AOC Program Report November 28, 2016 Soil and Crop Science AOC Program Report November 28, 2016

What is Soil and Crop Science? Simple definition: The science of soil management and crop production. Combines curriculum that focuses on Soil Science/Management, Plant Science, and Crop Management. Prepares students for careers in: Crop production/Crop protection Crop development/breeding Agronomic product consulting and sales Soil fertility/nutrient management planning Soil and water resource conservation

Soil and Crop Science Mission Statement “Students completing this program will be prepared to pursue careers in agronomy, soil science, and related fields or continue their education through advanced study. The Soil and Crop Science program supports the collective missions of the University of Wisconsin System, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture and School of Agriculture of providing baccalaureate degree programs that meet primarily regional needs. We strive to prepare students for careers as resourceful, ethically responsible, and competent agronomists and soil scientists by combining liberal arts education with professional coursework and practical experience.”

Long term goals (most recent APC review) The soil and crop science program at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville strives to provide curricula and educational opportunities that enable graduates to: Conceptualize, understand, and apply chemical, physical, biological, and agronomic sciences to address practical agronomic problems. Apply scientific principles to gather, analyze, and interpret agronomic data Effectively and accurately communicate agronomic information in written and oral forms. Develop team work skills Use and become familiar with new technologies in agronomy and related sciences. Understand the professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities associated with professional careers in agronomy.

Assessment tools Program Objective Program Assessment Evaluators Survey of Intern Employers Self- evaluation survey of student interns Senior exit surveys Placement data Independent study evaluation Class learning evaluations 1  2 3 4   5 6

Goal 1: Conceptualize, understand, and apply chemical, physical, biological, and agronomic sciences to address practical agronomic problems. Senior Exit Surveys 2012-2016 (35 respondents)

Goal 1: Conceptualize, understand, and apply chemical, physical, biological, and agronomic sciences to address practical agronomic problems. Intern Employer Survey results summer 2016 (33 respondents)

Goal 2: Apply scientific principles to gather, analyze, and interpret agronomic data Senior Exit Surveys 2012-2016 (35 respondents)

Goal 2: Apply scientific principles to gather, analyze, and interpret agronomic data Intern Employer Survey results summer 2016 (33 respondents)

Goal 3: Oral and Written Communication Skills Senior Exit Surveys 2012-2016 (35 respondents)

Goal 3: Oral and Written Communication Skills Intern Employer Survey results summer 2016 (33 respondents)

Goal 4: Develop team work skills Senior Exit Surveys 2012-2016 (35 respondents)

Goal 4: Develop team work skills Intern Employer Survey results summer 2016 (33 respondents)

Goal 5: Use and become familiar with new technologies in agronomy and related sciences. Because this is a recently added goal of the program, current versions of intern employer and exit surveys do not address it. Technology use and proficiency are evaluated in class learning evaluations, but these results have not been summarized. Changes will be made to existing intern surveys and exit surveys in order to collect assessment data regarding this goal.

Goal 6: Understand the professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities associated with professional careers in agronomy. Senior Exit Surveys 2012-2016 (35 respondents)

Goal 6: Understand the professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities associated with professional careers in agronomy. Intern Employer Survey results summer 2016 (33 respondents)

Summary of Program Assessments Currently, data from senior exit surveys and internship employer evaluations indicate that both students and employers feel we are meeting program goals. Changes to program assessment tools are needed to adequately evaluate all program goals.

Changes in curriculum resulting from program assessment An overall increase in 1.0 FTE of the program has provided better ability to cover existing course loads, however steady enrollment in both the major and minor have continued to keep upper-level required courses at or above capacity and faculty who teach courses within the program regularly teach overloads. Since the last review, the program has reinstated the Crop Science course (SCSCI 1260), but FTE limitations have not made it possible to develop a Precision Agriculture or Sustainable Agriculture course, which were listed among future plans. It is expected that new program development will make opportunities to develop these and other new courses a reality.

Future Plans Short –term Long-term Modify existing major and minor curriculum requirements to reduce teaching load of faculty who are regularly teaching overloads. Long-term Explore possibility of creating a new major, combining the Soil and Crop Science, Environmental Horticulture, and REC programs into one program.

Questions??

Program Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes Conceptualize, understand, and apply chemical, physical, biological, and agronomic sciences to address practical agronomic problems. Students will conceptualize the various factors influencing crop production including climate, tillage, seeding, soil fertility, plant nutrition, harvesting methods, and water availability. Students will identify common crops and weeds, and be able to diagnose crop diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies encountered in crop production. Students will apply the principles of nutrient and pest management in simulated and real-world scenarios to address the issue of excessive nutrient and pesticide usage.

Program Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes Apply scientific principles to gather, analyze, and interpret agronomic data Students will conduct laboratory analyses to accurately determine physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. Students will interpret soil test information and make management decisions based on state recommendations. Students will conduct analyses to determine grain and forage quality and rank the quality using industry-accepted systems. Students will evaluate crop performance in field trial data using basic knowledge of statistics.

Program Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes Effectively and accurately communicate agronomic information in written and oral forms. Students will write reports based on agronomic research data to be read by wide audience. Students will present the results of research and class projects in seminar format.   Develop team work skills Students will demonstrate the ability to work in teams on class projects. Students will be encouraged to participate in the Collegiate Crops Judging and Soils Judging teams. The ability of students to work in teams will be evaluated by internship employers and by student interns through self-evaluation surveys.

Program Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes Use and become familiar with new technologies in agronomy and related sciences. Students will contrast crop improvement methods that use traditional breeding techniques with those using biotechnology. Students will use or identify tools used in precision agriculture, including global positioning systems, satellite imagery, yield monitors, and various environmental monitoring devices. The practical application of precision agriculture tools and techniques will be evaluated.

Program Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes Understand the professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities associated with professional careers in agronomy. Students will have an appreciation of the social and ethical responsibilities that go along with agronomic decision-making through exposure to a wide range of social and environmental issues related to agriculture. Students will debate controversial issues in agronomic sciences, including the use of genetically improved crops, water quality regulations affecting the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and the loss of cropland through urbanization. Students will understand sustainable crop production by describing the principles of nutrient and pest management, and soil and water conservation.