Tropical Agriculture and the Environment Student Handbook

College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI

Updated 6/9/2023

Why Study Tropical Agriculture and the Environment (TAE) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa?

An exceptional learning experience in a place like no other…

In this remarkable setting, students in the Tropical Agriculture and the Environment (TAE) undergraduate program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UH Mānoa) learn how to responsibly manage land, water, crops, and agricultural systems. Our STEM undergraduate and graduate degree programs prepare students to solve complex problems using innovative applied science methods, with the goal of improving plant production, ensuring a sustainable safe and abundant food supply, to protect the environment and meet our community’s needs.

Despite today’s challenging economy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts promising employment prospects for TAE students. The United States currently generates an estimated 54,400 annual job openings in the agricultural, food, and renewable natural resources sectors for individuals holding baccalaureate or advanced degrees, while at the same time fewer plant scientists, soil scientists, and horticulturalists are entering the job market. On average, 29,300 graduates in agriculture and natural resources enter the work force each year, as do about 24,200 degree holders in allied fields. In the next several years, demand for skilled agriculture, forestry, and environmental science graduates is expected to outstrip supply.

Optimizing Our Resources

By 2050, you, your children, and your grandchildren may be sharing the planet’s limited resources with 9.1 billion people. Worldwide food demand is expected to increase by 70%, and an additional 120 million hectares of land may be needed for food production in developing countries. As a soil scientist, you can help farmers use their land more sustainably, efficiently and safely. While nutrient-poor soils can limit crop yields, adding too much fertilizer increases production costs and can damage aquatic environments and sources of drinking water. Soil organic matter increases retention of water and minerals that plants need for growth. With optimized soil nutrient levels and improved soil structure, we can sustainably grow more food per acre.

Developing A Healthy World

Fruits and vegetables are essential for good health. In the developing world, vitamin A deficiency affects about one-third of all children and contributes each year to the death of 670,000 children under the age of five. In the United States, diets that include generous portions of fruits and vegetables may offer protection from stroke, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and some types of cancer. As a plant scientist, you can help increase the availability of wholesome, nutritious food by breeding fruit and vegetable crops that tolerate pests, diseases, or adverse conditions, provide enhanced levels of vital nutrients, or spoil less quickly. By identifying postharvest practices that minimize damage and decay, you can prevent food losses and waste.

Caring For Our Environment

The relative severity of future climate change hinges on how much we curb CO2 emissions during the next 40 years. A widely adopted goal—limiting global warming to 2°C above pre-1900 temperatures—is predicted to require cutting CO2 emissions to one-half of 1990 levels by 2050. Faculty who are part of the TAE academic program are investigating how we can sustainably use plants and soils to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Hardy non-food crops that thrive on marginal land can provide biofuels without displacing food production. Generating biochar (stable charcoal) from agricultural wastes and using it as a soil amendment can sequester carbon in soil while improving soil fertility. Rooftop gardens or plant beds, known as green roofs, can help insulate buildings and provide energy savings.

Helping Hawai‘i Achieve Greater Self Sufficiency

Agricultural advances can help Hawai‘i achieve greater self-sufficiency that is sustainable and resilient. Our reliance on imports, which represent 85 to 90 percent of our food and more than 90 percent of our energy needs, makes us more vulnerable to natural disasters, invasive species, human misdeeds, and rising fuel prices. Keeping agricultural land in crop production conserves green, open space and allows rainwater to recharge our aquifers. The work you do as a TAE student and graduate can help shape a more sustainable and affordable Hawai‘i for future generations.

Overview

How can we feed, clothe, and provide energy for 9.7 billion people by 2050 and sustainably use and protect natural resources and biodiversity? The new Tropical Agriculture and the Environment (TAE) major offers numerous career paths for students interested in becoming part of the scientific solution to some of the most pressing issues we face in the 21st century. TAE offers a Bachelor of Science degree with hands-on knowledge of sciences and technologies related to plant, soil, and pest management in agricultural. urban, and natural environments with a focus on the tropics. The TAE major is provided in conjunction by the Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences department and the Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences department.

Choose From Five Diverse Tracks:

Plant Sciences

Specializing in plant physiology, genetics and breeding allows students to cross the traditional boundaries that have separated the disciplines of plant genetics, plant physiology and plant molecular biology, both as fundamental fields of research and in their application to crop production. By linking laboratory approaches and plant production systems through the use of plant biotechnology, students learn to solve multi-disciplinary problems. Students can select courses that allow concentration on genetic engineering or whole-plant physiology and plant breeding to address real-world problems.

