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Agriculture-Crop and Soil Science, Mechanization - Associate in Science (110)

See Updates and Clarifications to 2019/20 catalog

Associate in Science (110)

The agriculture degree will prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution and ultimately earn a bachelor's degree in agriculture. The study of crops and soils provides opportunities for careers in crop production, crop protection, crop agribusiness management and merchandising, soil conservation, ecology and management.

The study of agricultural mechanization provides career opportunities involving the application, service, management and marketing of agricultural engineering technologies.

Completing the following courses will permit students to begin college at one Illinois school and later transfer to another. Remember to consult with your academic advisor early and often!

Note: All agriculture majors need to be computer literate. You must be able to negotiate an operating system such as OS/2, DOS, or Windows; access the Internet; and use word processing, database and spreadsheet software.

Effective Fall of 2016, the associate in science (A.S.) degree is designed to complete the lower-division (freshman and sophomore) portion of a bachelor of science degree in STEM related majors. As a result, A.S. degree does not include the entire General Education Core Curriculum.  Therefore, students will need to complete MORE general education courses after transfer by completing the GECC curriculum while enrolled at the participating Illinois transfer institution OR fulfilling the general education requirements of their selected non-participating transfer institution.

Work and Employment
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 48,000 agricultural-related jobs are available each year in agriculture and more than 300 agricultural careers are available globally. Click here for further career information: https://www.svcc.edu/academics/programs/individual/110.html

Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
Academic Advising, 815/835-6354
Dr. Ryan G. Anderson, Professor of Agriculture 815/835-6279

Agriculture - Crop and Soil Science, Mechanization-IAI Recommended Baccalaureate Curriculum

Follow this link for career information.

Total Hours Required - 64-66 Hours

Suggested Program

First Semester - 16-17 Hours

• AGR elective 4 Semester hour(s) (AGR 109 for Crop and Soil)

• AGR109 - Soil Science ( 4 Semester Hours)

  An introduction to the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soils; the origin, classification, and distribution of soils and their influence on people and food production; the management and conservation of soils; and the environmental impact of soil use. 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): AG 904 Lecture/Lab Hours 3 lec, / 2 lab hours/week

• CHE105 - General Chemistry I ( 5 Semester Hours)

  This course involves the study of matter, measurements, the periodic table of the elements, atomic structure, basic concepts of quantum theory, bonding, stoichiometry of compounds and reactions, solution chemistry, introduction to acids and bases, thermochemistry, the gaseous state, and basic concepts of the liquid and solid states. This class is for chemistry, engineering, pre-medical and science majors. Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry or CHE 103 or CHE 102. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): P1 902L, CHM 911 Semester hour(s): 5 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 3 lab/week

• ENG101 - Composition I ( 3 Semester Hours)

  A basic course in essay writing with emphasis on exposition, ENG 101 stresses knowledge and application of the rhetorical modes. ENG 101 presupposes competence in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Prerequisite: ACT standard score in English of 22 or above; required scores on the current English placement test, or grade of C or higher in ELA 099. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 900 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• FYE101 - First Year Experience ( 1 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to facilitate the self-development of the student, and introduce students to the expectations of the college community. This course reviews the academic skills that promote success during their college career. Topics will include, but not limited to, identifying campus/community resources, test-taking strategies, career exploration/decision making, problem solving, literacy, and critical thinking. Students will also learn strategies for taking personal responsibility for their academic and career choices. (Students in good standing (GPA of 2.0 or higher), who have accumulated 16 semester hours or more prior to enrolling as a degree seeking student at Sauk are not required to take this class). Semester hour(s): 1 Lecture/Lab Hours: 1 lec/week

• MAT203 - Calculus & Analytic Geometry I ( 4 Semester Hours)

