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
Martin J. Stone PhD (Agronomy), Texas A & M University, 1994
William D. Strunk PhD, University of Arkansas Main Campus, 2015
Assistant Professor
Phillip A. Gunter PhD (Animal Sciences), Auburn University, 2018
Luiz H. Pereira Silva PhD (Animal Science), Foreign College/University, 2018
Navdeep Singh PhD (Soil Science), South Dakota State University, 2020
Clinical Assistant Professor
Roger L. Dennis MAE (Agriculture Education, Secondary Education), Western Kentucky University, 1992
Clinical Associate Professor
Debra L. Shoulders DVM (Veterinary Medicine), Auburn University, 1994
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: fall 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
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: 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; spring 2024
AGEC 675 Advanced Topics Agricultural Economics 3 Hours
No course description is available
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
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
This course will introduce students to the principles and practices of curriculum development in agricultural education. Students will learn how to develop and implement comprehensive agricultural education curriculum units and lesson plans, use a variety of instructional strategies and technologies to deliver agricultural education curriculum, and collaborate with other educators, agricultural professionals, and community members to develop and implement agricultural education programs.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2024
AGED 584 Program Development/Agriculture Education 3 Hours
Covers planning, conducting, and following through instructional programs for secondary, post-secondary, and/or adult students. Provide students with a foundational understanding of the principles and theories of program development. This includes examining different models of program development, as well as the specific needs and challenges of developing programs in agricultural education.
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
Advanced topics in agricultural education objectives should be designed to prepare students for careers in agricultural education, research, and extension, as well as for leadership roles in the agricultural industry and community.
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 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
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 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024
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 2022; fall 2022; summer 2023; fall 2023; summer 2024; fall 2024
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 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
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 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
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; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
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 2024
AGRO 421G Forage Crops Laboratory 1 Hour
A laboratory course correlated with AGRO 420G.
Corequisite(s): AGRO 420G
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2024
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 weed 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; fall 2024
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; fall 2024
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; fall 2024
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 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 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; fall 2024
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; fall 2024
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 (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Issues and scientific developments of current interest.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
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; spring 2024
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: fall 2024
HORT 675 Advanced Topics in Horticulture 1-3 Hours
No course description is available
Recent Term(s) Offered: None