# Ag – Plant Science (AGPS) courses

Shasta College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 3 courses

Source: https://scmainweb.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/files/resources/catalog-2026-2027-compressed.pdf#page=117

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026.

### AGPS-20 — Plant Science

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** 54 lecture/54 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162 for the lecture portion of the class and an additional 54 hours of lab, totaling 216 hours for this course)
- **Formerly:** AGRI 20
- **C-ID:** AG-PS 106L
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/shasta-college/schedule/fall-2026/agps.md)
- Grading: Pass/No Pass Option
- Note: Field trips to local areas will be included.

This course offers an introduction to the biological principles of plant growth and development. Ecosystem relationships will be covered with particular emphasis on succession, water cycle, mineral cycle, and energy flow. In addition to investigating modern production and marketing practices of agronomic crops, the impact of commercial crop production upon mankind and the environment will be considered. The lecture portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.

### AGPS-24 — Soils

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 36 lecture/54 lab total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- **Advisory:** Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher; and one year of high school chemistry or equivalent
- **Formerly:** ENVR 24, AGRI 24
- **C-ID:** AG-PS 128L
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 3 sections (/c/shasta-college/schedule/fall-2026/agps.md)
- Grading: Pass/No Pass Option
- Note: This class may include field trips on soil classification, land evaluation, soil sampling and soil conservation.

This class is a study of soil derivation, classification, and characteristics as related to natural and human systems. Soil as a natural system includes chemistry, ecology, physics, and geology. This course introduces students to the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil as it relates to agriculture and natural resources. The ecosystem relationship of soil use and management is emphasized. The effects of drainage, erosion, fertilizers, tillage, and irrigation on native and agronomic lands are discussed. A portion of this course may be offered in a distance education format.

### AGPS-25 — California Water

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 54 lecture total (when offered in the distance education format, hours will total 162)
- **Formerly:** AGRI 25
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026 schedule
- Grading: Pass/No Pass Option

This course is an interdisciplinary examination of California’s complex water ecosystems, infrastructure, uses, management, and policies. The course examines both historical and current water use and policy with emphasis on the politics and conflict arising from water scarcity. Topics of water quality, wetlands, water law, measurement of water, water infrastructure, groundwater, conservation, and the multiple issues relating to water use will all be covered. Additionally, the course discusses the role of water in agricultural, urban, environmental, and political systems, including how water has influenced California development and history. This course may be offered in a distance education format. The role of water in agricultural, urban, environmental and political systems; and how water has influenced California development and history is discussed throughout the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.