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Undergraduate Catalog 2003 - 2004

Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture

Suman Singha, Ph.D., Associate Dean, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Director, Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture
Patricia J. Jepson, M.A., Academic Advisory Center Director Link to Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture website for additional infromation.

The Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture confers Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Animal Science and Horticulture. This two-year program of technical and applied education is only available at the Storrs campus. The School was established in 1941 by the University of Connecticut through a bequest from Mr. Ratcliffe Hicks of Tolland, Connecticut.

The School provides an excellent opportunity for students with a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences to further their education in the areas of horticulture and animal science. Students include recent high school graduates as well as adults who are interested in continuing education or a career change. Course work offers a balance between technical and theoretical aspects of each subject with emphasis on hands-on learning.

RHSA graduates have the skills and knowledge to enter challenging and exciting careers. They are highly qualified for competitive positions and often manage or own businesses and production operations. Many RHSA graduates continue their education and pursue baccalaureate or higher degrees.

Admission Requirements. Admission is open to qualified graduates of approved secondary schools. See the Admission section of this Catalog for required courses and units. Foreign language study is not required for admission into the two-year program; college preparatory level courses are recommended, but not required. Applicants must submit a high school transcript, Scholastic Assessment Test scores, and a personal statement describing their interest, experience, and career goals in the field of agriculture. Applicants who are not graduates of a secondary school must present a copy of a State Equivalency Diploma and a personal statement.

Students from some New England states may be eligible to enroll in the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture at a reduced tuition rate through the New England Regional Student Program. Eligibility for Associate degree programs in Animal Science and Horticulture are described in the Admissions section of this Catalog.

Non-Degree Study. Individuals interested in obtaining specific skills and knowledge relating to the many diverse areas of plant and animal science may also register for RHSA courses as non-degree students through the  College of Continuing Studies at the University of Connecticut. Non-degree students do not have to apply for formal admission to the University.

Scholarships

The Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture offers Heritage Scholarships for qualified individuals entering the two-year program. Selected applicants receive up to $1,000 toward educational expenses in their first semester. Based on academic performance, scholarships may be renewed for three additional semesters. Continuing students with outstanding academic performance may also be considered for Heritage Scholarships.

Incoming students are reviewed for Heritage Scholarships prior to entering the program. Selection is based on academic and career-related accomplishments, and potential for continued success. Applications and additional information are available from the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture, 1376 Storrs Road, Unit 4090, Storrs, CT 06269-4090.

Many other scholarships in Agriculture and Natural Resources are available to Ratcliffe Hicks students, for more information please see: http://www.canr.uconn.edu/rh

Associate Degree Curricula

Majors. RHSA students major in Horticulture or Animal Science. Horticulture majors in RHSA may concentrate in turfgrass management, floriculture or nursery management and  landscaping. Graduates pursue careers in floriculture, landscape and grounds maintenance, greenhouse and garden center operations, nursery management, interiorscaping, park and land management or botanical gardening.

Animal science majors focus on equine studies or production agriculture, including both dairy and livestock. Graduates seek positions in the horse industry, production enterprises, animal health, breeding and genetics, nutrition, meat science and food handling, or related service industries.

Faculty Advisors. Faculty advisors are assigned to students upon entry into the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture according to a student's major and area of special interest. Advisors assist students in the selection of appropriate courses and help them develop an individualized program that will meet educational and career goals.

Registration. Ratcliffe Hicks students are restricted primarily to RHSA courses, numbered 1-99. The following 100-level courses have been pre-approved for all RHSA students:

No more than 13 credits of 100-level course work (Including courses listed above) may be used toward the AAS degree. RHSA students must have approval of advisor and director to register for 100-level courses not listed above. RHSA students may not register for 200-level courses or skill code courses (W, Q, C) unless approved by the director. RHSA students who have earned at least 24 credits and are not on scholastic probation may place one course, for no more than four credits, on Pass/Fail. Courses placed on Pass/Fail do not satisfy the General Education Requirements or any other graduation requirements. Inappropriate registration may result in administrative changes to a students schedule or credit restrictions toward graduation requirements.

Associate Degree Requirements

Upon recommendation of the faculty, the degree of Associate of Applied Science is awarded by vote of the Board of Trustees to students who have met the following requirements: (1) earned a total of 64 degree credits; (2) earned at least a 2.0 grade point average for the total number of calculable credits for which they have been registered; (3) passed all courses required by the faculty of the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture; and (4) earned at least 32 credits at the University of Connecticut in Ratcliffe Hicks courses numbered 1-99.

Plan of Study. Students should work closely with their advisors to select appropriate courses. Each student should prepare a tentative plan of study, outlining all courses, with an academic advisor as early as possible.

A final plan of study, approved by the major advisor and the RHSA Director, must be filed with the Director of the School and the Degree Auditor no later than the end of the fourth week of classes of the semester in which a student expects to graduate.

General Education Requirements for Both Majors

Mathematics and Computers

1 The RHSA math placement exam is required to determine proficiency in mathematics.

Humanities and Social Science

2 Substitutions may be considered based on SAT scores or placement exams.

Natural Science

Two of the following courses:

3 SAAS 004 may be used in meeting both the general education requirements and the Animal Science core requirements.
4 SAPL 003 may be used in meeting both the general education requirements and the Horticulture core requirements.

Major Requirements

Animal Science Core

3 SAAS 004 may be used in meeting both the general education requirements and the Animal Science core requirements.

Horticulture Core

Horticulture majors may select options in Nursery/Landscaping, Floriculture or Turfgrass Management.

Nursery/Landscaping or Floriculture

4 SAPL 003 may be used in meeting both the general education requirements and the Horticulture core requirements.

Turfgrass Management

  • SAPL 003 Introduction to Plant Science4
  • SAPL 022 Introduction to Soil Science
  • SAPL 024 Turfgrass Management
  • SAPL 041 Plant Pest Control
  • SAPL 042 Integrated Pest Management
  • SAPL 068 Landscape Plant Maintenance

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    Area of Specialization for Both Majors

    In addition to the general education requirements and the major core requirements listed above, students must complete at least 12 credits of course work related to an area of specialization within their major. These courses must be Ratcliffe Hicks courses numbered 001-099 and must be approved by the stuent's advisor.

    Internship, Independent Study Courses, and Special Topics. Students may apply no more than six credits of these courses toward the minimum graduation requirement of 64 earned credits.

    Scholastic Standards

    The Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture follows the same academic regulations and procedures regarding scholastic standards and probation as all other schools and colleges of the University except: first semester Ratcliffe Hicks students are subject to dismissal from the University if their semester grade point average is less than 1.2.

    Supplemental Information

    Transfer to Four-Year Program. Upon completion of the associate degree program, students may petition to transfer into the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources or other baccalaureate programs of the University. Students should contact the Director's Office, W.B. Young Building, Room 211, to obtain an application and verify procedures. The Ratcliffe Hicks School will review applications for transfer and submit a recommendation to the Transfer Admissions Office. Admission decisions will be based primarily on courses completed in the School and earned grade point average (minimum 2.5). Students transferring to a baccalaureate program at the University of Connecticut will receive transfer credit for all credits earned with a grade of C- or higher, except that no credit will be given for any course graded Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory, or for SAAG 90, Applied Mathematics.

    Field Trips and Transportation Costs. Many courses require off-campus field trips. Students should budget money for participation.

    Housing Regulations. Students who desire housing will be assigned rooms in residence halls with baccalaureate students.
     
     
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