Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus
The MS in Agriculture program provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in their areas of interest to succeed in their future endeavors. The MS in Agriculture with an Irrigation specialization provides graduates with a solid foundation in irrigation theory and design, combined with a pragmatic approach to water management. Professors work closely with students to develop and complete an appropriate course of study. Graduates hold positions such as water conservation specialists, manufacturing representatives, farm managers, and irrigation system designers. The Cal Poly irrigation teaching program is widely recognized and respected throughout the agricultural community and irrigation industry worldwide.
Requirements for Admission
Students apply via Cal State Apply and must submit a transcript, a personal statement addressing motivation for pursuing a Master’s in Agriculture at Cal Poly, and two letters of recommendation. In addition, applicants who did not obtain their undergraduate degree at Cal Poly are also required to submit scores from the GRE General test. Communicating with the Graduate Program Coordinator before applying is strongly recommended.
International Students must meet all the standard eligibility criteria and demonstrate proficiency in English (English Proficiency Exam Requirements)
Prerequisites: A surveying course and fluid dynamics/hydraulics course.
Minimum GPA: Must have attained a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the last 60 semester units attempted.
Application due date: Applications are accepted for Fall and Spring semesters. Please see Graduate Student Dates and Deadlines for application deadlines.
Advancement to Candidacy
Turn in the Working Formal Study Plan and the CAFES Graduate Committee Form by the end of the first term.
Culminating Experience
Thesis: Along with a faculty advisor, students will work on a specific research topic, preparing a written thesis, and present it to the public as a 45-minute thesis seminar, after which the thesis committee will have the opportunity to privately ask related questions as the student defends the thesis.
Program Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate expertise in designing and managing irrigation systems.
- Develop, test or select the appropriate technology used for irrigation management and agricultural water distribution based on current conditions and future needs.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills.
- Formulate decisions utilizing professional ethics within their respective disciplines.
- Examine the value and role of diversity of people and ideas when developing agricultural system solutions.
- Investigate problems using critical thinking and derive appropriate solutions to properly irrigated crops and manage water resources.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| AG 5581 | Graduate Seminar | 1 |
| or FSN 5505 | Orientation to Graduate Studies | |
| BRAE 4414 | Irrigation Engineering | 3 |
| BRAE 5532 | Water Pumps and Wells | 3 |
| BRAE 5533 | Irrigation Project Design | 3 |
| BRAE 5599 | Thesis | 6 |
| ESCI 5501 | Research Planning | 3 |
| STAT 5110 | Introductory Statistics for Graduate Students | 3 |
| STAT 5120 | Intermediate Statistics for Graduate Students | 3 |
| Approved Electives | ||
| Select from the following: | 5 | |
| Agricultural Irrigation Systems | ||
| Chemigation | ||
| Hydrology and Drainage | ||
| Individual Study | ||
| Water Resource Law and Policy | ||
| Total Units | 30 | |