Agroecology (AGROECOL) < University of Wisconsin-Madison

AGROECOL/AGRONOMY/C&E SOC/ENTOM/ENVIR ST 103 — AGROECOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ECOLOGY OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

3 credits.

Agroecology has blossomed across the world in recent decades as not only a science, but also a practice, and a movement. Employ the multiple disciplines and perspectives that Agroecology affords to analyze our agricultural and food systems wihin a broader context of dynamic social and ecological relationships.

AGROECOL 187 — PLANTS AND THE SCIENCE OF SURVIVAL

3 credits.

Could you grow and gather enough food to feed yourself? Learn the biology behind how to grow healthy plants in a healthy ecosystem by creating plans for a large food garden. Focus on understanding the scientific method, analyzing data and sources, and using scientific research as a tool to make decisions. Identify credible information sources for solving unpredictable, real-world problems faced by food growers. Practice awareness and understanding of the natural world.

Requisites: None

Course Designation: Breadth - Biological Sci. Counts toward the Natural Sci req
Level - Elementary
L&S Credit - Counts as Liberal Arts and Science credit in L&S

Repeatable for Credit: No

Last Taught: Summer 2024

Learning Outcomes: 1. Create an evidence-based plan for a growing space
Audience: Undergraduate

2. Explain how the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy of plants impact humans’ use of them as food and medicine
Audience: Undergraduate

3. Demonstrate knowledge of scientific concepts and assumptions as they apply to growing and harvesting plants
Audience: Undergraduate

4. Analyze, interpret, and locate scientific evidence about homesteading-related topics
Audience: Undergraduate

5. Demonstrate knowledge of the scientific method
Audience: Undergraduate

6. Apply scientific reasoning to determine when scientific information supports a given conclusion about plant use and production
Audience: Undergraduate

7. Critically evaluate the impacts of plant sciences on our communities and food systems
Audience: Undergraduate

AGROECOL 303 — AGROECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: WORKING TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

3 credits.

Explores in-depth agriculture systems as coupled ecological and social complexities. Examines the components of agricultural systems and analyzes how different ecological and social contexts influence and are influenced by the agricultural system. Explores and analyzes how management decisions (crop breeding, in-crop management, landscape-level, etc.) ramify to influence processes and outcomes at different levels of complexity (e.g., ecosystem, landscape, social well-being, human health, economic) and the socio-ecological tradeoffs that ensue. Develops skills to analyze how the design and implementation of integrated agricultural systems can contribute to solutions for pressing societal challenges such as climate change, biodiversity declines, unsustainable resource use and social inequality.

Requisites: ENVIR ST/AGROECOL/AGRONOMY/C&E SOC/ENTOM 103

Course Designation: Breadth - Biological Sci. Counts toward the Natural Sci req
Level - Intermediate
L&S Credit - Counts as Liberal Arts and Science credit in L&S

Repeatable for Credit: No

Learning Outcomes: 1. Identify ecological biotic and abiotic aspects of agricultural systems as stocks and flows of energy and matter within and between organizational levels (e.g. cellular, organismal, ecosystem, landscape, and global)
Audience: Undergraduate

2. Describe the social dimensions of agricultural systems as stocks and flows of knowledge, information, and beliefs at organizational levels within agroecosystems
Audience: Undergraduate

3. Explain and analyze how the management of agroecosystems influences ecological and social processes
Audience: Undergraduate

4. Evaluate how agriculture can be designed and managed to be a solution for modern ecological and social challenges of today (e.g.climate change, unsustainable resources use, biodiversity declines, social inequality) in different socio-ecological contexts
Audience: Undergraduate

5. Compare and contrast careers in agroecology through interactions with a wide variety of persons working in the field, from practitioners to industry professionals
Audience: Undergraduate

6. Solve problems individually and as part of teams using the scientific method, logic, and reasoning by identifying and differentiating the strength and value of information, evidence, and approaches related to the management and sustainability of agroecosystems
Audience: Undergraduate

7. Reflect on one's participation in food systems from local to global scales
Audience: Undergraduate

AGROECOL/AGRONOMY/DY SCI 371 — MANAGED GRAZING FIELD STUDY

1-2 credits.

For those interested in developing a comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices, and conservation potential of managed grazing systems, and how these farming systems may contribute to the sustainability and diverse tapestry of Wisconsin's working landscape. Visit managed grazing systems of successful grazing-based farmers (graziers) across southern/central counties in Wisconsin, and/or research sites at UW's Arlington and/or Lancaster Research Stations and/or the Discovery Farms Program. An opportunity to discuss at length with farm managers and researchers the practices in place at each farm and research site. Includes introduction to UWEX pasture forage/nutrient management planning and budgeting software.

