Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Agricultural Systems Technology
Description
Website: https://bse.unl.edu/agst
Agricultural Systems Technology (AGST) resides at the forefront of new and emerging technologies, enabling students to solve agricultural challenges of the 21st century and beyond. This hands-on major combines coursework in technology, agricultural sciences and business. It prepares graduates with the skills to apply a systems approach to managing technology in agriculture and related industries.
This major is ideal for students interested in working with machinery and technology from a practical perspective and prepares students for a wide range of careers in a variety of industries related to agriculture, food, energy, water, and manufacturing. The program offers four options for specialization:
- Production Option
- Business Option
- Technical Option
- Processing Operations Option
Students in the AGST major benefit from small classes and personalized faculty advising. Students have the opportunity to work part-time with faculty who are doing cutting-edge research in agricultural technology, gain hands-on experience in the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory, and pursue industry internships for academic credit. Students are encouraged to participate in student organizations in the department.
College Requirements
College Admission
Requirements for admission into the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) are consistent with general University admission requirements (one unit equals one high school year): 4 units of English, 4 units of mathematics, 3 units of natural sciences, 3 units of social sciences, and 2 units of world language. Students must also meet performance requirements: a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average OR an ACT composite of 20 or higher, writing portion not required OR a score of 1040 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading and Math sections OR rank in the top one-half of graduating class; transfer students must have a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average and 2.0 on the most recent term of attendance.
Admission Deficiencies/Removal of Deficiencies
Students who are admitted to CASNR with core course deficiencies must remove these deficiencies within the first 30 credit hours at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, or within the first calendar year at Nebraska, whichever takes longer, excluding foreign languages. Students have up to 60 credit hours to remove world language deficiencies. College-level coursework taken to remove deficiencies may be used to meet degree requirements in CASNR.
Deficiencies in the required entrance subjects can be removed by the completion of specified courses in the University or by correspondence.
The Office of Admissions, Alexander Building (south entrance), City Campus, provides information to new students on how deficiencies can be removed.
College Degree Requirements
Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum requirements of the College consist of three areas: ACE (Achievement-Centered Education), College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Core, and Degree Program requirements and electives. All three areas of the College Curriculum Requirements are incorporated within the description of the Major/Degree Program sections of the catalog. The individual major/degree program listings of classes ensures that a student will meet the minimum curriculum requirements of the College.
World Languages/Language Requirement
Two units of a world language are required. This requirement is usually met with two years of high school language.
Experiential Learning
All undergraduates in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources must take an Experiential Learning (EL) designated course. This may include 0-credit courses designed to document co-curricular activities recognized as Experiential Learning.
Minimum Hours Required for Graduation
The College grants the bachelors degree in programs associated with agricultural sciences, natural resources, and related programs. Students working toward a degree must earn at least 120 semester hours of credit. A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation. Some degree programs have a higher cumulative grade point average required for graduation. Please check the degree program on its graduation cumulative grade point average.
Grade Rules
Removal of C-, D, and F Grades
Only the most recent letter grade received in a given course will be used in computing a student’s cumulative grade point average if the student has completed the course more than once and previously received a grade or grades below C in that course.
The previous grade (or grades) will not be used in the computation of the cumulative grade point average, but it will remain a part of the academic record and will appear on any transcript.
A student can remove from his/her cumulative average a course grade of C-, D+, D, D-, or F if the student repeats the same course at the University of Nebraska and receives a grade other than P (pass), I (incomplete), N (no pass), W (withdrew), or NR (no report). If a course is no longer being offered, it is not eligible for the revised grade point average computation process.
For complete procedures and regulations, see the Office of the University Registrar website at http://www.unl.edu/regrec/course-repeats.
Pass/No Pass
Students in CASNR may take any course offered on a Pass/No Pass basis within the 24-hour limitation established by the Faculty Senate. However, a department may specify that the Pass/No Pass status of its courses be limited to non-majors or may choose to offer some courses for letter grades only.
