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Associate in Arts Degree with a Concentration in Agriculture - Mechanization (118)

The concentration in agriculture prepares students to transfer to four-year universities to pursue a bachelor's degree in agriculture. The study of agricultural mechanization provides career opportunities involving the application, service management, and marketing of agricultural engineering technologies.

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Transfer Considerations

Competitive Admissions

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

• Academic Advising 815-835-6354
• Kevin M. Larsen, Assistant Professor of Agriculture 815-835-6279

Minimum Total Credit Hours - 64-66 Hours

Suggested Course Sequence

First Semester - 15-17 Hours

• Chemistry with Lab 4-5 Semester hour(s)

• AGR201 - Crop Science ( 4 Semester Hours)

  Crop Science introduces the basic principles of plant growth, including human and environmental influences and the theoretical and practical application of agronomic principles to crop production. Includes the historical and economic importance of crop plants for food, feed, and fiber; origin, classification, and geographic distribution of field crops; environmental factors and agronomic problems; crop plant breeding, growth, development, and physiology; cropping systems and practices; seedbed preparation, tillage, and crop establishment; pests and controls; and harvesting, storing, and marketing practices. Prerequisite: None 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): AG 903 Lecture/Lab Hours 3 lec,/2 lab hours/week

• ENG101 - Composition I ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course (1) develops awareness of the writing process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and editorial strategies; (3) stresses the variety of uses for writing; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in reading, thinking, and writing. Prerequisite: Required placement score on approved English placement test, high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• FYE101 - First Year Experience ( 1 Semester Hours)

  The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills, goal setting, academic planning, time and money management, and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment, students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. Prerequisite: None 1 Semester hour(s) 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: A grade of C or better in MAT 121, College Algebra, AND MAT 122, Trigonometry OR appropriate placement (see current placement score prerequisite chart) 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-1, MTH 901 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 business management, economics, social science, and natural science are included. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MAT 121 OR appropriate placement (see current placement score prerequisite chart) 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 906 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. 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-B Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/week

  OR

  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: a grade of C or better in MAT 081 or MAT 078 (or higher) OR concurrent enrollment in MAT 040 OR appropriate placement score (see current placement score prerequisite chart) 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 902 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week
   

Second Semester - 17 Hours

• Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
• Social Science 3 Semester hour(s)

• 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. Prerequisite: None 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): AG 904 Lecture/Lab Hours 3 lec, /2 lab hours/week

• AGR130 - Intro to Agr Mechanics ( 4 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to provide a introduction to agricultural power (engines, hydraulics, calibrations, and agricultural equipment), agricultural electrification and applications (circuits, motors, and controls), agricultural structures (plans, loads, construction materials and layout and design), metal fabrication and soil and water conservation (surveying, mapping, drainage and conservation structures). Prerequisite: None Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): AG 906 4 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/2 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. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 901R Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Third Semester - 17-18 Hours

• Life Science (BIO) with Lab 4-5 Semester hour(s)
• Humanities 3 Semester hour(s)
• Social Science 3 Semester hour(s)
• AGR Electives 4 Semester hour(s)

• CIS109 - Introduction to Computers ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This introductory course consists of the study of computer hardware, software, operating systems, communications, networking, Internet, systems and program development life cycles and their role in business decision making. The use of Internet, multimedia, security, and ethics will be emphasized throughout the course. In addition, laboratory experience will be gained with a survey of Microsoft Windows and business computer software applications programs in word processing, electronic spreadsheets, database management, presentation graphics, and Internet. Prerequisite: None. Students having no experience with computers are encouraged to first take CIS 100-Keyboarding 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): BUS 902 Lecture/Lab Hours: 2 lec, 2 lab/week

Fourth Semester - 15 Hours

• Humanities/Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
• Social Science 3 Semester hour(s)
• Electives 3 Semester hour(s)

• AGR234 - Precision Agr Technology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An introductory course providing an overview of the principles of precision agriculture with a focus on the use of technology within the industry. Course material and discussions will include how technologies such as global navigation satellite systems, agricultural geographic information systems, sensors for the measurement of soil and plant variables, yield monitoring, and variable rate technology are being implemented to inform sub-field level management and farm business decisions. Issues discussed in this course include assessment of agronomic responses, profitability, adaptable cropping practices, and conservation planning. Prerequisite: AGR 109 and AGR 130 3 Semester Hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours 2 lec/2 lab/week Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): AG 907

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

  The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The 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. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C2 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week