2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Agricultural Systems Technology (AST) Major


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Van Kelley, Head
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Agricultural Engineering 107
605-688-5141
e-mail: van.kelley@sdstate.edu
http://abe.sdstate.edu/

Faculty

Associate Professor Kelley, Head; Professors Anderson, Hellickson, Humburg, Julson, Muthukumarappan, Pohl, Trooien; Professors Emeriti Chu, DeBoer, Werner; Associate Professor Nicolai, Todey; Assistant Professors Cortus, Gu, Hay; Assistant Professors Emeriti Pahl, Schipull.

Programs

 

Agricultural Systems Technology graduates serve an increasingly complex agricultural industry in a wide variety of ways. These individuals have a sound fundamental knowledge of agricultural and biological sciences related to the technical, mechanical and energy aspects. This background combined with a solid understanding of the interactions between agriculture and society provides AST graduates many career opportunities.

Agricultural Systems Technology graduates from South Dakota State University are using their technological knowledge, coupled with managerial and leadership skills, to increase America’s food and energy supply. Recent past graduates are pursuing careers in renewable energy such as ethanol and bio-diesel, farm machinery and equipment, natural resources, livestock facilities and systems, and production agriculture.

Requirements for Agricultural Systems Technology Major - Bachelor of Science in Agriculture


System General Education Requirements*: 34-35


Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 8-9


College Requirements: 11


  •  Group I Elective (See Note Three)

Major Requirements: 49-50


  • Science Elective, selected from CHEM, PHYS, BIOL, MICR, or BOT Credits: 10
  • Biological Science Elective: Courses must be chosen from BOT, BIOL, MICR, ZOOL Credits: 3

Choose one from the following:


Total Required Credits: 128


Specializations:


The AST major requires a minimum of 14 semester credits from one of the following specializations: Business, Processing, Production, or Environmental Systems. The specialization and technical elective program must be planned with the adviser and approved by the department head.

Production Specialization Requirements: 14


  • Ag Production Electives Credits: 3
  • Animal Science Electives Credits: 9
  • Horticulture Electives Credits: 6
  • Plant Science Electives Credits: 9

Notes:


Note One: “C” grade required in ENGL 201.

Note Two: Courses must be selected from the following areas: Botany, Biology, Entomology, Zoology, Microbiology.

Note Three: AST majors are required to take 11 credits of Group I classes (see College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences ). Students may use a maximum of 6 credits of AST classes to satisfy the Group I requirement.

Note Four: Technical electives must be selected from the approved list provided.

Curriculum Notes:


* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has an 8-9 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.

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