Quincy Reporter

John Wood Community College Curriculum Committee met Feb. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The Curriculum meeting commenced at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday February 13, 2025. Attendees included Mr. Don Hess, Trustee; Dr. Randy Greenwell, Trustee; Dr. Bryan Renfro, President; Dr. Shelley Barkley, Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs; and Ms. Kristina Johnson, Notetaker.

• Agriculture courses were discussed as follows:

• New Course - AGR 205, Pesticide Applicator Training (1 credit hour)

o The course is designed to prepare students for the Illinois applicator/operator test. Developed based on advisory council feedback, it focuses on safe pesticide handling and provides essential skills for careers in agricultural services.

• New Course - AGR 220, International Agriculture (2 credit hours)

o This course examines global farming practices and their impact, exploring factors like climate, culture, and markets. Based on advisory council recommendations, the course covers food security, demographics, and commodity markets while incorporating country-specific research to enhance students' understanding of agriculture’s role in global business and leadership.

• New certificate - Agriculture Education and Leadership (20 credit hours)

o This certificate equips students with leadership, communication, and education skills essential for success in the industry. This 20-credit program blends core agriculture courses with specialized classes in Agriculture Education and Communications, offering flexibility and integration into JWCC’s agriculture degree options to prepare students for leadership roles.

• New certificate - Crop Science and Technology (17 credit hours)

o This certificate prepares students for careers in crop production, soil science, pest management, and renewable resource management. Developed with industry partners, it integrates with JWCC’s Ag Business AAS degree and offers the opportunity to earn a Commercial Applicator’s License. Adding the course in Spring 2026 expands student opportunities in agricultural services and reinforces JWCC’s crop science focus.

• Natural Sciences course was discussed as follows:

• New Course – BIO 121, Principles of Biology I (4 credit hours)

o This new course, designed for Biology majors, builds on topics from BIO 101 and serves as the first in a two-course sequence (followed by BIO 122). While not a GECC course, it is part of the IAI majors course list and aligns with state standards. It provides a comprehensive introduction to modern biology, covering evolution, biochemistry, cell structure and function, and genetics, with a required lab component emphasizing hands-on techniques and instrumentation.

• New Course – BIO 122, Principles of Biology II (4 credit hours)

o BIO 122 is the second course in the sequence for Biology majors, expanding on foundational concepts from BIO 101. It covers the diversity of microorganisms, viruses, fungi, animals, and plants, along with organ system structure and function and ecological principles. A required lab component emphasizes hands-on investigative skills using modern techniques, preparing students for advanced biological studies.

• Education was discussed as follows:

• Several curriculum updates have been made, including changing course prefixes from EDU to ECE and revising the Early Childhood AAS degree. New degree pathways have been established to provide specialized focus areas in Education, including Early Childhood (AA), Elementary Education (AA), Middle School-Secondary Education (AA), and Special Education (AA). Additionally, changes have been made to the Gateway Certificates for Early Childhood Levels 2 & 3 and Infant-Toddler Levels 2 & 3 to align with updated standards.

• Manufacturing was discussed as follows:

• New Degree - Automation & Design Technician, AAS (60 credit hours)

o As part of transitioning the Industrial Manufacturing degree to a pathways model, the Automation and Design Technician AAS degree removes designated core courses in favor of clearer pathways, following advisory council recommendations. This program prepares students for careers in industrial automation and computer-aided design through a combination of lectures and hands-on labs. Coursework includes manufacturing safety, CAD software, PLC programming, industrial motors and controls, and robotic system operations. Students who complete MFG 104 and MFG 113 qualify for the MSSC certification exam, which can be taken at JWCC or an authorized testing site.

Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.

https://www.jwcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/02.13.25-BCM.docx