Courses

Penn State's online Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management is designed to provide you with an understanding of how to apply business principles to real-world issues and opportunities in the agricultural and life sciences industries. This interdisciplinary approach allows you to focus on business basics, such as marketing and finance, with specialties related to the multimillion-dollar food and fiber industry. The program offers a variety of course options, so you can customize the degree to meet your specific career goals.

The number of credits you will have to take will vary according to the courses you transfer into the business degree program. All students are expected to complete at least 36 credits at Penn State to earn this degree. Once you are admitted into the degree program, an academic adviser will help you determine the remaining requirements.

This course list includes only courses offered through World Campus. An official degree audit or the recommended academic plan for this program may include additional course options and detailed requirements.

Prescribed Courses (37 credits)

4

credits

Introduction to the role of accounting numbers in the process of managing a business and in investor decision-making.

Prerequisite
MATH 21 or 1.5 units of high school algebra
3

credits

Introduction to topics designed to develop an understanding of how the food production, processing, and marketing system works and evolves.

C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3

credits

Development of quantitative problem-solving skills applied to specific examples of agribusiness management problems, using Excel spreadsheets.

Prerequisite
AGBM 101

C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3

credits

Analysis of economic and psychological determinants of the demand for food; marketing decisions in an increasingly consumer-driven food system.

Prerequisite
AGBM 101 and AGBM 102 and AGBM 106

C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3

credits

Utilize case studies to investigate strategic decision-making among agribusiness firms, highlighting how information and market power shape strategies.

Prerequisite
AGBM 101 and AGBM 102 and AGBM 106

C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3

credits

Understand how prices are determined; develop the skill to analyze and forecast how prices change as the underlying conditions change.

Prerequisite
AGBM 101, AGBM 102, and AGBM 106; SCM 200 or STAT 200

C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3

credits

National income measurement; aggregate economic models; money and income; policy problems.
3

credits

Writing reports and other common forms of business communication.

Prerequisite
(ENGL 15 or ENGL 30) and fourth-semester standing

C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

GWS
The credits earned in this course may be applied toward the Writing/Speaking (GWS) requirement.
3

credits

Nature of finance function; risk and return concepts; working capital; dividend policies; mergers; security markets; acquisition and management of corporate capital; analysis of operations; forecasting capital requirements; raising capital; and planning profits. Available to baccalaureate students only.

Prerequisite
(ENGL 15 or ENGL 30) and ACCTG 211 and (ECON 102 or ECON 104) and (SCM 200 or STAT 200)
3

credits

Study of fundamental principles and processes available to the understanding of management.

Prerequisite
(ENGL 15 or ENGL 30) and (ECON 102 or ECON 104) and (MATH 021 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination)
3

credits

Covers terminology and important concepts related to marketing in the business environment. Domestic and international environments that impact marketing are included, with particular emphasis on the marketing environment, segmentation, positioning, and targeting. Not available to students who have taken BA 303.

Prerequisite
(ENGL 15 or ENGL 30) and (ECON 102 or ECON 104) and (MATH 021 or higher or satisfactory score on the mathematics placement examination.)
3

credits

Supply chain management concepts, principles, and methodologies.

Prerequisite
ACCTG 211 and ECON 102 and (SCM 200 or STAT 200)

Additional Courses (select 30 credits)

Select a 400-level AGBM or business-related elective in consultation with an adviser, in addition to the courses below:

- 3
  
  credits
  
  This course introduces students to microeconomic principles in the context of food and agriculture.
  
  C or better
  A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
- or:
  3
  
  credits
  
  Methods of economic analysis and their use; price determination; theory of the firm; distribution.
  
  C or better
  A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3

credits

Develop financial management and business analysis skills, integrating previous course work and finance training; principles of financial management, planning, control.

Prerequisite
AGBM 308W and FIN 301
3

credits

A problem-based course designed to enhance decision-making skills in the context of industry's approach to developing new food products.

Prerequisite
6 credits in AGBM and/or ECON
4

credits

Explores the ethical, political, social, legal and regulatory, technological, and demographic diversity environment of business.

Note
A student may not receive credit toward graduation for both BLAW 243 and BA 243.
- 3
  
  credits
  
  The use, analysis, and design of information systems and technologies to organize, coordinate, and inform human enterprises.
- or:
  
  3
  
  credits
  
  Provides an overview of the role of information systems in business process design; the current technologies used for obtaining, storing, securing, and communicating information in support of operations and decision-making within a business organization; as well as the concepts and principles for developing and using popular spreadsheet and database tools.
- or:
  
  3
  
  credits
  
  This introductory course spans areas of security, risk, and analysis covering contexts in government agencies and business organizations.
- 4
  
  credits
  
  Introduces and develops the mathematical skills required for analyzing change, and the underlying mathematical behaviors that model real-life economics and financial applications. Develops student knowledge of calculus techniques, and how to use a calculus framework to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  
  Prerequisite
  MATH 022 or MATH 40 or MATH 41 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination
  
  C or better
  A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
- or:
  4
  
  credits
  
  Introduces and develops the mathematical skills required for analyzing change and creating mathematical models that replicate real-life phenomena. Develops student knowledge of calculus techniques and how to use the calculus environment to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  
  Prerequisite
  MATH 22 and MATH 26 or MATH 26 and satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination or MATH 40 or MATH 41 or satisfactory performance on the mathematics placement examination.
  
  C or better
  A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
3

credits

The nature and characteristics of human societies and social life.
4

credits

Descriptive Statistics, frequency distributions, probability and normal distributions, statistical inference, linear regression, and correlation.

Prerequisite
Placement into MATH 21 or higher.

C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

Specialization Courses (select 12 credits)

Select 12 credits in specialty area, in consultation with an adviser. At least 6 credits must be at the 300 or 400 level.

General Education Requirements

Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.

Arts (GA): 6 credits
Humanities (GH): 6 credits
Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GWS courses.
Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GQ courses.
Integrative Studies: 6 credits
This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements. Integrative Studies credits may be completed within the thirty Knowledge Domain credits and must be completed with either Inter-domain or Linked courses, not a combination of both.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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