GPA Requirements
A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation. Some degree programs have a higher cumulative grade point average required for graduation. Please check the degree program on its graduation cumulative grade point average.
Transfer Credit Rules
To be considered for admission a transfer student, Nebraska resident or nonresident, must have an accumulated average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum C average in the last semester of attendance at another college. Transfer students who have completed less than 12 credit hours of college study must submit either ACT or SAT scores.
Ordinarily, credits earned at an accredited college are accepted by the University. The College, however, will evaluate all hours submitted on an application for transfer and reserves the right to accept or reject any of them. Sixty (60) is the maximum number of hours the University will accept on transfer from a two-year college. Ninety (90) is the maximum number of hours the University will accept from a four-year college. Transfer credit in the degree program must be approved by the degree program advisor on a Request for Substitution Form to meet specific course requirements, group requirements, or course level requirements in the major. At least 9 hours in the major field, including the capstone course, must be completed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln regardless of the number of hours transferred.
The College will accept no more than 10 semester hours of C-, D+, D, and D- grades from other schools. The C-, D+, D, and D- grades can only be applied to free electives. This policy does not apply to the transfer of grades from UNO or UNK to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Joint Academic Transfer Programs
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has agreements with many institutions to support joint academic programs. The transfer programs include dual degree programs and cooperative degree programs. Dual degree programs offer students the opportunity to receive a degree from a participating institution and also to complete the requirements for a bachelor of science degree in CASNR. Cooperative programs result in a single degree from either the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or the cooperating institution.
Dual Degree Programs
A to B Programs
The A to B Program, a joint academic program offered by the CASNR and participating community colleges, allows students to complete the first two years of a degree program at the participating community college and continue their education and study in a degree program leading toward a bachelor of science degree.
The A to B Program provides a basic knowledge plus specialized coursework. Students transfer into CASNR with junior standing.
Depending on the community college, students enrolled in the A to B Program may complete the requirements for an associate of science at the community college, transfer to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and work toward a bachelor of science degree.
Participating community colleges include:
- Central Community College
- Metropolitan Community College
- Mid-Plains Community College
- Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
- Nebraska Indian Community College
- Northeast Community College
- Southeast Community College
- Western Nebraska Community College
3+2 Programs
Two specialized degree programs in animal science and veterinary science are offered jointly with an accredited college or school of veterinary medicine. These two programs permit CASNR animal science or veterinary science students to receive a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a degree in animal science or veterinary science after successfully completing two years of the professional curriculum in veterinary medicine at an accredited veterinary school. Students who successfully complete the 3+2 Program, must provide transcripts and complete the Application for Degree form via MyRED. Students without MyRED access may apply for graduation in person at Husker Hub in the Canfield Administration Building, or by mail. Students should discuss these degree programs with their academic advisor.
Cooperative Degree Programs
Academic credit from the University and a cooperating institution are applied towards a four-year degree from either the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (University degree-granting program) or the cooperating institution (non-University degree-granting program). All have approved programs of study.
UNL Degree-Granting Programs
A University of Nebraska–Lincoln degree-granting program is designed to provide students the opportunity to complete a two-year program of study at one of the four-year institutions listed below, transfer to CASNR, and complete the requirements for a bachelor of science degree.
Chadron State College. Chadron State College offers a 2+2 program leading to a grassland ecology and management degree program and a transfer program leading to a bachelor of science in agricultural education in the teaching option.
Wayne State College. Wayne State College offers a 3+1 program leading to a bachelor of science in plant biology in the ecology and management option and a 3+1 program leading to a bachelor of science in Applied Science.
University of Nebraska at Kearney. Transfer programs are available for students pursuing degree programs leading to a bachelor of science degree.
University of Nebraska at Omaha. Transfer programs are available for students pursuing degree programs leading to a bachelor of science degree.
