Agriculture

AGRI 1101 – Agricultural Economics

3 credits

An introduction to the field of agricultural economics as it relates to production, consumption, marketing, prices, supply and demand, records and finance.

AGRI 1106 – Principles of Crop Science

4 credits

General principles of field crop production. Factors such as environmental concerns, economic constraints, weather, soil fertility, varietal differences, cultural practices, and pests will be discussed. Course will also cover basic tillage practices, basic crop breeding and development, and harvest techniques of popular field crops. Specific crops include corn, soybeans, wheat, and other crops that have potential in the Midwest.

AGRI 1107 – Principles of Animal Science

4 credits

Selection, breeding, feeding, management, and marketing of beef, sheep, swine, equine, and poultry. Emphasis placed on livestock systems and current production technologies. Course also covers principles of livestock breeding/genetics, reproduction, and feed management.

AGRI 1114 – Principles of Horticulture

4 credits

The student will learn the culture of many horticultural plants. Turf management, floriculture, greenhouse management, and landscaping are included in this study. Also includes cultural practices, basics of greenhouse management, gardening practices, basic tools of the industry, harvest and sale of select plants.

AGRI 1115 – Floral Design

4 credits | Prerequisite: AGRI 1114

This course familiarizes students with basic design principles as well as the tools, equipment and plant materials commonly used in floral work. Students will construct elementary arrangements such as round, triangular, oblong, and asymmetrical table pieces, as well as corsages and boutonnieres. Time will also be spent on more complex pieces such as wedding bouquets, large table pieces, contemporary designs and specialty items.

AGRI 1119 – Greenhouse Management

4 credits | Prerequisite: AGRI 1114

This course introduces the student to greenhouses and related equipment used to manipulate the environment to best economical advantage in the production of greenhouse crops: flower, vegetable and foliage plants. Included are topics on greenhouse location and construction, heating, cooling, soils and fertility, lighting, crop scheduling, disease and insect control and environmental considerations. Some attention is given to business and the retailing of crops grown.

AGRI 1121 – Plant Propagation

4 credits | Prerequisite: AGRI 1114

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the basic principles of plant propagation. Included will be instruction in the use of propagation material and equipment. Specific training will be provided in the laboratory for propagation by seeds, modified stems and soft wood cuttings.

AGRI 1123 – Plant Materials

4 credits | Prerequisite or Corequisite: AGRI 1114

This course is designed to introduce the student to the identification, use and care of woody and herbaceous ornamental plants used in the landscape industry. Special focus will be placed on identification of species and appropriate uses for each.

AGRI 1126 – Livestock Feeds and Feeding

3 credits | Prerequisite: AGRI 1107

A study of fundamental principles of feeds and feed use in farm livestock to meet nutritional and dietary requirements of farm animals. Digestive physiology will be introduced. This course includes study of specific nutrients and feedstuffs as related to domestic farm livestock. Feedstuffs will be studied in relation to value added to a ration. Ration formulation will be introduced.

AGRI 1129 – Vegetable Production

3 credits

General principles and practices of vegetable production are covered. This course will include principles of garden planning, propagation, transplanting, fertilization, pest control, weed management, harvesting and storage. The course also includes a brief overview of produce marking and organic production practices.

AGRI 1145 – Livestock Health

3 credits

The study of diseases, treatment and prevention of diseases in farm animals. This course will focus on cattle, swine, sheep, horses and poultry.

AGRI 1151 – Agricultural Finance & Credit

2 credits

The analysis of farm money programs. Where, how and when of agricultural credit. Topics will address the special nature of farm lending in regards to crop and animal production. Will include some discussion of the effects of climate, product marketing and national policy on crop production and funding.

AGRI 1171 – Survey of Agriculture

1 credit

A survey of the current topics in the fields of agricultural production, research and product development.

AGRI 1173 – Principles of Agricultural Marketing

4 credits

The study of marketing as it relates to agriculture and its products as well as a study of the Futures Market as it relates to the marketing of agricultural products.

AGRI 1199 – Seminar

1–6 credits

Discussion of particular issues in areas of special interest. May include topics in areas of animal science, crop production, ag business or horticulture.

