Download Principles of Crop Science - Southern State Community College

Southern State Community College
Curriculum Committee – March 2016
AGRI 1106: Principles of Crop Science
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I.
COURSE TITLE: Principles of Crop Science
COURSE NUMBER: 1106
II.
III.
IV.
CATALOG PREFIX:
AGRI
PREREQUISITE(S): None
CREDIT HOURS: 4
LECTURE HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 1 (2 contact) OBSERVATION HOURS: 0
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
General principles of field crop production. Factors such as environmental
concerns, economic constraints, weather, soils, 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.
V. GRADING:
Grades will be calculated as a percentage of the total points earned; according
to the Course Catalog:
Numerical equivalents are established for letter grades as follows:
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 0 - 59
Academic Honesty: See course catalog for policy. Academic honesty is
expected; acts of dishonesty will not be tolerated.
VI.
ADOPTED TEXT (S):
Principles of Field Crop Production
4th edition
John H. Martin; Warren H. Leonard; David L. Stamp; Richard P. Walden
Prentice Hall
ISBN#: 0130259675
AGRI 1106: Principles of Crop Science
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VII.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Discuss the significance of field crop production; regionally and world wide
2. Describe the influences of weather and other environmental factors on crop
productivity.
3. Discuss and understand the botany, ecology and physiology of common field
crops.
4. Describe specific production aspects of field crops.
5. Tillage practices
6. Harvest methods and theory
7. Examine alternatives to standard production techniques and practices.
8. Basic crop pests and diseases.
9. Production of crops including, but not limited to: corn, soybeans, wheat, rye,
oats, sunflowers, sorghum
10. Lab component to present general overview of crop production equipment and
tools.
VIII. COURSE METHODOLOGY:
This course may use lecture, discussion, video, computer slide show, in and
out-of class assignments, work projects, research papers, and written exams as
appropriate to the course objectives.
IX.
COURSE OUTLINE:
Introduction and Overview
Importance of crop production to the United States; value, export, marketing
Factors affecting crop production; climate, soils, seed, pests, fertility, population
Setting yield goals; realistic expectations; productivity indices; maximum
economic yield/maximum agronomic yield; diminishing returns
Management decisions: seed; fertilizer; soil pH; timing
Pesticides: insecticides, herbicides, fungicides
Tillage systems: conventional, conservation, no-till, zone, ridge;
advantages/disadvantages
Economics of crop production: inputs, costs, returns, net income; budgets
Corn
Soybeans
Wheat
Rye
Oats
Sunflowers
Sorghum
SAMPLE Course Calendar:
Week 1
Introduction and Overview of Crop Production
Week 2
factors affecting production
AGRI 1106: Principles of Crop Science
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Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
X.
botany and basic plant physiology
tillage
fertilizers
Exam #1
seeds/seeding
harvest
corn
corn
soybeans
Exam #2
soybeans
wheat
oats and rye
barley
sorghum, sunflowers, others
Final Exam (Exam #3)
OTHER REQUIRED BOOKS, SOFTWARE AND MATERIALS:
Other resources may be required as the term progresses and will be announced or
given in class
XI.
EVALUATION:
Knowledge of content is evaluated by various methods at the discretion of the
instructor. All exams are comprehensive. Quizzes may be given at the
instructor’s discretion. Make-up exams and quizzes will not be permitted.
Sample Grading Scale:
Quizzes/homework
Laboratory manual
Research paper/project
Midterm Exam #1
Midterm Exam #2
Final Exam
XII.
10%
10%
10%
20%
20%
30%
SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Students will be required to complete written exams at times designated in the
Course Schedule. Students are required to participate in all class activities.
Students may withdraw from classes according to the schedule in the student
handbook. Withdrawal from classes may affect the student’s financial aid.
See the FEE SCHEDULE section of the College Catalog for the policy on
refunds and financial aid.
AGRI 1106: Principles of Crop Science
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XIII. OTHER INFORMATION:
Classroom conduct: Civility in the classroom is very important. As
professionals, we expect students to conduct themselves in a courteous and
respectful manner. Disruptive, rude, sarcastic, obscene or disrespectful
speech or behavior have a negative impact on everyone and will not be
tolerated.
FERPA: Students need to understand that your work may be seen by others.
Others may see your work when being distributed, during group project work,
or if it is chosen for demonstration purposes.
Students also need to know that there is a strong possibility that your work
may be submitted to other entities for the purpose of plagiarism checks.
DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities may contact the Disabilities
Service Office, Central Campus, at 800-628-7722 or 937-393-3431.