Non University of Nebraska–Lincoln Degree-Granting Programs
CASNR cooperates with other institutions to provide coursework that is applied towards a degree at the cooperating institution. Pre-professional programs offered by CASNR allow students to complete the first two or three years of a degree program at the University prior to transferring and completing a degree at the cooperating institution.
Chadron State College–Range Science. The 3+1 Program in range science allows Chadron State College students to pursue a range science degree through Chadron State College. Students complete three years of coursework at Chadron State College and one year of specialized range science coursework (32 credit hours) at CASNR.
Dordt College (Iowa)–Agricultural Education: Teaching Option. This program allows students to pursue an Agricultural Education Teaching Option degree leading toward a bachelor of science in agricultural education. Students at Dordt College will complete 90 credit hours in the Agricultural Education: Teaching Option Transfer Program.
Residency
Students must complete at least 30 of the total hours for their degree using University of Nebraska–Lincoln credits. At least 18 of the 30 credit hours must be in courses offered through CASNR1 (>299) including the appropriate ACE 10 degree requirement or an approved ACE 10 substitution offered through another Nebraska college and excluding independent study regardless of the number of hours transferred. Credit earned during education abroad may be used toward the residency requirement if students register through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and participate in prior-approved education abroad programs. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln open enrollment and summer independent study courses count toward residence.
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Includes courses taught by CASNR faculty through interdisciplinary prefixes (e.g., LIFE, MBIO, ENVR, SCIL, EAEP, HRTM, ENSC) and CASNR crosslisted courses taught by non-CASNR faculty.
Online and Distance Education
There are many opportunities to earn college credit online through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Some of these credits may be applicable not only as elective credits but also toward the fulfillment of the College’s education requirements. Credits earned online may count toward residency. However, certain offerings may not be counted toward scholarship requirements or academic recognition criteria.
For further information, contact:
Office of Online and Distance Education
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
305 Brace Labs
Lincoln, NE 68588-0109
402-472-4681
http://online.unl.edu/
Independent Study Rules
Students wishing to take part in independent studies must obtain permission; complete and sign a contract form; and furnish copies of the contract to the instructor, advisor, departmental office, and the Dean’s Office. The contract should be completed before registration. Forms are available in 103 Agricultural Hall or online at the CASNR website.
Independent study projects include research, literature review or extension of coursework under the supervision and evaluation of a departmental faculty member.
Students may only count 12 hours of independent study toward their degrees and no more than 6 hours can be counted during their last 36 hours earned, excluding senior thesis, internships, and courses taught under an independent study number.
Other College Degree Requirements
Capstone Course Requirement
A capstone course is required for each CASNR degree program. A capstone course is defined as a course in which students are required to integrate diverse bodies of knowledge to solve a problem or formulate a policy of societal importance.
ACE Requirements
All students must fulfill the Achievement Centered Education (ACE) requirements. Information about the ACE program may be viewed at ace.unl.edu.
The minimum requirements of CASNR reflect the common core of courses that apply to students pursuing degrees in the college. Students should work with an advisor to satisfy ACE outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 10 with the college requirements.
Catalog Rule
Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year in which they are first admitted to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or when they were first admitted to a Joint Academic Transfer Program. Students transferring from a community college, but without admission to a Joint Academic Transfer Program, may be eligible to fulfill the requirements as stated in the catalog for an academic year in which they were enrolled at the community college prior to attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This decision should be made in consultation with academic advisors, provided the student a) was enrolled in a community college during the catalog year they are utilizing, b) maintained continuous enrollment at the previous institution for 1 academic year or more, and c) continued enrollment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within 1 calendar year from their last term at the previous institution. In consultation with advisors, a student may choose to follow a subsequent catalog for any academic year in which they are admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year. The catalog which a student follows for degree requirements may not be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of agricultural systems technology will be able to:
- Manage power and machinery systems at scales ranging from small farms up to industrial manufacturing environments
- Use sensors, controls, and automated systems to make data-informed decisions for precision management
- Analyze the economic implications of the use of equipment and technology in a system
- Analyze the technical performance of an equipment system, evaluate alternatives, and recommend options for improvement.
