Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

Department of Agriculture and Food Science

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/agriculture

Paul Woosley, Department Chair
Environmental Science and Technology 269
(270) 745-3151
agriculture@wku.edu

Faculty

Professor

Becky A. Gilfillen PhD (Plant and Soil Science), University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1999

William T. Willian PhD (Plant & Soil Science), University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1995

Paul B. Woosley PhD (Crop Science), University of Kentucky, 2002

Associate Professor

Jean D. Gumirakiza PhD (Economics), Utah State University, 2013

Stephen A. King PhD (Agricultural Economics), Oklahoma State University Main Campus, 2004

Thomas W. Kingery PhD (Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications), Texas A & M University, 2010

Assistant Professor

Phillip A. Gunter PhD (Animal Sciences), Auburn University, 2018

Luiz H. Pereira Silva PhD (Animal Science), Foreign College/University, 2018

William D. Strunk PhD, University of Arkansas Main Campus, 2015

Clinical Assistant Professor

Roger L. Dennis MAE (Agriculture Education, Secondary Education), Western Kentucky University, 1992

Instructor I

Paige A. Smith MS (Agriculture), Western Kentucky University, 2017

Agricultural Economics Courses

AGEC 463G    Agricultural Finance    3 Hours

Farm finance problems including capital requirements, investment decisions, budgeting techniques, etc. Lending agencies and alternative means of acquiring capital.

Prerequisite(s): AGEC 361 or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2022; spring 2023

AGEC 468G    World Food Development    3 Hours

Problems and opportunities in feeding an ever-increasing population. Assessment of world food production, poverty, businesses and cultures; ways of increasing production.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022

AGEC 561    Agricultural Production and Economics    3 Hours

Production and cost functions, programming and decision-making principles and their application to agriculture.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; spring 2023

AGEC 671    Advanced Agribusiness    3 Hours

Economic principles, marketing, management, and accounting techniques necessary for a profit-maximizing agribusiness venture. Students will follow steps of the disciplined entrepreneurship process to create an agribusiness venture. Comprehensive strategic planning for new or existing agribusinesses.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023

AGEC 675    Advanced Topics Agricultural Economics    3 Hours

No course description is available

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021

Agricultural Education Courses

AGED 570    Methods of Teaching in Agriculture Education    3 Hours

Experiences related to the teaching of agriculture education, further preparing the prospective teacher in supervised occupational experience programs. Topics covered include FFA activities, classroom management, and general teaching techniques. Departments of Agriculture in other institutions are occasionally visited.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

AGED 571    Organization and Planning in Agricultural Education    3 Hours

A teacher preparation course designed to prepare pre-service teachers for the student teaching experience and for a full-time teaching position. Unit planning, lesson preparation, and delivery comprise the major portion of this course.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

AGED 575    Topics in Agriculture Education    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Special topics acquaint students with scientific developments of current interest in agricultural education. Appropriate topics are assigned. Lecture and assignments vary with credit.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

AGED 583    Curriculum Development/Agriculture Education    3 Hours

Principles of curriculum development, curriculum alignment, and assessment of content standards.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

AGED 584    Program Development/Agriculture Education    3 Hours

For new and returning ag-ed teachers. Covers planning, conducting, and following through instructional programs for secondary, post-secondary, and/or adult students.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

AGED 589    Ind Spec Prob Agriculture Education    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Supervised individual study in agricultural education.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

AGED 675    Advanced Topics in Agriculture Education    1-3 Hours

No course description is available

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023

Agriculture Courses

AGRI 491G    Data Analysis and Interpretation    3 Hours

Statistical models and use of samples, variation, statistical measures, distributions, tests of significance, analysis of variance, regression, correlation and chi-square as related to interpretation and use of scientific data.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023

AGRI 493G    Sustainable Agriculture    3 Hours

Effect of diminishing resources, environmental pollution, and short-term economics on the sustainability of productive agriculture. Emphasis on managing crops, livestock, and other farm resources in providing an ecological-economical balance in agricultural production. Note: Upper division standing, minimum of 18 hours in agriculture or related areas required.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023

AGRI 528    Population Genetics    3 Hours

Application of genetic and statistical concepts to populations of plants and domestic animals.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 327 and (AGRI 491 or equivalent)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022

AGRI 590    Experimental Design    3 Hours

Statistical consideration in experimental design; covariance, multiple regression, factorial design, and incomplete block designs.

Prerequisite(s): AGRI 491 or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023

AGRI 597    Independent Special Problems/Agriculture    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

Supervised individual study in agriculture.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; summer 2023; fall 2023

AGRI 598    Seminar    1 Hour (repeatable max of 3 hrs)

Problems and research in agriculture. Required of all graduate students.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023

AGRI 599    Thesis Research/Writing    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Thesis research and writing directed by faculty committee.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023

AGRI 600    Maintaining Matriculation    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Continued enrollment for thesis completion.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023; fall 2023

AGRI 675    Advanced Topics/Agriculture    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 10 hrs)

Issues and scientific developments of current interest.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

Agronomy Courses

AGRO 420G    Forage Crops    2 Hours

Distribution, improvement, morphology, culture, harvesting and utilization of forage crops are presented.

Prerequisite(s): AGRO 110 and AGRO 350 and BIOL 120

Corequisite(s): AGRO 421G

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021

AGRO 421G    Forage Crops Laboratory    1 Hour

A laboratory course correlated with AGRO 420G.

Corequisite(s): AGRO 420G

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021

AGRO 457G    Soil Form/Class/Map    2 Hours

Soil origin; classification schemes; profile description, mapping and interpretation of soil survey information are discussed, emphasizing Kentucky soils.

