Syllabus for: PSAS 572 Current Problems and Research in Power and Machinery
As a Precursor to
PSAS 572 Current Research in Agricultural Systems

For a complete list of assignments, homework, PowerPoint Lectures, and due dates, click here.

Course information:
Credit: 3 credit hours
Meeting Time: Monday 1:00 – 3:50 pm
Location: AG 214 – Design Computer Lab

Instructor:      Dennis G. Watson, Ph.D.
Office:              AG 158B - College of Agricultural Sciences Building
Telephone:        453-6979
E-mail:              dwatson@siu.edu
Office Hours:    Regular office hours: Tue & Thu 10:45-11:30am and 1:00 to 3:15pm
There is an open door policy (even if door is closed) for questions that can be handled quickly. If the question is more involved, we’ll schedule an appropriate period of time. 

Required Materials:
TEXT: none, students will be accessing and reading technical articles and peer-reviewed journals either in the library or from on-line sources.

Course Description:
A study and analysis of current problems, research findings and innovations in agricultural systems. Technical reports and journal articles will be discussed and analyzed. Students will select articles related to their own research interests and begin writing a thesis or research proposal. Students will review, discuss, summarize and report on current literature in the field of agricultural systems. The instruction will include practical guidance on literature review and writing the introduction and literature review chapters of a thesis or journal article.

Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be experienced at reviewing technical papers and peer-reviewed journal articles. Students will be able to discuss and describe (orally and written) the technical merits of the research method and results presented in articles. Students will have written the introduction for a thesis or project proposal and draft a review of literature for an agricultural systems topic of their choice.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Grading System:

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

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.