2014 Cohort Class Recommendations (#psuaged14)

In the Agricultural and Extension Education (AEE) Major, we are blessed to have the opportunity to take courses from multiple areas of study as we try to prepare to have a sound technical agriculture foundation to lead our programs. Truly, the amount of agriculture we need to be familiar with can be overwhelming. It becomes critical that EVERY single class we take "matters". Every single credit should be in a worthwhile course that furthers our understanding and equips us with knowledge for the task ahead.

That being said, one person's "best class ever" is another person's "avoid at all cost". The quality of some classes can be impacted by a change in instructor. All classes listed below were 100% endorsed (IE no one said to not take any of them).  Keeping that mind, below are some courses recommended by the 2014 Student Teacher Cohort (http://teachagpsu.blogspot.com/2014/04/celebrating-17-positive-agents-of.html) .

The AEE Major & Teacher Certification requires:
- 6 credits in Plant Sciences (not including Soils 101)
- 6 credits in Animal Sciences
- 6 credits Agricultural Mechanics (or ASM)
- 14 Additional Technical Agriculture Credits.

Agricultural Mechanics (ASM Requirement)

• AEE 297B- Shop Processes for Agricultural Educators (3 credits)
• This course is taught by Dr. Ewing in the Spring on Tuesday's (4-5pm) and Thursdays (4-8pm). HIGHLY recommended by all students.
• Spring Only
• Student Endorsement: Ewing's classes are the best!

• AEE 350 - Laboratory Methods for Agricultural Educators (3 credits)
• Required Fall Course for Seniors.

Plant Science

• AGRO 28 - Principles of Crop Management (3 credits)
• Biological and agronomic principles applied to production and management of major feed and forage crops of the northeastern United States
• Prerequisite: 6 credits of biological science
• Fall Course
• Student Endorsement: Agro 28 is pretty good and hands on.

Animal Sciences

• Animal Sciences 201 - Introduction to Animal Science (4 credits)
• Scope of animal and poultry science; genetic, physiological, nutritional, and health factors in food production. 
• Fall & Spring.
• Student Endorsements: TAKE 201! The pets in society class may be beneficial if teaching a Small Animal Pet Care type class.

• Animal Sciences 207 - Animal Products Technology (2 credits)
• Composition, safety, palatability, preservation, and processing of foods from animals, impact of animal production, and handling practices on product properties.
• Fall Only
• Student Endorsement: I enjoy Ansci 207/208. Helps if you are doing much in food products.

• Animal Sciences 208- Animal Products Technology Laboratory (1 credit)
• Harvesting and processing of foods from animals; hands-on and demonstration exercises; industry procedures for processing meat, milk, and egg products. 
• Fall & Spring

• Animal Science 309 - Beef Production (4 credits)
• Application of principles of nutrition, breeding, physiology, health, facilities, and marketing to produce and manage beef efficiently
• Prerequisite: AN SC 201
• Spring Only
• Student Endorsement: Opportunity for hands on experience with animals during lab days

Other Technical Agriculture Courses

• Food Science 200- Introductory Food Science (3 credits)
• General overview and principles; food constituents and properties; quality and safety; preservation methods; processing animal and plant products.
• Prerequisite: Chem 110
• Spring Only
• Student Endorsement: a great intro to FDSC course, especially considering the growing use of FDSC curriculum at the secondary level. This course integrates the Chem and Bio classes you have to take in order to show interdisciplinary agricultural science curriculum.

Literature Course (to fulfill PDE Certification requirements)

For other courses eligible to fulfill this requirement, visit: http://www.ed.psu.edu/educ/current-students/undergraduate/certification/literature

General Education Courses

• ECON 104 - Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy (3 credits)
• National income measurement, aggregate economic models, money and income; policy problems
• GS Course
• Fall & Spring

• RPTM 120- Leisure and Human Behavior (3 credits) 
• Leisure from historical and contemporary perspectives, including forces shaping leisure behavior, and relationships among leisure, the environment and social institution
• GS Course
• US Cultures (US) OR International Cultures (IL)
• Fall & Spring
• Student Endorsement: Very interesting to learn about what motivates people and what people consider "fun". Interesting how men and women are very differently motivated. Also includes a project that requires you to reflect on how you spend your day to day activities. 

PSU Bulletin of Courses: http://bulletins.psu.edu/undergrad/courses

PSU Schedule: http://schedule.psu.edu

Remember!!! This is NOT a substitute for academic advising, merely an additional resource. You should be meeting a minimum of once per semester with your academic advisor face to face to discuss your progress and how your are maximizing your education!! 

Commonwealth campus AEE teacher certification students are encouraged to correspond via email with Dr. Ewing (jce122@psu.edu) or Dr. Foster (foster@psu.edu)