Courses

The following list briefly summarizes all courses offered for Short Course credit. Note: Classes are listed by Department.

 

Agricultural and Applied Economics

Dairy Marketing and Cooperatives. [SC_AAE 63] 1 cr. 2nd term. This course focuses on the various factors that impact farm level milk prices.  Specific topics include: national and regional milk production, consumption of milk and dairy products, international dairy trade, pricing milk for manufacturing use, federal dairy price support program, federal milk marketing orders, state milk marketing orders, role of dairy cooperatives in milk pricing and marketing, multiple component pricing, use of dairy futures and options, and current dairy policy issues.

Business Principles for Agriculture Management. [SC_AAE 66] 2 cr. 1st term.  An introduction to the working of a market economy and some decision making concepts. Students will learn about the role of prices and preferences in making production and consumption decisions. Students will also become acquainted with the U. S. agricultural system and various economic policies that may be employed by government. Taxation, regulation, trade, and employment policies are some government programs that will be considered in the course. Syllabus

Farm Law. [SC_AAE 70] 1 cr. 3rd term. The object of this course is to teach students how to resolve legal issues that arise in operating a farm business. Topics include contracts, torts, property law and tax law. The laws are applied to issues such as fence law, right-to-farm and business planning.

Grain Marketing. [SC_AAE 67] 1 cr. 2nd term. This course focuses on the farm and its marketing environment and provides an overview of the economics of grain and oilseed markets. The course concentrates on developing skills for effective grain marketing analysis and strategies. It examines forward contracting, hedging on futures markets, delayed pricing and options trading. Also examines current farm policies and their impact on grain markets.

Agribusiness Feasibility Planning. [SC_AAE 72] 1 cr. 3rd term. Students learn to answer questions about the profitability of their whole farm business, enterprises within their business, and proposed changes in their business. They will learn how to adjust cash incomes and expenses by non-cash incomes and expenses to obtain the standard measurement of profit. This value will then be used as the basis for calculating costs per unit of output (hundredweight of milk, bushel of corn, etc.) and other ratios and absolute measures. Some of the other topics introduced include: opportunity costs, use of limited resources, input substitution, partial and enterprise budgeting, cash flow and net worth statements, and evaluation of risk. (Prerequisite: Must earn a “B” or better in Decision Making in a Market Economy).

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Agronomy

Forage Crops. [SC_AGRON 72] 2 cr. 1st term. Identification and characteristics of forage legumes and grasses; management and culture of legumes, grasses and grass-legume mixtures; weed, insect, and forage disease control; hay and haymaking; legume, grass, and corn silage; forage varieties and their uses; forage quality and its importance in feeding livestock; pasture types and improvement; forage production trends. Syllabus

Grain Crops Production & Management. [SC_AGRON 73] 2 cr. 3rd term. Covers corn, soybeans, and alternative crops. Current production recommendations: hybrid and variety selection, seedbed preparation, pest control, fertility management, harvest, storage, marketing, crop ecology, information resources, seed production and certification. Students interested in other crops (sweet corn, peas, sunflowers, etc.) and those with a specific area of interest, such as seed production, will have independent study opportunity.

Pasture Management. [SC_AGRON 76] 1 cr. Interim II. The pasture management course will cover pasture establishment, pasture improvement, and pasture plant growth. It will discuss in depth pasture layout, fencing, and water systems. The course will also cover pasture utilization by the animal including animal behavior on pasture, animal nutrient needs vs. pasture growth, and supplemental feeding.

Weed Identification & Management. [SC_AGRON 75] 2 cr. 3rd term. Sound weed management requires an ability to identify common weed species. Live plants, slides and weed mounts are used in lectures and labs to teach weed identification. The course examines weed control principles and weed control recommendations in corn, alfalfa, soybeans, small grains and pastures. Students are given the opportunity to develop weed management programs for various cropping systems. Also covers safe use of herbicides, sprayer calibration, herbicide selection, transgenic crops, herbicide resistant weeds and more topics.

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Animal Sciences

Agricultural Sales< [SC_38-015] 2 cr. 3rd term. Interactive, emphasizing practical sales. Provide basic steps to the sales process and prepares students for both a career in sales and related sales applications found in everyday life. Includes training in negotiation skills, body language, and time management.

