Agricultural Business (ABUS)

See Course Description Symbols and Terms for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units.


ABUS 101  Introduction to Agricultural Business and Economics  3 Units  GE  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
The role of agricultural business in the economy. Introductory economic and business principles and their application to the solution of agricultural problems. 3 hours lecture.  (000014)  
General Education: Social Sciences (D)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
ABUS 211  Agricultural Selling and Consulting  3 Units  
Typically Offered: Spring only  
Application of selling and consulting techniques for agribusiness firms. 3 hours lecture.  (015808)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
ABUS 231  Computer Applications in Agriculture  3 Units  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Survey of microcomputer applications for agribusiness management, emphasizing personnel productivity software, including database manager, advanced spreadsheet, and electronic communication software. 3 hours lecture.  (000025)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
ABUS 261  Farm Accounting  3 Units  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Introduction to the principles of farm accounting, farm business record keeping, agribusiness management, financial analysis, and enterprise budgeting. 1 hour discussion, 2 hours lecture.  (000020)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
ABUS 262  Management Accounting for Agriculture  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 261 or ACCT 201.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Cost concepts as a management tool in agriculture are explored. Budgeting techniques for planning and control and for long-term projects are developed. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture.  (015011)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
ABUS 298  Special Topics  1-3 Units  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0 - 3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from semester to semester and be different for different sections. See the class schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours seminar.  (000022)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
ABUS 299  Special Problems  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course is an independent study of a topic or problem and is offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Students must register with a supervising faculty member. A maximum of 6 units of special problems may be applied toward a bachelor's degree in agriculture. 9 hours supervision.  (020956)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Lower Division  
ABUS 300  Agricultural Business Competition  1 Unit  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course prepares interested students for regional and national Quiz Bowl competition of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. Areas of preparation include agricultural business and economics, general agriculture, statistics, economics, accounting, finance management and marketing. 1 hour lecture.  (015866)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 8 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 301  Agricultural Production Economics and Quantitative Analysis  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 101 or ECON 103.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Application of microeconomic theory to the agricultural production process, including single and multivariate production and cost functions, price determination in competitive and non-competitive markets and programs. 3 hours lecture.  (000024)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 311  Agricultural Markets and Pricing  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 101.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Economic principles applied to the marketing of agricultural products. Function, structure, and operation of agricultural markets. Introduction to the futures market. Trends in marketing of California agricultural crops and livestock. 3 hours lecture.  (000026)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 312  Wholesaling and Retailing Food Products  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 311.  
Typically Offered: Fall only  
This course covers principles and practices of distributing food from producer to consumer. The functions of wholesalers and intermediate handlers, including food brokers, are discussed. An in-depth analysis of the food retail industry is included. 3 hours lecture.  (015010)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 321  Agribusiness Management  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 101 or equivalent.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
The application of economic and management principles to the planning, control, and organization of agribusiness firms. Linear programming applications, decision trees, inventory control, and equipment replacement. 3 hours lecture.  (000027)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 341  Natural Resource Economics  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 101 or faculty permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall only  
The economics of renewable natural resource use, management, development, and allocation. Conflicts in use, markets for resources, cases of market failure, and economic conservation will be discussed. 3 hours lecture.  (015981)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Sustainable Course  
ABUS 350  International Agricultural Business Practices  3 Units  
Typically Offered: Spring only  
The goal of this course is to have students develop their analytical, decision-making, and communication skills related to marketing and management of food systems in the world economy. Focusing on the unique aspects of the food and fiber trade-physical attributes, storage practices, phytosanitary criteria, and food safety concerns. 3 hours lecture.  (020799)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 389  Internship in Agribusiness  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Permission of Internship Coordinator.  