- Manage natural resources to balance environmental sustainability with economic viability
- Work effectively in teams and engage diverse stakeholder perspectives to manage technical projects
- Select and use appropriate tools and strategies to analyze data and professionally communicate technical information
Major Requirements
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Integrative Courses | ||
| SCIL 101 | Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World | 3 |
| AGST 462 | Equipment Systems (ACE 10) | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6 | |
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| MATH 102 | Trigonometry | 3 |
| or MATH 103 | College Algebra and Trigonometry | |
| or MATH 106 | Calculus I | |
| STAT 218 | Introduction to Statistics (ACE 3) | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6 | |
| Communications | ||
| BSEN 130 | Computer-Aided Design | 2 |
| Select one Written Communication elective (ACE 1) of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing and Inquiry | ||
| Writing and Argument | ||
| Technical Communication I | ||
| Select one Professional Communication elective (ACE 2) of the following: | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Communicating in Small Groups | ||
| Business and Professional Communication | ||
| Technical Communication II | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 8 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| CHEM 109A & CHEM 109L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory (ACE 4) | 4 |
| or CHEM 113A & CHEM 113L | Fundamental Chemistry I and Fundamental Chemistry I Laboratory | |
| AGST 109 & AGST 109L | Physical Principles in Agriculture and Life Sciences and Physical Principles in Agriculture and Life Sciences Laboratory (ACE 4) | 5 |
| Select one CASNR approved Life Sciences elective (ACE 4) of the following: | 4 | |
| Plant Science and Agronomic Plant Science Laboratory | ||
| Plant Science and Plant Sciences Laboratory | ||
| General Biology and General Biology Laboratory | ||
| Fundamentals of Biology I and Fundamentals of Biology I laboratory | ||
| Select 7 hours of Natural Sciences electives from the following: | 7 | |
Biochemistry | ||
Biology | ||
Chemistry | ||
Geography (excluding human and economic) | ||
Geology | ||
Life Sciences (excluding 115) | ||
Meteorology (excluding 140) | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology of Domestic Animals | ||
| Principles of Ecology | ||
| Ecology Laboratory | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 20 | |
| Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
| BSEN 206 / CONE 206 | Engineering Economics (ACE 8) | 3 |
| ECON 211 | Principles of Macroeconomics (ACE 6) | 3 |
| ECON 212 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| or AECN 141 | Introduction to the Economics of Agriculture | |
| Select one course each from ACE outcomes 5, 7, and 9 | 9 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 18 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Complete requirements | 21 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 21 | |
| Option Requirements | ||
| Complete requirements | 33 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 33 | |
| Personal Development Electives | ||
| Select 8 hours | 8 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 8 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Specific Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements 1 | ||
| AGST 162 | Introduction to Agricultural Systems Technology | 1 |
| AGST 232 | Power and Machinery Principles | 3 |
| AGST 245 | Fundamentals of Electrical Systems | 3 |
| AGST 262 | Problem Solving in Agricultural Systems Technology | 1 |
| AGST 354 / SOIL 354 / WATS 354 | Soil Conservation and Watershed Management | 3 |
| AGST 364 | Agricultural Products Processing and Handling | 3 |
| AGST 416 | Sensors and Control Systems for Agri-Industries | 3 |
| SOIL 153 / PLAS 153 | Soil Resources | 4 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 21 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 21 | |
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In addition to capstone AGST 462.
