Agricultural Systems Technology Major

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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
http://www.sdstate.edu/abe/
Click here for additional information .

Program Description
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*: 34-35

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
, and
ENGL 201
¹Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101*
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity:
ECON 202
Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/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**: 5

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

College Requirements: 11

Group 1 Courses for Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

PS 103-103L - Crop Production and Lab
Credits: 3
AST 342-342L - Applied Electricity and Lab
Credits: 3
AST 333-333L - Soil and Water Mechanics and Lab
Credits: 3
Group 1 Courses - completed as part of major Credits: 2

Major Requirements: 72

Major Core: 36

AST 203-203L - Introduction to Precision Agriculture and Lab
Credits: 2, 0
ABE 490 - Seminar (AW)
Credits: 1
ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM)
Credits: 3
AST 463/563 - Agricultural Waste Management (AW)
Credits: 3
BADM 350 - Legal Environment of Business (COM)
Credits: 3
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
Choose one from the following:
- AST 303-303L - Design Management Experience and Lab
  Credits: 3
- AST 494 - Internship
  Credits: 1-2
- AST 496 - Field Experience
  Credits: 1-2
- AST 497 - Cooperative Education
  Credits: 1-2
GE 121 - Engineering Design Graphics I
Credits:1
GE 123 - Computer Aided Drawing
Credits: 1
BIOL 101-101L - Biology Survey I and Lab (COM)
Credits: 3
AST 353-353L - Physical Climatology and Meteorology and Lab
Credits: 3
AST 412-412L/512-512L - 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

Technical Electives: 36

It is strongly recommended that students choose one of the following emphasis areas

Total Required Credits: 120

Curriculum Notes

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

* 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 a 5 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.