Agricultural Systems Technology (B.S.)

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Program Coordinator/Contact
Van Kelley, Department Head
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Agricultural Engineering 107
605-688-5141
E-mail: van.kelley@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/abe
Click here for additional information .

Program Information
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. Graduates use their technological knowledge, coupled with managerial and leadership skills, to increase America’s food and energy supply, and may pursue careers in renewable energy such as ethanol and bio-diesel, farm machinery and equipment, natural resources, livestock facilities and systems, and production agriculture.

Course Delivery Format
The program engages students in lecture, laboratory, and in hands-on, field-based learning experiences.

Requirements for Agricultural Systems Technology Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
and
ENGL 201
¹ Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity:
ECON 202
and SGR #3 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #4 Humanities and Arts/Diversity : Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 102
  and
MATH 120
  or
MATH 115
  Credits: 5 or 6
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: PHYS 111-111L  and
CHEM 106-106L
  or
CHEM 112-112L
  Credits: 8

Institutional Graduation Requirements

Goal #1 First Year Seminar:
AST 109
Credits: 2
Goal #2 Cultural Awareness and Social and Environmental Responsibility
:
PS 213-213L
Credits: 3

College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Requirements: 11

Students who wish to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture must complete a minimum of 11 credits from the approved list of Group 1 courses in Agriculture . Some departments require specific courses from the list, whereas others leave the selection entirely to the student and the advisor.

SGRs, IGRs, and/or Major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Please review major requirements and the Group 1 list to determine if additional courses are required.

AST 333-333L - Soil and Water Mechanics and Lab Credits: 3
AST 342-342L - Applied Electricity and Lab Credits: 3
PS 103-103L - Crop Production and Lab Credits: 3
Group 1 Courses in Agriculture Credits: 2

Major Requirements

ABE 490 - Seminar Credits: 1
ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM) Credits: 3
AST 203-203L - Introduction to Precision Agriculture and Lab Credits: 2
AST 213-213L - Ag, Industrial and Outdoor Power and Lab Credits: 3
or AST 313-313L - Farm Machinery Systems Management and Lab Credits: 3
AST 273-273L - Microcomputer Applications in Agriculture and Lab Credits: 3
AST 303-303L - Design Management Experience and Lab Credits: 3
or AST 494 - Internship Credits: 1-12  (1-2 credits required)
or AST 496 - Field Experience Credits: 1-12  (1-2 credits required)
or AST 497 - Cooperative Education Credits: 1-12  (1-2 credits required)
AST 353 - Physical Climatology and Meteorology Credits: 3
AST 412-412L - Fluid Power Technology and Lab Credits: 3
AST 423-423L - Rural Structures and Lab Credits: 3
AST 426-426L - Emerging Technologies in Agriculture and Lab Credits: 3
AST 463-563 - Agricultural Waste Management (AW) Credits: 3
BADM 350 - Legal Environment of Business (COM) Credits: 3
BIOL 101-101L - Biology Survey I and Lab * (COM) Credits: 3
GE 121 - Engineering Design Graphics I Credits: 1
and GE 123 - Computer Aided Drawing Credits: 1
or PS 326 - Precision Ag Data Mapping Credits: 2

Technical Electives

It is strongly recommended that students choose one of the following emphasis areas. Credits: 36

Total Required Credits: 120

Notes

¹ minimum grade of “C” required in ENGL 201.