Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog 2002-2003 Edition

Professors C.R.Engler, J.R.Gilley, E. A. Hiler, W. A. LePori, M. R. McLellan, Z. Nikolov, C.B.Parnell, Jr., G. L. Riskowski (Head), S. W. Searcy; Associate Professors M. E. Castell-Perez, C.L.Darcey, A.L.Kenimer, R. E. Lacey, B. P. Mohanty, R.G.Moreira, C.L. Munster, B. W. Shaw, R. Srinivasan; Assistant Professor P. K. Haan; Lecturer G.L.Stark

(AGSM)

125. Introduction to Agricultural Systems Management. (0-2). Credit 1. II

Introduction to technical man-agement of agricultural systems using management projects presented by agricultural managers from industry; problem definition, information search, idea generation and development of management solutions.

201. Farm Tractors and Power Units. (2-2). Credit 3. I, II, S

Tractors and other internal combustion power units used on farms; principles of operation, horsepower measurements, maintenance and adjustments of the electrical, ignition, fuel, lubricating and cooling systems.

285. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4.

Selected problems in any phase of agricultural systems management; credit and specific content dependent upon background, interest, ability and needs of student enrolled; individual consultations and reports required. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification; approval of department head.

289. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified area of agricultural systems management. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

301. Systems Analysis in Agriculture. (3-0). Credit 3. I

Operations research and systems theory applied to management problems in food and agricultural industries; linear programming, queueing theory, simulation and critical path method; provides students with the knowledge and computer skills to better manage resources for the evolving agricultural industries. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.

310. Agricultural Machinery Management. (2-2). Credit 3. II

Selection of a matched complement of power units and machines for farming operations; consider constraints such as crops, season, weather, personnel and capital; apply systems techniques such as linear programming, optimization, queueing theory and inventory models; utilize available software programs and learn to develop electronic spreadsheets and other customized software. Prerequisites: AGSM 301; AGEC 330.*

315. Food Plant Engineering. (2-2). Credit 3. I, II

Elementary mechanics, physical properties of food and processing materials, heat transfer, temperature measurement, solar heating and cooling, refrigeration and insulation, dehydration as applied to foods and food processing. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with FSTC 315.

325. Agri-Industrial Applications of Electricity. (2-2). Credit 3. II

Elements of electric current generation and transmission, applications of electric heating, lighting and power, wiring, motors, energy rates, meter reading, safety rules and regulations.

335. Water and Soil Management. (2-3). Credit 3. I

Elementary principles of surface and ground water supply, flood control, water distribution systems and irrigation systems; principles of drainage, soil conservation and erosion control; elementary surveying, chaining, leveling and mapping applied to agricultural and natural resource needs; illustrated by practical examples of terracing and farm pond design. Prerequisite: AGRO 301 or equivalent.

337. Technology for Environmental and Natural Resource Engineering. (3-0). Credit 3. I

For the non-engineering student in the environmental and management sciences; concentrates on the application of technology for solving local environmental problems while considering global issues; reduction of water, air and hazardous waste pollutants; legislative issues and modeling. Prerequisites: AGRO 301 or approval of instructor; MATH 142.

360. Occupational Safety Management. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II, S

Safety considerations in the work environment, including safety mandates, safety mission, personal and business liability, fire, chemical, dust, machine noise, personal protective devices; design and implementation of safety programs. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor.

403. Processing and Storage of Agricultural Products. (2-2). Credit 3. I

Factors influencing the nature of biological materials and the preservation of quality throughout the harvesting, handling and processing system; a systems approach to cereal grains includes principles of drying, quality deterioration, storage, conveying and handling; processing of fiber crops. Prerequisites: AGSM 310 and 315.*

412. Organization of Agricultural Mechanics Programs. (1-2). Credit 2. I, II

Primarily for students majoring in agricultural education; development of instructional programs for agricultural mechanics in high schools, and post-high school classes with techniques and procedures for implementation of the programs. For non-engineering majors.

435. Irrigation Principles and Management. (2-3). Credit 3. II

Principles of irrigation and management for efficient use of water; soil-water-plant relationships; methods of application; power and labor requirements; automated systems and components. Prerequisites: AGSM 335; AGRO 301; MATH 141.

440. Management of Agricultural Systems. (1-5). Credit 3. II

Management of agricultural systems through team solution of management problems posed by agribusiness managers, farmers, extension specialists and other industry consultants; application of management principles to give students experience in solving realistic problems faced by agribusiness managers; critical evaluation of results by students, staff and consultants. Prerequisites: AGSM 335, 337, 403, 470; should be taken last spring semester prior to graduation.

470. Agricultural Electronics and Control. (2-2). Credit 3. I

Technology of electronic systems in agricultural production and processing, sensors, actuators, and controllers, controller hardware and computer bases. Prerequisite: AGSM 325.

475 Applied Information Technologies for Agricultural Systems. (2-2). Credit 3.

Definition and documentation of the value of information in agriculturally-based technology companies; methods for mapping information flow within the company and across companies; articulation value of information within a value chain for a food product by simulation; and projects using project management software and web-based interactions. Prerequisites: INFO 209 or equivalent; junior or senior classification.

481. Seminar. (1-0). Credit 1. I

Professional development; ethics; career opportunities and topics of interest related to the practice of agricultural systems management. Prerequisite: Senior classification.

485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4.

Selected problems in any phase of agricultural systems management; credit and specific content depend on background and interest of student; individual consultations and reports required. Prerequisites: Junior classification; approval of department head; 2.0 GPR.

489. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Special topics in an identified area of agricultural systems management. May be repeated for credit.

Agricultural Systems Management