D

AGE 411 – MODELING AND COMPUTER APPLICATION IN AGRICULTURAL

ENGINEERING

COURSE PARTICULARS
Course Code: AGE 411
Course Title: Modeling and Computer Application in Agricultural Engineering
No. of Units: 2
Course Duration: Two hours of theory and three hours of practicals per week for 15
weeks.
Status: Compulsory
Course Email Address: AGE411@gmail.com
Course Webpage:
http://www.age.futa.edu.ng/courseschedule.php?coursecode=AGE%204
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Prerequisite: NIL

COURSE INSTRUCTORS
S. O. Oladele
Dept. of Agricultural & Environmental Engineering,
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Email: sooladele@futa.edu.ng

Dr. A. O. Jongbo
Dept. of Agricultural & Environmental Engineering,
Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Email: aojongbo@futa.edu.ng

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introductory, first course in Modeling and Computer Application
designed primarily for students in Agricultural & Environmental Engineering. The course
synopsis includes; introduction to basic concepts and terminologies of modeling and
computer applications in Agricultural & Environmental Engineering systems; model
types, modelling and simulation. Curve fitting method of least squares, parameter
estimation algorithms and software; model validation and evaluation.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this course are to:
 introduce students to basic concepts and terminologies of modelling and
computer applications in Agricultural & Environmental Engineering systems;

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  introduce students to the steps involved in problem identification and model
development;
 develop, calibrate and validate simple data-driven models;
 show students by examples how to carryout computer-based data analysis, curve
fitting and parameters estimation using standard algorithms.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES / COMPETENCIES

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
(Knowledge based)
 understand basic concepts and terminologies of modelling and computer
applications related to Agricultural & Environmental Engineering;
 understand steps involved in problem identification and model development; and
 learn how to develop, calibrate and validate simple system models.

(Skills)
Student should be able to:
 develop useful skills to identify engineering problems and formulate simple
models;
 solve real life problems related to agricultural production and engineering
processes;
 analyse and interpret models simulation results; and
 use some computer applications and software packages to tackle engineering
projects.

GRADING SYSTEM FOR THE COURSE

This course will be graded as follows:
Class Attendance 5%
Class Projects 25%
Test(s) 20%
Final Examination 50%
TOTAL 100%

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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Attendance: It is expected that every student will be in class for lectures and also
participate in all practical exercises. Attendance records will be kept and used to
determine each person’s qualification to sit for the final examination. In case of illness or
other unavoidable cause of absence, the student must communicate as soon as
possible with any of the instructors, indicating the reason for the absence.

Academic Integrity: Violations of academic integrity, including dishonesty in

assignments, examinations, or other academic performances are prohibited. You are
not allowed to make copies of another person’s work and submit it as your own; that is
plagiarism. All cases of academic dishonesty will be reported to the University
Management for appropriate sanctions in accordance with the guidelines for handling
students’ misconduct as spelt out in the Students’ Handbook.
Assignments and Group Work: Students are expected to submit assignments as
scheduled. Failure to submit assignments as at when due will earn defaulting students
zero for that assignment. Only under extenuating circumstances, for which a student
has notified any of the instructors in advance, will late submission of assignments be
permitted.

Code of Conduct in Lecture Rooms and Laboratories: Students should turn off their
cell phones during lectures. Students are prohibited from engaging in other activities
(such as texting, watching videos, etc.) during lectures. Food and drinks are not
permitted during lectures.

READING LIST
1Maria A. (1997) Introduction to Modeling and Simulation Proceedings of the 1991
Winter Simulation Conference, http://www.inf.utfsm.cl/~hallende/download/Simul-
2-2002/Introduction_to_Modeling_and_Simulation.pdf
1Law, A. M., and W. D. Kelton. 1991. Simulation Modeling and Analysis, Second

Edition, McGraw-Hill.
2Michael J. Crawley (2007).The R Book, John Wiley & Sons Inc., John Wiley & Sons

Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 8SQ, England

Legend
1- Available on the Internet.
2- Available as Personal Collection

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COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topic Remarks
1 Introduction and Course Students will get familiarized to the course and
Overview the different aspects of the work that will be
covered. Expectation of the students from the
course will also be documented.
2 Introduction to some Students will be introduced to different operating
computer applications systems; basic window-based computer
and software packages applications and software packages
3&4 Introduction to Modelling Students will be taught basic modelling concept
and Simulation and definitions of terminologies.
5 &6 Development of simple Students will be introduced to formulation and
models to tackle real live solutions to different models relevant to various
problems aspects of Agricultural & Environmental
Engineering. Exercises will include simple
decision support model, crop growth model,
hydrologic model, drying model, etc.
7&8 Introduction to relevant Students will be taught how to used Levenberg-
modelling tools - software Marquart algorithm within the environment of
and algorithms Solver to undertake parameter estimation and
curve fitting.
Mid-Semester Test
9 & 10 Models calibration, Students will be taken through curve fitting and
validation, and evaluation model parameter estimation procedures.
11 Course projects Students will be provided with data for projects
allocation and will be grouped for course projects and
tasks.
12 &13 Course project reports Group presentation on the assigned task and
and group presentations. discussions.
14 End of course test End of Semester Test.
15 Revision This is the week preceding the final examination.
Assessment of course impact with a view to
identifying areas of improvement how far the

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Week Topic Remarks
students’ expectations for the course have been
met.