Riverland Community College

This course provides an orientation into the profession of agricultural sciences. Combining theoretical and practical knowledge, students investigate plants, the principles and practices of crop production and management, precision farming, sustainability, biotechnology, marketing and sales related to agriculture. A special emphasis on real-world, innovative problem solving will provide students with a background to further specialize in producing and improving food crops. Important current societal issues related to modern agriculture are discussed throughout.

(3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

This is a one-semester course is designed for students who do not plan to major in science. Emphasis is placed on the major biological principles and their relationship to man and ecology.  Topics studied include the scientific method, characteristics of life, biological chemistry, cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, classification and ecology. 

      MnTC (Goal 3/NS and Goal 2/CT); (3 Cr – 2 lect, 1 lab) 

This is an introductory college writing course designed to help students develop effective writing skills for college level work.  Students learn to generate ideas and organize them into unified, coherent essays.  Methods of instruction vary, but most sections combine individual conferences and peer review with regular class meetings.  Prerequisites:  A grade of C or higher in ENGL 0960 or appropriate placement score.

MnTC (Goals 1/CM and Goal 2/CT); (3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course introduces proven strategies and applications to help students achieve greater success in college and in life.  Topics include, but are not limited to, time management, goal setting, learning strategies, critical thinking, communication skills, diversity awareness, health and wellness, college and community resources, and financial planning.  This course introduces students to making choices that promote responsibility, motivation, interdependence, and self-awareness.  Recommended:  Score of 52 or above on test Accuplacer Reading Comprehension.
(1 Cr – 1 lect, 0 lab)

This course focuses on the theory and practice of public communication including individual and group presentations.  This course emphasizes audience analysis, organization, content development including topic selection and speaking ethics.  Students will prepare and deliver a variety of both individual and group presentations and demonstrate an ability to apply research from diverse sources.  Students should expect to reduce speech apprehension and develop self-confidence in their ability to communicate in public.

MnTC (Goals 1/CM and 9/EC); (3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course covers the basics of college level algebra emphasizing understanding of the basic principles through investigation. The topics covered range from a basic algebra review to exploration of linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions along with a study of rational expressions, inverse relations, function operations, complex numbers, and systems of equations. Prerequisites: Math 0670 with a grade of C or better or appropriate placement in course based on Multiple Measures for Course Placement – Math Decision Band Chart. MnTC (Goals 4/MA and Goal 2/CT); (3 Cr - 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course is designed to introduce the student to the principals and applications of those principals in animal science. Instruction will address the topics relevant to the production of farm animals as well as a clear understanding of the scientific nature of animal science.  By utilizing differentiated instruction, students will be given an opportunity for an in-depth study of the species of their choice. In the last few decades, profound changes have taken place in animal agriculture. This course will address those changes as well as look to the future of the industry. Included in the course will be information on how to feed, manage, breed and care for animals. Instruction will be applicable to traditional production species as well as companion and non-traditional species.

(3 Cr – 3 lect)

This is a second semester composition course focused on the writing of an academic research paper.  Students learn how to employ the resources of an academic library and how to cite those sources in a fully documented analytical/interpretive term paper.  Prerequisites: ENGL 1101.

MnTC (Goals 1/CM and 2/CT); (3 Cr - 3 lect, 0 lab)

This is a laboratory science course covering the principles of general, organic and biological chemistry with emphasis on chemical applications in biological systems.  Topics include the scientific method, atomic theory, chemical bonding, organic functional groups, biological chemicals, and metabolic processes.

      MnTC (Goals 3/NS and 10/PE); (3 Cr - 2 lect, 1 lab)

This course introduces the basic principles and methods of economics and then applies them to national income accounts, aggregate supply and demand, business cycles, economic growth and monetary and fiscal policy. There will be a special emphasis on international trade and the global economy. MnTC (Goals 5/SS and 8/GP); (3 Cr - 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course introduces the student to fundamental ethical principles developed throughout the history of philosophy through the study of classical and modern writings. Students are encouraged and challenged to apply such principles to contemporary issues. MnTC (Goals 6/HU and 9/EC); (3 Cr - 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course investigates the formation, classification, and composition of soils, with emphasis on environmental quality, chemical and physical properties affecting growth and nutrition of plants.  Management principles and practices are used to increase productivity and conserve soil and water resources for agronomic crops.

(3 Cr – 2 lect 1 lab)

This course provides students with a foundation in agribusiness management.  Employers desire a combination of technical and business management skills in potential employees.  This course includes the study of critical agribusiness skills and their application in the agribusiness industry.

(3 Cr – 3 lect, 0 lab)

This course introduces the basic principles and methods of economics and then applies them to national income accounts, aggregate supply and demand, business cycles, economic growth and monetary and fiscal policy. There will be a special emphasis on international trade and the global economy. MnTC (Goals 5/SS and 8/GP); (3 Cr - 3 lect, 0 lab)

Crop production and management practices for soybean, corn and other crops of economic importance to the region are analyzed.  The class emphasizes management practices including cover crops, crop rotation, conservation tillage and cultivation.  Plant characteristics related to growth, development, pests and diseases are examined.  Problem solving is stressed related to local conditions to maximize yields.  An emphasis is placed on sustainable agriculture practices.  Students apply and practice skills in a farm setting.

(4 Cr – 2 lect, 2 lab)

Students are introduced to basic concepts, theories, operations, tools, and applications of precision agriculture, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).  The precision agriculture component of this course studies how the productivity of a field is optimized by agronomic inputs based on real-time data variability found within a field.  Operating principles of electronic equipment used in precision agriculture along with basic diagnosis of common equipment malfunctions are introduced.  GIS concepts, map projections and coordinate systems, basic data models, data sources and types, operations and processing, and GIS analysis and spatial modeling are introduced.  Principles of GPS and how these systems operate to improve accuracy are included in the course.    

(4 Cr – 3 lect, 1 lab)

This course covers general ecological principles related to human impacts on the environment. Environmental problems including population, land use, resources, energy, water pollution, and air pollution will be addressed.         

MnTC (Goals 3/NS and 10/PE); (3 Cr - 2 lect, 1 lab) 

This is an introduction to international relationships of the modern world. Special emphasis will be placed on long-term trends and on current international developments.

MnTC (Goals 5/SS and 8/GP); (3 Cr - 3 lect, 0 lab)