Typically Offered: Spring, summer, fall  
This course is an internship offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Work experience with selected agribusinesses, including financial institutions, marketing agencies, management firms, farms, ranches, private or public agencies. Experience must be related to business aspects of agriculture. Supervised by faculty and staff of cooperating banks, farms, agencies, and corporations. 0 hours independent study.  (000032)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 390  World Food and Hunger Issues  3 Units  GC, GE  
Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
A study of agricultural problems and policies of developing nations. Emphasis on cultural values; physical, economic, and political constraints; hunger and international trade. 3 hours lecture.  (015535)  
General Education: Upper-Division Social Sciences (UDD); Agriculture, Food, and Environment Pathway; Global Studies Pathway  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Global Cultures; Sustainable Course  
ABUS 398  Special Topics  1-3 Units  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0 - 3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from semester to semester and be different for different sections. See the class schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours seminar.  (000034)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 399  Special Problems  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, faculty permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course is an independent study of a topic or problem and is offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Students must register with a supervising faculty member. Study/research in agriculture under direct supervision of a faculty member. A maximum of 6 units may be applied toward a bachelor's degree in agriculture. 0 hours independent study.  (000035)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 411  Seminar in Agricultural and Food Marketing Planning  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 311 or faculty permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall only  
To provide an in-depth understanding of operating marketing planning and implementation. Development of a marketing plan including product and market assessment, financial evaluation justification, a plan of action, and an evaluation/control component. 3 hours seminar.  (000049)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 412  Agricultural and Food Marketing Competition  1 Unit  
Prerequisite: ABUS 311.  
Typically Offered: Spring only  
Prepares students to compete in marketing competitions. Areas of preparation include developing a comprehensive marketing plan that incorporates: product/market assessment, defining business objectives, SWOT analysis, financial evaluation, and professional presentation skills. 1 hour seminar.  (020994)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 4 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 415  Agribusiness Data Analysis  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 231, MATH 105.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Methods in agribusiness data analysis, including descriptive and inferential statistics, hypothesis formulation and testing, analysis of variance, and regression analysis. Topics include statistical techniques for a range of agricultural applications, including the analysis of price-determining factors for agricultural products. 3 hours lecture.  (000040)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 421  Advanced Agribusiness Management  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 301, ABUS 321, senior standing.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Agribusiness organization and management. Budgeting, input-output relationships, and enterprise analysis in decision making. Application of economic and management principles. Human resource management. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture.  (000041)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 425  Cooperatives Seminar  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 101, ABUS 311, senior standing.  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
Cooperative principles and philosophy. Types and importance of cooperative activity in the U.S. Accounting for cooperative activity. 3 hours seminar.  (000067)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 435  Commodity Futures and Options Markets  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 231.  
Typically Offered: Spring only  
Application of strategies to manage risk in commodity markets through the understanding of forwards, futures, and options contracts. 3 hours lecture.  (021696)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 451W  Agricultural Policy (W)  3 Units  W  
Prerequisite: ABUS 301, ECON 102.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Domestic and international issues in U.S. agricultural food policy. A study of the major problems confronting agriculture, the process by which government formulates agricultural policy, and the socio-economic impact of current government programs. 3 hours lecture.  (000029)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course  
ABUS 464  Farm and Ranch Appraisal  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 101.  
Typically Offered: Fall only  
Principles and techniques of farm and ranch appraisal. Valuation of farm and rural resources. 3 hours laboratory, 2 hours lecture.  (000031)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 465  Agricultural Finance  3 Units  
Prerequisite: ABUS 101 and ABUS 261.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
Financing of agricultural enterprises. Principles, methods, and institutions involved in financing farming enterprises and related agricultural industries. Coordinated financial statements. Capital budgeting. 2 hours activity, 2 hours discussion.  (000030)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 487  Risk Management Strategies: Personnel & Equipment  3 Units  
Typically Offered: Spring only  
Study of risk management strategies in agriculture, including workplace safety, rules, and regulations. Equipment selection, maintenance, trends, and economics. Determining equipment requirements and costs. Systems for recording parts, services, and maintenance. 3 hours lecture.  (000179)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 489  Internship in Agri Business  1-3 Units  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
3 hours lecture.  (000043)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 498  Special Topics  1-3 Units  
Typically Offered: Inquire at department  
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units repectively. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours supervision.  (000069)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 499  Special Problems  1-3 Units  
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 0 hours independent study.  (000071)  
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division  
ABUS 499H  Honors Research in Agricultural Business  6 Units  
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.  
Typically Offered: Fall and spring  
An intensive 6-unit, one-year course in agricultural business research. See College office for details. Open to students with at least a 3.0 GPA in the major. The course consists of a faculty-supervised research project, a thesis, and a public presentation. 18 hours independent study.  (000072)  
Grade Basis: Graded  
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units  
Course Attributes: Upper Division