Animal Breeding and Genetics. [SC_ANCSI 40] 1 cr. 2nd term. Fundamentals of Mendelian genetics in dairy and beef cattle, sheep, and swine. We also will cover the quantitative inheritance of performance traits, selection and selection programs, and crossbreeding systems in these species.

Beef Cattle Management & Production. [SC_ANSCI 41] 2 cr. 3rd term. Application of genetics, reproductive physiology and nutrition to the management of cow-calf and feedlot enterprises. Some cattle management techniques will be practiced in laboratory periods.

Meat Animal Evaluation, Products, and Marketing. [SC_ANSCI 42] 2 cr. 1st term. This course demonstrates how meat animals within a species differ in value, grade and yield. Will also discuss price determination and marketing systems for each species. The students will receive hands-on experience in evaluating, slaughtering and cutting beef and pork. Lamb processing and manufacturing of processed meat items will be demonstrated.  Syllabus

Sheep Management. [SC_ANSCI 45] 2 cr. 2nd term. Subjects discussed include breeds, feeding, reproduction, health and marketing. Experience in lambing ewes, docking, castrating, drenching and other management skills is provided.

Swine Management & Production. [SC_ANSCI 46] 2 cr. 3rd term. Application of modern techniques of swine management for the improvement of overall production efficiency. Includes the application of principles in nutrition, reproductive physiology, genetic selection, animal management, ventilation and waste management in confinement housing, housing systems, herd health programs and economic decision-making.

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Biological Systems Engineering

Agricultural Energy Management. [SC_BSE 91] 2 cr. 2 nd term. Use of electric and electronic equipment on the farm. Includes introduction to electrical distribution and farm electrical systems, National Electric Code for agricultural buildings, choosing electric motors, electrical safety, special needs for electronic equipment, working with an electrical contractor. (Prerequisite: Must test out of math requirements on math placement test or earn a “B” or better in Farm and Industry Computations)

Agricultural Safety and Health. [SC_BSE 90] 1cr. 2nd term. Provides an overview of the causes and prevention of common farm injuries and illnesses. Emphasizes control of hazards as part of overall farm safety management. Covers types of fatal and non-fatal injuries, tractor and machinery-related injuries and operating practices, hazards to children, animal-related injuries, confined spaces, respiratory hazards, chemical exposure, personal protective equipment, OSHA, DOL, and EPA worker-related regulations, causes and prevention of injuries including inspections and hazard control, and safety management strategies and activities.

Farm Machinery. [SC_BSE 92] 3 cr. 1st term. Principles of operation, construction, maintenance, and management of machines for tillage, planting, and harvesting agricultural crops. Laboratory sessions include working with machine components and actual field machines. Previous experience with farm machinery is not required.  Syllabus

Farm Power. [SC_BSE 94] 2 cr. 2nd term. Principles of operation, construction, and maintenance of agricultural tractors and engine power systems. Covers two- and four-stroke diesel and spark-ignition engines, lubrication, power measurement, electrical systems, hydraulics, tires and traction. Labs focus on understanding the tractor and engine but do not include tractor or engine overhauls. Course assumes no previous experience with tractors or engines.

Livestock Housing. [SC_BES 95] 3 cr. 1st term. Covers planning of dairy, beef and swine, livestock housing for proper environmental control, manure and feed handling, and labor and capital efficiency. Topics include building materials, heat loss, silo sizing, cost estimating, computer aided design, and ventilation and manure storage. Students will develop a plan for their own farmstead. This course is useful for those who plan to construct livestock buildings within the next 5-15 years, including those who want to work in the farm building trade.  Syllabus

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Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems

Pasture-Based Dairy and Livestock Business Seminar. [SC_CIAS 33/34/35] 1cr. 1st term: Start up. Syllabus 2nd term: Business Plan Development. 3rd term: Management. The core course of the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers. Farmers, faculty and business leaders discuss production and management strategies emphasizing pasture-based dairy or livestock farm start-up. Students complete a farm business plan over three terms. (2nd is a prerequisite to 3rd term)

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Community and Environmental Sociology

Rural Social and Economic Issues. [SC_RSOC 85] 2 cr. 3rd term. Students will study how national economic and social policies affect farmers and rural residents. Topics include rural economic trends and issues; rural development policies; state and local taxes; local land use planning; farm financial stress and government intervention; farmer-natural resource use conflicts; and the impacts of international trade agreements and export policies.