Production Option
The production option is for students interested in careers in production agriculture such as farming, ranching, and crop consulting. The option integrates coursework in agricultural systems technology with agricultural sciences, management, and marketing. Students have flexibility in course selection to pursue minors in areas such as agronomy and animal science.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| PLAS 204 | Resource-Efficient Crop Management | 3 |
| AECN 201 | Farm and Ranch Management | 4 |
| AECN 235 / MRKT 235 | Introduction to Commodity Marketing | 3 |
| ASCI 250 | Animal Management | 3 |
| Agricultural Systems Technology Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Animal Housing Systems | ||
| Hydraulic Power Systems | ||
| Site-specific Crop Management | ||
| Equipment and Tractor Testing | ||
| Irrigation Systems Management | ||
| Production Agriculture Electives | ||
| Select 8-11 hours from specified CASNR courses at 200 level or above 1 | 8-11 | |
Any 200, 300, or 400 level AGST course | ||
| Animal Products | ||
| Basic Swine Science | ||
| Fresh Meats | ||
| Animal Nutrition and Feeding | ||
| Animal Breeding and Genetics | ||
| Animal Welfare | ||
| Livestock Management on Range and Pasture | ||
| Beef Cow-Calf Management | ||
| Beef Cattle Merchandising | ||
| Beef Feedlot Management | ||
| Animal Systems Analysis | ||
| Management of Field Crop Insects | ||
| Entomology and Pest Management | ||
| Forage Crop and Pasture Management | ||
| Introduction to Grassland Ecology and Management | ||
| Principles of Soil Management | ||
| Biological Invaders | ||
| Greenhouse Practices and Management | ||
| Hydroponics for Growing Populations | ||
| Range Management and Improvement | ||
| Soils, Environment and Water Quality | ||
| Soil Nutrient Relationships | ||
| Crop Management Strategies | ||
| Applications of Remote Sensing in Agriculture and Natural Resources | ||
| Cover Crops in Agroecosystems | ||
| Invasive Plants | ||
| Agroecology | ||
| Organic Farming and Food Systems | ||
| Livestock Management on Range and Pasture | ||
Option Electives | ||
| Select 0-3 hours from the following: | 0-3 | |
| Internship in Agricultural Systems Technology | ||
| Applied Calculus | ||
Business or agricultural economics course (ACCT, AECN, BLAW, EAEP, ENTR, ECON, FINA, MNGT, MRKT class any level) | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 33-36 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33-36 | |
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Please contact advisor to discuss selection of classes.
Business Option
The business option is for students interested in business-related careers such as marketing, sales, and management in agriculture and related industries. This option integrates coursework in agricultural systems technology with additional business courses. Students can easily pursue a business minor with this option.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| ACCT 200 | Accounting for Business Decisions | 3 |
| PLAS 204 | Resource-Efficient Crop Management | 3 |
| or ASCI 250 | Animal Management | |
| MATH 104 | Applied Calculus | 3 |
| Agricultural Systems Technology Electives | ||
| Select 9 hours from the following: | 9 | |
| Animal Housing Systems | ||
| Internship in Agricultural Systems Technology | ||
| Biorenewable Systems Technology | ||
| Hydraulic Power Systems | ||
| Site-specific Crop Management | ||
| Irrigation Systems Management | ||
| Business Law Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Legal Aspects in Agriculture | ||
| Natural Resource and Environmental Law | ||
| Business, Government & Society | ||
| Finance Elective | ||
| AECN 452 | Agricultural Finance | 3 |
| or FINA 300 | Financial Decision Making | |
| Marketing Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Agribusiness Entrepreneurship in Food Products Marketing | ||
| Introduction to Commodity Marketing | ||
| Contemporary Marketing | ||
| Management Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6-7 | |
| Farm and Ranch Management | ||
| Agribusiness Management | ||
| Management Essentials For Contemporary Organizations | ||
| Family Business | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 33-34 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33-34 | |
Technical Option
