Agriculture, Modern Food Production and the Environment - Diploma

West Burlington Campus, and Online

Related Programs:

Ag, MFP & Environment: Certificate
Ag, MFP & Environment: Diploma
Ag, MFP & Environment: Agronomy and Row Crop Operations - AAS

Curriculum Sequence

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 3 of 5 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 1 of 3 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

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

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.

AGC-216 - Career Seminar

Lecture: 2

Credit: 2

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.

AGB-330 - Farm Business Management

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

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.

AGA-181 - Introduction to Crop Science

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

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.

AGH-221 - Principles of Horticulture

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

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.

AGB-235 - Introduction to Agriculture Markets

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

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.

BUS-102 - Introduction to Business

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

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.

AGH-131 - Greenhouse Management (online)

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Manage greenhouse air, water, soil and light for most efficient use of resources. Pest management, plant rotation and scheduling for flower sales are included.

AGS-113 - Survey of the Animal Industry

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Course studies ways domestic animals serve the basic needs of humans for food, shelter, protection, fuel and emotional well-being. Terminology, basic structures of the industries surrounding the production, care and marketing of domestic animals in the U.S. will also be studied.

AGA-182 - Introduction to Soil Science

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

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.

AGA-376 - Integrated Pest Management

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

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.

AGB-331 - Entrepreneurship in Agriculture (online)

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

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.

AGC-420 - Issues in Agriculture

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

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.

AGS-225 - Swine Science

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Introduces principles, practices and decisions impacting swine production.

AGS-226 - Beef Cattle Science

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Introduces principles, practices and decisions impacting beef cattle production.

ENG-105 - Composition I

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

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. Prerequisite: Meet minimum test score requirements.

ENG-110 - Writing for the Workplace

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

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 minimum grade of C-or meet minimum placement test score requirements. No Waivers.

SPC-112 - Public Speaking

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

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