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Dairy Sciences

Advanced Reproduction. [SC_DYSCI 12] 1 cr. 2nd term and 3rd term. Students are expected to become proficient in artificial insemination, ovarian palpation, pregnancy detection and understanding of the estrous cycle. Each class has 15 minutes of lecture with the remainder hands-on experience. (Prerequisite: Must earn a B/C or better in Reproduction of Farm Animals)

Dairy Cattle Evaluation. [SC_DYSCI 20] 2 cr. 2nd term. Covers basic principles of genetic inheritance, genetic selection systems, background of estimation of sire and cow breeding values, anatomy of a dairy cow, and linear dairy cow scoring systems. Use of genetic tools to improve milk yield, composition and quality as well as the appearance and longevity of dairy cattle. Discusses how inbreeding, crossbreeding, semen sexing, cloning, gene transfer, in vitro fertilization, and embryo transfer will affect dairy cattle selection programs. Students hone dairy cattle judging skills, learn to use computerized sire selection and mating programs to evaluate cows, and learn to budget for genetic improvement a commercial dairy herd.

Dairy Herd Management. [SC_DYSCI 21] 2 cr. 3rd term. How to care for your herd to increase production and profits. Use of business, feeding and herd management tools in dairy farm operation. Case studies of individual farms used for analysis and planning.

Dairy Records Management. [SC_DYSCI 25] 1 cr. 3rd term. This course will develop case based approaches to problem solving using dairy records. Classes will cover aspects of nutritional, reproductive, genetic, and milking management as it relates to the dairy enterprise using DHI records and Dairy Comp 305.

Feeding Dairy Cattle/Ruminant Nutrition. [SC_DYSCI 22] 2 cr. 1st term. Practical nutrition for lactating dairy cows, dairy heifers and dairy beef. Course covers digestion and nutrient metabolism, milk synthesis and ration formulation guidelines. Stresses importance of quality forage in the feeding program.

Reproduction of Farm Animals. [SC_DYSCI 11] 2 cr. 1st term. Students will learn the basic comparative physiology of reproduction of farm animals and apply those physiological principles to understand successful heat detection, artificial insemination, estrous synchronization, embryo transfer, pregnancy diagnosis, and improvement of reproductive efficiency through good reproductive management.

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Entomology

Farm Insects. [SC_ENTOM 33] 2 cr. 3rd term. Recognizing and controlling the most common insects attacking our farm crops, animals and buildings.

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Farm and Industry Short Course

Convocation. [SC_FISC 30] 1 cr. 1st term. General orientation to campus, the Ag College and special selected topics required for all first-year students.  Syllabus

Dairy Herd Health. [SC_FISC 10] 1 cr. 3nd term. Cattle disease problems; how the animal body works; digestive disorders, noninfectious diseases, principles of infection and sanitation; state regulations against disease.

Principles of Dairy Cattle Judging. [SC_FISC 38] 1 cr. 3rd term. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of dairy cattle judging, including physical type appraisal, interpretation of dairy breed type score cards, accurate decision making, and oral reasons. The course may include field trips. (Prerequisite: must earn a B or better in Dairy Cattle Genetics and Evaluation)

Human Resource Management for Farmers [SC_FISC 38] 1 cr. Interim This course will help you to better manage one of the most important resources on your farm – your employees and co-workers. Topics will include: Understanding yourself as a manager, leader and communicator – how to develop your human resource management philosophy – how to find and retain that perfect employee – legal considerations – and many more.

Elements of Public Speaking. [SC_FISC 81] 1 cr. 1st term. Practice in organizing and presenting ideas and improvement of individual speech habits. Syllabus

English Composition. [SC_FISC 82] 1 cr. 2nd term. Basic composition class required for students needing English writing skills.

Farm and Industry Computations. [SC_FISC 62] 2 cr. 1st term. A remedial math course.  Syllabus

FISC Internship. [SC_FISC 99] 2 cr. Students may enroll in an internship experience course between their first and second year of the Short Course program. A variety of work/learn experiences can be arranged through CALS Career Services. Students can arrange internships through campus interviews or on their own. Experience may include agri-businesses, government agencies, farms, or other field experiences. Students may apply internship credits toward their second year certificate in the Short Course program.

