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Aggie writers, check out 'Cow
Math' if you're stumped for a QI class
By Bethany
Crane
December 5, 2008 | Utah State requires that students
complete a Quantitative Intensive course to graduate.
I found this appalling because I am completely lost
when it comes to math. Math 1050 was a nightmare, and
I don't like to talk about my social statistics disaster.
Have you ever noticed that there seems to be a pattern
in people who are good at writing, and therefore deficient
when it comes to math? If you are like me and have found
that your talents lie more with writing than calculations,
I have an excellent solution. I was at a loss as to
which class I ought to torture myself with. Then I discovered
through my good friend a class which not only would
keep me from failing, but had practical applications
as well: Applied Agricultural Computations!
I am not at all familiar with the agriculture college,
but this course was a pleasant alternative to the other
options. I signed up for it immediately with my friend
and although we had to drive to the Caine dairy farm,
it was worth every drop of gas.
When teachers say that the complicated mind-numbing
equation you're learning will help you if you're ever
stranded on a desert island, you lose any interest in
actually paying attention to what they're saying. This
course shows every application the formulas being taught
are used for. From calculating feed rations to genotypic
frequencies, all the problems make sense and have examples
to go with them.
The teacher is Justin Jenson, who with his knowledge
of dairy farming and the material used to calculate
expenses and farm management, creates easy understanding
of the material. Math classes seem to have a huge number
of problems and are usually repetitive. The assignments
in ADVS 1250 are not excessive and the text is only
$10! Jenson makes sure you feel well prepared for the
exams and only uses the material used in class. The
pros far outweigh the cons in all aspects of the class.
After having completed the class I have come out with
more than an understanding of math and basic facts.
I understand more about what goes into managing a farm,
dairy or not, what feeds are high in crude protein,
which companies give you real 2 percent milk, etc. Even
though it is not in my major, it's better than having
a class preparing me for a desert island.
NW
MS |
