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Syllabus for: PLSS 300 Crop Production
PLSS/PSGA 300 - Crop Production Lectures: Three one-hour classes and one two-hour laboratory (4 credit hours) Instructor: Dr. Bryan Young, Department of Plant, Soil and General Agriculture Text: Most lecture and laboratory materials will be developed by the instructor along with readings from the World Wide Web. However, the following textbooks will be used as references for this course: 1. Modern Corn and Soybean Production. 1st ed. 2000. R. G. Hoeft, E. D. Nafziger, R. R. Johnson, and S. R. Aldrich. MCSP Publications, Champaign, IL. 2. Illinois Agricultural Pest Management Handbook. 2000. University of Illinois Extension. 3. Illinois Agronomy Handbook. 1998. University of Illinois Extension. 4. Field Crop Scouting Manual. University of Illinois Extension. 5. Corn and Soybean Field Guide. 2000 ed. Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. Objectives: The objectives of this course are to acquaint the student with the major crops (excluding forages) of Illinois, the U. S. and the world. The specific objectives of the course are to present conemporary, factual material and general principles that will prepare the student to work and communicate effectively, currently, and in the future on production systems for the crops discussed. Homework: Students will be given assignments based on lecture and from selections on the internet. The laboratory section will require student particiopation in demonstrations and field scouting. All homework must be completed by due dates. Exams: Three one-hour exams during the semester plus a comprehensive final examination. All examinations will be administered in the classroom. Quizzes: Six quizzes during the semester. Farm Plan Paper: Each student will be requied to supply soils information including soil fertility tests for eight fields of their own or supplied by the instructon. From the soils information each student must prepare a detailed plan of action for a farm raising four of the crops covered in the course. The plan will schedule the different cropping systems and practices for four years. Grading Policy: The final course grade will be a composite of points earned from examinations, homework, and the farm plan paper. Potential Points: Examinations -- 55% Quizzes --------- 15% Homework ----- 15% Paper ------------ 15% Grading will be done on a 10-pt. scale (90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, <60 F)
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