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
605-688-5143

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, security, and safety. Graduates 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.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Agricultural Systems Technology major, students will be well prepared to:

evaluate evolving agricultural systems to improve performance and functionality.
analyze and interpret data to maximize outputs for the most efficient use of inputs.
support and improve all agricultural systems including but not limited to, ag machinery, livestock facilities, grain handling and storage facilities, biofuels and processing facilities, and crop and livestock production systems.
gain fundamental knowledge in agricultural business, economics, and management to understand and improve daily operations of various agricultural industries.

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, Food and Environmental Sciences

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 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

College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 11

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

System General Education Requirements 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: 2, 1
PS 213-213L - Soils and Lab [SGR #6] Credits: 2, 1 (Major Requirement)

Major Requirements

ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM) Credits: 3
AST 119 - First Year Seminar 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 390 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 1
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 Credits: 3
AST 494 - Internship Credits: 1-12 (2 credits required)
or AST 496 - Field Experience Credits: 1-12 (2 credits required)
or AST 497 - Cooperative Education Credits: 1-12 (2 credits required)
BIOL 101-101L - Biology Survey I and Lab (COM) [SGR #6] Credits: 3
BLAW 350 - Legal Environment of Business (COM) Credits: 3
GE 121 - Engineering Design Graphics I Credits: 1
and GE 123 - Computer Aided Drawing Credits: 1
or PRAG 427-527 - Precision Ag Data Mapping Credits: 2
PRAG 203-203L - Introduction to Precision Agriculture and Lab Credits: 2
PRAG 340 - Climate Risk Management with Precision Agriculture Credits: 3
PS 213-213L - Soils and Lab [SGR #6] Credits: 2, 1

Technical Electives

It is strongly recommended that students choose one of the following emphasis areas. Credits: 35

Total Required Credits: 120

Notes

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

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
System General Education Requirements	34-35 Credit Hours
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Requirements*	11 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	77 Credit Hours
Electives**	0 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.