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Agricultural Technology (AT13)  Degree

Campus Locations: Americus

Agricultural Technology is an Associate Degree program. It is a combination of classroom and cooperative education training. The classroom and related instruction was designed jointly with industry to provide the student with theoretical, technical, and general academic knowledge needed to succeed in the agricultural equipment servicing industry. The cooperative work phase of the program requires students to be employed full-time in supervised John Deere dealerships to receive on-the-job experience. The cooperative work phase will be supervised and evaluated. Graduates will receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree and may be employed as technicians, parts managers, or sales and service personnel.

Entrance date: Each semester

Program Admission Requirements: A High School diploma or equivalent is required plus achievement of appropriate scores on the college's placement test or submission of acceptable SAT or ACT scores.

Applicant must be at least 16 years of age.

Credits required for graduation: 75

Curriculum Outline (75 hours)
General Education Core 15
Area I - Language Arts/Communications 6
ENGL 1101

Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.

 3
ENGL 1105
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Emphasizes practical knowledge of technical communications techniques, procedures, and reporting formats used in industry and business. Topics include reference use and research, device and process description, formal technical report writing, business correspondence, and technical report presentation.

 3
Area II - Social/Behavioral Sciences (select one course below) 3
POLS 1101

Emphasizes study of government and politics in the United States. The focus of the course will provide an overview of the Constitutional foundations of the American political processes with a focus on government institutions and political procedures. The course will examine the constitutional framework, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion, the media, interest groups, political parties, and the election process along with the three branches of government. In addition, this course will examine the processes of Georgia state government. Topics include foundations of government, political behavior, and governing institutions.

3
PSYC 1101

Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology.

 3
SOCI 1101

Explores the sociological analysis of society, its culture, and structure. Sociology is presented as a science with emphasis placed on its methodology and theoretical foundations. Topics include basic sociological concepts, socialization, social interaction and culture, social groups and institutions, deviance and social control, social stratification, social change, and marriage and family.

 3
Area III - Natural Sciences/Mathematics (select one mathematics course below) 3
MATH 1111

Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.

 3
MATH 1103

This course focuses on quantitative skills and reasoning in the context of experiences that students will be likely to encounter. The course emphasizes processing information in context from a variety of representations, understanding of both the information and the processing, and understanding which conclusions can be reasonably determined. Students will use appropriate technology to enhance mathematical thinking and understanding. Topics covered in this course include: sets and set operations, logic, basic probability, data analysis, linear models, quadratic models, exponential and logarithmic models, geometry, and financial management.

3
Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts (select one course below) 3
ARTS 1101
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Explores the visual arts and the relationship to human needs and aspirations. Students investigate the value of art, themes in art, the elements and principles of composition, and the materials and processes used for artistic expression. Well-known works of visual art are explored. The course encourages student interest in the visual arts beyond the classroom.

3
ENGL 2130
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills.

 3
MUSC 1101
Prerequisite: ENGL 1101

Explores the formal elements of musical composition, musical form and style, and the relationship of music to historical periods. The course includes listening and analysis of well known works of music. This course encourages student interest in musical arts beyond the classroom.

3
Occupational 60
COMP 1000

Introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer terminology, the Windows environment, Internet and email, word processing software, spreadsheet software, database software, and presentation software.

 3
AGRI 1110

Provides instruction on the proper use and care of power and hand tools. Encompasses micrometers, dial indicators, torque wrenches, twist drills, taps, dies, screw extractors, thread restoration, tube flaring, fittings, and fasteners. Safety and proper operation of pullers and presses will be demonstrated and practiced. Also included will be setup of equipment using specifications provided by the manufacturer so that it is field ready. Proper use of shop tools and shop equipment is emphasized including proper torquing of attaching hardware. Further study of the John Deere Service ADVISOR program will be covered and students will learn how to navigate and use all of the functions of program and to incorporate it while diagnosing problems.

3
AGRI 1120

Course deals with basic physical principles, operation, and construction of two- and four-stroke cycle engines. It includes ignition timing of four -stroke cycle engines to factory specifications. Basic diagnostic engine test procedures will be practiced on spark and compression ignition engines.

3
AGRI 1130

Provides instruction on the theory of power transmissions from engine to traction wheels. Includes function and operation of gears, chains, clutches, planetary gears, drivelines, differentials, and transmissions. Complete disassembly, inspection, and reassembly of clutches, 2-speed planetaries, differentials, final drives, mechanical front-wheel drive, power take-offs, and transmissions. Proper set-up and adjustment of differentials and final drives using bearing pre-loads, shimming, rolling drag, etc. will be covered as well.

