IECC | Programs

Semester 1

Prefix/Num

Program Overview:
Graduates of the Agricultural Technology Business option program qualify for a variety of rewarding positions in areas such as agricultural sales, marketing, mid-management at dealerships or distributorships, research, or other agricultural positions. Job opportunities include operational or mid-management positions at agricultural suppliers of feed, seed, fertilizer, chemicals, grain, equipment, and other products and services.

Students who complete this program will be able to communicate with other people, demonstrate a general knowledge of crop and livestock production, understand the problems of agriculture, be aware of the new developments in farming, and develop skills in marketing, management, and financing in agri-business.

PRINT with Descriptions |

PRINT

Gainful Employment Consumer Disclosure Information

An introduction to the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soils; the origin, classification, and distribution of soils and their influence on people and food production; the management and conservation of soils; the environmental impact of soil use.

This course is designed to meet transfer requirements to a four-year institution. The course is a study of plant growth and development and the practical application of agronomic principles to crop production. Also included is the identification and control of weeds, insects and diseases; cultivating and harvesting methods; and major crops and their uses.

The application of the sciences of genetics, physiology, and nutrition to the improvement of the animal industries and an introduction to management and production practices. Includes animal breeds, breeding and selection; anatomy, physiology, nutrition, growth; environment, health and sanitation; products and marketing; production technology and economics; animal behavior; and current issues in animal science.

This course will provide an overview and understanding of livestock management techniques including health, facilities, animal handling, nutrition and reproduction. The Course will cover application of animal handling and management techniques for beef, goat, dairy, swine, sheep and poultry. PREREQUISITE: AGR 1121 Introduction to Animal Science or approval of instructor.

A study of the relationship between soil and crop nutrients. Includes fertilizer sources and materials, chemical forms of elements in the soil, reactions of fertilizers, and determination of fertilizer needs.

This course studies the role of chemicals in crop production. Students investigate the use and safe handling of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Students will learn the identification and control of various weeds, insects, and diseases.

The student will be placed with an agricultural business or operation for full-time training experience in the spring. The student will be supervised by the employer and the college coordinator. One credit hour is equivalent to a minimum of 75 hours of supervised work experience. PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in 12 semester hours of credit in the corresponding discipline.

The study of computers in farm and agri-business management with emphasis on hardware, file manipulation, word processing, spreadsheets, database management, presentation programs, and other agriculture related software. PREREQUISITE: AGR 1251 Computers in Agriculture or instructor approval.

Students will analyze agronomic practices and develop crop production plans using soil data and productivity indexes for major field crops of the world. Students will learn various western and non-western cultural perspectives on producing and supplying food and fiber as it relates to human social, political, and cultural diversity.

The student will be placed with an agricultural business or operation for full-time training experience in the summer. The student will be supervised by the employer and the college coordinator. One credit hour is equivalent to a minimum of 75 hours of supervised work experience. PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in 12 semester hours of credit in the corresponding discipline. Follows AGR 1261 Supervised Occupational Experience I.

A study of commodity futures markets and their application for farmers and agribusiness personnel. Emphasis will be on the mechanics of the market, the theory of hedging, speculation, market information, charting, and options.

A study of various accounting procedures required to successfully operate an agri-business firm or farm. Financial, sale, production, departmental, and tax reports will be analyzed.

Fundamentals of livestock nutrition relating to growth, reproduction, maintenance, and production dietary requirements. Includes an examination of digestion, absorption and value of food nutrients; energy, protein, vitamin, and mineral requirements; and factors influencing the value of feeds. Laboratory exercises emphasize the use of feeding standards to develop balanced rations, with consideration given to the economics of feeding livestock.

Comprehensive analysis of the capital and credit needs on the farm and in agri-business. Includes the methods of securing debt and equity capital, sources of credit, legal concerns, credit analysis, and problems associated with obtaining and using credit.

