AGRI 114 - Introduction to Agricultural Systems

1. Analyze word problems that require mathematical solutions and manipulation of units.
2. Describe how agricultural power is generated, transferred, and put to use.
3. Apply basic principles of agricultural crop production operations management.
4. Understand the proper application of soil and water management techniques.
5. Analyze typical electrical circuits.
6. Estimate heating requirements for agricultural buildings.
7. Understand and apply the basic principles of assuring grain quality.

Introduction to the Agricultural & Biological Engineering Department Computing System

• Conducted in a networked computer laboratory
• Perform directed web searches for information relevant to upcoming AGRI 114 classes
• Access network printers

Problem Solving

• Conducted in a classroom setting
• “Paper and pencil” assignment performed in class
• Teams solve word problems using techniques such as the unit factor system and present solutions to classmates

Internal Combustion Engines

• Conducted in a laboratory facility equipped with small diesel engines, hand tools, and measuring devices
• Partially disassemble engines to permit measurement of engine bore and stroke
• Reassemble engines
• Conduct “walk around” of various types of engines to illustrate concepts of engine construction and principles of engine operation

Tractor Performance Testing

• Conducted in a laboratory facility equipped with either a stationary engine dynamometer or a shop facility equipped with a portable dynamometer and a tractor
• Perform dynamometer testing to produce horsepower and torque data that can be used by students to plot engine performance over a wide range of engine speeds

Fluid Power Systems

• Conducted in a laboratory facility equipped with multiple hydraulic system trainers
• Instructor uses a trainer to demonstrate principles of cavitation and pressure generation and to illustrate hydraulic circuit assembly and operation
• Students construct various hydraulic circuits and test performance of systems

Series and Parallel (Electrical) Circuits

• Conducted in a laboratory facility that provides work benches, electrical outlets, voltage transformers, electrical conductors, light bulbs, and volt-ohm meters for multiple stations
• Students assemble various electrical circuits and measure characteristics during circuit operation

Air Properties - Psychrometric Chart

• Conducted in a classroom facility with psychrometric charts and practice problems provided to the students

Grain Quality and Conditioning

• Conducted in a laboratory facility equipped with a near infrared (NIR) grain quality analyzer
• Students analyze various properties of corn and soybeans, compare and contrast properties of the two crops, then perform calculations to determine the value of soybeans after they are processed into soybean meal, oil, and hulls

Building Heat Loss

• Conducted in a classroom facility with a sample building heat loss scenario provided to the students along with cost data for various heating fuels
• Costs of heating a typical Indiana structure for a winter day and for a heating season are calculated for a range of heating fuels

Topographic and Soil Survey Map Interpretation

• Conducted in a classroom facility with example topographic maps, interpretation tools, and soil survey books provided to the students
• Students follow a directed approach to analyzing a topographic map, a soil survey book, and various related handouts
• Students delineate a watershed on a topographic map segment

Water Quality Field Trip - Stream Assessment

• Conducted in and around a local stream
• Students follow Hoosier Riverwatch protocols to perform habitat and biological assessments of a stream

Machine System Analysis

• Conducted in a classroom facility with a typical crop production system scenario provided to the students
• Students use machine efficiency and capacity information to determine the optimum mix of equipment to perform a crop production operation

Field Trip

• Location is selected at instructor’s discretion - typically selected to allow students to view facilities and/or processes that reinforce concepts learned in previous weeks of the course

 
Course Addendum - Syllabus (Click to expand)