AGRONOMY 114
Fundamentals of Agronomy
Syllabus Fall 2006
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Agronomy 114 is a course designed to give you the opportunity to learn the basic principles of
plant science, including plant anatomy, identification and physiology, crop production, pest
management and soil management.
INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Russ Mullen
1126 Agronomy Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
Email: remullen@iastate.edu
Telephone: 515.294.3271
FAX: 515.294.8146
Dr. Gina M. McAndrews
1126 Agronomy Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
Email: gina@iastate.edu
Telephone: 515.294.7832
FAX: 515.294.8146
COURSE MATERIAL
Text: Mullen, R.E., 2002. Crop Science: Principles and Practice. 4th Edition. Burgess
Publishing.
Computer Program: Computer Interactive Multimedia Program for Learning Enhancement
(CIMPLE) available through the Internet
Online Presentations: WebCT
WEB CT
WebCT is designed to facilitate learning for distance courses and will be used in Agronomy
114. From the WebCT site for the course, you can access the course syllabus, calendar and
the weekly Powerpoint slide presentations (described below). To enter the site, you will need
to log in. After clicking on ‘Click to login,’ you need to enter your WebCT ID and password,
which is the same as the ISU NET (your ISU email address) and the password you created.
For example, my email address is “gina@iastate.edu.” Therefore, my WebCT ID is “gina”.
Please go to the site at: https://webct.ait.iastate.edu/ISUtools/webhtml/login.html and be sure
you are able to login. If you have trouble, PLEASE contact me. After you have logged in, go
to “Discussion” and then click on “Compose Discussion Message.” So we can get acquainted
with each other, please tell us about you and your background, such as ‘Where you live?,
What are your interests?, Do you farm or what type of work you do?, Were you raised on a
farm?, and Why you are interested in this course?, What do you think are some challenges in
the future of agriculture? and other information of your choice.
COMPUTER PROGRAM – CIMPLE
A Computer Interactive Multimedia Program for Learning Enhancement (CIMPLE) was
developed to enhance student learning in Agronomy 114. The CIMPLE program includes
learner objectives, subject matter relevance, digitized tutorial video, key concepts of material
to be learned, practice learning exercises, sub-unit and chapter self-diagnostic quizzes, and
problem-solving scenarios including technical and environmental / ethical problems. To
access CIMPLE, please go the following web site:
http://www.agron.iastate.edu/courses/agron114/content/index.html
To enter the site, you will need to log in using your WebCT ID and password, which is the
same as the ISU NET (your ISU email address) and the password you created. For example,
my email address is “gina@iastate.edu.” Therefore, my WebCT ID is “gina”. If you have any
trouble, please let me know right away.
ON-LINE PRESENTATIONS
On WEB CT, there is a power point slide presentation for each chapter. In general, the slides
are to assist you in applying information from the chapter to challenges that may arise in the
field. Information given in these presentations will be included in the exams. For each
chapter presentation, there will be a sheet of key points to assist you in answering the
questions.
ASSIGNMENTS
Weekly Assignments
There are short assignments that are designed to enhance the learning of chapter material.
The weekly assignments correspond to the chapters that will be covered on the three exams.
The completed assignments should be compiled in a booklet, and the completed booklet
should be given to your proctor when you take each exam. For each booklet, all
assignments must be completed to receive credit. Late booklets will not be accepted.
Note: Assignments may not contain information copied directly from another source.
All of the assignments must be in your own wording or will be considered plagiarism.
Images taken from other sources should have a reference listed, such as the web site
address or the name and author of the text.
Weekly Chapter Assessment
The CIMPLE computer program has a Chapter Assessment for each chapter. Each week,
please complete the Chapter Assessment and either email it to me at gina@iastate.edu or
FAX it to 1-515-294-8146 by the date stated on the schedule. You will receive 1 extra credit
point for each chapter assessment that is:
1) submitted on time (see attached schedule) and,
2) has an overall score of greater than 75% (only one assessment per chapter will be
counted)
I strongly encourage you to complete the assessments. The assessments are designed to help
students test the knowledge learned and encourage students to study and stay on schedule.
This has been shown to increase student success in the course and aid students in avoiding
studying several chapters right before the exam.
EVALUATION
Exams
Weekly Assignments
67%
33%
The grading scale is: A = 100-90%, B= 89-80%, C=79=70%, D=69-60, F<60%. Plus-minus
grading will be used.
NOTE: To get an idea of the types of questions asked on exams, past exams are available as
examples on the Agronomy 114 web site.
SUGGESTIONS
Here are a few suggestions that should help you gain the most for the time invested in the course:
1. Use the Computer Interactive Multimedia Program for Learning Enhancement
(CIMPLE) to help you visualize and understand course material. CIMPLE provides
learning objectives, diagnostic quizzing programs, video tutoring, learning aids,
practice learning programs and problem solving exercises.
2. Do not delay the study of units until right before an exam. Your success in the course
will be much greater if you “stay-up” with the course as scheduled.
3. Quiz yourself. To evaluate your learning progress, take the Self-Evaluation Test
(SET) at the end of each chapter in your text. The answers are posted on WebCT. Use
the Chapter Assessment Tests and subunit “self-check” quizzes to help you analyze
your learning progress. These are located in the CIMPLE program.
QUESTIONS
If you ever have questions, please contact us. You may contact your instructors, Dr. Russ Mullen
or Dr. Gina McAndrews by email at: remullen@iastate.edu or gina@iastate.edu or by telephone
at: 515-294-3271 or 515-294-7832, or contact our teaching lab coordinator, Kerry Taylor or the
114 instructors in the 114 PLANTS CENTER Lab at the following telephone number: 1-515294-4528, during the hours listed below.
A.M.
P.M.
Evening
PLANTS CENTER LAB Open Hours
If you have questions, please call: 1-515-294-4528
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
9-Noon
9-Noon
9-Noon
1-5
Noon-5
Noon-5
Noon-5
6:30-8:30
6:30-8:30
Friday
9-Noon