Plant Production and Management

Students are prepared to produce, manage and market plants grown as crops or in landscapes, with emphasis on productivity, appropriate pest and disease management, and environmental protection. Students learn to solve horticultural problems using evidence-based methods

Environmental Soil Sciences

Students learn to effectively manage soils for agricultural production and to conserve this important natural resource for human benefit and environmental conservation. Students understand the complex chemical and biological processes that govern soil formation and nutrient cycling, which are critical for plant growth and the protection of the environment.

Environmental Urban Horticulture

The landscape design and management specialization prepares students to design, install, and maintain landscapes that enhance the environment with trees, shrubs, flowers, houseplants and turfgrass. Through theoretical study and hands-on practice, students in the program learn how to create and implement environmentally and economically sustainable landscapes.

Pests, Pathogens and Invasive Species

Students who specialize in insect, disease and invasive species management learn to design and implement pest-management programs and conduct basic and applied research using multi-disciplinary approaches. Students receive interdisciplinary education in entomology, plant pathology, weed science and invasive species management.

Other options for study

Agribusiness Certificate

Earn a certificate in the business and management of agricultural operations. Gain the skills needed in agribusiness management and entrepreneurship. Contact Dr. Ken Leonhardt (leonhard@hawaii.edu) for more information.

Plant Production and Management Minor

Complete a minimum of 15 credits of non-introductory, upper-division-level courses to add a minor in Plant Production and Management to your degree. Contact Dr. Ken Leonhardt (leonhard@hawaii.edu) for more information.

Admission

New students who apply to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM) as first-year students or transfer students may apply directly to the program by specifying Tropical Agriculture and the Environment (TAE). Please visit the Office of Admissions website for details about applying.

Students who have taken courses at another university or community college outside of the University of Hawaiʻi system must arrange to have their official transcripts sent to the UH-Mānoa Admissions Office for evaluation of transfer credits. Courses not meeting the university core requirements, but are acceptable academically, will be transferred and counted as elective credits. Transfer students can check the “Transfer Credit Database” created by the UH Admissions Office to see how your courses transfer to UHM.

Students wishing to transfer from another UHM program into TAE are required to contact the CTAHR Advising Office at ctahradv@hawaii.edu to request a change of major. Acceptance into the program will be based on a minimum cumulative UHM grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.

Degree Requirements

The TAE program sheets and four year plans can be at the Bachelor Degree Program Sheets and Sample Four Year Academic Plans website. Please scroll down the page to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Accepted students who have set up their UH username and password may also find their requirements on their STAR GPS Registration page. Log onto your STAR Account by visiting the website.

Registration

Students register for courses online through STAR GPS Registration. STAR GPS Registration is an easy-to-navigate registration system that shows courses students need to graduate in a timely manner and allows students to personalize their academic plan to fit their unique college experience. STAR GPS Registration allows students to do the following:

Register for classes that count directly into their degree/requirements so they don’t go off track
A visual calendar of the classes students are choosing and how they fit together
Direct integration of students’ class schedule into their Google calendar
Easily switch classes using the add/drop options
Search for classes at any UH campus
View transcript

For help about STAR, students can meet with an academic advisor or visit the HELP website. Registration dates and times are published on the Registration Timetable.

Rewarding Career Opportunities

Tropical Agriculture and the Environment graduates pursue careers as scientists and practitioners in plant breeding, pest management, soil conservation, plant physiology, biotechnology, science education, agricultural production, landscape design, and more.

TAE graduates find employment opportunities in businesses, governmental agencies, international organizations, and academic institutions.

Careers are open to graduates as scientists, educators, managers, marketers, merchandising and sales representatives, social services specialists, and agriculturalists trained in all aspects of plant production, management, breeding, and genetics. Entrepreneurship opportunities exist in food and ornamental plant production as well as the landscape industries.

Our graduates become researchers, consultants, teachers and professional officers. They accept jobs in private firms, universities and government agencies, or they run their own businesses. The diversity of agricultural careers places many of these jobs in cities rather than farms. Schedule a meeting with a career counselor in Mānoa’s Career Center for more information on professions to enter after graduation.

Our graduates are employed as:

Agricultural production managers
Biotechnologists
Commercial researchers
Conservationists
Consultants and managers
Ecologists
Educators
Environmental managers
Horticulturists
Landscape designers, installers and managers
Molecular biologists
Pest control specialists
Physiologists
Plant breeders
Plant pathologists

Current Openings

Useful Websites for Students Entering into the University of Hawai'i

University of Hawai'i page

All information for students covering how to apply, academic calendar, financial aid, catalog, transfer credit search, new database, on-campus activities, housing (dorms), parking, etc..

