Agricultural Systems Technology (B.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Students standing next to an instructor explaining a piece of farm equipment.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Maynard A. Klingbeil Endowed Department Head and Distinguished Professor
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Raven Precision Agriculture Center 136
605-688-5666

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.

Course Delivery Format

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

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Agricultural Systems Technology major, students will have:

the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and science.
an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.
an ability to identify, formulate, and solve problems.
an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
an ability to communicate effectively.
a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
a knowledge of contemporary issues.
an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern tools necessary to identify solutions to problems.

Requirements for Agricultural Systems Technology Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences: SGR #3 Elective Credits: 3 and ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities: SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 114 - College Algebra (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
- CHEM 106 - Chemistry Survey (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
  and CHEM 106L - Chemistry Survey Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
  or
  CHEM 112 - General Chemistry I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3
  and CHEM 112L - General Chemistry I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
- PHYS 101 - Survey of Physics (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3 and PHYS 101L - Survey of Physics Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1

Major Requirements

ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM) Credits: 3
AST 119 - First Year Seminar Credits: 1
AST 213 - Ag, Industrial and Outdoor Power Credits: 2
and AST 213L - Ag, Industrial and Outdoor Lab Credits: 1
or AST 313 - Farm Machinery Systems Management Credits: 2
and AST 313L - Farm Machinery Systems Management Lab Credits: 1
AST 273 - Agricultural Computer Applications Credits: 3
AST 333 - Soil and Water Mechanics Credits: 2
AST 333L - Soil and Water Mechanics Lab Credits: 1
AST 342 - Applied Electricity Credits: 2
AST 342L - Applied Electricity Lab Credits: 1
AST 390 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 1
AST 412 - Fluid Power Technology Credits: 2
AST 412L - Fluid Power Technology Lab Credits: 1
AST 423 - Rural Structures Credits: 2
AST 423L - Rural Structures Lab Credits: 1
AST 426 - Technology Applications for Precision Agriculture Credits: 2
AST 426L - Technology Applications for Precision Agriculture Lab Credits: 1
AST 443 - Food Processing and Engineering Fundamentals Credits: 2
AST 443L - Food Processing and Engineering Fundamentals Lab Credits: 1
AST 463 - Agricultural Waste Management Credits: 3
AST 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12 (1 credit required)
or AST 496 - Field Experience (COM) Credits: 1-12 (1 credit required)
or AST 497 - Cooperative Education (COM) Credits: 1-12 (1 credit required)
BIOL 101 - Biology Survey I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
BIOL 101L - Biology Survey I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
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 - Precision Ag Data Mapping Credits: 2
MATH 120 - Trigonometry (COM) [SGR #5, HSDC] Credits: 3
PRAG 203 - Introduction to Precision Agriculture Credits: 2
PRAG 203L - Introduction to Precision Agriculture Lab Credits: 1
PRAG 340 - Climate Risk Management with Precision Agriculture Credits: 3
PS 103 - Crop Production Credits: 2
PS 103L - Crop Production Lab Credits: 1
PS 213 - Soils [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
PS 213L - Soils Lab [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1

Technical Electives

Select 32 credits from the following courses. It is strongly recommended that students choose one of the following emphasis areas. Credits: 32

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	32 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	88 Credit Hours
Electives**	0 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**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.