Sustainable Food Systems
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The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Sustainable Food Systems curriculum is designed for students with diverse interests in sustainable food careers. Graduates will gain a depth of understanding of the impact of agricultural practices and policies on ecosystems, economies, and human cultures. Courses include concepts supporting contemporary food movements, which focus on local and global food systems. In addition, courses will cover careers in sustainable food systems, fundamentals of sustainability, basic nutrition, organic foods production, community garden concepts, food preparation laws and sanitation guidelines, basic principles and techniques for sustainable cooking, and food practices, attitudes, and beliefs of different cultures. The program also includes Certificates of Completion (CCLs) in Sustainable Food Systems, Sustainable Food Systems: Food Service, and Sustainable Food Systems: Food Entrepreneur. Foundational courses will equip students with the necessary hands-on skills for employment or self-employment in food service, community gardens and farm-to-table operations.
Details
Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Sustainable Food Systems (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3127
Total credits required
61-73
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2022
Admission criteria
None.
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Some courses in this program will also fulfill the requirements of the AGEC-A. Students may work with an advisor to select courses that fulfill the requirements of the AGEC-A.
*For students intending to transfer to Arizona State University to earn a Bachelor in Science degree in Sustainability, please note the additional recommended requirements in the Required Courses, Restricted Electives, and Mathematics areas.
Students are recommended to consult with an advisor for course selection.
What You'll Learn
- Apply the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind required in the range of careers available in sustainable food systems.
- Relate high-input and low-input sustainable agricultural production to local, regional, and global impact.
- Describe how agricultural practices have altered communities, cultures, health, and food safety.
- Implement sustainable kitchen practices and cooking techniques, including strategies for maximizing use of whole, local, seasonal, and nutrient-dense food.
- Describe basic nutrition principles.
- Explain how food culture varies by factors such as region, country, ethnicity, religion, and climate.
- Implement basic garden-to-table food production and preparation skills.
- Employ food safety and sanitation guidelines.
- Examine food entrepreneurship principles and processes.
- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, utilizing the vocabulary of food systems.
- Operationalize sustainable solutions to the problem of food waste.
- Recognize the cultural, economic, environmental, and sociological influences on food systems throughout history.
- Explain food and agricultural policy effects on human, food, and economic systems.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career statistics
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Agricultural Inspectors
$50,420 Show expanded career information for Agricultural Inspectors
Dietitians and Nutritionists
$62,720 Show expanded career information for Dietitians and Nutritionists
Food Service Managers
$74,870 Show expanded career information for Food Service Managers
Health Education Specialists
$51,400 Show expanded career information for Health Education Specialists
Social and Community Service Managers
$69,700 Show expanded career information for Social and Community Service Managers
Sustainability Specialists
$76,990 Show expanded career information for Sustainability Specialists
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
| FON135 | Sustainable Cooking | 3 | |||
| MAT112 | Mathematical Concepts and Applications | Critical course OR satisfactory completion of a higher level mathematics course
Note: MAT15+ or higher is recommended for students intending to transfer to ASU to earn a BS in Sustainability |
3–6 | ||
| SSH111 | Sustainable Cities | Gateway course | G, HU, SB | 3 | |
| SUS231 | Careers in Sustainability | Gateway course | 1 | ||
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | Critical course OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| FON100 or (FON241 and FON241LL) |
Introductory Nutrition or (Principles of Human Nutrition and Principles of Human Nutrition Laboratory) | Critical course FON241 AND FON241LL recommended for students intending to transfer | None or SG in combo w/ FON241LL and SG in combo w/ FON241 | 3–4 | |
| FON104 | Certification in Food Service Safety and Sanitation | 1 | |||
| FON143 or FON161 |
Food and Culture or Sustainable Food Production Systems | Critical course Gateway course | G or None | 3 | |
| FON163 | Sustainable Kitchen Practices | 3 | |||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 0–5 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO105 | Environmental Biology | SQ | 4 | ||
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | ||
| FON165 | Sustainable Food Entrepreneurship | 3 | |||
| SUS110 | Sustainable World | SB | 3 | ||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 2–5 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHI216 | Environmental Ethics | HU | 3 | ||
| SUS232 | Professional Skills in Sustainability Practice | 3 | |||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 3–5 | |||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 3–5 | |||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 0–5 |
Restricted Electives
Students must choose eight (8) to twenty-five (25) credits from courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits.
*Note: For students intending to transfer to Arizona State University to earn a Bachelor in Science in Sustainability, the courses listed below are recommended:
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC110 or CIS105 or CS |
Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems or Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application | CS or CS or CS | 3 | ||
| (L and C) or (HU and C) or (SB and C) or C |
(Literacy & Critical Inquiry and Cultural Diversity in the US) or (Humanities, Fine Arts & Design and Cultural Diversity in the US) or (Social-Behavioral Sciences and Cultural Diversity in the US) or Cultural Diversity in the US | L and C or HU and C or SB and C or C | 3 | ||
| Second Language | Second Language Requirement, 101 Level | Complete a foreign language course at the elementary level (102 or equivalent), including American Sign Language IV with a C or better OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment. | 0–5 | ||
| Second Language | Second Language Requirement, 102 Level | Complete a foreign language course at the elementary level (102 or equivalent), including American Sign Language IV with a C or better OR demonstrate proficiency through this level as indicated by assessment. | 0–5 |
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- G = Global Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=171639).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Sustainable Food Systems