MCHS
Agricultural Department
Agriscience / Principles of Agricultural Sciences
Agriscience is a laboratory science course that prepares students for biology, subsequent science courses and postsecondary pursuits. The content area includes ecology, biological processes, sexual and asexual reproduction and a study of the chemical and physical laws that govern life processes. This course helps students understand the important role agricultural science serves as industry moves into the 21st century.
Advance Principles of Agriculture
Course Description:
Advanced Principles of Agricultural Sciences includes standards that challenge students to develop and understand basic skills in animal science, agricultural mechanics, and soil and crop science. Demonstration of leadership, record-keeping, and career planning skills are also emphasized. Understanding the skills necessary to be successful in an agriculture career is important for students as they enter the agricultural industry in the 21st century.
Course Codes: A10 - 5105 or A12 - 5155
Horticultural Sciences
This course introduces students to the vast areas of the horticulture industry. Topics include leadership, greenhouse management, garden center operations, floriculture, nursery operations, landscaping, and turf grass management. An introduction to plant and soil science is included as a necessary foundation to the success of today’s horticulturalist.
Livestock Management
Livestock Management provides knowledge and skills needed for successful work (entry level to management) in the livestock industry. The course will complement a student’s supervised agricultural experience program by providing management tools.
Animal Biotechnology
This course is to prepare students with interests in higherlevel, sciencebased animal agriculture. Students will study rigorous standards related totaxonomy, anatomy and physiology, body systems, reproduction, hormonal and immune systems, nutrition, heredity and genetics (molecular biology), health, agrimedicine, wellbeing, DNA and biotechnology, and emerging technologies associated with companion and production animals.
Agriculture Mechanics and Maintenance
Agricultural Mechanics includes standards to prepare students for operational procedures for a shop or a home environment. Students learn basic skills in areas, including welding, electricity, land measurement, and plumbing. As students enter the 21 st century, they need to have skills that can be used in a rural or an urban environment.
Agriculture Power and Equipment
Agricultural Power and Equipment includes basic information and laboratory activities on small engines, tractors and agricultural equipment maintenance, repair and overhaul. The standards address competencies for electrical motors, hydraulic systems and fuelpowered engines.
Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Engineering includes standards on metal fabrication and agriculture structures. Subject matter will include hot/cold metal work, cost and material computation, electrical wiring, engine service andrepair, blueprint reading, drawing and selection of appropriate materials for projects.
Landscaping and Turf Management
Landscaping and Turf Management includes standards to prepare students for creating beautiful environments for homes and businesses. This course includes sit analysis and preparation, landscape drawing, plant selection, and installation. Maintenance of healthy attractive landscapes and turf areas will be emphasized. With the increase of urban sprawl these career opportunities are increasing daily. Plant science and leadership skills taught in this class will prepare students to meet the demands of this exciting industry.
Greenhouse Management
This course is designed to prepare a student to manage a greenhouse operation. Students in this class will learn to produce various ornamental crops and food crops. An understanding of structures, crop selection, and growing systems will be explored. As populations continue to expand, the importance of food production in a climate controlled environment increases. Today’s agriculture students are preparing to meet the needs of a growing world.
Plant Biotechnology
This course is to prepare students with interests in higherlevel, sciencebased plant agriculture. Students enrolled in this course will study rigorous standards related to the principles of plant growth, cell structure and functions, heredity and genetics (molecular biology), plant breeding and improvement, hormones and growth regulators, chemical nature of plant life, flower structure and function, seed formation and germination, DNA and biotechnology, and emerging technologies. Students will use scientific investigation to determine a plant problem. FFA and supervised experience will be included as appropriate.