Agriculture Education
Agriculture Co-op Education (Summer Only) Grade: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Must have earned at least one Agriculture course credit
Students enrolling in any of the agriculture education courses may choose to participate in a cooperative education work experience or internship during the following summer of the same school year. Students must have an approved application in order to register for this credit and provide proof of employment by the tenth day of class. A student choosing the cooperative work approach in an approved job, submits wage and hour documentation, and completes other assignments as required by the teacher-coordinator. Failure to maintain employment throughout the summer session will result in the student being dropped from the course. Agriculture Coop Education will be offered during the summer. Any
exceptions to this schedule must have prior approval of the Director of CTE and the Deputy Superintendent.
Agricultural Mechanics I Grade: 10-12
Maximum Enrollment: 20*
Course develops knowledge and technical skills in the broad field of agricultural machinery, equipment, and structures.
The primary purpose of this course is to prepare students to handle the day-to-day problems and repair needs they will encounter in their chosen agricultural career. Topics include agricultural mechanics safety, agricultural engineering career opportunities, hand/power tool use and selection, electrical wiring, basic metal working, basic agricultural construction skills related to plumbing, concrete, carpentry, basic welding, and leadership development.
Agricultural Mechanics II Grade: 10-12
Maximum Enrollment: 20*
PREREQUISITE: Agricultural Mechanics I
In this course, the topics of instruction emphasized are non-metallic agricultural fabrication techniques, metal fabrication technology, safe tool and equipment use, human resource development, hot/cold metal working skills and technology, advanced welding and metal cutting skills, working with plastics, and advanced career exploration/decision making.
Agricultural Mechanics II-Small Engines Grade: 10-12
Maximum Enrollment: 20*
PREREQUISITE: Agricultural Mechanics
Course provides hands-on instruction and emphasizes small engine systems including the compression, fuel, electrical, cooling and lubrication systems. Troubleshooting methods are emphasized. Students learn how to select engines for specific applications. Materials are covered to prepare students for the Master Service Technician Exam.
Agriscience Applications Grade: 9-12
This course focuses on integrating biological/physical sciences with technology as related to the environment, natural resources, food production, science, and agribusiness. Topics of instruction include agricultural awareness and literacy, employability skills and introduction to all aspects of the total agricultural industry.
Animal Science I Grade: 9-12
This course focuses on the basic scientific principles and processes that are involved in animal physiology, breeding, nutrition, and care in preparation for an animal science career major. Topics include animal diseases, introduction to animal science, animal nutrition, animal science issues, career opportunities, and animal evaluation.
Animal Science II Grade: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Animal Science I
This course includes more advanced scientific principles and communication skills and includes animal waste management, animal science economics, decision making, global concerns in the industry, genetics, and breeding.
Animal Science II – Small Animal Grade: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Animal Science I
This course provides instruction on animal science topics related to small animals that are served by a veterinarian.
Content related to the breeding, grooming, care and marketing of animals that fit into this category are taught in this course.
Biotechnology & Agriscience Research I – Honors Grade: 10-12
Course provides instruction in the technologically advanced world of agriculture and life sciences. Students are exposed to the latest techniques and advances in plant and animal biotechnology with a strong emphasis on hands-on activities.
Biotechnology & Agriscience Research II – Honors Grade: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Biotechnology & Agriscience Research I
Course provides instruction in laboratory and safety skills needed by agricultural research scientists. Current applications of biotechnology in animal science, environmental science, food science and plant science are emphasized. Basic concepts of genetics and microbiology are applied to the agriculture industry and its success in providing food and fiber for the world. Opportunities exist for students to conduct individual or team research experiments. Hands-on laboratories and current topic discussions provide students an understanding of careers in agriscience research.
CTE Advanced Studies in Agriculture Grade: 11-12
1 Credit Course # CS952X0AG
PREREQUISITE: Two technical credits in Agriculture Education with one being a completer course
The Advanced Studies course must augment the content of the completer course. Students work under the guidance of a teacher with expertise in the content of the completer course in collaboration with community members, business representatives, and other school-based personnel. The four parts of the course include writing a research paper, producing a product, developing a portfolio, and delivering a presentation.