Spanish for Agriculture 2 cr. 1st term MTWRF at 1:20 to 2:10 pm. Beginner level course intended for those working with or managing Spanish speaking employees. Students will gain Spanish vocabulary and communication for the workplace specific to the agricultural sciences. In addition, workplace culture and employee management for Hispanic customs will be covered.

Welding. [SC_FISC 93] 2 cr. 1st term and 3rd term. Practical experience in the welding of steel, cast iron, aluminum, stainless, etc. Manual arc, wire feed, heliarc, plasma, gas welding and cutting, and other processes. Weld inspection and testing. Taught at Madison Area Technical College

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Food Science

Food and Dairy Products Processing. [SC_FOODS 34] 2 cr. 3rd term. A survey of many aspects of food processing including food safety, food plant sanitation, and the manufacturing processes for a variety of dairy products and other foods. The composition of milk, cheese, ice cream and other dairy products is also covered.

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Forest and Wildlife Ecology

Wildlife Management. [SC_WECOL 55] 1 cr. 2nd term. Wisconsin’s wildlife resources and the factors that influence their numbers and distribution; the positive and negative impacts of agriculture on wildlife populations and remedial management practices.

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Horticulture

Diagnosing and Monitoring Pest/Nutrient Status of Field Crops. [SC_HORT 57] This course will provide the skills necessary for proper monitoring of corn, alfalfa, soybeans and wheat health problems. Emphasis will be placed on proper identification of abiotic and biotic problems (especially insects, diseases, weeds, nutrient deficiency symptoms, compaction and herbicide injury symptoms). Techniques covered include crop staging, soil sampling, plant tissue sampling, nematode and insect sampling.

Introduction to Plant Science. [SC_HORT 58] 2 cr. 1st term. An overview of the horticulture profession, including its role and importance throughout history, current trends and career opportunities. Material to be covered includes an overview of horticulture crops, plant classification, plant use and interrelationships with the environment, plant growth and plant development.

Landscape Architecture. 3 cr. Spring Semester. Introduction to the techniques of landscape design, planning, and management through studio exercises. (This is the undergraduate “Landscape Architecture 201″ class. To enroll you must see the Director and be approved to take. This class continues after the end of the FISC 3rd term and you will be required to complete the whole semester of the class) Class start date: Jan 23 (M) Class end date: May 19 (S)

Landscape Maintenance & Construction. [SC_HORT 61] 2 cr. 3rd term. This covers basic landscape management practices suitable for self-employment: plant selection, culture and maintenance of trees, shrubs, turf, annuals, and perennials. Site design basics, hard-scaping, lighting and water features, marketing your business, and customer relations will also be covered.

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Life Sciences Communication

Agri-Business Communications. [SC_LSC 83] 2 cr. 1st term and 3rd term. Improving writing skills for personal and mass media. Understanding and using personal and mass media channels to communicate with others. Syllabus

Community Leadership. [SC_LSC 80] 1 cr. 2nd term. Discussion and practice in developing and expanding desirable qualities of leadership.

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Plant Pathology

Plant Diseases. [SC_PPATH 74] 2 cr. 3rd term. How to diagnose and control common plant diseases of economic plants in Wisconsin.

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School of Veterinary Medicine

Dairy Cattle Reproductive Management and Troubleshooting. 1 cr. Interim. Going beyond the basics, students will develop a functional understanding of dairy cattle reproduction, explore tools for effective management on today’s diverse dairy farms, and learn to analyze the whole farm when troubleshooting problems from fertility through freshening.

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Soil Science

Introductory Soils. [SC_SOILS 51] 2 cr. 2nd term. Soil formation; important physical and chemical properties; soil moisture; introduction to soil fertility; soil mapping and classification. Pre-requisite for Soil and Water Conservation and Advanced Soil Management. Students will be offered free soil tests for up to five samples.

Soil & Crop Nutrient Management. [SC_SOILS 52] 2 cr. 3rd term. Soil and water management for crop production and environmental protection. Advanced fertility management, nutrient crediting, and development of nutrient management plans. Water and wind erosion processes and control practices. Water management for crops, tillage, compaction, irrigation and drainage of agricultural land, and related soil management issues. (Prerequisite: Successful completion of Introductory Soils)

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