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Twin Cities Campus

Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Minor

Agronomy & Plant Genetics
Applied Economics
Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
Horticultural Science
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
  • Program Type: Undergraduate minor related to major
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2021
  • Required credits in this minor: 18 to 21
The Food Systems minor is for students who want to supplement their major program by developing the interdisciplinary knowledge and problem-solving skills needed to address complex challenges and opportunities in food systems. The focus is on designing and developing food systems that are sustainable in environmental, economic, and social terms.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Minor Requirements
Minor Core
Students must complete the following three courses:
FDSY 2101 - Plant Production Systems (3.0 cr)
BBE 3201 - Sustainability of Food Systems: A Life Cycle Perspective [GP] (3.0 cr)
APEC 3202 - An Introduction to the Food System: Analysis, Management and Design (3.0 cr)
Electives
Complete a minimum of 9 credits within one of the following three tracks.
Agroecology Track
Take 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
· ESPM 3108 - Ecology of Managed Systems [ENV] (3.0 cr)
· SOIL 2125 - Basic Soil Science [PHYS, ENV] (4.0 cr)
· HORT 2121 - Agricultural Biochemistry (3.0 cr)
or BIOC 3021 - Biochemistry (3.0 cr)
· PLSC 3005W - Introduction to Plant Physiology [WI] (4.0 cr)
-OR-
Consumer and Markets Track
Take 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
· ANSC 1511 - Food Animal Products for Consumers (3.0 cr)
· APEC 3071 - Microeconomics of International Development (3.0 cr)
· APEC 3411 - Commodity Marketing (3.0 cr)
· APEC 3501 - Agribusiness Finance (3.0 cr)
· APEC 4451W - Food Marketing Economics [CIV, WI] (3.0 cr)
· HORT 4461 - Horticultural Marketing (3.0 cr)
· APEC 4481 - Futures and Options Markets (3.0 cr)
· APEC 4821W - Business Economics and Strategy [WI] (3.0 cr)
· APEC 5841 - Agricultural and Consumer Cooperatives and Mutuals (3.0 cr)
· FSCN 1011 - Science of Food and Cooking [PHYS] (4.0 cr)
· FSCN 1102 - Food: Safety, Risks, and Technology [CIV] (3.0 cr)
· FSCN 2001 - A Food Systems Approach to Cooking for Health and the Environment (3.0 cr)
· FSCN 2021 - Introductory Microbiology (4.0 cr)
· FSCN 3102 - Introduction to Food Science (3.0 cr)
· FSCN 3612 - Life Cycle Nutrition (3.0 cr)
· FSCN 3615 {Inactive} [GP] (3.0 cr)
· FSCN 4131 - Food Quality (3.0 cr)
· HORT 1031 - Vines and Wines: Introduction to Viticulture and Enology (3.0 cr)
· APEC 3551 - Concept Design and Value-Added Entrepreneurship in Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (3.0 cr)
· APEC 3811 - Principles of Farm Management (3.0 cr)
-OR-
Organics and Local Food Production Track
Take 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
· HORT 2121 - Agricultural Biochemistry (3.0 cr)
· PLSC 3005W - Introduction to Plant Physiology [WI] (4.0 cr)
· CFAN 2333 - Insects, Microbes, and Plants: Ecology of Pest Management [TS] (3.0 cr)
· HORT 3131 - Student Organic Farm Planning, Growing, and Marketing (3.0 cr)
· HORT 1001 - Plant Propagation [BIOL] (4.0 cr)
· SOIL 2125 - Basic Soil Science [PHYS, ENV] (4.0 cr)
 
More program views..
View college catalog(s):
· College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

View future requirement(s):
· Fall 2022
· Spring 2022


View checkpoint chart:
· Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Minor
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FDSY 2101 - Plant Production Systems
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Prerequisites: College level general biology course or Hort 1001 or #
Typically offered: Every Spring
How food production systems fit within overall food system. Fundamentals of soils, plant nutrition, plant production metabolites as they affect food production systems. Decisions that differentiate among conventional sustainable/organic systems. prereq: College level general biology course or Hort 1001 or instr consent
BBE 3201 - Sustainability of Food Systems: A Life Cycle Perspective (GP)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Consequences of global food system. Diversity in food systems. Current topics in food sustainability.
