Agriculture, Modern Food Production and the Environment: Diploma
West Burlington campus and online
Agriculture, Modern Food Production and the Environment: Diploma
SCC's Agriculture, Modern Food Production, and the Environment program provides students with the opportunity to prepare for a lifetime of learning through classroom and internship positions limited only by students' initiative and imagination. This program prepares students to serve the food production and processing industries through operation of feed mills, fertilizer plants, elevators, retail farm supply stores, and farm equipment dealers. The program is also designed to provide improved skills in the areas of crop and livestock production, agriculture equipment, and farm business management.
Students may choose to pursue the Pathway most relevant to their desired career. Pathways include Agriculture Business, Agronomy, Animal Science, Online, or Specialty Crop.
In Spring semester students must take at least 9 credit hours from the elective grouping AGA-376, AGB-331, AGC-420, AGS-225, and AGS-226.
The Modern Food Production certificate is awarded after successful completion of first semester courses.
Summary Sheet
The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.
Curriculum Sequence |
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Fall Semester | Course Title | Credit |
AGB-336 | AGRICULTURAL SELLING | 3 |
AGC-216 | CAREER SEMINAR | 2 |
AGB-330 | FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT | 3 |
Take 1 of 2 courses: | ||
AGA-181 | INTRODUCTION TO CROP SCIENCE | 3 |
AGH-221 | PRINCIPLES OF HORTICULTURE | 3 |
Take 1 of 2 courses: | ||
AGB-235 | INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE MARKETS | 3 |
BUS-102 | INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS | 3 |
Take 1 of 2 courses: | ||
AGH-131 | GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT (ONLINE) | 3 |
AGS-113 | SURVEY OF THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY | 3 |
Semester Total: | 17 | |
Spring Semester | Course Title | Credit |
AGA-182 | INTRODUCTION TO SOIL SCIENCE | 3 |
Take at least 9 credit hours from these courses: | ||
AGA-376 | INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT | 3 |
AGB-331 | ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AGRICULTURE (online) | 3 |
AGC-420 | ISSUES IN AGRICULTURE | 3 |
AGS-225 | SWINE SCIENCE | 3 |
AGS-226 | BEEF CATTLE SCIENCE | 3 |
Take at least 3 credit hours from these courses: | ||
ENG-105 | COMPOSITION I | 3 |
ENG-110 | WRITING FOR THE WORKPLACE | 3 |
SPC-112 | PUBLIC SPEAKING | 3 |
Semester Total: | 15 | |
PROGRAM TOTAL: | 32 |
AGB-336 - AGRICULTURAL SELLING |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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Presents basic concepts and economics principles related to markets for agricultural inputs and products. Reviews current marketing problems faced by farms and agribusinesses, farm and retail price behavior, structure of markets, food marketing channels, food quality and food safety, and the role of agriculture in the general economy. Analyzes the implications of consumer preferences at the farm level. Introduces hedging, futures, and other risk management tools. |
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AGC-216 - CAREER SEMINAR |
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Lecture: 2 |
Credit: 2 |
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This course is designed to help students explore and discover the many opportunities that are available in the profession of agriculture and related industries both nationally and internationally. |
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AGB-330 - FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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Applies business and economic principles of decision making and problem solving in the management of a farm business. Covers cash flow, partial, enterprise, and whole farm budgeting. Reviews information systems for farm accounting, analysis, and control. Examines obtaining and managing land, capital, and labor resources. Provides alternatives for farm business organization and risk management. |
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AGA-181 - INTRODUCTION TO CROP SCIENCE |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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Basic structure and function of plants, origin and classification, growth and development. Fundamentals of photosynthesis, plant water use, plant nutrition and genetics that regulate plant growth, development and responses to the environment. |
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AGH-221 - PRINCIPLES OF HORTICULTURE |
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Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 3 |
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Provides an introduction to horticulture covering the basic knowledge and skills associated with growth and development of plants including fruits, vegetables, turf grass, and ornamentals. |
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AGB-235 - INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE MARKETS |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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Presents basic concepts and economics principles related to markets for agricultural inputs and products. Reviews current marketing problems faced by farms and agribusinesses, farm and retail price behavior, structure of markets, food marketing channels, food quality and food safety, and the role of agriculture in the general economy. Analyzes the implications of consumer preferences at the farm level. Introduces hedging, futures, and other risk management tools. |
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BUS-102 - INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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An overview of contemporary business principles touching on all the major functional areas of business and trends that are shaping today's business environment. Understanding the fundamental pillars of the business environment -- globalization, technology, and ethics -- is a crucial component in this course. |
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AGH-131 - GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT (ONLINE) |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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Manage greenhouse air, water, soil, and light for most efficient use of resources. Pest management, plant rotation and scheduling for flower sales are included. |
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AGS-113 - SURVEY OF THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY |
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Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 3 |
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Introduces students to the various species and breeds of domestic animals and to create an understanding of the principles of food animal production, product marketing, and issues confronting the animal industry. |
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AGA-182 - INTRODUCTION TO SOIL SCIENCE |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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Introduce students to the mysterious world of soils. It is designed for students in agriculture and related sciences. The course provides a broad viewpoint to match the varied backgrounds and interest of students. Its coverage is made so broad to meet the needs of students who will take only one course in soils, as well as those who will use it as a base for more advanced study of specialized areas in soil science. |
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AGA-376 - INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT |
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Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 3 |
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Course describes the basics of field scouting for corn and soybean crops for weeds, insects, diseases and disorders, as well as, a variety of management practices to manage those ailments. |
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AGB-331 - ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AGRICULTURE (online) |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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This course relates specifically to management of agriculture farms and businesses. Course content emphasizes budget planning, record keeping, record analysis, agricultural finance/credit, and machinery and land management. Management exercises simulating farm activities and decisions are incorporated. Computers are used to aid in the completion of these management exercises. |
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AGC-420 - ISSUES IN AGRICULTURE |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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This course provides students the opportunity to collect, discuss, interpret, and defend current economic, environmental and social issues that affect the production of agricultural commodities. |
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AGS-225 - SWINE SCIENCE |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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Introduces principles, practices, and decisions impacting swine production. |
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AGS-226 - BEEF CATTLE SCIENCE |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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Introduces principles, practices, and decisions impacting beef cattle production. |
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ENG-105 - COMPOSITION I |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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A study of the principles of writing. Emphasis on rhetoric, mechanics, and development of expository patterns: narration, description illustration, comparison/contrast, classification, process, and cause/effect. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisites: Meet minimum placement test score requirement. |
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ENG-110 - WRITING FOR THE WORKPLACE |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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Writing for the Workplace prepares students for the various types of written communication required by professional employers. In this class, students learn how to write informal and formal documents and reports in the design and style of career-related communication with a focus on audience, purpose, subject, and genre and how they affect our writing choices. This course also includes a review of grammar and usage skills, as well as emphasizes effective language use in real-world applications. Prerequisites: ENG-013 with a grade of C- or better or meets minimum placement scores. |
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SPC-112 - PUBLIC SPEAKING |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery, and audience analysis. |
Sabrina Pidgeon - Assistant Professor, (319) 208-5000 ext. 5104
Email: spidgeon@scciowa.edu
BS, Iowa State University
Adam Raub - Professor, (319) 208-5000 ext. 5103
Email: araub@scciowa.edu
BS, Western Illinois University
MBA, St. Ambrose University
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