Agriculture Production & Management (AAS.AGPRO)

This core curriculum is designed for those students who are planning a career in agricultural production, farming, ag production sales, and management or ownership in these areas. While this curriculum is designated for agricultural production, it also allows transferability to Illinois State, Southern Illinois and Western Illinois universities.

Program requirements may change over time. Specific degree/graduation requirements are determined by a degree audit.
FIRST YEAR
First Semester
Hours
AGR-046
Introduction to Agricultural Occupations

AGR-046
Introduction to Agricultural Occupations

An introduction to the vast, complex business of agriculture, ways of doing business, guides for success of a person in the agricultural business of farm machinery technology, and familiarizes the student with the preparation for agricultural production, business, and mechanics jobs.

Course Outline
1.0
AGR-205
Intro/Soil Science

AGR-205
Intro/Soil Science

Application of the basics in the physical, chemical, and biological aspects in soils. Soils of Illinois and Indiana are emphasized along with concepts of fertility, conservation, and field descriptions.

Course Outline
OR
AGR-050
Soils

AGR-050
Soils

Planned learning activities and experiences designed to cover soil development, functions of soil minerals, soil types, and their class. A major study of soil types in Illinois and Indiana and their conservation practices are included.

Course Outline
3.5
AGR-206
Intro/Animal Science

AGR-206
Intro/Animal Science

Focuses on a study of beef, swine, sheep, poultry, and horses; and the scientific factors affecting nutrition, selection and genetics, products, environment, and physiology.

Course Outline
OR
AGR-060
Animal Husbandry

AGR-060
Animal Husbandry

Prepares students with a basic understanding of livestock care, production and management from selection through breeding and marketing of beef and dairy cattle, swine and sheep. Emphasis is placed on confinement plans and new trends.

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-040
Agricultural Mathematics

AGR-040
Agricultural Mathematics

Applications of mathematics as it applies to the operation of grain and livestock farms, agriculture business and agriculture mechanization.

Course Outline
OR
MAT-115
General Education Pathway

MAT-115
General Education Pathway

Survey of mathematical topics including set theory, consumer/financial math, measurement and statistics. Problem solving projects involving detailed written solutions required. Calculators and computers will be used. Intended for students that don't assess directly into MAT-116. Includes supplemental instruction lab.

Course Outline
OR
MAT-116
General Education Math

MAT-116
General Education Math

Survey of mathematical topics with emphasis on solutions to real life problems. Topics will include set theory, consumer/financial math, measurement, and statistics. Problem solving projects involving detailed written solutions will be required. Calculators and computers will be used.

Course Outline
3.0
ENG-098
Communications I

ENG-098
Communications I

Students will learn the principles of communications by listening, speaking, and writing. Emphasis is placed on communication skills related to the demands of the student's career area.

Course Outline
OR
ENG-119
Composition I Pathway

ENG-119
Composition I Pathway

Students will study the writing process by reading essays illustrating a variety of rhetorical strategies, analyzing texts, and writing, revising, and editing short essays. Course is for students who have assessed into developmental English, receiving supplemental instruction for course completion.

Course Outline
OR
ENG-120
Composition I

ENG-120
Composition I

Students will study the writing process by reading essays that illustrate a variety of rhetorical strategies, analyzing writing tasks and texts, and writing, revising, and editing short essays.

Course Outline
3.0
SOS-052
Workplace Communication/Safety

SOS-052
Workplace Communication/Safety

Provides an understanding of the human mechanism when associated with interpersonal relationship on the job. Emphasis placed on vocational motivation, communication and perception, along with Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid training to enhance safety and response skills in a workplace emergency.

Course Outline
OR
PSY-271
Intr/Psychology

PSY-271
Intr/Psychology

Focuses on psychology as a science, presenting concepts, research methods and research in a variety of subfields, including neuroscience, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning and memory, cognition, motivation and emotion, development, personality, disorders and therapy and social psychology.

Course Outline
OR
POS-160
American National Government

POS-160
American National Government

The fundamental principles of the American Government are summarized. Such topics as federalism, civil liberties, citizenship, parties and elections, the Presidency, Congress, Judiciary, and national policies and politics are discussed within the framework of the American Constitutional system.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

16.5
Second Semester
AGR-041
Supervised Occupational Exp I

AGR-041
Supervised Occupational Exp I

On the job experience as a full-time employee in selected agriculture occupation. Must be in curriculum that degree is awarded. (Repeatable 3 Times)

Course Outline
3.5
AGR-049
OSHA/Ag Mach Safety

AGR-049
OSHA/Ag Mach Safety

Provides an intensified study into agricultural machinery safety. Focuses on why agriculture machinery accidents happen, how they can be prevented, and how to create a safe working environment. Visual aids are utilized to display effect.

Course Outline
1.0
AGR-063
Animal Nutrition

AGR-063
Animal Nutrition

Covers fundamental principles of livestock nutrition with an understanding of the mono-gastric and ruminant digestive system, essential nutrients, feed ingredients and additives, and balancing of rations. Private and commercial feed sales implications are included.

Course Outline
2.5
AGR-112
Computer Applic/Agriculture

AGR-112
Computer Applic/Agriculture

Covers the effective use of keyboard, manipulating agriculture files, using word processors, spreadsheets, database and presentation software, and discovering available agriculture software for accounting, budgeting, record keeping, and market analysis.