APEC 3202 - An Introduction to the Food System: Analysis, Management and Design
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduction to use of systems thinking for exploration of problems in contemporary food system from multidisciplinary perspective. System concepts. Historical evolution of food system. Analysis, management, design.
ESPM 3108 - Ecology of Managed Systems (ENV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: ESPM 3108/ESPM 5108
Typically offered: Every Fall
Ecology of ecosystems that are primarily composed of managed plant communities, such as managed forests, field-crop agroecosystems, rangelands and nature reserves, parks, and urban open-spaces. Concepts of ecology and ecosystem management. prereq: BIOL 1001 or BIOL 1009 or HORT 1001 or instr consent
SOIL 2125 - Basic Soil Science (PHYS, ENV)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Soil 2125/Soil 5125
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Basic physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. Soil genesis classification, principles of soil fertility. Use of soil survey information to make a land-use plan. WWW used for lab preparation information. prereq: [CHEM 1015, CHEM 1017] or CHEM 1021 or equiv
HORT 2121 - Agricultural Biochemistry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Chemical/biochemical foundation for agricultural disciplines. Concepts in organic, analytical, and biological chemistry. Chemistry, metabolism, and development of plants. Prerequisites: [CHEM 1015, CHEM 1017] or [CHEM 1061, CHEM 1065] *Note for those students considering graduate school - We highly recommend you consult your academic advisor for appropriate chemistry coursework.
BIOC 3021 - Biochemistry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: BioC 3021/BioC 3022/BioC 4331/
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Fundamentals of biochemistry. Structure/function of nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates. Enzymes. Metabolism. DNA replication and repair, transcription, protein synthesis. Recommended prerequisites: Introductory biology (BIOL 1009 or BIOL 2003 or equivalent), organic chemistry (CHEM 2301 or CHEM 2081/2085 or equivalent). Note: CBS students should take BIOC 3022 not 3021.
PLSC 3005W - Introduction to Plant Physiology (WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Introduction to physiological basis for effects of environment on plant growth/development. How to produce optimal plant growth. Experimental technique, data analysis, scientific writing. Lecture, readings, lab. Prerequisites: Biol 1009 or Hort 1001 and BioC 3021 or Hort 2100 or BioC 2011
ANSC 1511 - Food Animal Products for Consumers
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduction to the compositional variation, processing, selection, storage, cookery, palatability, nutritional value, and safety of red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. Meets CFANS interdisciplinary requirement.
APEC 3071 - Microeconomics of International Development
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Characteristics and performance of peasant agriculture; potential role of agriculture in economic development, and design of economic policies to achieve agricultural and economic development; role of women in agricultural development. prereq: 1101, 1102, Econ 1101, 1102, or instr consent
APEC 3411 - Commodity Marketing
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: ApEc 3411/ApEc 5411
Typically offered: Every Fall
Economic concepts related to marketing agricultural commodities. Conditions of competitive markets, historical perspectives on market institutions/policy, structural characteristics of markets, policies/regulations affecting agricultural marketing of livestock, crop, and dairy products. prereq: 1101 or Econ 1101
APEC 3501 - Agribusiness Finance
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: ApEc 3501/Fina 3001/Fina 3001H
Typically offered: Every Fall
Analysis of financing and investment strategies for agribusiness firms and their effects on liquidity, solvency, and profitability. Analysis of financial institutions, markets, and instruments. Management problems, issues facing financial intermediaries serving agriculture. prereq: [[1251 or Acct 2050], 60 cr] or instr consent
APEC 4451W - Food Marketing Economics (CIV, WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: ApEc 4451W/ApEc 5451
Typically offered: Every Fall
Economics of food marketing in the United States. Food consumption trends, consumer food behavior, marketing strategies, consumer survey methodology, food distribution/retailing system. Policy issues related to food marketing. Individual/group projects. prereq: [[1101 or Econ 1101], [1101H or Econ 1101H], SCO 2550 or STAT 3011 or equiv, 60 cr] or instr consent
HORT 4461 - Horticultural Marketing
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: ApEc 4461/Hort 4461
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Major areas in horticultural marketing. Difference between horticultural products and commercial commodities. Core marketing components that should be used by every small horticultural business. Approaches to consumer research.