AGROECOL 399 — COORDINATIVE INTERNSHIP/COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

1-8 credits.

Internship under guidance of a faculty or instructional academic staff member in Agroecology and internship site supervisor. Students are responsible for arranging the work and credits with the faculty or instructional academic staff member and the internship site supervisor.

Requisites: Consent of instructor

Course Designation: Workplace - Workplace Experience Course

Repeatable for Credit: Yes, unlimited number of completions

Learning Outcomes: 1. Apply concepts learned in coursework to authentic professional situations
Audience: Undergraduate

2. Demonstrate professional skills appropriate for the industry
Audience: Undergraduate

3. Identify and reflect on how concepts learned in coursework apply to specific work settings and situations
Audience: Undergraduate

AGROECOL 400 — STUDY ABROAD IN AGROECOLOGY

1-6 credits.

Provides an area equivalency for courses taken on Madison Study Abroad Programs that do not equate to existing UW courses. Current enrollment in a UW-Madison study abroad program

AGROECOL 503 — AGROECOLOGY CAPSTONE

3 credits.

A stepping stone between the classroom and society. Emphasizes integration of diverse bodies of agroecological knowledge, critical thinking, and engagement with real-world problems and current research. Topics such as: bioproducts, food systems and security, economic vitality of communities, climate change, humans and their environment, biodiversity, resource management and policy, and social equity.

Requisites: ENVIR ST/AGROECOL/AGRONOMY/C&E SOC/ENTOM 103, AGROECOL 303, and senior standing

Repeatable for Credit: No

Learning Outcomes: 1. Integrate diverse bodies of knowledge to solve an agroecological problem or formulate a policy of society importance
Audience: Undergraduate

2. Evaluate the strength and value of information, evidence, and approaches relevant to a specific problem or policy
Audience: Undergraduate

3. Discuss and lead discussions with peers regarding a specific agroecological problem or policy
Audience: Undergraduate

4. Write and present comprehensive reports regarding a specific agroecological problem or policy for scientists or policymakers
Audience: Undergraduate

5. Write and present comprehensive reports regarding a specific agroecological problem or policy for the general public
Audience: Undergraduate

AGROECOL 699 — SPECIAL PROBLEMS

1-3 credits.

Scholarship on special topics, under the supervision of an agroecology faculty member.

AGROECOL 701 — THE FARM AS SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL ENDEAVOR

3 credits.

Farms may be analyzed as intentional entities shaped by the contexts in which they must operate. This course explores how these biophysical and social contexts both exert constraints and provide opportunities, leading to the diversity of farms observed.

AGROECOL 702 — THE MULTIFUNCTIONALITY OF AGRICULTURE

3 credits.

Agroecology systems provide a variety of social, economic, and ecological functions to society, each with a different network of stakeholders. This course explores methods of evaluating these diverse functions and perspectives, with a special focus on participatory approaches.

AGROECOL 710 — SEMINAR IN AGROECOLOGY

1 credit.

Facilitated discussions on agroecology-related scholarship, policies, and practices. May include presentations on current or proposed research.

Requisites: Graduate/professional standing

Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement

Repeatable for Credit: Yes, unlimited number of completions

Last Taught: Fall 2024

Learning Outcomes: 1. Present current or proposed research
Audience: Graduate

2. Facilitate discussion of agroecology-related scholarship
Audience: Graduate

3. Integrate and apply multidisciplinary perspectives to evaluate and propose solutions to agroecology problems
Audience: Graduate

4. Analyze and discuss agroecology research, policies, and practices
Audience: Graduate

5. Evaluate peer presentations
Audience: Graduate

AGROECOL 720 — AGROECOLOGY FIELD STUDY

1-3 credits.

Field study of farms, processing, marketing, distribution, and policy-making in the food system. Courses will be several days of visits, discussions with the operators, and student-faculty discussion sections. Presentations or written reports may be required.

AGROECOL/AGRONOMY/ENVIR ST 724 — AGROECOSYSTEMS AND GLOBAL CHANGE

3 credits.

Impacts of global change drivers (climate change, atmospheric chemistry, bioenergy, urbanization, policy) on agroecosystems and their associated goods and services; environmental impacts of agricultural land use and feedbacks to climate; modeling approaches; critical review of current scientific literature.

AGROECOL 875 — TOPICS IN AGROECOLOGY

1-3 credits.

This course number provides for opportunities to develop and test possible new courses, or to accommodate visiting scholars who may wish to offer a course.

AGROECOL 990 — RESEARCH

1-12 credits.

Independent research on the student's thesis or degree project.