Science of Climate Change in Agricultural Courses

Climate change adaptation is required knowledge for students and graduates from colleges of agriculture since recent crop production and food security are influenced by climate change. Thus, understanding the dynamics of climate change is important to support farmers to adapt to future conditions. However, not all students and graduates understand the concept and application of climate change with regard to the dynamics of food production and future food security. While agriculture faces the challenge of climate change adaptation, agricultural courses have not kept pace by incorporating climate change science into the curricula. To address this issue, eleven syllabi in selected agricultural courses from 100 to 700 levels were reviewed in the year of 2018 and 2019 to observe the integration of climate change science into the syllabi. The results suggest that educators, instructors or course designers should consider the following before creating the courses: (1) the specific interests and needs of students; (2) linking global climate change to local problem in agriculture, (3) applying lessons across disciplines, and (4) encouraging active student participation. In addition, the syllabi should meet the needs of a specific course level, such as the topical interests and learning needs with lesson updates on a regular basis. By applying these components to future syllabi, the integration of climate change science into agricultural courses will better facilitate climate change adaptation concepts, curricula and applications for all students, graduates and crop producers.