APEC 4481 - Futures and Options Markets
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: ApEc 4481/5481
Typically offered: Every Spring
Economics of futures/options trading in theory/application. Basis/price relationship in storable/nonstorable commodities. Hedging/commercial use of futures/options contracts. Speculation. Pricing efficiency. Market performances/regulation. prereq: [[3001 or Econ 3101], [AnSc 3011 or SCO 2550 or Stat 3011],] or instr consent
APEC 4821W - Business Economics and Strategy (WI)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: ApEc 4821W/ApEc 5821
Typically offered: Every Spring
Strategic management for production, processing, wholesaling, retailing, and service. Strategy formulation, implementation, and control. Business plans. Case study analysis. prereq: APEC 3002 or APEC 3003
APEC 5841 - Agricultural and Consumer Cooperatives and Mutuals
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: ApEc 3841/ApEc 5841
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduction to the cooperative and mutual form of business. Each class begins with a speaker, usually a producer member or manager, from a cooperative or mutual including coffee, cocoa, farm supply, dairy, and other types of cooperatives. About 25% of the speakers are from global cooperatives. Students will choose a cooperative or mutual at the beginning of the semester and most homework assignments will be applied to your cooperative including a final digital media project. The course has one live lecture and one asynchronous lecture each week. 
FSCN 1011 - Science of Food and Cooking (PHYS)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Souffles, custards, sauces, coffee brewing, candy making used to examine physics/chemistry of heat transfer, foams, gels, emulsions, extractions, crystallization.
FSCN 1102 - Food: Safety, Risks, and Technology (CIV)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: OPT No Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Introduction to inherent risks/safety of food supply. Use of public policy and food technology to reduce risks. Microbiological, chemical, and environmental hazards, government/industry controls.
FSCN 2001 - A Food Systems Approach to Cooking for Health and the Environment
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
This is a fun, hands-on cooking class. It is also an Experiential Learning (EL) course which meets the EL requirement for all CFANS students. This lecture /lab format course will give students the confidence to cook healthful whole foods as they learn about the food system. Subject matter will be taught from an interdisciplinary perspective. Concepts covered include fundamental concepts of nutrition, food sources, food safety, the food system; skills/resources for food choices based on nutritional, environmental, local and global societal implications. We will examine the ethical and civic themes that guide food choices. We will discuss and write about how environmental, cultural, social, and health issues impact personal food choices. prereq: [soph, jr, sr] or instructor consent
FSCN 2021 - Introductory Microbiology
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Prerequisites: BIOL 1009, CHEM 1015
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
How microbes impact our world in deadly/life-saving ways. Roles of bacteria, fungi, and viruses as agents of human diseases; in food spoilage/food borne diseases; and in food preservation/health promotion. Preventing plant diseases, food/drug production, cleaning up oil spills. Genetic engineering.
FSCN 3102 - Introduction to Food Science
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduction to chemical/physical properties of foods. Evaluating interaction/reaction of foods due to formulation, processing, preparation. prereq: CHEM 1022 or [CHEM 1062 and CHEM 1066]
FSCN 3612 - Life Cycle Nutrition
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
FSCN 3612 focuses on nutritional requirements and common issues during different stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, childhood, adulthood, and aging. There are no required courses for this class; however, it is best to take a basic nutrition class beforehand, such as FSCN 1112 Principles of Nutrition or an equivalent.
FSCN 4131 - Food Quality
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course is designed to give students an overview of the management systems, statistical procedures, and regulatory requirements involved with producing quality food and ingredients. The course material includes risk assessment and management, good manufacturing practices, hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP), statistical methods for process control, total quality management, and food and drug laws. The course is intended primarily for upper division undergraduates majoring in food science. prereq: jr
HORT 1031 - Vines and Wines: Introduction to Viticulture and Enology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: OPT No Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
This course is an introduction to the principles of growing grapes (viticulture), making wine (enology), and an appreciation of the historical, geographical, and sensory diversity of wine. The course is taught in part with 20-50 minute online lectures; usually 2 or 3 of these are covered each week. The class also meets once a week for a combination lecture and wine tasting/sensory session. Guest lecturers will be involved to explore certain aspects of the course including grape vine biology, morphology, genetics and breeding, as well as sensory evaluation and wine components, and the subject of soils and so-call ?terroir? or regional identity, including the relation between grape cultivar, soil, climate, and cultural practices. Prerequisite: Enrollees must be 21 yrs of age by date of 1st class meeting Enrollment Restrictions: Open enrollment to undergraduate students ONLY; graduate students, masters students, and others will need instructor permission.
