This major prepares students for employment in the rapidly growing green industries, with emphasis on developing grass areas for fine turf, including golf, sports, and lawns.

Courses in bold require a minimum grade of C.

 

FIRST SEMESTER (FALL)

STOCKSCH 105 Soils  4

STOCKSCH 108 Introductory Botany  4

STOCKSCH 192F First Year Seminar  1

STOCKSCH 230 Introductory Turfgrass Management  4

ENGLWRIT 111/112 Course Based on Writing Placement Exam Score  3-4

Credit Total  16-17

 

SECOND SEMESTER (SPRING)

STOCKSCH 101 Exploring the Wonders and Applications of Entomology (First 7 weeks)  2

STOCKSCH 104 Plant Nutrients (First 7 weeks)  2

STOCKSCH 111 Introductory Plant Pathology (First 7 weeks)  2

STOCKSCH 112 Turfgrass Pathology Lab (Second 7 weeks)  2

STOCKSCH 275 Turfgrass Physiology & Ecology (Full semester)  3

ELECTIVE xxx (With Advisor Approval: See Below)  3

STOCKSCH 198T Turfgrass Internship (June-August)  3

Credit Total  17

 

THIRD SEMESTER (FALL)

STOCKSCH 109 Insects of Ornamentals  3

NRC 232 Principles of Arboriculture  3

SUSTCOMM 335 Plants in Landscape  4

MATH 100/101/104 Course Based on Math Placement Exam Score  3

ELECTIVE xxx (With Advisor Approval: See Below)  3-4

Credit Total  16-17

 

FOURTH SEMESTER (SPRING)

STOCKSCH 234 Irrigation and Drainage  3

ELECTIVES xxx (With Advisor Approval: See Below)  9

Credit Total  12

 

Grand Total  61-63

 

TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT ELECTIVES (TAKEN WITH ADVISOR APPROVAL)

Note: May take other courses with advisor approval. Students planning to transfer to a 4-year bachelor’s program may be required to complete general education courses that count towards that goal.

COMM 260 Public Speaking  3

ENVIRSCI 101 Introduction to Environmental Science  4

SPANISH xxx Course Based on Placement Exam Score  4

STOCKSCH 111 Agricultural Chemistry  3

STOCKSCH 170 Pesticide Certification  1

STOCKSCH 197GS Special Topic: UMass Extension Green School (Winter)  3

STOCKSCH 240 Applied Calculations in Turfgrass Management (PreReq 230)  2

STOCKSCH 275 Turfgrass Physiology and Ecology (PreReq 230)  3

STOCKSCH 326 Insect Biology  3

STOCKSCH 398T Turf Practicum  1-9

STOCKSCH 490S Soil Ecology  3

 

GENERAL ED COURSES (FOR STUDENTS TRANSFERRING TO BS PROGRAM)

CHEM 111 General Chemistry (PS)  4

MATH 104 Algebra, Analytic Geometry, and Trigonometry (R1)  3

NRC 100 Environment and Society (SI)  4

RES-ECON 102 Introduction to Resource Economics (SB)  4

STOCKSCH 172 Plants in Our World (SI)  4