Course Overview

Course Description: Physiological processes in crop growth, development, and yield: photosynthesis, respiration, water relations, mineral nutrition, assimilate partitioning, seedling vigor, light interception and canopy growth, root growth, reproduction, and yield. Required course for the Master of Science in Agronomy degree program and Agronomy Graduate Certificate program.

Course Prerequisites: AGRON 181 or equivalent, MATH 140, CHEM 163, BIOL 101. Restricted to graduate students enrolled in MS Agronomy, Agronomy Graduate Certificate, and MS Plant Breeding online degree programs at ISU. Students from other departments must get permission.

Course Objectives

Expected Learning Outcomes

Agronomy 501 is one of three foundation courses in the Master of Science in Agronomy program. Subsequent courses build on and apply the material presented in these foundational courses. Thus, it is essential you develop a solid understanding of the concepts and information covered. Crops beyond corn and soybean will be used particularly in the first half of the course when we are working on universal physiological principles. Corn and soybean will be used predominately in the second half of the course. 

Based on information learned from this course, you will:

1. Understand the relationship between crop physiology, growth, developmental processes, and yield;
2. Understand the role of environment (climatic and soil) in providing necessary inputs for crop growth; and
3. Be able to explain the science underlying many crop production practices.

With a thorough understanding of the basic principles of crop physiology, you will be better prepared to:

• Evaluate crop needs and the suitability of various practices to satisfy those needs,
• Troubleshoot effectively, and
• Design and implement appropriate solutions and practices that optimize crop productivity.

As you study each module, reflect on how the information you are learning explains or applies to what you have observed or experienced in various cropping situations, and how those cropping systems might be improved.

Course Structure

Your ability to use a web browser, input assessment responses via text-editing software such as Microsoft Word, and access all of the technologies will directly influence your success in the course. If you have not already done so:

1. Visit the MS Agronomy website and look for the section titled "Browser and Computer Compatibility Test: Your Results". Ensure your computer passes all areas of the test. This will ensure your ability to fully utilize the online course materials.
2. Then, visit the MyCanvas Student guide developed by Iowa State University. Complete the first module, called “Getting Started in Canvas”, to learn about Canvas’s technical requirements and which browser you should use for Canvas.

Online Course Materials Format

The online course materials in Agronomy 501 consist of 14 modules. Your activities include:

• Reading the online module material and utilizing the included learning tools.
• Responding thoughtfully to each Group Discussion Topic. The Discussion Topics are designed to help you gain perspective on how the concepts in the module might be applied in various situations.
• Completing Individual Assignments particular to your area and crop choice.  
• Completing each Module Exam. The exams occur on a weekly basis and take the place of midterm and final exams. 

Required Textbook

There is no required textbook for this course. All instructional materials will be provided via Canvas.

Recommended Resources

Some students have asked for a reference textbook particularly if they did not have plant science coursework in their undergraduate program. The following is recommended: 

Plant Physiology and Development, Sixth Edition: paper version or ebook rental

• There also is a free download of the Third Edition available (scroll down to Download Options). 
• Fundamentals of Plant Physiology is a new textbook that is a simplified version of the sixth edition textbook. 

Field Guides

It is important to have a good understanding of crop growth and development stages and general progression for corn, soybean, and wheat. This content is similar to what you would learn in a 1- or 2-day crop scouting class. The following extension publications and videos will be helpful throughout your career:

• Corn Growth and Development  
• Soybean Growth and Development
• Wheat Growth and Development  
• Crop scout training videos are available for corn and soybean 

Grading Procedures

Your course grade will be composed of the following categories. Points earned on each discussion and exam will be posted in the Grades section of Canvas.

Your grade will be calculated as the number of points earned out of 670 total points, as shown in the Table. I will not scale at the end of the semester. 

Be aware the ISU Graduate College requires you to maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (B) on all course work taken, exclusive of creative component credits. For more specific information, please refer to the ISU Graduate Student Handbook.

Expectations

Discussion Topics

Discussion Topics are designed to explore or apply a module concept and contribute to the development of your professional communication skills. Points are earned through your lead post and active participation in the discussion group. 

The class will be divided into several groups each week; you will be assigned to one of at random. Discussion contributions will be evaluated on these criteria:
 

Module Exams

Exam (35 points each). An exam occurs at the end of each Module and comprised of true-false, multiple choice, and open text (couple paragraphs typically). You have two hours to complete each exam. Questions are designed to evaluate your understanding of the physiological concepts presented in the module and their application to 'real world' agronomic and crop production issues. Access to the current and previous modules is permitted while answering these questions. Answers that address the question directly, are logically developed without plagiarizing the module text, and are physiologically accurate will be graded favorably. Grades for all 14 Exams will be pooled to calculate your 'Exam Grade' for the course.  I will provide feedback on each exam particularly in areas that points were deducted. 

Professionalism

Practice and polish your professionalism. Professionalism includes respectful and courteous interactions with classmates and instructor, your active participation in discussions, clear and logical expression of ideas and thought, and completion of the course evaluation. Because quality is an important part of your professional development, apply good writing skills on all of your discussions. Need a refresher on grammar or other writing mechanics? Check out the ISU online Writing Help Center. Cite your sources! Plagiarizing published information is unethical and will be reported to the Dean of Students. 