Course Outline
OR
AGR-111
Intro to Agriculture Software

AGR-111
Intro to Agriculture Software

Use of computers in farm and agri-business management with emphasis on commercially available software for accounting, budgeting, record keeping and market analysis.

Course Outline
2.0
AGR-121
Farm Business Records

AGR-121
Farm Business Records

An introduction into basic farm record keeping. Prepares students to compile records associated with specific farm enterprises. Record analysis is emphasized for farm efficiency measures.

Course Outline
2.5
CHM-120
General, Organic and Biochemistry I

CHM-120
General, Organic and Biochemistry I

Fundamentals of inorganic chemistry including history, atomic theory, bonding, stoichiometry, gases, solids, solutions, chemical equilibria, acids, bases, salts, pH, and electrochemistry.

Course Outline
OR
CHM-101
Physical Science II

CHM-101
Physical Science II

An introductory discussion of chemical principles. Presents a balance between basic knowledge needed to understand the uses of chemicals and applications of chemicals in everyday life.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

14.5
Summer Term
AGR-042
Supervised Occupational Exp II

AGR-042
Supervised Occupational Exp II

On the job experience as a full-time employee in selected agriculture occupation. Must be in curriculum that degree is awarded. (Repeatable 3 Times)

Course Outline
2.5
AGR-053
Integrated Pest Management

AGR-053
Integrated Pest Management

Designed to develop a working knowledge of agricultural chemicals as they are related to herbicides and insecticides. Students should have a working knowledge of calibration and maintenance of agricultural chemical equipment. Identification of major weed species in this area and their control is emphasized.

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-207
Intro/Ag Economics

AGR-207
Intro/Ag Economics

Principles of economics applied to problems in agriculture, marketing of agricultural products, agricultural policy and the role of agriculture in the U.S. and world economies.

Course Outline
OR
AGR-120
Agriculture Economics

AGR-120
Agriculture Economics

An introduction to basic economic concepts of the agricultural sector with emphasis on costs, revenue, price determination, supply and demand, and farm policy.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

8.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester
Hours
AGR-204
Prin/Field Crop Science

AGR-204
Prin/Field Crop Science

Designed to develop a working and scientific knowledge of modern crop production as a germination, growth, reproduction, tillage, and weed control of agricultural field crops. Emphasis is also placed on fertility, diseases and insects.

Course Outline
OR
AGR-052
Principles of Crop Production

AGR-052
Principles of Crop Production

Designed to develop needed skills involved in production of the major field crops in central Illinois and Indiana. Plant growth, crop choice, tillage, planting and sowing for maximum yields are emphasized.

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-090
Principles of Agri Mechanics

AGR-090
Principles of Agri Mechanics

Covers the fundamentals of basic preventive maintenance for tractors and familiarizes the student with setting and adjusting sprayers, tillage equipment, planters, and combines.

Course Outline
2.5
AGR-043
Supervised Occupational Experience III

AGR-043
Supervised Occupational Experience III

On the job experience as a full-time employee in selected agriculture occupation. Must be in curriculum that degree is awarded. (Repeatable 3 Times)

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-122
Farm Management

AGR-122
Farm Management

Economics principles applied directly to the organization and operation of Midwest farms are discussed. Management effectiveness in cropping and livestock systems and resource utilization for maximum profit are stressed.

Course Outline
2.5
--- ---
Career Elective

--- ---
Career Elective



1.5

Semester Totals

12.5
Second Semester
AGR-051
Soil Fertility

AGR-051
Soil Fertility

Enables those involved with soils and crops to make intelligent and efficient use of fertilizer materials available.

Course Outline
2.5
AGR-123
Marketing of Ag Products

AGR-123
Marketing of Ag Products

An introductory course covering farm marketing strategies, futures markets, cash markets for livestock and grain, and general problems in pricing major agricultural commodities.

Course Outline
2.5
AGR-124
Farm Credit and Finance

AGR-124
Farm Credit and Finance

An introduction to financing statements, capital and credit needs of farmers, sources of credit, and problems of borrowers and lenders.

Course Outline
2.0
AGR-044
Supervised Occupational Experience IV

AGR-044
Supervised Occupational Experience IV

On the job experience as a full-time employee in selected agriculture occupation. Must be in curriculum that degree is awarded. (Repeatable 3 Times)

Course Outline
3.5
COM-111
Intro to Speech Communication

COM-111
Intro to Speech Communication

Focuses on the fundamental principles and methods of selection, analyzing, organizing, developing and communicating information, evidence, and points of view to audiences.

Course Outline
OR
ENG-121
Composition II

ENG-121
Composition II

Students will learn how to find, use, assess and document research sources, producing an extended writing project based primarily on library research.

Course Outline
3.0

Semester Totals

13.5

Total Program Hours

65.5
Suggested Electives
AGR-054
Crop Harvesting/Drying/Storage

AGR-054
Crop Harvesting/Drying/Storage

Fundamentals of harvesting, drying, and storage. Opportunities of various systems are explored through visitations at different sites and systems.

Course Outline
2.5
AGR-151
GPS/Applications in Ag

AGR-151
GPS/Applications in Ag

This class is designed to provide students the opportunity to become familiar with global positioning systems as they relate to agriculture and develop a working knowledge of variable rate systems.

Course Outline
3.0
AGR-152
Intensive Crop Scouting

AGR-152
Intensive Crop Scouting

Scouting skills are taught with emphasis on insects and plant diseases. Life cycles, prevention and control measures are discussed.

Course Outline
3.0