The technical option is for students interested in hands-on technical careers such as test engineers, product support specialists, and service managers. This option integrates coursework in agricultural systems technology with additional coursework in engineering. This option will also prepare students for graduate study.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| MATH 106 | Calculus I | 5 |
| AGST 395 | Internship in Agricultural Systems Technology | 1-3 |
| or AGST 400A | Occupational Safety | |
| AGST 412 | Hydraulic Power Systems | 3 |
| AGST 433 | Equipment and Tractor Testing | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Resource-Efficient Crop Management | ||
| Animal Management | ||
| Animal Products | ||
| Management Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Agribusiness Management | ||
| Management Essentials For Contemporary Organizations | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Option Electives | ||
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Introduction to Energy Systems | ||
| Building Environmental Technical Systems I | ||
| Animal Housing Systems | ||
| Site-specific Crop Management | ||
| Biorenewable Systems Technology | ||
| Embedded Controls for Agricultural Applications | ||
| Irrigation Systems Management | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 33-35 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33-35 | |
Processing Operations Option
The processing operations option is for students interested in careers in operations management for food, feed, and fuel companies. This option integrates coursework in agricultural systems technology, with business, agricultural sciences, and food sciences. This option will also prepare students for graduate study.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| PLAS 437 | Animal, Food and Industrial Uses of Grain | 2 |
| AECN 235 / MRKT 235 | Introduction to Commodity Marketing | 3 |
| ASCI 210 | Animal Products | 3 |
| MATH 104 | Applied Calculus | 3-5 |
| or MATH 106 | Calculus I | |
| AGST 395 | Internship in Agricultural Systems Technology | 1-3 |
| or AGST 400A | Occupational Safety | |
| MNGT 300 | Management Essentials For Contemporary Organizations | 3 |
| or AECN 316 | Agribusiness Management | |
| AGST 363 / FDST 363 | Heat and Mass Transfer | 3 |
| AGST 412 | Hydraulic Power Systems | 3 |
| AGST 465 / FDST 465 | Food Engineering Unit Operations | 3 |
| Processing Electives | ||
| Select 7-9 hours from the following: | 7-9 | |
| Producing Grain for Animal, Food and Industrial Uses | ||
| Processed Meats | ||
| Introduction to Energy Systems | ||
| Food Composition and Analysis | ||
| Food Quality Assurance | ||
| Cereal Technology | ||
| Baking Technology | ||
| Fruit and Vegetable Technology | ||
| Dairy Products Technology | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 33-37 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33-37 | |
Electives
Students can select 9 credit hours of personal development electives. These electives can be used to foster a greater understanding of a topic of interest, to develop an inherent skill, or to pursue a minor.
Requirements for Minor Offered by Department
Mechanized Systems Management Minor – 18 Hours
The overall goal of the minor is to provide a foundation of technical skills to manage systems relevant to food, agriculture, and natural resources.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses for the Minor | ||
| AGST 232 | Power and Machinery Principles | 3 |
| AGST 245 | Fundamentals of Electrical Systems | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6 | |
| Technical electives | ||
| Select 6 hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Hydraulic Power Systems | ||
| Sensors and Control Systems for Agri-Industries | ||
| Equipment and Tractor Testing | ||
| Embedded Controls for Agricultural Applications | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6 | |
| Agricultural Systems Electives | ||
| Select 6 hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Animal Housing Systems | ||
| Soil Conservation and Watershed Management | ||
| Agricultural Products Processing and Handling | ||
| Site-specific Crop Management | ||
| Irrigation Systems Management | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Description: Fundamental principles of mechanics, heat, electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism and their relationship to energy utilization and conservation. Principles then applied to problem situations in agriculture and life sciences.
