Agriculture Science & Industry Capstone
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE & INDUSTRY CAPSTONE
Level: 11th & 12th grade
Class Location: Highland Community College, Freeport
Length: One year
Time/Day: 1 – 2:25 p.m., Mon. - Thurs.
H.S. Credit: 2 credits per year
Post Sec Credit: Highland Community College - Dual Credit** 14 credits
HCC Fees: $847.50
Textbook Fees: $0 (included in HCC fees)
Calendar: This course follows the HCC calendar
State Course ID: Sem1: 18051A003 (AGRI 286); Sem2: 18405A001 (AGRI 187), 18101A002 (AGRI 186)
This Agriculture Capstone experience is for students interested in animals, plants, food, technology, mechanics, and the environment. The complete experience will result in the attainment of 14 college credits earned through one agriculture career exploration course and three university transfer courses that also count toward certificate and applied science degrees at Highland Community College.
All fees listed are approximate and are subject to change.
F ALL SEMESTER
AGOC 102: Agriculture Careers Survey (3 Credits)
This course is composed of interactive experiences and career focused field trips that connect students to industry professionals and places of employment within the animal, plant, food, technology, mechanics, and environmental science sectors of the agricultural industry. Students will learn about modern science and technology within the agricultural industry as they explore careers, discuss current events, and participate in laboratory activities.
AGRI 286: Plant Science (4 Credits)
This course explores the science of how plants grow, function, and interact with their environment, with an emphasis on crop plants important to Illinois, the Midwest, and the United States. Topics include crop origin, plant structure and function, photosynthesis, environmental influences on growth, nutrient management, plant health, pest management, and reproduction and breeding. Students apply the scientific method to investigate plant performance within agronomic and horticultural systems.
S PRING SEMESTER
AGRI 186: Introduction to Animal Science (4 credits)
The fundamentals of animal nutrition and management, ruminant and non-ruminant animal digestion, genetics of breeding and improvement, marketing livestock, handling of livestock products, and the physiology of animals are covered in this course.
AGRI 187: Introduction to Precision Agriculture (3 credits)
This course will provide an overview of precision agriculture in a production agriculture setting, with the objective of using precision AG technology to improve management decisions. Topics will include Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), yield monitors, remote sensing, direct sensing, GIS software, and variable rate application.
Students must achieve a passing grade in the fall semester in order for them to enroll in the spring semester of the Agricultural Science and Industry Capstone program.