Prerequisite(s): AGRO 350

Corequisite(s): AGRO 458G

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023

AGRO 458G    Soil Form/Class/Map Lab    1 Hour

A laboratory course correlated with AGRO 457G.

Corequisite(s): AGRO 457G

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023

AGRO 475G    Topics Agronomy    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Special topics acquaint advanced undergraduate students with scientific developments of current interest in agriculture. Appropriate topic titles are assigned. Lecture and assignments vary with credit.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023

AGRO 509    Weed Science    2 Hours

Identification of prominent week species; relationship of weeds to crop production problems; physical and chemical control measures.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 120 and AGRO 110 and (CHEM 105 and CHEM 107) or equivalent

Corequisite(s): AGRO 510

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023

AGRO 510    Weed Science Laboratory    1 Hour

A laboratory course correlated with AGRO 509.

Corequisite(s): AGRO 509

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023

AGRO 521    Pasture Management    3 Hours

Development of pastures, physiological principles related to forage production, pasture management, and preservation and use of conserved forages.

Prerequisite(s): (AGRO 420 and AGRO 421) and (ANSC 448 or permission of instructor)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

AGRO 522    Field Crops    3 Hours

Distribution, morphology, culture, phenology, harvest and utilization of field crops are presented.

Prerequisite(s): AGRO 110 and AGRO 350 and BIOL 120

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023

AGRO 552    Soil Microbiology    3 Hours

Soil microbial populations and systems and their influence on plant nutrition. Soil organic matter, its decomposition and associated microorganisms; oxidation-reduction process; nitrogen fixation.

Prerequisite(s): AGRO 350 and BIOL 207 and BIOL 208

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2023

AGRO 554    Soil Management & Conservation    3 Hours

Economic utilization of land for agricultural recreation and public purposes; interpretation and application of soil conservation; public and industrial uses; practice in designing land-use maps.

Prerequisite(s): AGRO 350

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022

Animal Science Courses

ANSC 437G    Physiology/Reproduction    2 Hours

Endocrinology and physiology of reproductive systems; anatomical physiology and biochemical bases of reproduction, artificial insemination, synchronized estrus and related topics are presented.

Prerequisite(s): BIOL 120

Corequisite(s): ANSC 438G

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022

ANSC 438G    Physiology/Reproduction Lab    1 Hour

A laboratory course correlated with ANSC 437G. Laboratory, two hours.

Corequisite(s): ANSC 437G

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022

ANSC 446G    Animal Breeding    2 Hours

Application of genetic and statistical principles of breeding and improvements of farm animals; the role of selection in changing populations; the effects of different mating systems upon improvement of farm animals are investigated.

Prerequisite(s): ANSC 140 and BIOL 120

Corequisite(s): ANSC 447G

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

ANSC 447G    Animal Breeding Lab    1 Hour

A laboratory course correlated with ANSC 446.

Corequisite(s): ANSC 446G

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

ANSC 448G    Animal Feeds and Feeding Practices    4 Hours

Livestock feeds and their nutrients; functions of and requirements for nutrients; evaluation of feeds; feeding practices and formulation of rations for all classes of livestock are included.

Prerequisite(s): ANSC 345 or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022

ANSC 475G    Selected Topics    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Special topics acquaint advanced undergraduate students with scientific developments of current interest in agriculture. Appropriate topic titles are assigned. Lecture and assignments vary with credit.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022

ANSC 533    Physiology of Lactation    3 Hours

Anatomy of the mammary gland, hormonal control of mammogenesis, initiation and maintenance of milk secretion, factors affecting level and composition of milk, synthesis of milk.

Prerequisite(s): ANSC 344

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

ANSC 545    Ruminant Nutrition    3 Hours

Rumen development and function, products of fermentation, nutrient requirements, absorption and metabolism, symptoms of deficiency and toxicity.

Prerequisite(s): (ANSC 345 and BIOL 446) or equivalent or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

ANSC 547    Advanced Animal Nutrition    3 Hours

The nutrient requirements of the monogastric animals, structure, metabolism and function of each nutrient class, interrelationship of the nutrient classes, deficiency and toxicity symptoms.

Prerequisite(s): (ANSC 345 and BIOL 446) or equivalent or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

ANSC 675    Advanced Topics in Animal Science    1-3 Hours

No course description is available

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023

Horticulture Courses

HORT 403G    Landscape Design and Construction    2 Hours

Design of residential and commercial landscapes; techniques and materials for construction of landscape features such as decks, patio covers, walls, patios, pools and irrigation are presented.

Prerequisite(s): HORT 402G or permission of instructor

Corequisite(s): HORT 404G

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HORT 404G    Landscape Design and Construction Lab    1 Hour

A laboratory course correlated with HORT 403G.

Corequisite(s): HORT 403G

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HORT 407G    Plant Propagation    2 Hours

Plant propagation is studied and practiced as an art and a science. Sexual and asexual techniques include propagation by seed, cuttings, grafting, layering, division and tissue culture.

Prerequisite(s): AGRO 110

Corequisite(s): HORT 408G

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HORT 408G    Plant Propagation Lab    1 Hour

A laboratory course correlated with HORT 407G.

Corequisite(s): HORT 407G

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HORT 419G    Vegetable Production    3 Hours

Production of vegetables that are particularly suited for Kentucky, considering variety selection, culture, harvesting, processing, and marketing.

Prerequisite(s): AGRO 110 or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022

HORT 475G    Selected Topics Horticulture    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Special topics acquaint advanced undergraduate students with scientific developments of current interest in agriculture. Appropriate topic titles are assigned. Lecture and assignments vary with credit.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

HORT 675    Advanced Topics in Horticulture    1-3 Hours

No course description is available

Recent Term(s) Offered: None