UH Mānoa General Catalog
UH Academic Calendar

My UH Services

MyUH Services is a mobile-optimized, one stop shop for UH business tasks, form, apps and more. It includes one-click access to services customized for students, faculty and staff across our 10-campus system.

STAR

STAR for students is the online degree tracking system for UH. You can view your degree requirements, register for classes, search for scholarships, and view your transcripts through STAR.

College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources' Home Page

Select “Academic and Student Affairs” will open all the programs up for students interested in all that CTAHR has to offer for Undergrad and Graduate Programs, financial aid/scholarship information, course requirements and information on who we are, Department, Faculty and Staff as well as publications and research projects.

College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Academic Advising

Use this website to make an appointment with our academic advisors. Advisors can assist you with developing a degree plan and making sure you’re taking the appropriate classes for graduation.

Tropical Agriculture and the Environment Program

This website provides information on the TAE program.

General Education

UH Core requirements and class listings.

Transfer of Credits, Admissions

This web site shows information on how your credits transfer into UH Mānoa.

Student Academic Support Services

Access to student academic support services is important to ensure your success while a student at the University of Hawaiʻi. Below is a listing of some of these services that can also be found in the UH Manoa Catalog along with appropriate contact information:

The Office of Civic and Community Engagement assists UH Manoa students and community organizations find ways to partner together to tackle important issues in the community by matching students’ passions and interests with the needs of community non-profit organizations through service.
First Year Programs and ACE ease the transition of new students into the academic and social communities at UH Manoa. First-Year Programs provide the opportunity to develop personal relationships with faculty and other students, enhance active involvement in the educational process, and build connections to UH Manoa. In addition, First-Year Programs familiarize students with the array of resources and programs available at UH Manoa.
Honors Program provides opportunities for talented and motivated undergraduates to excel in their academic studies. Students complete a challenging inquiry-based curriculum that encourages learning through independent research and creative expression. They enjoy intimate and personalized educational experiences within the setting of a large research university through small classes, dedicated advising, peer mentorship, and faculty guided projects.
International Student Services has the responsibility for meeting University federal compliance with regard to international students. ISS strives to support international student success through the following endeavors:
- Advising students on immigration regulations that affect their status in the U.S.
- Providing programs that help promote cross-cultural adjustment
- Serving as a resource to the campus and international student communities
- Advocating for international students and international education
Kokua Program (Disability Access Services) is UH Mānoa’s primary campus unit responsible for providing disability access services to students with disabilities toward equal opportunity.
Learning Assistance Center provides tutoring, workshops, Supplemental Instruction (SI), and one-on-one appointments in which students learn appropriate study strategies and problem solving skills to achieve their academic goals.
Mānoa Advising Center is an advising office for exploratory students who have not yet declared a major. MAC assists exploratory students with their major selection process by presenting options and providing general education advising.
Mānoa Transfer Coordination Center is to help students transfer smoothly from a UH community college to UH Manoa and provide advising support throughout the transfer process, including the Ka‘ie‘ie Degree Pathway Program.
Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center is a walk-in resource for students interested in law, medicine, and other health fields (dentistry, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, etc.). PAC advisors help students explore and clarify their career goals, plan appropriate course work, find opportunities to gain experience, apply to professional programs, review personal statements and résumés, provide mock interviews, and hold workshops throughout the year.
Student Athlete Academic Services is the academic support program for student-athletes at UH Manoa. Working closely with instructional faculty, coaches, and campus resources, academic advisors assist students in formulating and meeting their academic goals while participating in intercollegiate athletics.
Student Success Center in Sinclair Library offers students a welcoming and convivial place to study and to learn, and provides them the information and skills they need to be successful in their academic career and beyond. The center provides seating that facilitates collaborative learning, is open long hours, and permits students to bring their own snacks, all in a space that has natural light and air.
Student Support Services is a federally funded TRIO program that provides academic advising and planning, special courses, financial aid advice, graduate and professional school advising, tutoring, mentoring, and academic enrichment activities to program students enrolled at UH Manoa. Students are selected to participate based on a combination of income and financial aid eligibility, parents’ level of education, and potential to benefit from program services
Mānoa Writing Center is a pedagogical space that supports writing and research at UHM. Our primary service is one-to-one writing consultations provided free of charge to all students, faculty, and staff affiliated with the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa. Our writing consultants are trained to help writers working in different disciplines at every stage of the writing process and with various writing projects (i.e., essays, research papers, resumes, letters, creative work).

Do not hesitate to discuss your needs with your academic degree advisor who can help refer you to the appropriate resource.

TPSS & PEPS Course Descriptions

Viewable online at the UH Manoa Catalog.

Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences

Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences