Syllabus for: AGSY 384 Agricultural Construction Processes

Fall 2004

Office:              AG 158C - College of Agricultural Sciences Building
Telephone:        453-6985
Office Hours:    There is an open door policy for questions that can be handled quickly.  Otherwise, scheduled appointments are required.

Graduate Assistant: Steve Smith

Course Information:
Lecture Time:   4:00 – 4:50 (Monday)              AG 214
Lab Time:         1:00 – 4:50 (Wednesday)         0832

Optional Textbook & References (NONE Required):
Agricultural Mechanics (3^rd ed.), Elmer Cooper
Various Vocational Agriculture Bulletins and Handouts

Miscellaneous Recommended Items:
Calculator with trig functions, engineering pad, straight edge, pencil, safety glasses (mandatory), work clothing, work shoes (preferable steel toes), and work gloves (preferable with leather palms).

GNAG 384 – Agricultural Construction Processes. Students will apply computer and hands-on techniques to different agricultural construction processes.  The computer techniques will address construction challenges such as budgets, deadlines, and limited resources.  Safety and tool and equipment principles will be applied while completing specific agricultural construction projects.

Course Objectives:
The major objective is to develop an understanding of the both computer and hands-on applications in agricultural construction processes. Secondary objectives include:

1.      Introduction to computer processes used in agricultural construction processes.

2.      Become familiar with safe shop practices and use these practices in various projects.

3.      Become familiar with tools and processes involved in the working of wood, metal, and masonry.

4.      Become competent in setting up and solving engineering problems related to construction processes.

5.      Attain basic skills related to woodworking, metalworking, and masonry.

Grading System:
Attendance and Performance:               10%
Computer Assignments/Homework:      25%
Wood Working Project:                       5%
Word Working Test:                             10%
Concrete Project:                                 5%
Concrete Test:                                      10%
Welding Project:                                   5%
Welding Test:                                       10%
Plumbing Project:                                  5%
Individual Project:                                 15%
                                                            -----
                                                           100%

Grading Scale:

A= 90-100; B= 80-89; C=70-79; D= 60-69; Below 60 = F 

Individual work is required unless specified by the instructor. Your grade in this course depends on your performance on the problems that parallel the lecture, labs and discussion topics.  Since we are working in hazardous environments, we must cooperate to make these places safe for all of us.  Unsafe practices must be avoided if all possible.

Students will be allowed to use all equipment in the shop only after receiving instruction.  If students wish to use equipment for purposes other than class activities, they should check with the supervisor.  If students break or encounter broken or misadjusted equipment, they should inform the supervisor immediately.

Lecture/discussion and Laboratory periods:
You are expected to attend the lecture and lab periods and to arrive on time. 

Hands - On and Computer Labs:
Laboratory work will depend upon the subject matter.  It is the desire of the professor to utilize computer resources to accomplish some class objectives.  The design lab (AG 214) will be used for the computer work. Some assignments will be given as homework. If you have access to similar facilities at home or in your department, the instructor may allow the work to be completed there.  This is on a case-by-case basis.

Recording of Grades:
A spreadsheet will be posted outside my office (158C) listing the last 4 digits of SSN of each student and grades for tests, labs and projects.  The student should schedule a time with the instructor if there are any disagreements or questions with a specific grade.

Late Policy:
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date due.  Late assignments will be docked a 10% penalty for each day until they are turned in.  In extenuating circumstances, exceptions will be considered if discussed with the instructor prior to the due date.

Academic Honesty Policy:
The academic honesty policy will follow the Student Conduct Code, section II, article A.

ADA Accommodation Statement:
In keeping with the goal of the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all students for whom the act applies should notify the instructor no later than the second session of the course so that arrangements can be made for accommodations to meet your educational needs and maximize learning.

Weekly Lecture and Discussion Topics (Tentative)