APEC 3551 - Concept Design and Value-Added Entrepreneurship in Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Explore the core skills required by entrepreneurs in opportunity identification and problem framing that lead to creating viable concepts that provide solutions to real consumer challenges. Students will tackle innovation challenges from an in-depth exploration of entrepreneurial and design thinking and learn how to incorporate these skills into their future professional work. Master techniques for exploring problems from a systems viewpoint through a series of hands-on projects from concept design to product mapping and consumer testing. Students get to select a project of their choosing directly from their major of study and will pitch their new product or service concept to an expert panel.
APEC 3811 - Principles of Farm Management
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Strategic and operations aspects of farm management; financial analysis, budgeting, strategic management; marketing plan and control; enterprise and whole farm planning and control; investment analysis, quality, risk, and personnel management. prereq: 1101 or Econ 1101
HORT 2121 - Agricultural Biochemistry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Chemical/biochemical foundation for agricultural disciplines. Concepts in organic, analytical, and biological chemistry. Chemistry, metabolism, and development of plants. Prerequisites: [CHEM 1015, CHEM 1017] or [CHEM 1061, CHEM 1065] *Note for those students considering graduate school - We highly recommend you consult your academic advisor for appropriate chemistry coursework.
PLSC 3005W - Introduction to Plant Physiology (WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Introduction to physiological basis for effects of environment on plant growth/development. How to produce optimal plant growth. Experimental technique, data analysis, scientific writing. Lecture, readings, lab. Prerequisites: Biol 1009 or Hort 1001 and BioC 3021 or Hort 2100 or BioC 2011
CFAN 2333 - Insects, Microbes, and Plants: Ecology of Pest Management (TS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course uses fundamental concepts of ecology and evolution to illuminate and solve the challenges in managing insects and microbes in today?s global context of food and fiber production. Students will learn relevant aspects of insect and microbial biology to be able to situate concrete management problems in an appropriate ecological and evolutionary conceptual framework. Students will apply these concepts and discuss ecological and management controversies, such as what can we learn from natural areas to better manage food and fiber production systems. Case studies, readings, and discussion topics will emphasize factors influencing responsible management decisions.
HORT 3131 - Student Organic Farm Planning, Growing, and Marketing
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: HORT 3131 / HORT 5131
Typically offered: Every Fall
Organic fruit and vegetable production has been one of the fastest growing segments of the US economy for almost two decades, stimulating an overwhelming number of biological and ecological innovations to produce food using organic approaches. This course aims to increase student's knowledge of ecological concepts as applied to managing organic systems, with an emphasis on soil nutrient cycles and plant-soil-microbe interactions that serve as the cornerstone of organic systems. Students in this course will learn tools needed to manage an organic diversified vegetable operation. The course consists of two components. The lecture session is designed to help students think about concepts and principles that are useful in planning and managing production strategies on organic farms. We spend a significant amount of our time reviewing soil nutrient cycling and its critical importance for organic farms, including how to effectively use soil and organic nutrient inputs such as cover crops, manure and fertilizers, to provide vegetable crops with the nutrients they need to grow. We also learn about successful marketing strategies for organic produce. Finally, near the end of the semester we will discuss pest management, including both weeds and disease/insect pests, and compare different tillage options available to organic producers. What we learn is then applied to planning next year's season of the UMN student organic farm. Throughout, we will use case studies, guest speakers, games, and active learning discussion approaches to move these classroom sessions "beyond the lecture" and allow students to engage with the material in a meaningful way. The lab is designed to allow a space to put into action some of the concepts students learn in lecture, including soil organic matter analysis, microgreen propagation, calculation of organic fertilizer rates, and operation of driven and walk-behind tractors.
HORT 1001 - Plant Propagation (BIOL)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Principles and techniques of propagating plants by seeds, cuttings, grafts, buds, layers, and division. Lectures on principles; labs on practice of various propagating techniques.
SOIL 2125 - Basic Soil Science (PHYS, ENV)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Soil 2125/Soil 5125
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Basic physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. Soil genesis classification, principles of soil fertility. Use of soil survey information to make a land-use plan. WWW used for lab preparation information. prereq: [CHEM 1015, CHEM 1017] or CHEM 1021 or equiv