Students will study physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. Soil conservation practices, plant nutrition and composting will be discussed in detail. Labs involve soil testing and soil improvement.

Learn to identify the different lifecycle stages of plant pests in the greenhouse and landscape and how to control them using cultural, physical and biological control methods. Learn about beneficial insects and how to use predators, parasites and pathogens to control insects and diseases of plants.

In this course, students develop programming skills for PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) and HMI (Human Machine Interfaces). Students create PLC programs in various languages such as Ladder Diagram (LD), Structured Text (ST), Function Block Diagram (FBD), Sequential Function Chart (SFC). Students create visual HMI programs for manufacturing systems. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to create PLC and HMI applications for the manufacturing environment.

Following guidelines set forth by the national Sustainable Site's Initiative students will learn how to improve the sustainability of urban landscapes. Identifying soil conditions, capturing storm water, using native plants, composting, waste and energy management are concepts learned in this class. Students have the opportunity to analyze their own property to find ways to improve sustainability while reducing chemical inputs and maintenance needs.

Students examine the science and profession of horticulture, including its role and importance of throughout history, current trends, and careers. Learners will identify horticulture crops, crop use and interrelationships among the environment, plant growth, and plant development.

Industrial electrical hardware such as motors and controls are studied. Industrial electrical control circuits are developed and wired. Troubleshooting techniques are used to correct problems in wiring or controls. Motor starters, industrial control relays, timers, proximity switches, and electric eyes are studied, including proper selection and wiring techniques. Ladder logic and wiring diagrams are examined and drawn. This course is for an individual that already has a basic understanding of electricity.

In this course, learners examine the fundamentals of electrical AC/DC/Servo/Stepper motors and motor controls. Learners will examine electrical safety work practices and apply NFPA 70 and NEC safety codes to various situations. Motor control devices and components (motor drives, relays, timers, counters, motor contactors, overloads) including electromechanical and solid state equipment will be presented. Learners will operate motors using PLCs. Upon completion of the course, learners will apply ladder logic, wiring diagrams, and PLCs to advanced manufacturing machines.

In this course, learners develop machine process automation control systems with temperature, pressure, flow, and level controls. Learners investigate the utilization of PID loops in PLC program design. Learners program a PLC using vision, smart sensors, Servos, motor controls, and analog IO. Learners develop PLC programs including Human Machine Interface (HMI) with displays for machine input and output data. Upon completion of the course, learners will be able to build a PLC motion project for basic machine process automation control systems.

In this course, learners examine the fundamental skills of machining processes for a career in Advanced Manufacturing Technology. Lathes, mills, and grinders will be the primary machines explored. An overview of machining processes is presented. Setup and operation, manual lathes and mills, CNC lathes and mills, basic programming using G and M codes, and tooling required for lathes and mills will be presented. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to develop a machining process plan.

In this course, learners explore skills and tools necessary to fully participate in a lean, continuous improvement manufacturing environment. These include standardized work instructions, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), mistake-proofing, changeover reduction, ergonomics, root cause analysis, Six Sigma, and quality management. Learners are introduced to basic statistical tools and fundamental concepts needed to improve and control industrial processes.