Salesmanship emphasizes basic principles in the sales process found in the agricultural supply and service industry. Students will understand how to develop and apply sales techniques. The relationship that exists between the agri-business, customer, and sales person will be identified.

The student will be placed with an agricultural business or operation for full-time training experience in the fall. The student will be supervised by the employer and the college coordinator. One credit hour is equivalent to a minimum of 75 hours of supervised work experience. PREREQUISITE: 12 semester credit hours completed or concurrent enrollment in agriculture or consent of the program coordinator. Follows AGR 1262 Supervised Occupational Experience II.

Economic principles that apply to agriculture and the role of agriculture in the U.S. and world economies will be presented in this course. Areas of emphasis include: production principles, supply and revenue, profit maximization, consumption and demand, price elasticity, agricultural policy, competitive market models, international agri-economics, and rural development. PREREQUISITE: At least one course in college-level mathematics or algebra is recommended.

This course is designed to meet the requirements for transfer credit to a four-year institution. An introduction to agricultural mechanization with emphasis on technical terminology, skill development, and mathematical application to farm power machinery, electrical wiring, and soil and water conservation.

Principles of farm and ag business machinery are covered including operation, adjustment, calibration, repair and safety. Includes tillage, planting, harvesting, spraying and other applicator equipment.

The study of current decision making and administrative concepts that relate to operating an agri-business. Areas of emphasis include business organization, financial management and control, marketing, production processes, and personal management. PREREQUISITE: Student will be required to complete one supervised occupational experience prior to enrolling for this course. The student will be required to complete a term project that analyzes an agri-business firm's organization, financing, marketing techniques, production processes, and personnel management and training.

The student will be placed with an agricultural business or operation for full-time experience in the spring. The student will be supervised by the employer and the college coordinator. One credit hour is equivalent to a minimum of 75 hours of supervised work experience. PREREQUISITE: 12 semester credit hours completed or concurrent enrollment in Agriculture or consent of the program coordinator. Follows AGR 2263 Supervised Occupational Experience III.

This course prepares the student for job interviews, job placement, and employment. Verbal and written communication skills are implemented through assigned reports. Topics of discussion and debate range from securing and keeping a job to individual attitudes, work habits, work ethics, and interviewing skills. The student will be required to prepare a written resume and to apply communication skills in practical situations.

Introduction to the philosophies of agricultural education programs will be presented in this course. Other topics include state and federal policies, teaching in school and non-school settings, program components, approaches to teaching, teacher characteristics, and trends and developments in agricultural education. A general study of the nature of agricultural education along with its opportunities and responsibilities will be explored.

This course is a survey of the entire field of agriculture, including farm production, agricultural service and supply industries, marketing, processing, and education. Discussion will focus on skills and competencies required for a successful agricultural career.

This course introduces fundamental components of precision agriculture. Topics include: the global positioning system (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, yield monitoring, variable rate application (VRA), and analysis and decision making for agriculture.

This course studies the turf industry from the perspective of seed varieties, planting procedures, controls of weeds, insects and disease, and the overall scope of the turf industry. Also, landscape management is covered from the point of properly growing and installing landscape plant materials, as well as the overall scope of the landscape industry.

Introduction to Horticulture will acquaint the student with a basic understanding of plants' form and function. This course will cover employability opportunities and skills necessary for employment which will be reinforced throughout the remainder of the program.

This course is designed to prepare a student for the written portion of the Commercial Driver's License exam and will follow the curriculum as set forth by the Secretary of the State of Illinois. One to two credits will be awarded each time student successfully completes the course. Total number of credits that may be applied to a degree shall be two credits.

This course introduces basic welding equipment and provides students lab experience in performing basic welding skills.

We recommend that you contact an advisor before enrolling in any degree, certificate, or transfer program to ensure all requirements are met including total hours associated with transfer courses.

This is a General Education or Elective course to be selected and therefore has no schedule link.