This course is a prerequisite for: AGST 109L; AGST 232; AGST 245; AGST 262; AGST 342; AGST 354, SOIL 354, WATS 354; AGST 364; AGST 452, AGST 852, WATS 452, PLAS 452; FDST 363, AGST 363
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 4 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 4 Science |
Credit Hours:4
ACE:ACE 4 Science
Description: Laboratory experiments on mechanics, heat, electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism and their relationship to energy utilization and conservation in agriculture and life sciences.
| Credit Hours: | 1 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 1 |
| Max credits per degree: | 1 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1
ACE:
Description: Basic principles of describing and evaluating mechanized systems relevant to agriculture, food, energy, and water. Problem solving using systems-thinking. Exploration of major and career opportunities. Academic success and planning.
| Credit Hours: | 1 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 1 |
| Max credits per degree: | 1 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1
ACE:
Description: Operational characteristics of IC engines, field, materials-handling, and processing machines and their components. Includes analyses, estimations, and objective comparisons of performance; principles for adjustment and calibration of metering systems; and cost-effective sizing of machines. Exercises include using ASABE Standards and available reports of machine performance (tractor test reports, etc.).
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | FALL |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Basic theory of electrical circuits, utilization of electric energy in production, processing, and residential applications. Theory and application of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) principles, switch and outlet wiring, wiring installations, selection of safe and adequate circuit devices, service equipment sizing, conductor sizing, electric motor operation and their control are covered. Develop switch and relay circuit schematics and build both DC and AC functional circuits. Ladder logic diagrams will be studied to understand the basic controls implemented in industrial automation.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | SPRING |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Open to AGST majors only.
Description: Use of computational tools to solve problems relevant to mechanized systems management. Professional communication of technical information. Discussion of current and emerging issues relevant to the major.
| Credit Hours: | 1 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 1 |
| Max credits per degree: | 1 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | SPRING |
Credit Hours:1
ACE:
Prerequisites: Permission and advanced approval of plan or work.
Description: Student participation in physical systems applications. May include participation in mechanization-related areas of agribusiness, production practices, and processing operations; research in laboratory, greenhouse and field; or preparation of teaching materials.
| Credit Hours: | 1-5 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 5 |
| Max credits per degree: | 12 |
| Grading Option: | Pass No Pass |
Credit Hours:1-5
ACE:
Prerequisites: Junior Standing
Class meets once a week with the lecture and lab being taught concurrently to foster hands-on learning.
Description: Overview of the digital agriculture technologies and techniques to support crop and livestock production systems. Emphasis on data life cycle including generation, collection, storage, processing, visualization, and analysis. Hands-on experiences with agricultural IoT, sensing, data processing, and decision making with open-source programming tools,
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | SPRING |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Production facilities for livestock and poultry will be developed with emphasis on building and feedlot layout, ventilation, heating and cooling systems; energy utilization; and construction materials and methods.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | FALL |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Watershed hydrology, soil erosion, erosion control, water management, and land surveying and mapping. Includes rainfall-runoff relationships; determination of watershed characteristics; terraces, waterways, vegetative filters, and residue management; ponds, wetlands, non-point source pollution control, and water conservation; profile and topographic surveying.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | FALL |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Fundamentals of food engineering including material and energy balances, fluid mechanics, heat transfer and mass transfer.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Analysis of processing and handling operations. Chemical and physical characteristics of agricultural products. Application of pyschrometrics. Power requirements, capacities, and efficiencies of drying and conveying systems. Discussion of safety issues, logistics, and survey of industry technologies.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | SPRING |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: FDST 205
Field trips are required and may occur outside of scheduled class time.
Description: The companion animal industry, products, processes and career opportunities.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded |
| Offered: | FALL |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: By permission
Completion of internship approval form is required. The internship proposal is subject to approval by the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. Pass/No Pass only.
Description: Practical experience, directed learning, and career exploration and development in a selected business, industry, agency, or educational institution.
| Credit Hours: | 1-3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 5 |
| Grading Option: | Pass No Pass |
| Experiential Learning: | Internship/Co-op |
Credit Hours:1-3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Junior standing
Online course offered by Iowa State University through the AG*IDEA consortium. Contact CASNR Distance Education Consortium Coordinator for course details, prerequisites and registration information.
