Courses

The foundations of agricultural education are explored in this course. The effects that developments and research in teaching and agriculture have on curriculum and the role of the teacher are studied. Students are introduced to the "Teacher as Effective Steward" model and encouraged to develop their own philosophy of agricultural education in response to that model.
This course must be taken before the junior year.

Students will do at least 30 hours of observation and participation with a middle school or high school agricultural education program. Reflections related to these classroom experiences will be required.
Prerequisites: AE 212 or ED 236 or SE 232 or concurrent

This course, first in a sequence of secondary methods courses, addresses adolescent development along with an introduction to middle school philosophy and curriculum. The course provides the context for developing instructional strategy, assessment forms and techniques for enhancing middles school agricultural education programs. A 30-hour field experience is required.
Prerequisites: ED 236 and acceptance into the Teacher Education Program

This course gives the secondary education candidate experience developing instructional strategies appropriate for high school agricultural education curriculum with an emphasis on performance based learning and assessment. In addition, classroom management, student learning style, writing across the curriculum, along with further exploration of cultural proficiency will be addressed.
Prerequisites: AE 311 and acceptance into the Teacher Education Program

The course serves as an introduction to the agriculture business major. Topics discussed include the general scope of agriculture, including farm safety, an overview of the kinds of employment opportunities that exist within the field of agriculture business, and the basics of farm equipment.

Emphasizes gaining a basic level of proficiency in a variety of common welding processes. Blueprint reading, welding safety, terminology and quality control.

Experiential learning of basic construction and maintenance skills and practical knowledge. Safety, careers, mechanical power system (engines and hydraulics), construction materials and structures, electrical and plumbing for typical home and agricultural structures.

Principles and practical knowledge required for the operation of farm equipment typically used in modern agriculture. Procedures for safe operation of farm equipment. Principles and operational knowledge of precision agricultural equipment. Technological advances in agricultural production.

Crop science is the discipline of producing food, feed, fiber and fuel crops. Students will study basic plant science, including plant structure, function, growth, development and reproduction. Additional topics include the role of plants and agriculture in God's Word, the influence of crop production on society and the economy and the major crop plants of Indiana and the world. The course introduces the role of biotechnology, crop breeding and cropping systems in modern crop production. This course includes a lab component.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 221L.
Prerequisite: AG 111

Laboratory experiments and demonstrations which support, extend, or complement the concepts presented in the lecture course.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 221.

The history, physiology, anatomy, breeding, nutritional needs and products of farm animals will be discussed. The primary focus is on cattle, sheep, poultry and swine. This course will have a lab component.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 231L.
Prerequisite: AG 111

Laboratory experiments and demonstrations which support, extend, or complement the concepts presented in the lecture course.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 231.

This course introduces students to the principles of agricultural ecology, emphasizing the role of Christian stewardship of natural resources in farming in agribusiness. Topics covered include the development of agroecology systems, soil conservation, ecological disturbance, biodiversity, nutrient cycling, energy-efficient techniques, integration of technology and challenges to sustainable agricultural practices in developed and developing countries.
Prerequisite: AG 111

Chemistry, microbiology and processing of foods. Food additives, food safety and biotechnology of foods. Regulatory aspects of food processing, quality, safety and labeling. Manufacturing practices to ensure food quality and safety.
Identical with BI 251.
Prerequisite: CH 141/L or 161/L

This course introduces the concepts and principles of GIS database planning, design, implementation and administration for agricultural enterprises. Topics included are data collection, data storage and processing, extraction of data, data analytics and visualization to improve profitability, productivity and sustainability.
Prerequisite: MA 151

Structure and function of animal body systems, with reference to farm animals. Includes tissues, organs and systems and their physiological functions. Tissue and organ systems covered include blood, nervous, sensory, endocrine, skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive, reproductive and lactation.
Identical with BI 322. Must be taken concurrently with AG 321L.
Prerequisite: AG 231/L

Laboratory experiments and demonstrations which support, extend, or complement the concepts presented in the lecture course.
Identical with BI 322L. Must be taken concurrently with AG 321.

Maintaining the health of farm animals through an understanding of diseases caused or influenced by pathogens, inadequate nutrition or environmental hazards. Management of animal diseases that affect humans. Animal welfare and ethical issues in managing animals.
Identical with BA 323.
Prerequisite: AG 231/L

This course is a comprehensive introduction to the field of soil science with an emphasis on scientific principles and their application in solutions to practical soil management problems. An overview of weather and climate will also be a part of this class. This course includes a lab component.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 331L.
Prerequisite: AG 221/L

Laboratory experiments and demonstrations which support, extend, or complement the concepts presented in the lecture course.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 331.

Diseases, insects and weeds that affect crop plants. Emphasis on integrated pest management strategies to maintain crop health, including chemical, biological, cultural and biotechnological control methods.
Prerequisite: AG 221/L

This course focuses on the production of grain, forage and biofuel crops in the Midwest. Students examine new and innovative crop production strategies that promote sustainable agricultural practices. Challenges to crop production in the Midwest are examined in detail, including planting strategies, pest control, plant nutrition, harvesting techniques and the influence of markets and government policies. This course includes a lab component.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 341L.
Prerequisite: AG 221/L

Laboratory experiments and demonstrations which support, extend, or complement the concepts presented in the lecture course.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 341.

The composition, nutritional value, relative quality and cost of food for animals will be discussed. This course includes a lab component.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 351L.
Prerequisite: AG 231/L

Laboratory experiments and demonstrations which support, extend, or complement the concepts presented in the lecture course.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 351.

This course focuses on traditional breeding and modern molecular techniques used to improve the productivity, disease resistance and stress tolerance of crop plants. Central topics include the genetic and phenotypic variation in crop plants, how such variation is produced and controlled in developing new varieties and hybrids, and the maintenance of high quality plant stocks. This course includes a lab component.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 361L.
Prerequisites: AG 221/L and BI321/L

Laboratory experiments and demonstrations which support, extend, or complement the concepts presented in the lecture course.
Must be taken concurrently with AG 361.

Fundamental physiological processes of reproduction in farm animals. Male and female reproductive systems and function, endocrine relationships, fertility and factors affecting reproductive efficiency. Current methods used in managing farm animal reproduction, including artificial insemination and embryo transfer. Population and quantitative genetics as they relate to animal breeding and mating systems used for the improvement of various livestock/farm animal species and breeds.
Identical with BI 365. Must be taken concurrently with AG 365L.
Prerequisites: AG 231/L, 321/L and BI 321/L

Laboratory experiments and demonstrations which support, extend, or complement the concepts presented in the lecture course.
Identical with BI 365L. Must be taken concurrently with AG 365.

Students will work with a business organization in the community to obtain experience in the field of agriculture. The internship should be in the area of the student's chosen concentration within the major.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and agribusiness major