Certificate of Achievement in Plant Health
Students completing this certificate will acquire knowledge and skills in the monitoring and control of weeds, insects, and other related pests, and diseases in accordance with integrated pest management principles. Students will also incorporate these skills with knowledge of soil and water management, and common crop production practices in the Central Valley of California.
Program Outcomes
- Create a year-long integrated pest management plan for a crop in the Central Valley.
- Describe how crop production practices influence pest management.
- Explain the relationships between plants, soil, and water, and how they impact plant health.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will have completed the necessary prerequisite courses to take the Pest Control Advisor examinations. These exams are administered by the Department of Pesticide Regulation for the state of California. If the exams are passed according to the standards of DPR, students will be able to pursue a career as a Pest Control Advisor for farms, agricultural pest control advising companies, chemical sales companies, or as an independent advisor.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE | 12-15 | |
Select 12-15 units from the following courses: | ||
| AG 002 | Environmental Conservation | 3 |
| BIOL 020 | Frontiers in Biology | 4 |
| BIOL 021 | Plant Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 040 | General Microbiology | 4 |
| CHEM 010 | Introduction to Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 020 | Introduction to General Chemistry | 4 |
| PLSI 001 | Introduction to Plant Science | 3 |
| + | ||
| CROP HEALTH | 9 | |
Select 9 units from the following courses: | ||
| AG 004 | Soil Science | 3 |
| OH 001 | Introduction to Horticultural Science | 3 |
| OH 105 | Plant Propagation | 3 |
| PLSI 106 | Fertilizers and Soil Amendments | 3 |
| PLSI 108 | Ag Water Management | 3 |
| PLSI 118 | Advanced Irrigation | 3 |
| + | ||
| PEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS | 6 | |
Select 6 units from the following courses: | ||
| AG 003 | Economic Entomology | 3 |
| AG 125 | Principles of Pesticide Use | 3 |
| OH 220 | Diseases of Ornamentals | 3 |
| PLSI 105 | Weeds and Poisonous Plants | 3 |
| PLSI 110 | Integrated Pest Management | 3 |
| + | ||
| PRODUCTION METHODS | 6 | |
Select 6 units from the following courses: | ||
| OH 204 | Nursery and Greenhouse Production | 3 |
| PLSI 012 | Fruit and Nut Production | 3 |
| PLSI 111 | Citrus Production | 3 |
| PLSI 113 | Grape Production | 3 |
| + | ||
| ADDITIONAL REQUIRED COURSES | 9 | |
Select 9 units from the areas of Crop Health, Pest Management Systems and Methods and/or Production Methods. Courses may not be repeated for additional credit. | ||
| = | ||
| TOTAL | 42-45 | |
The Certificate of Achievement requirements include completion of the certificate courses with a “C” or better grade in each course. Required and support courses may be substituted with the approval of the Agriculture Division Chair.