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Courses - Spring 2023
AGST
Agricultural Science and Technology
AGST400
Advanced Crop Science
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PLSC112, PLSC113, BSCI160, BSCI161, and MATH113 or higher.
Recommended: ANSC101.
Credit only granted for: PLSC407 or AGST400.
Formerly: PLSC407.
Additional information: There will be two required Saturday field trips during the semester. Because of the changing nature of agriculture, the dates of these field trips will be decided upon at the beginning of the semester by discussion among the students and based on cooperators availability and environmental factors. Students will have a minimum of two weeks notice as to the dates of the field trips.
Focuses on the study of the agronomic principles and practices required for the production of food, feed, fiber and fuel crops. This is a project-based course where students will develop a farm plan from knowledge gained in previous courses and built upon in this course. Students will learn to integrate data and information from many sources in order to build and operate a successful and sustainable agronomic farm operation using current and new technology. The use of farm management software will be an integral part of the course and farm project.
AGST401
(Perm Req)
Tractor and Equipment Operation, Safety and Maintenance
Credits: 1
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: PLSC112 and PLSC113; MATH113 or higher MATH course; and must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in AGST400.
Restriction: Must be in the Agricultural Science and Technology major (01010) with priority given to Agronomy students (0101A); and must have earned a minimum of 60 credits; and permission of the Department of Plant Sciences and Landscape Architecture.
Additional information: Course location will be the University of Maryland Wye Research & Education Center, Queenstown, Maryland. Because students will be working around machinery with moving parts, there is a strict dress code based on information from the United State Department of Agriculture Cooperative States Research, Education and Extension Service's Hazardous Occupations Safety Training for Agriculture (HOSTA), National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) standards. [Contact instructor for more information].
Provides students with basic skills needed to safely operate and maintain farm equipment, such as tractors and implements used in agronomic production. Students will receive introductory background training in the basic safety and operation of tractors through hands-on learning. Emphasis will also be placed on the mechanical functioning of equipment and the functional similarities and differences between gasoline (two-stroke and four-stroke) and diesel engines as well as electric motors as they relate to farm equipment (mobile and stationary). This knowledge will be used to teach students to safely perform basic care and maintenance of different tractor types as well as various implements. Students will also learn basic implement connection and disconnection, including the safe use of implements that employ a power take-off unit. Included in the course will be an introduction to the equipment and use of satellite navigation systems used in agronomic production.
AGST442
Examining Leadership in Youth and Volunteers
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Explore fundamental leadership theories and practice related skills utilized in helping youth and adults build community relationships in a variety of teaching environments. Fundamentals of youth development will be the basis for examining how to foster positive learning environments for dynamic learning. The identification of empowerment processes will be explored through case-study discussions.
AGST605
Extension Research Methods with Applied Data Analysis
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Examine foundational qualitative and quantitative research methods in real-world social and behavioral settings for extension and outreach educators. This course enables you to distinguish, select and apply research methods to conduct social science research in a non-formal education setting. A variety of data analysis approaches will be examined across Extension and outreach education applications.