Program Overview:
The Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) is a program of study (POS) within the Environmental, Agricultural, and Natural Resources Career Cluster. The CASE POS prepares students to be successful in numerous careers in the agricultural sciences as well a preparing them to further their education at the post-secondary level. This inquiry-based POS incorporates classroom learning, FFA leadership and career development, as well as outside of the classroom experiences through supervised agricultural experiences and other internship opportunities.
Upon completion of the foundation course, Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, students will complete a Principles of Agricultural Science course focused on Animal Systems. Students then progress to a specialty course in Plant and Animal Biotechnology. The CASE POS culminates with a capstone course in Agricultural Business, Research, and Development. All courses have direct connections to FFA activities and SAE applications.
To complete the CASE program of study students are required to take the following courses:
- Foundation:
- Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Principles:
- Principles of Agricultural Science- Animal Systems
- Specialty:
- Animal and Plant Biotechnology
- Capstone:
- Agricultural Business, Research, and Development
Students are expected to:
- Apply and extend classroom learning to unknown situations and problems through inquiry based projects.
- Develop critical thinking, applied mathematical, and scientific skills by solving real-world problems.
- Develop leadership and career skills through participation in FFA and supervised agricultural experiences or other internship experiences.
- Recognize, understand, and explain interrelationships between animal systems, plant systems, natural resources and human impacts.
- Sit for each CASE End-of-Course Assessment as they are developed by CASE.
- Complete the Maryland Capstone course and present a culminating end of program project.
see CASE online
This program of study is available to students in 9th grade (4-year/4-semester completion schedule), 10th grade (2-year/4-semester completion schedule), and 11th grade (2-year/4-semester completion schedule).
Courses
Agricultural Business: Research & Development
Prerequisite: Animal and Plant Biotechnology
The capstone course in the CASE sequence includes team project application in agribusiness and management, research, development and design, and leadership qualities in agriculture science.
Animal and Plant Biotechnology
Prerequisite: Principles of Agricultural Science-Plant
In this course, students study the agricultural implications of the science of biotechnology. Emphasis is placed on biochemistry, regulations, laws and ethics, and safety and laboratory techniques. Emerging technologies including, but not limited to, DNA/Gene transfer, microbial, and transgenic material are investigated. Careers in biotechnology and the impact of biotechnology on society are studied.
Introduction to Agriculture Science
This is the introductory course within the CASE sequence. This course is structured to enable all students to have a variety of experiences that will provide an overview of the fields of agricultural science and natural resources. Students will study communication methods, science processes, natural resources, plants and animals, and agricultural mechanic. Students will investigate, experiment, and learn about documenting a project, solving problems, and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community.
Principles of Agriculture Science - Plant
Prerequisite: Introduction to Agriculture Science
This course is a foundation course within the CASE sequence. The course is structured to provide an overview of the field of agricultural science with a focus in plant science. Students will work in teams, exploring hands-on projects and activities, to learn the characteristics of plant science and work on major projects and problems similar to those that plant science specialists, such as horticulturalists, agronomists, greenhouse and nursery mangers and producers, and plant research specialists face in their respective careers.