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ACADEMIC:

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND

RURAL SOCIOLOGY

The Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology undergraduate program offers a Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences (B.A.S.) degree with options in Agricultural Economics or Agribusiness. Curricula in both programs are structured to prepare graduates for positions in agriculture, agribusiness, general business, the private and government sectors. The development of entrepreneurial skills is emphasized among our students.

The Agricultural Economics option prepares students in understanding and solving problems in production, marketing, financing, distribution of food products and resource management. Applying economic concepts and problem-solving techniques to economic and business decisions is important. The program develops student’s decision-making skills applicable to daily events in the private sector, the government and at the local and global economy levels.

The B.A.S. degree in Agribusiness prepares students for careers in agribusiness and general business, which provide goods and services for the production, processing and marketing of foods and fibers. Agribusiness students should develop skills and knowledge in order to solve problems within and among related industries. Students learn how to integrate business management, economics, and marketing principles with technical knowledge in Agricultural Sciences to develop necessary decision-making skills.

The local chapter of the American Agricultural Economics Student Association is an affiliate of the American Agricultural Economics Association.
PROGRAMS OF STUDY
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS CURRICULUM
Summary of Credits in Program
General education courses
60
Faculty requirements
27
Departmental requirements
43
Free electives
12
Total :
142


FIRST YEAR
First Semester
Number
Course
Credits
*INGL 3--- First year course in English
3
*ESPA 3101 Basic course in Spanish
3
*MATE 3171 Pre-Calculus I
3
QUIM 3131-3133 General Chemistry I
4
CFIT 3005 Fundamentals of Crop Production
or
INPE 3005 Fundamentals of Animal Science
4
EDFI ---- Basic course in Physical Education
1
18


Second Semester
Number
Course
Credits
*INGL 3--- First year course in English
3
*ESPA 3102 Basic course in Spanish
3
*MATE 3172 Pre-Calculus II
3
QUIM 3132-3134 General Chemistry II
4
INPE 3005 Fundamentals of Animal Science
or
CFIT 3005 Fundamentals of Crop Production
4
EDFI ---- Basic course in Physical Education
1
18


SECOND YEAR
First Semester
Number
Course
Credits
INGL 3--- Second year course in English
3
BIOL 3435 Elementary Botany
4
ECON 3021 Principles of Economics I
3
EDAG 3005 Agricultural Orientation
1
MATE 3049 Mathematical Analysis for Management Sciences
3
ELECTIVES **Electives
3
17


Second Semester
Number
Course
Credits
INGL 3--- Second year course in English
3
FISI 3091 Elements of Physics
3
FISI 3092 Elements of Physics Laboratory
1
ECON 3022 Principles of Economics II
3
ECAG 3005 Principles of Agricultural Economic Analysis
3
ELECTIVES **Electives
3
16


THIRD YEAR
First Semester
Number
Course
Credits
ECON 3091 Micro-economic Theory
3
ECAG 4007 Marketing of Agricultural Products
3
AGRO 3005 General course in Soils
3
ESMA 3101 Applied Statistics I
3
BIOL 4015 General Zoology
3
CISO ---- ***Elective course in Social Sciences
3
18


Second Semester
Number
Course
Credits
ECON 3092 Macro-economic Theory
3
ECAG 4028 Agricultural Finance
3
TMAG 4015 Agricultural Machinery I
3
CFIT 4005 Physiological Principles in Crop Production
3
ESMA 3102 Applied Statistics II
3
CISO ---- ***Elective course in Social Sciences
3
18


SUMMER SESSION
Number
Course
Credits
ECAG 4005 Agricultural Economics Practicum
3
or
ECAG 4997 Supervised Professional Occupational Experience for Coop Students


FOURTH YEAR
First Semester
Number
Course
Credits
HUMA ---- ***Elective course in Humanities
3
ECAG 4025 Seminar
1
ELECTIVES **Electives
12
16


Second Semester
Number
Course
Credits
HUMA ---- ***Elective course in Humanities
3
ECAG 4019 Farm Management and Accounting
3
ELECTIVES **Electives
12
18
Total credits required for program: 142


*Refer to the Academic Regulations section for information on Advanced Placement.
**Minimum requirements in electives. The Department of Agricultural Economics requires a minimum of 30 credits in elective courses. At least 12 should be in professional electives chosen from among Department offerings or from related areas. Also, 6 elective credits should be taken from offerings of other departments in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. In both cases, courses must be selected with the authorization of the Director of Agricultural Economics. The remaining 12 credits are free electives.
***The elective courses in Social Sciences and Humanities will be selected with the authorization of the Director of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology.

