Award: Associate of Applied Science Degree - Technical/Professional Studies
No. of credits required: 60
For more information: Contact Business & Applied Technology at bat@harford.edu.
Additional contacts: Heather McHale, Interim Director Institute of Applied Agriculture University of Maryland, College Park http://iaa.umd.edu 301-405-9219.

Program Description

Harford Community College cooperates with the Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA), University of Maryland, College Park, to offer this program. HCC offers general education courses to prepare students for transfer to the Institute of Applied Agriculture. The Institute of Applied Agriculture offers the subject-specific courses required for this program. HCC awards the Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Technical/Professional Studies upon successful completion of the program.

In order to graduate with this degree, a student must have an approved written learning plan including concentration area on file in the Advising, Career, and Transfer Services Office. The plan must be developed in collaboration with a Faculty Advisor or an Academic Division Dean and include courses from the Technical/Professional core courses listed below.

Agricultural Business Management/Business Administration

Advances in technology continue to change agriculture in Maryland and across the nation. This technology can be used to ignite creative solutions to the challenge of protecting natural resources while managing productive, profitable businesses. Effective management and business skills can be applied to careers in feed or seed sales and service, nutrient management consulting, and crop and livestock production. The business skills emphasized in this program are an important part of success in any career area. Coupled with courses in agricultural mechanics and crop and animal science, students gain skills that are important for managing an effective agricultural enterprise. Internship experiences provide work with industry professionals and interaction with others in agriculture.

Golf Course Management/Business Administration

Golf course superintendents/managers combine business and communication skills with science. They are part scientist, part executive, part environmentalist, and part golfer. Their expertise provides an outstanding playing surface for professional and recreational golfers. This expertise includes Turfgrass science, pest control strategies, computer driven irrigation systems, and state-of-the-art maintenance equipment. There are over 17,000 golf courses in the U.S. and over 200 in Maryland that require educated and experienced superintendents and managers. This program prepares students to enter this exciting career.

Landscape Management/Business Administration

This program provides training in basic botany; landscape construction and maintenance; plant, weed, and insect identification; business and personnel management; computer applications and more. Students use the latest technology and software to plan, research, and complete projects. Internships at landscape companies offer hands-on experience and the opportunity to make industry contacts. Landscape companies do over $217.5 million in business in Maryland annually and jobs are plentiful.

Turfgrass Management/Business Administration

Turfgrass management requires science and business skills to satisfy the public’s demand for green lawns and playable and safe athletic fields. A combination of education and experience opens numerous doors in the area of Turfgrass management from professional ball fields to lawn care businesses. The program includes in-depth study of turfgrasses, soils, fertilizers and pesticides. Internships offer hands-on experience and the opportunity to make industry contacts. The Turfgrass industry is a growth industry, which generates $30 billion annually in the U.S. In Maryland, the Turfgrass industry contributes $1 billion to the State’s economy.

Diversity Requirement

To satisfy the diversity requirement: Associate degree students must complete one 3-credit diversity course (D). It is recommended that students select one of the 3-credit (GB), (GAH), (GI) course electives from those that also appear on the approved list of diversity course graduation requirements.

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ENG 101	English Composition (GE)	3
Arts/Humanities Elective (GH)		3
Behavioral/Social Science Elective (GB)		3
Biological/Physical Lab Science Elective (GL)		4
General Education Elective		6
Mathematics Elective (GM)		3
Technical/Professional Electives		17
Technical/Professional Core Courses		20
Physical Education Elective		1
Total Credits		60

General Education Degree Requirements

Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:

Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)