Agriculture
Advanced Interdisciplinary Science for Sustainable Agriculture 12583 aka Agriscience Systems Management
1 year course – 5 science credits per semester
Open to grades: 12
UC A-G Certification: Meets the UC a-g [d] Laboratory Sciences requirement with a C or better grade
Description: This integrated class combines an interdisciplinary approach to laboratory science and research with agricultural management principles. Using skills and principles learned in the course, including the chemical and biological
principles that govern plant science and crop production, students design systems and experiments to solve agricultural management issues currently facing the industry. Additionally, students connect the products created in this class with
industry activities to link real world encounters and implement skills demanded by both colleges and careers. The course culminates with an Agriscience experimental research project in which students design and conduct an experiment to solve
a relevant agricultural issue. Final projects will be eligible for Career Development Event competition at FFA events. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intracurricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program.
Agriculture and Soil Chemistry 01018 aka Agriculture Chemistry
1 year course – 5 science credits per semester
Open to grades: 10
UC A-G Certification: Meets the UC a-g [d] Laboratory Sciences requirement with a C or better grade
Description: This course explores the physical and chemical nature of soil as well as the relationships between soil, plants, animals and agricultural practices. Students will examine properties of soil and land and their connections to plant and
animal production. Using knowledge of scientific protocols as well as course content, students will develop an Agriscience research program to be conducted throughout the first semester of the course. To complete that whole project each
student will investigate and test an Agriscience research question by formulating a scientific question related to the course content, formulating a hypothesis based on related research, conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, collecting
quantitative data, and forming a conclusion based on analysis of the data. The result of this research program will be an in depth research and experimentation paper that is technically written, based on scientific protocol, and cited using APA formatting. Additionally, students will develop and present a capstone soil management plan for agricultural producers, using the content learned throughout the course. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intracurricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program.
Agriculture Mechanics 1 01031
1 year course – 5 elective credits per semester
Open to grades: 9-12
Description: This course is designed to develop the basic mechanical abilities necessary in modern agriculture. Topics include: shop and tool safety, hand and power tool use, carpentry, sketching and drawing, basic welding, painting, concrete,
cold metal, and tractor operation skills. All students are required to participate in FFA leadership skills building activities as a part of their grade (20%). In addition, all students are expected to maintain a viable supervised agriculture education program as a part of their grade (20%).
Agriculture Mechanics 2 01032
1 year course – 5 elective credits per semester
Open to grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Ag Mechanics 1
Description: This course is a continuation of Agriculture Mechanics 1. Topics include: wire and stick welding, oxy-acetylene welding and cutting, plasma torch, electrical wiring, plumbing, diesel and gasoline engines, tractor operation skills, irrigation and pumps, and surveying. All students are required to participate in FFA leadership skills building activities as a part of their grade (20%). In addition, all students are expected to maintain a viable supervised agriculture education program as a part of their grade (20%).
Agriculture Mechanics Advanced 01033
1 year course – 5 elective credits per semester
Open to grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: Agriculture Mechanics 2
Description: This course is designed to allow the student to apply advanced skills and knowledge in welding, woodworking, project design, project layout, and cost of material analysis, concrete, electricity, painting, plumbing, and fencing. This is a
project-based course. All students are required to participate in FFA leadership skills building activities as a part of their grade (20%). In addition, all students are expected to maintain a viable supervised agriculture education program as a part of their grade (20%).
Biology and Sustainable Ag 12582 aka Sustainable Ag: A Bio Approach & Agriculture Biology
1 year course – 5 science credits per semester
Open to grade: 9
UC A-G Certification: Meets the UC a-g [d] Laboratory Sciences requirement with a C or better grade
Description: This course is a laboratory science course for the college bound student. The course will emphasize detailed knowledge of the central concepts principles, and basic material of the following topics: molecular and cellular aspects of living things, structure and function of agricultural plants and animals, genetics, plant and animal diversity and principles of classification, ecological relationships, and animal behavior. Students will utilize current research methods and explore
related career opportunities. Extensive laboratory experiments will be emphasized. All students are required to participate in FFA leadership skills building activities as a part of their grade (20%). In addition, all students are expected to maintain a viable supervised agriculture education program as a part of their grade (20%).
Environmental Horticulture Science 01047
1 year course – 5 elective credits per semester
Open to grades: 11; Meets Life Science grad requirement
UC A-G Certification: Meets the UC a-g [g] Elective requirement with a C or better grade
Description: The Environmental Horticulture Science course will provide students with theories and principles dealing with the science of plants and the environment. Students will be able to understand the role of plants in our society, landscape, the care and maintenance of plants, plant physiology, nutrients and other plant growth requirements. This course is intended to successfully prepare those students who plan on majoring in agricultural sciences at a four-year college or university.