CRPSCI 6 Precision Agriculture Fall 2004

West Hills College Agriculture Department

Course Information Crop Science 6 – Applications of GPS Technology in Agriculture

Instructor: Meeting Time: Meeting Place: Office: Phone: Email: Office Hours: *At all other times as long as the office door is open, you are welcome to visit the office. Additional office hours can be made by appointment. Course Description Crop Science 6 will introduce students to the basics of Precision Agriculture, from field mapping to yield monitoring. Students will gain hands on experience using Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, hand-held computers, tractor guidance and variable rate sprayers. A major portion of the course focuses on Geographical Information Systems (GIS): SSToolbox, HGIS and other GIS software. Course Objectives Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: a.1. Map fields and point features using GPS receivers and HGIS software. a.2. Add clients, farms and fields to SSToolbox. a.3. Create point sampling schemes and add point themes to SSToolbox. a.4. Use satellite imagery and digitize field boundaries using HGIS. a.5. Create surfaces using soil conductivity or yield information. a.6. Write variable rate spray recommendations. Student Learning Outcomes  As determined by their final project, students will be able to understand and complete the steps involved in basic GPS mapping.  As determined by their final project, students will be able to understand and complete the steps involved in digitizing field boundaries.  As determined by their final project, students will be able to add layers of data to fields.

Textbook The Precision-Farming Guide for Agriculturalists Other Materials Students should come to class daily with a pen or pencil, binder and notepaper. Much of the work will be done on the computer or out in the field, but note taking will be required during lecture. In addition, this course will require a 1GB or greater USB jump drive and a scientific calculator. Grading Policies Course grades will be calculated on a straight scale – in other words, there will not be a curve. Course grades will be determined according to the following items:

Lab Assignments 45% Exams (including Final) 25% Final Project 15% Homework 10% Notebook 5% Total 100%

Lab Assn’s: The introduction of topics and subsequent lecture material will culminate with an in-class assignment to be completed in the “lab” portion of each class meeting. If student is unable to complete the assignment in the allotted time, work must be completed before the next class meeting. Or if the lab is working towards your final project, unless otherwise stated, nothing will be due the following week.

Exams/Final: Exams will contain both a written and a practical section: 45% of the exam will come from the homework and study guides, 10% from the reading and 45% from the laboratory. The final will be comprehensive and include both a written and a practical section.

Final Project: A final project will be assigned and explained early in the semester and will be due December 10. The project will be similar to labs conducted in class and will be presented at a poster presentation at the end of the semester.

Homework: Homework must be presented neatly on one side of paper only and stapled together before coming to class. Problems must be solved in a clear, precise manner and all work must be shown and properly laid out. Sources must be cited as well as numbers obtained from tables.

Notebook: Student will maintain a notebook throughout the semester and turn in for grading during the final.

Safety Safety is an important issue, both within the classroom and the laboratory. Unsafe behavior will not be tolerated as it puts you, your fellow students and your instructor at risk of injury and or death. Unsafe behavior will be handled using the following rules: 1st offense - Verbal warning 2nd offense - Student must meet with the dean 3rd offense - Student will be removed from the class

Other Info  Attendance is required and roll will be taken daily. Students should come to class ready to participate in classroom discussion and activities.

 Students are expected to do their own work on exams and assignments, unless otherwise stated. For example, some lab exercises may be completed in a group setting. Cheating will not be tolerated and will result in an automatic F on the assignment or exam. Consult the West Hills College Catalog for further details regarding college policies on cheating and/or plagiarism.

 Assignments will be due at the first five minutes of lecture as assigned; no homework will be accepted after this time. This applies for any situation except a college authorized absence.

 Students will not be allowed to make up lab activities or exams unless PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS are made with the instructor. Instructor will determine whether or not make up opportunities are appropriate on an individual basis.  Students with learning disabilities or challenges are encouraged to notify the instructor so that additional resources can be made available.

 Cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices must be turned off during class.