Environmental & Natural Resources I Grade: 10-12
This course provides an introduction to environmental studies, which includes topics of instruction in renewable and non-renewable natural resources, history of the environment, personal development, water and air quality, waste management, land use regulations, soils, meteorology, fisheries, forestry, and wildlife habitat.
Environmental & Natural Resources II Grade: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Environmental & Natural Resources I
This course covers instruction in best management practices in methods of environmental monitoring and conservation, air and water regulations, sampling methodologies, prescribing conservation techniques, and wildlife and forestry management.
Equine Science I Grade: 10-12
This course focuses on the basic scientific principles and processes related to equine physiology, breeding, nutrition, and care in preparation for a career in the equine industry.
Equine Science II Grade: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Equine Science I
The course focuses on more advanced applications of feeding, breeding, and management practices involved in the horse industry.
Geospatial Industry Series (GIS) I – Honors Grade: 11-12
Maximum Enrollment: 20*
This course provides an introduction to GIS and remote sensing concepts. GPS technologies used in urban development, rural planning, forestry management, crop management, etc. are also presented. The course also introduces students to geospatial technology basics along with geoprocessing analysis and applications.
Geospatial Industry Series (GIS) II – Honors Grade: 11-12 Maximum Enrollment: 20*
PREREQUISITE: Geospatial Industry Series I
This course reinforces GIS concepts learned in the first course. It introduces students to geospatial applications in surface analysis and 3D visualization. Geospatial applications are used for remote sensing and routing analysis. These concepts are utilized in urban development, rural planning, forestry management, crop management, etc. The course includes a capstone project that enables the students to receive GIS certification.
Horticulture I Grade: 9-12
Horticulture provides instruction on the broad field of horticulture with emphasis on the scientific and technical knowledge for a career in horticulture. Topics in this course include plant growth and development, plant nutrition, media selection, basic plant identification, pest management, chemical disposal, customer relations, and career opportunities.
Horticulture II – Honors Grade: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Horticulture I
This course covers instruction that expands scientific knowledge and skills to include more advanced scientific computations and communication skills needed in the horticulture industry. Topics include greenhouse plant production and management, bedding plant production, watering systems, light effects, basic landscape design, installation and maintenance, lawn and turfgrass management, and personal development.
Horticulture II – Landscaping – Honors Grade: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Horticulture I
Landscaping provides hands-on instruction and emphasizes safety skills needed by landscape technicians in the field.
This course is based on the North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association skill standards for a Certified Landscape Technician. Students are instructed in interpreting landscape designs, identifying landscape plants, and planting/maintaining trees, shrubs, and turf. Landscape construction is emphasized in the areas of grading and drainage, irrigation, paver installation, and the use/maintenance of landscape equipment.
Horticulture II – Turfgrass Management – Honors Grade: 10-12 PREREQUISITE: Horticulture I
Turfgrass provides hands-on instruction and emphasizes eight units of instruction including fundamentals of soils and pests, environmental issues related to turf management, landscape basics, lawn care and turf production, golf course management, sports turf and turf irrigation, turf equipment and maintenance, and human resources and financial management. Safety skills will be emphasized.
Renewable Energy in Agriculture Grade: 10-12
The course will focus on how renewable energy sources can help sustain existing agricultural resources. The curriculum will provide alternatives and help students better evaluate the existing energy choices.
Veterinary Assisting I Grade 10-12 PREREQUISITE: Animal Science II or Animal Science II - Small Animal
Maximum Enrollment: 10
This course focuses on instruction for students desiring a career in animal medicine. Topics include proper veterinary practice management and client relations, pharmacy and laboratory procedure, enhancement of animal care learned in previous animal courses, and surgical/radiological procedures. All aspects of this course will have hands-on skill sets that will be enforced with a total of 500 (200 laboratory/classroom hands-on hours and 300 under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or certified veterinary technician) working in animal medicine throughout all animal courses in high school.
The students will complete the skills and have them checked off during the 1-3 year(s) of high school. Students will learn the
material in order to be prepared for the Veterinary Assisting exam developed by the Texas Veterinary Medical
Association. With successful completion of the exam and hours, students will be able to be a Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) Level 1.