Precision Agriculture Certificate

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

Students in a precision ag class with computers.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Klingbeil Endowed Department Head and Distinguished Professor
Lin Wei, Associate Professor/Graduate Coordinator
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Raven Precision Agriculture Center 136
605-688-5666

David Wright, Klingbeil Endowed Department Head and Professor
Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science
Raven Precision Agriculture Center 140
605-688-5123

Program Information

The certificate in Precision Agriculture provides knowledge and practical experience for students to have an advanced experience with precision farming and its protocols. Individuals that complete this certificate will be well prepared to advance in their career paths in the modern agricultural industry that utilizes advanced precision technology. Agriculture is experiencing a fast-paced evolution as technology continues to develop. Precision agriculture has emerged with an array of new and exciting – and increasingly high-tech – tools. The integration of computer technology with farm equipment, farm sensors, GPS navigation, satellite imagery and drone imagery are quickly revolutionizing agricultural production. Given the strong interest in advanced agricultural practices utilizing precision techniques, individuals with the type of training provided by this certificate program will be in high demand. Individuals may currently be in or pursuing careers in agronomy, agribusiness organizations, ranch management, geographic information science, geography, Game, Fish and Parks (GFP), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), environmental non-government organizations (NGOs), or sustainability. Complete the graduate certificate as a stand-alone credential or stacked into the Professional Science (M.S.) . Even better, it is available online, making it a great option for working professionals wishing to enhance their skills in a critical area.

Course Delivery Format

Courses will be delivered face-to-face and online.

Student Learning Outcomes

Develop understanding of soil and it use.
Develop an understanding of precision nutrient management.
Demonstrate an understanding of GIS data.
Develop mastery of management through precision farming.
Develop understanding of GIS applications for precision farming.

Certificate Requirements

GEOG 573 - GIS Data Creation/Integration Credits: 2
GEOG 573L - GIS: Data Creation and Integration Lab Credits: 1
GEOG 575 - GIS Applications Credits: 2
GEOG 575L - GIS Applications Lab Credits: 1
PRAG 510 - Soil Geography and Land Use Interpretation Credits: 2
PRAG 510L - Soil Geography and Land Use Interpretation Lab Credits: 1
PRAG 523 - Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrient Management Credits: 3

Total Required Credits: 12

Additional Admission Requirements

TOEFL: 71 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 7.5
IELTS: 6.0
Duolingo: 100

Additional Information

Students enrolled in SDSU certificate programs are not eligible for federal student financial aid. The non-federal alternative loan programs may be used for students meeting the lender criteria as found at www.sdstate.edu (search alternative loans). For further information, please contact the SDSU financial aid office at 605-688-4695 or finaid@sdstate.edu.