Agriculture Courses

Agriculture (AGR) courses

  • AGR 100 Food Security

    Honors eligible course. An examination of policies and technology that affect food security for the United States in a global setting. This course meets a general education requirement with a focus in Social and Behavioral Sciences.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall, Spring, Summer
  • AGR 101 Animal Science

    Introduction to modern livestock and poultry production. Topics include the livestock industry, feeding and nutrition, animal genetics and breeding, beef cattle production, swine production, sheep and goat production, horse production and poultry production.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    440Fall
  • AGR 103 Plant Science

    A survey course that covers the fundamental of structure, function and environmental interactions of higher plants. The application of science to the study and utilization of plants is examined.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    432Spring
  • AGR 112 Introduction to Agricultural Business

    This course introduces students to the requirements for starting and operating a successful agricultural-based business. Students will learn how to assess the business environment and identify potentially viable business opportunities. Business start-up, planning, organization, management, marketing, accounting, and financing are also covered in this practical course. Special emphasis will be placed on agricultural ventures in the Ozarks. Students may not receive credit for both EPR 110 and AGR 112.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • AGR 115 Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment

    This course examines the practice of agro-ecology: the interface of management, biology, and the environment in our effort to produce food, feed, and fiber for a rapidly growing human population. Consequences of historical and current practices, as well as strengths and weaknesses of alternative practices that attempt to employ more knowledge of biology and ecology, will also be evaluated.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • AGR 143 Introductory Forestry

    Introduction to field of forestry. In addition to traditional topics of species identification, biology and timber management, this course examines the sociological, environmental, political and industrial influences on domestic and international management of forest resources.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • AGR 144 Agricultural Economics

    Prerequisite(s): Appropriate placement score or a grade of C or better in ENG 100 or IDS 150.

    Characteristics of our economic system and basic economic concepts with applications to agriculture. Effects on agriculture by money and banking systems, monetary and fiscal policies, government policies, and international trade.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offeredCORE 42 (MOTR) equivalent
    440FallMOTR ECON 102A - Introduction to Microeconomics (Agricultural Economics).
  • AGR 150 Agriculture Career Center Variable Content Course

    Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in an approved 700 clock hour career center program and completion of 12 credit hours of course work at Missouri State University-West Plains.A variable content course resulting from an articulation agreement with the Ozark Mountain Technical Center or other approved career center.

    The topic will be identified by the career center program title. Approved 700 clock hour programs from the Ozark Mountain Career Center include Agriculture Business and Management, Agriculture Mechanics and Technology, Animal Science Systems, and Plant Science/Horticulture Systems. Other accredited programs will be evaluated on an individual basis. Students must attain a C grade or better in the applicable core competencies. Similar courses at other institutions will be evaluated on an individual basis. Credit for this course will be transcripted upon completion of 12 credit hours of course work at Missouri State University-West Plains. The transferability of this course to other institutions must be confirmed with the institution.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    18180Upon demand
  • AGR 157 Principles of Agricultural Mechanization

    Engineering and mechanical principles; their application to agriculture equipment, systems and concepts. Course fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • AGR 161 Introduction to Horses

    Scope and role of the horse industry. Responsibilities of ownership; selection, breeds- development and uses; basic care-nutrition, health care, conditioning; and facilities.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    322Fall
  • AGR 162 Introduction to Riding

    This is an introductory course with a focus on safe and effective techniques for both English and Western riding. The course may be repeated for a total of 3 hours. Course fee

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    102Upon demand
  • AGR 163 Introduction to Hunt Seat Equestrian Competition

    Prerequisite(s): AGR 162 or permission of instructor.

    This course is for students who have limited or no experience in equestrian competition in the hunt seat discipline. This course may not be taken concurrently with AGR 263. May be repeated for a total of 2 hours. Course Fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    102Upon demand
  • AGR 164 Introduction to Stock Seat Equestrian Competition

    Prerequisite(s): AGR 162 or permission of instructor.

