Course ID:  AGRO 3503 Cereal Crops

 

Prerequisites: AGRO 1033

 

Text(s) and supplemental books and materials:  In UAM Library reserved. 

 

Professor’s name: Paul B. Francis,  AG 103,  460-1314, francis@uamont.edu

 

Office hours: M-F 11-12, T-F 1-3 or by appointment.

 

Special policies statement:

1. Any student caught in an intentional, premeditated and blatant act of cheating on any exam will be given the option of withdrawing from the course or receiving an ‘F’. 

2. Attendance at all class functions is highly encouraged but not required.  Attendance records will be kept on file for the occasional request from student loan representatives and potential employers.  Please notify the instructor if you are having to miss a class meeting so that it can be recorded as an excused absence.

 

Special dates of concern:

            Mon. Jan. 21 – No class, MLK, Jr. Holiday.

            Feb. 22 – deadline to file for Aug. or Dec. graduation.

            April 7-18 – Pre-registration for summer, fall 2008.

            April 2 – last day to drop with a ‘W’.

            April 29 – Last day UAM classes.

            Monday, May 5 – Final exam, 1:30-3:30.

 

Goals and objectives:

At the successful completion of this course the student will:

1. Know the growth, morphology, physiology, reproduction and pests of major

    cereal crops such as corn, grain sorghum, rice, wheat, and other small grains.

2. Become familiar with current crop management practices of major cereal crops

    including such things as cultivars, pest management (insect, diseases, weeds),

    soil management and fertility, irrigation, harvesting, improvement of crop grade,

    storage, and a little on marketing.

3. Understand the basic principles of field crop research and statistical analysis.

 

Provisions for tests and evaluations:

If you miss an exam for a legitimate reason, please inform the instructor within 5 days prior or after so that a makeup exam can be scheduled.  In some situations, the missed points or make up exam may be added to the final exam.  Legitimate reasons are things like official University functions, illness, trauma, or other reasons such as a job interview.

 

 

 

Grading policy:

Final course grade will be determined from the following components:

            Test 1, General principles, agriculture research                 100 pts

            Test 2, Corn and Grain Sorghum                                        100 pts

            Test 3, Rice                                                                            100 pts

            Test 4, Wheat and other small grains                                  100 pts

            Final Exam (comprehensive)                                                100 pts

            Assigned readings and research                                          100 pts

                                                                        TOTAL PTS             600 pts

Grading scale:            A: 540 +

                                    B: 480-539

                                    C: 420-479

                                    D: 360-419

 

NOTICES:

It is the policy of the University of Arkansas at Monticello to accommodate individuals with disabilities pursuant to federal law and the University’s commitment to equal educational opportunities.  It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of any necessary accommodations at the beginning of the course.  Any student requiring accommodations should contact the Office of Special Student Services located in Harris Hall Room 120; phone 870 460-1026; TDD 870 460-1626; Fax 870 460-1926.  For assistance on a College of Technolgy campus contact: McGehee: Office of Special Student Services representative on campus; phone 870 222-5360; Fax 870 222-1105.  Crossett: Office of Special Student Services representative on campus; phone 870 364-6414; Fax 870 364-5707.  AA Dox. 8/14/07.

 

Conduct Code:  Disorderly Conduct: Any behavior which disrupts the regular or normal functions of the University community, including behavior which breaches the peace or violates the rights of others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cereal Crops

Tentative Schedule

Spring 2006

 

Part I.  General principles, agriculture research and basic experimental designs and

              statistical analysis. 

 

Part II. Corn and Grain Sorghum.

 

Part III. Rice.

 

Part IV. Wheat and other small grains.

 

Each section will last approximately 3-4 weeks and be followed by a 100 pt exam.  The final exam will be comprehensive.  The sections for the major cereals will follow the basic outline below:

 

                        History and Importance

                        Utilizations

                        Growth and Physiology

                        Production Practices:

                                    - cultivars

                                    - soil management and fertility

                                    - irrigation

                                    - pest management (insects, diseases and weeds)

                                    - crop monitoring and diagnosis of problems

                                    - harvesting, storage, marketing

                        Future Developments

 

 

Assigned readings and/or topics will be given for each of the five main cereal crops: corn, grain sorghum, rice, wheat and other small grains.  Most of these will be available via the internet or in the agriculture building.  The focus of these assignments will be on contemporary subjects.  A series of short answer questions will be given for each area.  The value of each assignment is 20 pts. 

 

NOTE:

The deadline for each assignment is the day of the exam for the unit.  A late penalty of 5 pts per class period thereafter will be enforced so don’t procrastinate!