Policies

Communication Policy

All communication within the course should adhere to university standards of Netiquette at ISU. Specifically, communication should be scholarly, respectful, professional, and polite. You are encouraged to disagree with other students, but such disagreements need to be based upon facts and documentation. It is the instructor’s goal to promote an atmosphere of mutual respect in our interactions. Please contact the instructor if you have suggestions for improving the interactions in this course.

Use the General Discussion forum in Canvas (or e-mail) to ask questions, share an interesting article or observation, or comment on current and relevant events. Keep informed—check the discussion board frequently. 

General announcements will be posted to the Announcements section of Canvas.

Be sure to properly configure your Notification settings or commit yourself to check Canvas daily for new communication.

Additional guidelines apply to communication within your discussion groups. Please review the Discussion Topic rubric shown above.

Iowa State University supports and upholds the First Amendment protection of freedom of speech and the principle of academic freedom in order to foster a learning environment where open inquiry and the vigorous debate of a diversity of ideas are encouraged. Students will not be penalized for the content or viewpoints of their speech as long as student expression in a class context is germane to the subject matter of the class and conveyed in an appropriate manner.

Academic Integrity Policy

The class will follow ISU's policy on academic dishonesty. Anyone suspected of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students Office. It is your responsibility to understand ISU's policy on academic plagiarism. All Discussions and Exam Questions will be screened for plagiarized content. There are several resources available to help you avoid committing academic misconduct.

• Academic Dishonesty at ISU: Description
• MS Agronomy Program: Writing Guide
• Dean of Students Office: Resources for Students
• American Society of Agronomy Publications: Handbook & Style Manual (Links to an external site.)
• ISU Writing and Media Center: Writing Resource

Disability Accommodation

Iowa State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Sect 504 of the rehabilitation Act. If you have a disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please contact the instructor to set up a meeting within the first two weeks of the semester or as soon as you become aware of your need. Before meeting, you will need to obtain a SAAR form with recommendations for accommodations from the Disability Resources Office, located in Room 1076 on the main floor of the Student Services Building. Their telephone number is 515-294-7220 or email disabilityresources@iastate.edu. Retroactive requests for accommodations will not be honored.

Harassment and Discrimination

Iowa State University strives to maintain our campus as a place of work and study for faculty, staff, and students that is free of all forms of prohibited discrimination and harassment based upon race, ethnicity, sex (including sexual assault), pregnancy, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a U.S. veteran. Any student who has concerns about such behavior should contact his/her instructor, Student Assistance at 515-294-1020 or email dsosas@iastate.edu, or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance at 515-294-7612.

Freedom of Expression

Iowa State University supports and upholds the First Amendment protection of freedom of speech and the principle of academic freedom in order to foster a learning environment where open inquiry and the vigorous debate of a diversity of ideas are encouraged. Students will not be penalized for the content or viewpoints of their speech as long as student expression in a class context is germane to the subject matter of the class and conveyed in an appropriate manner.

Religious Accommodation

If an academic or work requirement conflicts with your religious practices and/or observances, you may request reasonable accommodations. Your request must be in writing, and your instructor or supervisor will review the request. You or your instructor may also seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office or the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance.

Deadlines

All deadlines are posted on the Course Calendar in Canvas. Late assignments will receive a reduction in points received. 

Need extra time to meet a deadline? Explain the situation IN ADVANCE and an accommodation can be made. Your explanation does not need to be extensive. 

Steps to Success

Time management is essential for your success in this course! 

This list of modules and discussion topics is provided to help you plan ahead. Refer to the course calendar for module start dates and due dates, opening and closing dates for discussion topics, exam question due dates, and up-to-date schedule information.

Study Tips

Get the most that you can from this course. Here are some study tips.

• Start each module on the date indicated on the calendar. Complete one module each week. Allow about 6 to 7 hours per module (approximately 3 or 4 hours is needed to do the module, plus 1 to 2 hours to participate in discussions). To better understand and retain the information, spread your study time over several days. Work ahead when you know that you will be out-of-town or unable to do a module during its designated period. 
• Do each In Detail as you come across its link in the module. In Detail items contain required information. 
• Do each Study Question and Try This! as encountered. These interactive features are specifically designed to enhance your learning, to provide opportunities to apply the information presented, and to let you evaluate your understanding of the material. They often expand on the concepts—don't skip these.
• Discussion Topics. The discussion forum is an opportunity to interact with your classmates on practical issues related to the weekly module. The topics are an integral part of the course. Your individual 'lead post' and responses to other members of the group are required for full credit. 
• Module Exam. Each module is designed to test your knowledge and ability to apply one or more of the concepts from the module to a practical problem or issue.  A concise, well-conceived, and logically presented answer will be graded more favorably than one that wanders aimlessly.  Read the questions carefully and consider what they are asking.  Post your answer by the due date to receive full credit.  It is most important that the answer is your original work.
• Interact with your classmates and instructor. Visit the discussion boards often! Discussions need not be limited to assigned topics—use the discussion board to ask questions, share an interesting article or observation, or comment on current and relevant events. If you work ahead, be sure to go back and check the discussion boards (and post your comments and responses to classmates) during that module's scheduled period.
• Something unclear? Please consult with me and your classmates. Questions are welcome anytime.

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