    This course is for students who have limited or no experience in equestrian competition in the stock seat discipline. This course may not be taken concurrently with AGR 264. May be repeated for a total of 2 hours. Course fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    102Upon demand
  • AGR 170 Introduction to Horticulture

    This course provides an introduction to horticultural science. Topics will include an overview of the horticultural industry and its history, plant structure and metabolism, environmental influences on horticultural plants such as temperature, light, water and soil, and plant management practices. Course fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • AGR 171 Controlled Environment Agriculture

    Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) optimizes the use of resources such as water, energy, space, capital and labor. This course investigates the use of high tunnels, low tunnels and row covers and greenhouses to produce food. Hands on experiments in a greenhouse and high tunnel. Course fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    212Spring
  • AGR 172 Greenhouse Management

    Introduction to Greenhouse Management. The course will cover greenhouse construction, heating and cooling, environmental control systems, growing media management, watering, fertilization, light and temperature regulation, and insect, pest and disease management. Hands on experience in a greenhouse and high tunnel system. Course fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    212Fall
  • AGR 173 Aquaponics and Hydroponics

    Introductory course in hydroponics and aquaculture. Covers system location and environment, system design, growbeds and fish tanks, plumbing, grow media and water quality, growing and harvesting fish, growing plants in aquaponics, and sustainability. Hands on experience with an aquaponics system. Course fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    212Upon demand
  • AGR 175 Vegetable and Fruit Production

    Course topics include breeding and improving vegetables, transplanting and direct seeding, soil management and fertilization, weed management, irrigation, controlling insects and diseases, perennial crops, cold crops, root crops, tomatoes, leafy vegetables, corn and controlled environment vegetable production. Course fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    212Spring
  • AGR 185 Introduction to Companion Animal Science

    An introduction to companion animal biology through consideration of the anatomy, nutrition, behavior, husbandry, and reproduction of companion animals. Course content includes breed identification (canine, feline, avian, pocket pets, reptiles); safely handling of companion animals; companion animal behavior and social structure; companion animal health management including disease prevention and vaccines; common infectious, noninfectious and zoonotic diseases, their symptoms and therapeutic treatment; common parasites and pests, their symptoms, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; Case histories and medical records; and the legal, economic, and ethical issues associated with companion animals.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • AGR 190 Veterinary Assistant Fundamentals & Applications

    An introduction to the field of veterinary technology. Course content includes careers in veterinary science, veterinary practice management and client relations, veterinary medical terminology, medical records, scheduling appointments and computer applications, ethics and legal issues, safety and aseptic techniques, general anatomy/physiology and disease processes, microbiology and parasitology as disease processes, disease prevention. Students learn clinical procedures through labs.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    432Upon demand
  • AGR 191 Evaluation and Performance Appraisal of Horse

    Detailed evaluation of athletic performance of horses; influence of training and other environmental effects, heredity, and conformation; use of racing and performance records, visual appraisal, and industry trends; oral and written defense of judgments. Course fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    204Upon demand
  • AGR 196 Dairy and Meat Animal Evaluation

    Comparative judging including selection, grading, and classification of dairy cattle, or beef cattle, swine and sheep. A Variable Content Course; may be repeated with permission for up to 4 credit hours. Course fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    204Upon demand
  • AGR 197 Special Topics in Agriculture

    A variable content course with topics that can change from semester to semester. Topics will be identified by title in the schedule of classes. The course may be repeated if the topics differ; however, no more than six credits may count toward any degree.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    204Upon demand
  • AGR 200 Mini Agriculture

    A course designed to treat specific areas of agriculture to meet specialized student needs. Treatment of the subject will include consideration of historical, theoretical, scientific, and application aspects. May be repeated up to a total of 3 hours provided the same topics is not repeated. Variable Content Course.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    110Upon demand
  • AGR 201 Physiology of Farm Animals

    Basic anatomy and physiology of farm animals with special emphasis on systems related to the economic importance of domestic animals. Course content includes cell anatomy and physiology, tissues, the integumentary system, the skeletal system, the muscular system, the nervous system, sense organs, the endocrine system, blood, lymph and lymph nodes, the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the urinary system, the reproductive system, pregnancy, development and lactation and avian anatomy.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • AGR 202 Applied Animal Reproduction

    Course content includes the female reproductive system, the male reproductive system, hormonal regulation, the estrous cycle, mating behavior, spermatogenesis, ovigenesis and fertilization, gestation, artificial insemination, semen collection and evaluation and insemination techniques.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    322Spring
  • AGR 206 Veterinary Science

    An introduction into the field of veterinary science. Course content includes economics of animal hygiene and production, classification and causes of disease, mechanisms of disease, veterinary pathology, managing for disease prevention and control, basic principles of pharmacology, and disease processes.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • AGR 210 Animal Nutrition