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AGRI-BUSINESS CURRICULUM
Summary of Credits in Program
General education courses
60
Faculty requirements
27
Departmental requirements
42
Free electives
12
Total :
141


FIRST YEAR
First Semester
Number
Course
Credits
*INGL 3--- First year course in English
3
*ESPA 3101 Basic course in Spanish
3
*MATE 3171 Pre-Calculus I
3
QUIM 3131-3133 General Chemistry I
4
CFIT 3005 Fundamentals of Crop Production
or
INPE 3005 Fundamentals of Animal Science
4
EDFI ---- Basic course in Physical Education
1
18


Second Semester
Number
Course
Credits
*INGL 3--- First year course in English
3
*ESPA 3102 Basic course in Spanish
3
*MATE 3172 Pre-Calculus II
3
QUIM 3132-3134 General Chemistry II
4
INPE 3005 Fundamentals of Animal Science
or
CFIT 3005 Fundamentals of Crop Production
4
EDFI ---- Basic course in Physical Education
1
18


SECOND YEAR
First Semester
Number
Course
Credits
INGL 3--- Second year course in English
3
BIOL 3435 Elementary Botany
4
CONT 3005 Elementary Accounting I
4
ECON 3021 Principles of Economics I
3
EDAG 3005 Agricultural Orientation
1
MATE 3049 Mathematical Analysis for Management Sciences
3
18


Second Semester
Number
Course
Credits
INGL 3--- Second year course in English
3
FISI 3091 Elements of Physics
3
FISI 3092 Laboratory for Elements of Physics
1
ECON 3022 Principles of Economics II
3
CONT 3006 Elementary Accounting II
4
ESMA 3101 Applied Statistics I
3
17


THIRD YEAR
First Semester
Number
Course
Credits
+Course in Social Sciences
3
ECAG 4007 Marketing of Agricultural Products
3
AGRO 3005 General Soils
3
BIOL 4015 General Zoology
3
ELECTIVES ****Electives in Agricultural Sciences
3
ELECTIVES **Professional Electives
3
18


Second Semester
Number
Course
Credits
+Course in Social Sciences
3
ECAG 4028 Agricultural Finance
3
TMAG 4015 Agricultural Machinery I
3
CFIT 4005 Physiological Principles of Crop Production
3
ELECTIVES Free Electives
3
ELECTIVES **Professional Electives
3
18


SUMMER SESSION
Number
Course
Credits
ECAG 4005 Agricultural Economics Practicum
3
or
ECAG 4997 Supervised Professional Occupational Experience for Coop Students

FOURTH YEAR
First Semester
Number
Course
Credits
ESOR 4006 Introduction to Organizations
3
ECAG 4025 Seminar
1
ELECTIVES ***Elective course in Humanities
3
ELECTIVES ****Electives in Agricultural Sciences
3
ADMI 4001 Business Law I
3
ELECTIVES **Professional Electives in Business Adm. Faculty
3
16


Second Semester
Number
Course
Credits
ELECTIVES Free Electives
3
ECAG 4019 Farm Management and Accounting
3
ELECTIVE ***Elective course in Humanities
3
ELECTIVE Free Electives
6
15
Total credits required for program: 141


* Refer to the Academic Regulations section for information on Advanced Placement
** Minimum required credits in electives. A minimum of 9 credits as professional electives, to be taken from among the offerings of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, the Department of Economics of the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business Administration. At least 3 credits must be taken in this last College.
*** A minimum of 6 credits as electives in Humanities must be taken from among the offerings of the Department of Humanities with the authorization of the Director of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology.
**** A minimum of 6 credits must be taken as electives in agricultural sciences from among the offerings of the different departments of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, except the Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology and Agricultural Education Departments.
+ Choose from the following courses at 3000 level or higher: ANTR XXXX, GEOG XXXX, HIST XXXX, CIPO XXXX, PSIC XXXX, CISO XXXX, SOCI XXXX.


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DEPARTMENTAL FACULTY
CARMEN I. ALAMO-GONZÁLEZ, Associate Professor (Agricultural Economics) ,M.S., 1988, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.

MYRNA COMAS-PAGÁN, Associate Professor (Agricultural Economics), M.S., 1990, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.

VIVIAN CARRO-PAGÁN, Professor (Rural Sociology), M.A., 1976, University of London

MILDRED CORTÉS-PÉREZ, Associate Professor (Economics), M.A., 1995, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus

FLOR M. DELGADO-PHILIPPI, Associate Professor, M.B.A., 1983, Louisiana State University.

JORGE FERNÁNDEZ-CORNEJO, Adjunct Professor (Agricultural Economics), 1990, Ph.D., University of Delaware.

GLADYS M. GONZÁLEZ-SOTO, Professor, Ph.D., 1984, University of Missouri, Columbia.

ALWIN J. JIMÉNEZ, Associate Professor, M.S., 1995, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez.

JORGE GONZÁLEZ, Professor, Ph.D., 1986, University of Missouri, Columbia, J.D., 1995, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico.

ALEXANDRA GREGORY-CRESPO, Instructor, M.S., 2002, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.

JOSÉ E. MARTÍNEZ, Assistant Professor (Rural Sociology), Ph.D., 2004, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.

