Course Descriptions: Agricultural Sciences

AG 100 Introduction to Welding

3-OD
Introduction to welding includes a strong emphasis on welding safety and situational facility awareness, welding nomenclature as well as basic weldment layout and fit-up procedures. Topics include oxy-acetylene cutting, welding and brazing as well as shielded metal-arc welding processes. The student will work to develop manual skills necessary to produce high quality gas and shielded metal-arc welds and flame cuts. The student learns to set related equipment for all phases of oxy-acetylene welding and cutting. This course specifically develops basic shielded metal arc welding skills such as safety, striking/maintaining proper arc length, adjusting equipment and manipulating the electrode.

AG 120 Introduction to Small Gasoline Engines

3-OD
This course introduces students to the theory and operating principles of internal combustion engines. Emphasis is placed on basic engine systems, special tools and testing equipment, shop safety rules and equipment. Upon completion, students will understand shop rules and be able to identify engine components, identify special tools and demonstrate their use, discuss the process of internal combustion; identify shop safety rules, list engine components and explain their function.

AG 150 Introduction to World AgriScience and Technology

3(OD)
Studies the needs of all people: food, fiber and shelter. Blends science, agriculture, and technology together. It emphasizes biological, earth and physical sciences as related to agriculture. Students examine agriculture and its related areas as “science in action.”

AG 160 Rangeland Science

3(OD)
Description of the rangelands of the world: historical, present, and potential use(s). Explanation of how uses affect the nutrient, biological and hydrologic cycles of rangelands and how the ecosystem responds to changes. Concepts as related to ecological condition, land potential and ecological trends will be introduced.

AG 202 Intermediate Welding

3(S)
Instruction includes a strong emphasis on welding nomenclature, joint design, specific weldment layout and fit-up procedures. Students will learn to properly analyze and set related equipment for specific welding procedures. This course is a continuum to develop student welding skills and shop safety protocol. Procedural topical emphasis is placed in shielded metal-arc welding processes, MIG and related emphasis in the introduction to carbon steel and white-metal TIG welding and applications. Prerequisite: AG 100

AG 250 Introduction to Animal Science

3(F)
Provides the student an overview of the opportunities associated with the production of domestic animals for food, fiber, power, and recreation. Students will have the opportunity to become familiar with breeds and management practices of beef and dairy cattle, sheep, swine, equine and other domesticated livestock.

AG 255 Introduction to Soil Science

3(F)
Studies soil and its use as a component of the ecosystem: physical, chemical and biological properties: water, geologic parent materials; classification; nutrient cycling; holistic and sustainable management; land resource inventory and planning, environmental quality.

AG 260 Equine Science

3(S)
Provides the student with current information as related to equine management with emphasis on behavior, anatomy and physiology, conformation, biomechanics, nutrition, and production. Other areas of interest will be discussed as related to class needs.

AG 265 Feeds and Feeding

3(F,S)
Examines the importance of proper livestock nutrition, the digestive and metabolic processes, feed types and determinations of feedstuffs and rations for a variety of domestic livestock classes.

AG 275 Farm and Ranch Management

3(S)
Allows for the exposure of students to the basic tools of economic decision making processes. The economics of farm/ranch and business decisions as well as the national economic policy with emphasis on agriculture will be discussed.