2
AGRI 1140

Hydraulic theory emphasizing pressure and flow relationship, comparison between open-center and closed-center hydraulics systems, and discussion and tear-down of hydraulic components such as variable and fixed displacement pumps, motors, control valves, relief valves, flow control valves, cylinders, filters, reservoirs, lines, and fittings. Simple pressure and flow test and the study of JIC schematics will prepare the student for advanced hydraulics.

2
AGRI 1150

Basic electrical principles and applications of magnetism, electromagnetism, and electromagnetic induction, voltage, current, and resistance using ohms law will be discussed. Basic operation and diagnostics of charging systems, starting circuits, series and parallel circuits, and batteries will be covered as well. The theory of operation of electrical and electronic components will be discussed as well as basic computer and controller circuits as they relate to John Deere equipment.

2
AGRI 1160

The theory of operation, component function, and diagnosis of both manual and automatic temperature control systems will be studied. The students will use refrigerant recovery machines for R-134a refrigerant and will learn the proper procedures and guidelines for retrofitting systems from R-12 to R-134a. Heavy emphasis will be put diagnosing air conditioning problems with the proper tools and equipment.

2
AGRI 1170
Prerequisites: AGRI 1130, AGRI 1140, AGRI 1150

This course covers the theory, design, principles of operation and adjustment, trouble shooting and repair of GPS global positioning system equipment commonly found on Ag machines of today. The insight of John Deere's AMS (AG Management Solutions) operation and features key to today's users. Installation of key components onto the machine, setup and operation in a GPS guided machine. Required textbooks and materials:

2
AGRI 1180

This course covers the theory, design, principles of operation and adjustment, trouble shooting and repair of harvesting equipment including combines, cotton pickers, and hay equipment. Heavy emphasis will be put on crop flow through the machine and initial field preparation adjustments. Students must have a basic understanding of power trains, electrical systems, and hydraulics for successful completion. The installation and set-up of AMS equipment will also be covered.

2
AGRI 2110

Course deals with more machine specific hydraulic systems on current production machines. The theory of operation of complete hydraulic systems will be studied as well as in depth diagnostic procedures and methods according to the appropriate technical manuals. Students will enroll and take the online John Deere hydraulic systems overview courses and complete the online final assessment.

2
AGRI 2120

Course deals with the theory of operation and diagnostics and repair of all John Deere fuel systems, electronic engine controls, and current emissions regulations and components. Heavy emphasis will be put on engine diagnostics using John Deere software as well as on board machine diagnostics. Proper repair and replacement procedures for fuel system components using proper tools and equipment will also be covered.

2
AGRI 2130

Course deals with more advanced electrical/electronic systems consisting of multiple electronic controller circuits and control functions. In depth study of these systems and how they interact and function with other electronic controllers and the machine will be covered. Students will also enroll and take the online John Deere electrical systems courses and complete the online final assessment. Heavy emphasis will be placed on diagnostic methods and procedures.

2
AGRI 2140

This course provides an in-depth study of power trains with diagnosis and repair of problems encountered in everyday use. Students will use manuals and specifications in determining time, parts, and total cost in the repair of projects. Specialty tools will be introduced and their use, care, and importance will be stressed.

2
AGRI 2150

This course covers the operation of John Deere planters and seeders commonly used in todays farming operations. The design, principles, operations and adjustment for the optimum performance the customer needs to maximize the efficiency of the farming demand during the tight planting season.

3
AGRI 2210

During the dealer internship/co-operative work experience, the student gains the practical knowledge necessary for optimum job performance. The student will be required to function in the sponsoring dealerships work environment under the supervision of the dealership management personnel or co-op training coordinator.

12
AGRI 2220

During the dealer internship/co-operative work experience, the student gains the practical knowledge necessary for optimum job performance. The student will be required to function in the sponsoring dealerships work environment under the supervision of the dealership management personnel or co-op training coordinator.

12
WELD 1000

Provides an introduction to welding technology with an emphasis on basic welding laboratory principles and operating procedures. Topics include: industrial safety and health practices, hand tool and power machine use, measurement, laboratory operating procedures, welding power sources, welding career potentials, and introduction to welding codes and standards.

 4
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