MADELINE MENDOZA-MALDONADO, Professor (Economics), M.S., 1988, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus

LUIS R. MEJÍA-MAYMI, Assistant Extension Specialist (Agricultural Economics) M.S., 1986, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.

JUAN ORTIZ-LÓPEZ, Associate Professor (Agricultural Economics), M.S., 1984, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus


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COURSES OF INSTRUCTION
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL SOCIOLOGY
Undergraduate Courses

ECAG 3005. PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC ANALYSIS. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week

Introduction to the field of agricultural economics, with emphasis on the aspects of production. Includes study of the use of economic principles in agricultural production and of supply and demand, and elementary notions of policy making.

ECAG 3007. INTRODUCTION TO THE USE OF MICROCOMPUTERS IN THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one hour of practice per week. Prerequisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.

Basic concepts in the use and operation of microcomputers; software packages for word processing, data base management, and spread sheets. Information on software packages for agriculture.

ECAG 3015. AGRICULTURAL LAW. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Analysis of different aspects of law relevant in the agribusiness decision-making process.

ECAG 4005. AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS PRACTICUM. Three credit hours. A minimum of thirty hours per week during six consecutives weeks. Prerequisite: A minimum of twelve credits in Agricultural Economics and authorization of the Director of the Department

Practical work experience in Agricultural Economics or Agribusiness. It will be under the supervision of the Department in collaboration with public or private entities.

ECAG 4006. INTRODUCTION TO CONSUMER ECONOMICS. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: ECON 3021 or ECAG 3005.

An examination of topics that illustrate the ways in which consumers make decisions. Emphasis is given to the use of economic principles with respect to use of credit, and the purchase of food, housing, medical plans, education, automobiles, insurance, recreation, and other consumption items.

ECAG 4007. MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: ECON 3021 or ECAG 3005.

A general comprehensive study of agricultural products marketing institutions, functions and problems, with emphasis on the Puerto Rican situation. Includes study of supply and demand, market structures, prices, and marketing costs at the various levels of the distribution process.

ECAG 4009. COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISES. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Study of economic and social principles of cooperativism and their implication for development. Discussion of the functioning of different types of cooperatives, including legal aspects.

ECAG 4015. INTRODUCTION TO RESOURCE ECONOMICS. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: ECON 3021 or ECAG 3005.

Introduction to the application of economic and political science concepts to problems in the use of natural resources including water, land, forest, and marine resources. Emphasis is given to concepts of regional growth, to the impact of urban development, and the process of public decision-making in the area of natural resources.

ECAG 4017. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS. One to three credit hours. One to three work periods per week. Prerequisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.

Problems in any of the various phases of agricultural economics will be assigned or may be selected, subject to the approval of the professor in charge.

ECAG 4019. FARM MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: ECON 3021 or ECAG 3005.

Use of economic principles and farm records in the organization and management of a farm business. Includes methods of keeping and analyzing farm records, farm inventory, income and net worth statements, receipts and expenses records, production records, income tax returns; use of economic principles and of records in budgeting; and analysis of aspects of the problems of risk and uncertainty in agriculture. Emphasis is placed on decision-making

ECAG 4025. SEMINAR. One credit hour. One meeting per week. Prerequisites: authorization of the Director of the Department and twelve credits in Agricultural Economics.

Reports and discussions of problems, observation and recent research. Written and oral reports are required

ECAG 4026. INTRODUCTION TO RURAL SOCIOLOGY. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Scientific study of rural society, its population, structure and social processes. Emphasis is given to the rural area of Puerto Rico.

ECAG 4027. PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week

Study of the community structure and the processes relevant to its social and economic developments.

ECAG 4028. AGRICULTURAL FINANCE. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: ECON 3021 or ECAG 3005.

Study of the methods and problems in financing the farm business, with emphasis on the aspects of credit. Includes study and analysis of credit requirements, institutions, types and effects.

ECAG 4029. AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: ECAG 4019.

Managerial concepts. Application of economic principles. Analytical techniques and decision making procedures in agribusiness. Planning, organization, financial analysis and control; human relations. Case studies, discussion, and work problems involving actual managerial situations.

ECAG 4997. SUPERVISED PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR COOP STUDENTS. Three to six credit hours. A minimum of two practice periods is required, one of them in a semester. Prerequisites: authorization of the Director of the Department and to be a Coop program student.

Practical experience in agricultural economics and agribusiness management in cooperation with the private sector or government. To be jointly supervised by the academic department, the Coop program coordinator, and an official from the cooperating entity. A written report will be required upon completion of each work period.

Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate Courses

ECAG 5006. FEASIBILITY STUDIES AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: ECAG 4019 or authorization of the Director of the Department.

To develop the necessary skills to complete a feasibility study of the establishment and development of agricultural enterprises, considering the conceptual, technical, environmental, marketing and economic feasibility.

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