 Problems can arise and exceptions can be made on the condition that I am notified in advance of the due date and approve the condition. If you cannot get a hold of me, leave a message at (xxx) xxx- xxxxor email [email protected]

 Crop Science 6 meets in lecture 3 hours per week and 3 hours per week in classroom and field laboratory. The lecture environment is standard classroom table and chair seating. The classroom laboratory – approximately 50% of laboratory time – in mixed standard classroom and a 20 station computer environment in which students sit in chairs to use the computer, moving frequently to either the standard laser printer or an ink jet large image plotter. The field laboratory – approximately 50% of the laboratory time – is conducted in the field requiring the student to move throughout the area making observations, collecting data, installing instrumentation, adjusting equipment and machinery, and operating tractors and off highway vehicles. In addition the students will attend field trips which require mobility in tight quarters and extended periods of walking.

 Laboratories include on the farm application of precision agriculture. Success requires the student to: . Use muscles to lift, push, pull or carry heavy objects. . Move two or more limbs together to complete job tasks. . Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls. . Use one or two hands to grasp, move or assemble objects. . Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired. . Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods. . Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while moving in the laboratory setting. . Quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach with the body, arms and legs. . Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects. . See object details, whether they are nearby or far away. . Operate farm equipment. . Ability to climb on and off farm equipment.

 "If you have a verified need for an academic accommodation or materials in alternate media (i.e. Braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) per the Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, please contact you instructor as soon as possible."

 INSTRUCTOR ACCOMMODATION RESPONSIBILITIES It is the instructor's responsibility to comply with the DSPS policies and procedures. The following are the instructor requirements for testing accommodations: 1. Please notify the DSPS program if you feel any additional accommodations would be necessary for the student. 2. Place test in a sealed envelope and deliver it either to the DSPS Department or DSPS lab. Do not allow the student to deliver the test. 3. Please indicate test conditions (open book, notes permitted, etc.). 4. Please indicate the deadline for administration of the test. 5. Upon completion of the exam, we will place the test in a sealed envelope in your mailbox. Please contact our program if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued cooperation with the DSPS Program STUDENT ACCOMODATION RESPONSIBIITIES It is the student's responsibility to comply with the DSPS policies and procedures. The following are the student requirements for testing accommodations: 1. Test proctoring may be provided to a student who has an educational limitation and would benefit from this service. 2. Please discuss this service with the DSPS office. The DSPS staff will review your request and your educational plan; then make an appropriate accommodation. 3. Test proctoring will be provided at time and a half of your regular examination length. Make proctoring arrangements with each instructor prior to the test dates. Students should inform the instructor to forward the exam to the DSPS lab. If possible, proctoring should take place the same day of the exam; if not, the exam must be taken within 2 days of the regularly scheduled time. After 2 days, the exam will be returned to the instructor. 4. Appear promptly at the designated time for proctoring with the necessary testing supplies (pencils, pens, scantrons, essay books, etc.) All other materials must be left at the door. 5. Plan your testing time carefully as you will not be allowed to leave during the testing time and return later to finish. 6. Do not discuss the classroom tests with other students. 7. The coordination of the proctoring services is the sole responsibility of the DSPS staff. 8. Failure to comply with the above procedures may result in the termination of this service. Tentative Schedule

THE FINAL EXAM IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR: December 15, 2009 THE FINAL PROJECT IS TENTATIVELY DUE: December 10, 2009 CRPSCI 6 Student Signature Page Fall

I, ______, have read and understand the requirements for CRPSCI 6. Including the following grading policy: Lab Assignments ____% Exams (including Final) ____% Final Project ____% Homework ____% Notebook ____% Total ____%

I have read and understand the following policy on unsafe behavior: Unsafe behavior will be handled using the following rules: 1st offense - ______2nd offense - ______3rd offense - ______

I have read and understand the following policy on cheating and plagiarism:

Cheating will not be tolerated and will ______.

By signing and returning this document I acknowledge my rights and responsibilities for this course.

______Student Signature

______Date