AGRI 2200 – Agricultural Field Experience

1–9 credits (Field Experience)

Agricultural field experience is a paid (or unpaid) work activity which relates to an individual student's occupational (or learning) objectives, and which can be taken in lieu of elective courses in his/her program. The experience will be coordinated by an agricultural faculty member who will assist the student in planning the experience, visit the site of the experience for a conference with the student and his/her supervisor at least once during the quarter, and assign the course grade to the student after appropriate consultation with the employer/supervisor.

Students are required to have 2.5 work hours per week for 15 weeks = 37.5 work hours per semester of field experience for each 1 hour of credit that he/she has enrolled.

AGRI 2207 – Forages

3 credits

A study of forage crops, integrated harvesting systems and forage land management for agricultural production. Includes forage identification, establishment and maintenance, measurement and forage productivity evaluation. A brief presentation of grazing systems and animal-plant interactions will be included.

AGRI 2208 – Soils

4 credits

An introduction to the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils and how these properties relate to soil use and productivity.

AGRI 2217 – Landscape Maintenance

4 credits | Prerequisites: AGRI 1114

This course explains, through lecture and laboratory exercises, the cultural considerations and manipulations necessary to successfully establish and maintain vigorous, attractive landscape plantings. Topics include transplanting, pest control, fertility, pruning and environmental disorders.

AGRI 2218 – Landscape Design

3 credits | Prerequisite: AGRI 1114

This course familiarizes students with basic design principles, site analysis, needs assessment, drawing and lettering techniques as well as tools and equipment used in design work. Students learn the design process through individual residential design projects.

AGRI 2228 – Soil Fertility & Fertilizers

3 credits | Prerequisite: AGRI 2208

The course will cover the basics of plant nutrient requirements and the ability of soils to supply those nutrients. Specifics of agricultural fertilizers, lime, soil amendments and soil and plant analysis will be included in class discussions.

AGRI 2232 – Weed Control & Management

4 credits

An introduction to the biology and control of weeds in agronomic, horticultural and turf grass situations. Discussions of weed history and weed morphology are included. Weed identification is also an important component of this course.

AGRI 2238 – Pesticides & Pesticide Usage

3 credits

Various aspects of pesticide chemistry use will be explored. Topics include the overall importance and use patterns of pesticides, classification of mode of action of pesticide active ingredients, application techniques, equipment, calculations and alternatives to pesticide usage. Environmental impact and historical use of pesticides will also be addressed.

AGRI 2239 – Field Research Techniques

3 credits | Prerequisite: sophomore standing

This course will cover the basics of field research in agriculture (including plants and animals) and the fundamentals of experimental design and interpretation of data. Both manual and computer analysis of data will be presented. Embedded in the course will be a selected research project from design to implementation to data analysis and final report writing.

AGRI 2240 – Beef Cattle Management

3 credits | Prerequisite: AGRI 1107

This course will cover the basic scientific principles of nutrition, genetics, genetics, physiology and marketing in the production of beef cattle.

AGRI 2241 – Equine Science

3 credits | Prerequisite: AGRI 1107

This course will introduce students to the scientific study of horses in order to provide a better understanding of equine reproduction, nutrition, health and general management. The course is held in a traditional classroom setting with some laboratory and field trip opportunities which will enable the students to apply their knowledge to real world experiences (students will sometimes be outside and around horses so appropriate dress and footwear will be required).

AGRI 2242 – Swine Management

3 credits | Prerequisite: AGRI 1107

This course will cover the basic scientific principles of nutrition, genetics, physiology and marketing in the production of swine.

AGRI 2247 – Applied Entomology

3 credits

An overview of the structure, physiology, classification and control of economically important insects. This course will focus on the specific insects that interfere with agricultural production, including row crops, vegetables, forages, horticultural plants and livestock.

AGRI 2262 – Agricultural Machinery & Maintenance

3 credits

This course will provide the student with the basic fundamentals of operation, maintenance and repair of modern farm equipment and machinery. Students will learn preventive measures to decrease fuel waste, downtime, and improve operating efficiency.

AGRI 2299 – Research Project

3 credits | Prerequisite: completion of core courses in Agriculture Production program

A supervised research project tailored to the individual needs and learning objectives of the student.