  The elementary concepts of differential and integral calculus are introduced and applications are discussed. These include: limits, continuity, the derivative, rules of differentiation, the indefinite and definite integral. Trigonometric functions are dealt with. Some applications are: related rates, graphing, extreme value problems and Newton's method for finding roots of equations. Prerequisite: MAT 122 - Trigonometry with a grade of C or higher (or appropriate placement score) OR four years of college preparatory high school mathematics with grades of C or higher and either the appropriate placement score or an ACT Math score at least 26 OR Math 3 with a grade of C or higher and either appropriate placement score or an ACT Math score of at least 26 Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-1, MTH 901 Semester hour(s): 4 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/week

  OR

  MAT220 - Finite Mathematics ( 3 Semester Hours)

  A study of some major topics in finite mathematics: interest, annuities, matrix theory, matrix operations, solutions of systems of inequalities, linear programming by graphing and Simplex methods, principles of counting and probability. Applications of these topics in the fields of business management, economics, and social science, as well as natural science are included. Prerequisite: MAT 121 with a grade of ""C"" or higher (or appropriate placement score), OR four years of college preparatory high school mathematics with grades of ""C"" or higher OR Math 3 with a grade of ""C or higher. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 906 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  OR

  MAT221 - Calc for Bus & Soc Science ( 4 Semester Hours)

  A brief course in elementary differential and integral calculus. Primarily for students of business, economics and social science, with emphasis on applications. Prerequisite: MAT 121 with a grade of C or higher or appropriate placement score, or four years of college preparatory high school mathematics with grades of C or higher OR Math 3 with a grade of ""C"" or higher. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-B Semester hour(s): 4 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week
   

Second Semester - 18 Hours

• Humanities 3 Semester hour(s)

• AGR201 - Plant Science ( 4 Semester Hours)

  This introductory course covers the basic principles of plant growth including human and environmental influences and the theoretical and practical application of agronomic principles to crop production. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): AG 903 Semester hour(s) 4 semester hours Lecture/Lab Hours 3 lec,/ 2 lab hours/week

• CHE106 - General Chemistry II ( 5 Semester Hours)

  This course is a continuation of CHE 105 . This course involves the study of solutions, acids and bases, equilibria, acid-base equilibria, solubility equilibria, kinetics, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, coordination compounds, and nuclear chemistry. This class is for chemistry, engineering, premedical, and science majors. Prerequisite: CHE 105. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): CHM 912 Semester hour(s): 5 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec, 3 lab/week

• ENG103 - Composition II ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research, ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition, students receive instruction in logic and reasoning, including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 901R Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• MAT240 - Elementary Statistics ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An introduction to basic concepts in statistical methods including measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, probability, theoretical and empirical distribution, estimation, tests of hypotheses, linear regression and correlation. Prerequisite: MAT 081 with a grade of ""C"" or higher or two years of high school algebra with grades of C or higher, Math 3 with a C or higher, or appropriate placement scores. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 902 Semester hour(s): 3 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Third Semester - 15 Hours

• Social Science 3 Semester hour(s)
• AGR elective 4 Semester hour(s) (AGR 130 for mechanization)
• *

  BIO105 - Principles of Biology ( 5 Semester Hours)

  A survey of the basic principles of biology including nature of science, cells, structure and function of organisms, genetics, evolution and ecology. This course is designed to satisfy the biology requirement for general education and vocation-occupational curriculum majors. It provides a basis for understanding principles common to all major fields of biology for the science or professional major. This course along with BIO 123 (Introduction to Botany) and BIO 131 (General Zoology) is part of the three-semester sequence that satisfies the IAI 910 Biology requirement. Students who have completed BIO 105 with a grade of "C" or better will not receive credit for BIO 103 or BIO 104. Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): L1 910L, BIO 910 Semester hour(s) 5 semester hours Lecture/Lab Hours 4 lec, 2 lab/week

• COM131 - Intro to Oral Communication ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. This course: (1) develops awareness of the communication process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and expressive strategies; (3) promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in listening, reading, thinking, and speaking. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C2 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Fourth Semester - 15-16 Hours

• AGR electives or additional General Education courses 6-7 Semester hour(s)
• Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
• CIS 109 Introduction to Microcomputers-Windows 3 Semester hour(s)
• Social Science 3 Semester hour(s)