About the Program
The Mechanized Agriculture program offers students an option to earn either a one-year Certificate of Achievement or an AS degree. An exciting, hands-on approach introduces students to a wide range of mechanical skills dealing with the operation, maintenance and repair of small to midsize gasoline, diesel and electrically-operated equipment. Problem solving, emphasizing safe and cooperative work habits, is encouraged. Success in this program will be enhanced by high school work in shop and basic skills classes. Wherever power equipment is operated, maintained or repaired, there exists a need for well-trained employees. Production agriculture and its equipment suppliers, the rental industry, landscape businesses, recreation and construction industries are just a few of the employment possibilities.
Program Requirements
For current program requirements -> 2024-2025
Program Goal: Career
GE Pattern(s): Butte Local
Program Code: 01305.00AS
Program Learning Outcome(s):
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Identify and demonstrate proper use, care, and adjustment of common and precision tools and machines found in a mechanized agriculture shop.
Operate wheel and track type tractors safely and properly.
Perform operator level maintenance and adjustments of tractor systems.
Analyze and match the proper tractor and equipment to do the job correctly and efficiently.
Unit(s): 1.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 17.00
This course is a study of the agriculture, environmental science and natural resources industries with a focus on career opportunities, self evaluation, and skills necessary for successful job procurement. Topics include job trends, resumes and cover letters, interviewing skills, and the types of careers available in agriculture, environmental science, and natural resources.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course covers computer use in the workplace with emphasis on agribusiness situations. Computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation managers will be covered. Also included will be accessing information through the Internet and World Wide Web, telecommunications, an introduction to web page design and other software appropriate to agribusiness. Application of these concepts and methods through hands-on projects developing computer-based solutions for agriculture business. (C-ID AG-AB 108).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course covers design principles, selection, maintenance, adjustment, and safe operation of wheel and crawler type tractors used in agriculture and in the construction industry. (C-ID AG-MA 108L).
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
The study of soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Soil use and management including erosion, moisture retention, structure, cultivation, organic matter and microbiology. Laboratory topics include soil type, classification, soil reaction, soil fertility and physical properties of soil. (C-ID AG-PS 128L).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an introduction to plant science including structure, growth processes, propagation, physiology, growth medica, biological competitors, and post-harvest factors of food, fiber, and ornamental plants. (C-ID AG-PS 104).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course introduces students to the knowledge and skills relevant to the supervisor in agricultural business. Topics include the regulatory requirements relevant to labor management in agriculture and effective communication with native and non-native English speakers. The course will include case studies on labor management, human relations, public relations, production control techniques and job analysis.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
42.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 68.00
This course involves the design principles, uses, maintenance, adjustment, calibration, and repair of machinery used in California agriculture. Emphasis is placed on primary and secondary tillage, planting, chemical application, and harvesting equipment. Selection and operation of both machinery and tractors will be practiced. Safety will be stressed throughout.
Corequisite(s): AET 35 AET 35
Unit(s): 6.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 204.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 238.00
This course covers selection, operation, service, and adjustment of heavy equipment used in agriculture and construction industries. Also covered are measurement and techniques used in preparing roads, building sites, and other projects as may be required in the field using heavy equipment.
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course presents the theory, operating principles, application, component parts, support systems, maintenance, adjustment, and repair of Diesel engines and related systems used on modern trucks and heavy equipment used in the construction and agricultural industries. The related systems include electrical, power train, hydraulic, and Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Unit(s): 2.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 68.00
This course is an introduction to the theory, operating principles, application, graphical symbols, component parts, systems, maintenance, adjustment, and repair of hydraulic and pneumatic systems used on modern trucks and heavy equipment used in the construction and agricultural industries.
Unit(s): 4.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
/ 153.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 170.00
This course includes oxyacetylene welding (OAW), oxyacetylene cutting (OFC-A) and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) processes, in the flat and horizontal positions on various joint details. It will also include safety procedures, electrode identification, joint fit-up and alignment, base metal preparation, weld quality, beads and fillet welds, with focus on theory and practice. All welds will meet the American Welding Society (AWS) qualification standards.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of Cooperative Work Experience Education instructor and employment supervisor
Unit(s): 1.00
- 8.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 0.00
Career Work Experience (CWE) is a course that gives students the opportunity to earn both a grade and units for what they learn on the job related to their vocational major while gaining practical work experience. Students may earn one semester unit of college credit in this course for every sixty hours of unpaid work experience (60-480 hours unpaid) or seventy-five hours of paid work experience (75-600 hours paid). Students may earn a maximum of sixteen units for all types of Work Experience.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course introduces students to the selection and use of farm structural and mechanical equipment. It will cover farm wiring, carpentry, concrete, masonry, plumbing, painting and metal work with emphasis on the actual practices used in agricultural construction.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course covers the fundamentals of landscape construction including: soil preparation, irrigation system construction, paving and construction materials, hand and power tool use, landscape equipment operation, turf and plant installation, water feature construction and maintenance, plan reading and materials estimating. The course includes the role of building codes as they apply to landscape construction.
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Contacts
Thomas Williams, Chair
(530) 895-2496
Department Office: WM 105
(530) 895-2551
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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