    Basic principles of animal nutrition including anatomy and physiology of the ruminant and monogastric digestive tracts; methods of analysis of nutrients and feedstuffs; nutrient metabolism; factors affecting feed consumption, common feedstuffs, feed preparation and processing, and diet formulation.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • AGR 215 Soils

    Physical, chemical, and biological activities within the soil as related to moisture, temperature, drainage, and tillage.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • AGR 240 Wildlife Techniques

    Wildlife management programs must be based on quality scientific investigations that produce objective, relevant information. This quality science is dependent on carefully designed experiments, estimates, comparisons and accurate census techniques. Wildlife Techniques will provide an overview of the fundamental concepts of wildlife research, study design and population determining methods.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • AGR 242 Wildlife Damage Management

    This course presents the challenges of managing human-wildlife conflicts while protecting wildlife populations and their habitat and introduces a variety of wildlife damage management practices and techniques.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • AGR 252 Beef Cattle Production

    Prerequisite(s): AGR 101.

    Production and management of purebred and commercial beef cattle. Course covers the biological, ecological, financial and marketing issues impacting the beef industry today. Explores the demographics, structure, challenges and segments of the beef industry.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • AGR 262 Riding for Horse Training

    Prerequisite(s): AGR 162.

    This is an intermediate-level riding course with a focus on developing skills necessary for training horses. Students may ride hunt seat, stock seat, or both seats during the semester. Course fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    204Upon demand
  • AGR 263 Intermediate Hunt Seat Equestrian Competition

    Prerequisite(s): Permission of Instructor.

    This course is for students who have a moderate amount of experience in equestrian competition in the hunt seat discipline. This course may not be taken concurrently with AGR 163. Completion of AGR 163 is recommended prior to enrolling in this course. May be repeated for a total of 2 hours. Course fee

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    102Upon demand
  • AGR 264 Intermediate Stock Seat Equestrian Competition

    Prerequisite(s): Permission of Instructor.

    This course is for students who have a moderate amount of experience in equestrian competition in the stock seat discipline. Events to be covered will include horsemanship and ranch horse events. This course may not be taken concurrently with AGR 164. Completion of AGR 163 or AGR 164 is recommended prior to enrolling in this course. May be repeated for a total of 2 hours. Course fee.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    102Upon demand
  • AGR 275 Forage Crop Production

    Prerequisite(s): AGR 103 or AGR 115.

    Adaptation, production and utilization of the major forage crops for grazing, hay, and silage production, as well as their effects on environmental quality and wildlife.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • AGR 290 Practicum in Veterinary Assistance

    Prerequisite(s): Grade of "C" or better in AGR 190.

    Students will work in a clinical setting, experiencing the day-to-day operation of a veterinary clinic and practicing skills learned in AGR 190. A minimum of 128 contact hours will be required in an approved veterinary clinical setting.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    408Upon demand
  • AGR 295 Service Learning in Agriculture

    Prerequisite(s): 12 credit hours.

    This one-hour service learning component course incorporates community service with classroom instruction in agriculture. It provides a service learning experience, addressing the practice of citizenship and promoting awareness of and participation in public affairs. It includes 40 hours of service benefiting an external community organization, agency or public service provider. Approved service placements and assignments will vary depending on the specific course topic and learning objectives; a list of approved placements and assignments is available from the instructor and the Citizenship and Service Learning Office. The course may be repeated for up to three credit hours.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    110Fall, Spring
  • AGR 297 Global Agriculture and Food Security

    Prerequisite(s): ENG 110, COM 115 and completion of 40 credit hours.

    This course presents an overview of various agriculture and food production systems around the world, including North America, South America, Asia, the European Union, the Former Soviet Union, Oceania and Africa. Students will study these systems based on the cultural, political, economic and scientific factors that influence the countries' food security status, production abilities and consumer demands. International/Intercultural component. Meets the capstone requirement for the AS and AAS degrees in Enology, General Agriculture, General Technology and Viticulture.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring, Summer
  • AGR 299 Internship in Agriculture/Veterinary Assistantship

    Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission.

    The Internship in Agriculture/Veterinary Assistantship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. This Internship course gives students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. This course may be repeated for a total of six credit hours.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    1-3Fall, Spring, Summer