Pest Control Advisor
Certificate School of Agriculture and Industrial Technology · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
School of Agriculture and Industrial Technology
A Certificate of Achievement for the Pest Control Adviser course requirements will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the one 3-unit core course and 39-units of electives listed below. In conjunction with the required unit categories, the student must also attain 24 months of work experience following the Department of Pesticide Regulations requirements.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
A. Given the proper criteria for selection and application, students will identify and select the most appropriate plants and trees with their decision based on the environment conditions, plant characteristics and customer preferences.
B. Demonstrate the skills and knowledge of pest and nutrient management through the use of professional recommendations.
C. Provide written recommendations required by producers for production agriculture use.
D. Uphold the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirement to ensure the use of pesticides is the best alternative based on site specifics.
Program Requirements
Program Core: (33 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AGPS-03 | Economic Entomology | 3 |
| Crop Health | 9 | |
| Select 9 units from the following: | ||
| AGPS-05 | Soil Science | 3 |
| AGPS-06 | Fertilizers and Soil Amendments | 3 |
| AGPS-12 | Commercial Vegetable and Garden Production | 3 |
| AGEH-08 | Landscape Maintenance | 3 |
| Physical and Biological Sciences | 12 | |
| Select 12 units from the following: | ||
| AGPS-01 | Elements of Plant Science | 4 |
| AGAS-03 | Animal Diseases and Parasite Control | 3 |
| BIOL-C1000 | Introduction to Biology with Lab | 4 |
| BIOL-04B | Diversity of Life: Morphology and Physiology | 5 |
| BIOL-06 | Environmental Science | 3 |
| BIOL-09 | Introduction to Genetics | 3 |
| BIOL-32 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 4 |
| CHEM-02A | Introductory Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM-02B | Introductory Chemistry: Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry | 4 |
| CHEM-04A | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM-04B | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| Pest Management Systems and Methods | 3 | |
| Select 3 units from the following: | ||
| AGPS-02 | Weeds | 3 |
| Production Systems | 6 | |
| Select 6 additional units from the following: | ||
| AGPS-10 | Elements of Cereal Grain Production | 3 |
| AGPS-11 | Forage Crops | 3 |
| AGPS-12 | Commercial Vegetable and Garden Production | 3 |
| AGPS-13 | Fruit Tree Maintenance | 3 |
| AGPS-14 | Vineyard Production and Management | 3 |
| AGAS-01 | Elements of Animal Science | 3 |
| AGAS-12 | Beef Production | 3 |
| AGAS-13 | Sheep and Meat Goat Science | 3 |
| AGAS-14 | Swine ProductionAGAS-14 Swine Production | 3 |
| AGEH-01 | Elements of Landscape Horticulture | 3 |
| AGEH-02 | Plant Identification and Usage: Fall | 3 |
| AGEH-03 | Plant Identification and Usage: Spring | 3 |
| AGEH-05 | Plant Propagation | 3 |
| AGEH-50 | Residential Gardening | 3 |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Plus 9 additional units from the above courses not yet used. | ||
| Total | 42 | |