Getting Started

College: CNS

Information below is meant to guide first year students in getting started with this major and choosing appropriate courses. More advanced students interested in this major would also likely start with proposed foundation/pre-requisite courses. Please refer to the Bachelor of Science page located in the left menu bar to learn about the full major requirements.

How to Explore the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

All Undergraduates are required to satisfy the General Education Requirements. Guidelines for students are available at https://www.umass.edu/gened. Students should choose a wide variety of Gen Ed courses, providing breadth of experience.

NRC 185 (I), RES-ECON 121 (SBDG), PUBHLTH 160 (SI), NRC 100 (SI), ECON 105 (SBDU), and/or ANTHRO 270 (SBDU)

Suggested Major and Pre-requisite Courses

Required prerequisites, including recommended sequence:

ENGLWRIT 112 (CW)
STOCKSCH 108 – Intro Botany (Fall Semester)
STOCKSCH 105 – Soil Science (Fall or Spring Semester)
An ecosystems course: BIOLOGY 287, NRC 100, STOCKSCH 186, STOCKSCH 378
An education or policy course: STOCKSCH 297AL, STOCKSCH 355, STOCKSCH 356
MATH 104 (R1) – Note: An R1 waiver does not satisfy this requirement.
Students may take MATH 101 & 102 if their MPE score indicates that they are not ready for 104.
CHEM 110 (PS) This course has no math prerequisites.
Students who are exempt from or have completed MATH 104 may take CHEM 111.

Suggested Electives:

STOCKSCH 118 Intro to the Sustainable Food and Farming Major (Fall or Spring)
STOCKSCH 186 Intro to Permaculture (Fall)
STOCKSCH 265 Sustainable Agriculture (Fall)

How to Declare/Change into the Major

For current & admitted students: This major is unrestricted, which means any student may declare the major. Unrestricted majors may still have an entry process such as meeting with an advisor or attending an informational meeting.

Students should declare the major prior to the fourth semester (but asap to avoid a delay in graduation). See the Chief Undergraduate Adviser listed below.

Transfer Students

Students should see the Program Coordinator as soon as possible to plan their program.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # or range of credits required: 66-77 depending on the number of 3-and 4-credit classes taken

Core Requirements (24-29 cr.)
The courses listed above under “required prerequisites” plus a policy course.
Agricultural Science and Practice Requirements (24 cr.)
Selected from food production, marketing, and pest management classes in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture or related departments, with approval of the Program Coordinator.
Professional Electives (18 cr.)
Selected from the areas of biophysical, economic and social systems in the Five Colleges to focus on individual career interests, with approval of the Program Coordinator.

Refer to the Bachelor of Science page located in the left menu bar to learn more.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements?
No! But there is a certificate for non-majors. Contact the Chief Undergraduate Adviser for details.

For further information, contact:
Sarah Berquist, Chief Undergraduate Adviser
202 Bowditch; (413) 588-2283
sbberqui@umass.edu
website: https://stockbridge.cns.umass.edu/SFF-BS