Agriculture and the Environment in Colombia
On this Summer Abroad program, you can:
- Earn 8 quarter units in 4 weeks.
- Enroll in UC Davis courses to fulfill degree, major, minor, or GE requirements as listed in the General Catalog.
- Experience academic coursework enriched by both the program’s location(s) and activities.
Note to Non-UC Davis Students:
- Students from other campuses should consult with their home campus to determine whether courses may be used to fulfill their specific academic requirements.
- Semester students who will apply for Summer Financial Aid can get an additional unit to meet unit minimums for financial aid eligibility. Please contact Summer Abroad for additional information.
Syllabus
The above syllabus is representative of this program. The instructor provides a term-specific program syllabus to enrolled students. The program syllabus and schedule, including the daily itinerary and planned activities, are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
Class Format
You will apply global perspectives to sustainable agriculture and collaborate across cultural and disciplinary boundaries by,
- Completing research projects which encourage you to analyze real-world data and propose innovative strategies for sustainable agriculture allowing you to gain practical insights into the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of food production.
- Participating in case studies, discussions, and collaborative projects that highlight successful sustainable agriculture practices from around the world, enabling you to compare, critique, and apply these insights within a global framework.
- Immersing yourself in diverse agricultural practices and sustainable solutions alongside international scientists, local farmers, and regional experts.
Guest lectures from leading scientists at the Alliance include,
- Breeders and genetic experts who will share their knowledge and experience in global breeding programs, highlighting the genetic improvement of tropical crops, such as cassava, rice, beans, and forages. Their lectures will emphasize the role of crop breeding in addressing global challenges such as food security and climate resilience.
- Climate action scientists who will give lectures on strategies for mitigating global climate change, with a focus on climate-smart agriculture, soil health, and carbon sequestration.
As the primary instructor, Xiaofei Zhang, Assistant Professor at UC Davis, will lead most of the instruction, design and delivery of the course content and projects.
Earn GE credit! Some courses on this program offer GE credit. Expand the sections below to view course descriptions and type of credit offered.
Courses
You will enroll in the course set below. Expand the sections to view course descriptions. Auditing is not an option. UC Davis programs are academic programs so participants should expect a substantial amount of course work.
- Plant Sciences (PLS) 101. Agriculture & the Environment (3 units)
- Focus on the interaction between agriculture and the environment to address the principles required to analyze conflict and develop solutions to complex problems facing society. GE credit: SE; SL.
- Plant Sciences (PLS) 198. Directed Group Study (5 units, Pass/No Pass grading only)
- This course includes participation on excursions and tours and attendance to guest lectures. Students are often asked to write reflective pieces. Assignment topics vary by program. GE Credit: SE.
Prerequisites
Along with the general eligibility requirements, Study Abroad will be enforcing the completion of the following prerequisites. For non-UC Davis students, the equivalent at your campus:
- Prerequisites for UC Davis Students
- PLS 002; or consent of instructor
- UC Davis students: Prerequisites can only be waived by the instructor—please contact the instructor if you wish to discuss this option. Please note that you will be required to submit proof of prerequisites waived during the application process.
- Non-UC Davis students: Prerequisites can only be waived by the instructor—please contact the instructor if you wish to discuss this option. Please note that you will be required to submit proof of prerequisites waived when submitting your enrollment. If you plan to take these courses to satisfy a requirement at your home campus, please meet with your academic advisor to make sure waiving the prerequisites does not impact that requirement.
- Failure to complete unwaived prerequisites prior to program departure can result in administrative withdrawal and fees owed accordingly.