Description: Identifies safety and health risks in industrial work environments. Focus on how managers and supervisors meet their responsibilities for providing a safe workplace for their employees. Includes the identification and remediation of workplace hazards.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Online course offered by Iowa State University through the AG*IDEA consortium. Contact CASNR Distance Education Consortium Coordinator for course details, prerequisites and registration information.
Description: The science, engineering, economics and business of converting biorenewable resources into bioenergy and biobased products. Biorenewable concepts as they relate to drivers of change, feedstock production, economics, transportation and logistics, and marketing.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Online course offered by Kansas State University through the AG*IDEA consortium. Contact CASNR Distance Education Consortium Coordinator for course details, prerequisites and registration information.
Description: Systems, components, operation practices, and safety procedures used in the chemical application industry. Liquid and granular application systems and respective components will be studied along with procedures for equipment sizing and maintenance, minimizing drift, system calibration, and safe handling-transportation-storage-disposal and spill clean-up of agrichemicals.
| Credit Hours: | 2 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 2 |
| Max credits per degree: | 2 |
| Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:2
ACE:
Prerequisites: AGST 245
Description: Theory and application of fluids under controlled pressure to perform work in mobile and industrial applications. Positive displacement (PD) pumps, linear and rotary hydraulic actuators (hydraulic cylinders and motors), valves, and electric over hydraulic systems will be studied in detail. Fluid power circuit development on both hydraulic benches and computer simulated environments will be performed with emphasis on circuit analysis, and system troubleshooting.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | SPRING |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: AGST 245 or permission.
Description: Application of sensors for measurement of process control variables and implementation of microcomputer-based measurement and control systems. Basic electrical and electronic instrumentation plus control of electrically, pneumatically and/or hydraulically powered systems.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Principles and concepts of site-specific management. Evaluation of geographic information systems for crop production practices. Practical experience with hardware and software necessary for successful application of information affecting crop management.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Offered spring semester in even-numbered calendar years.
Description: Principles and procedures involved in testing agricultural equipment and tractors. Actual test planned, scheduled, conducted and reported. Test may be based upon procedures used at the Nebraska Tractor Testing Laboratory or involve other equipment being used for research in the department.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | SPRING |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Introduction to the basics of embedded controller programming, and the development of Controller Area Network (CAN) bus systems in agricultural applications. Interfacing sensors with analog and digital signals, closed loop control of actuators, transmission and reception of CAN messages, programming of CAN messages in a distributed controller set up for sensor data acquisition, and actuator control will be studied.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded |
| Offered: | FALL |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
PLAS/SOIL 153 recommended.
Description: Irrigation management and the selection, evaluation, and improvement of irrigation systems. Includes soil-water measurement, crop water use, irrigation scheduling, irrigation efficiency, measurement of water flow, irrigation systems, groundwater and wells, pumping systems, applying chemicals with irrigation systems, and environmental and water resource considerations.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | FALL |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Senior standing in AGST
Capstone course.
Description: Team-based activities to evaluate equipment systems, make technical and economic recommendations, develop professional written and oral reports. Topics include equipment system performance and management, project scheduling and planning, cost estimation, reliability analysis, and risk assessment.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | SPRING |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 10 Integrated Product |
| Experiential Learning: | Case/Project-Based Learning |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:ACE 10 Integrated Product
Prerequisites: FDST/AGST 363.
Description: Unit operations and their applications to food processing.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Junior standing; MATH 106; 4 hrs physics; physical or biological science major.
Description: Discussion and practical application of principles and practices of measuring meteorological and related variables near the earth's surface including temperature, humidity, precipitation, pressure, radiation and wind. Performance characteristics of sensors and modern data collection methods are discussed and evaluated.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Senior standing.
Capstone course.
Description: Holistic approach to the selection and analysis of planning strategies for protecting water quality from nonpoint sources of contamination. Introduction to the use of methods of analyzing the impact of strategies on whole systems and subsystems; for selecting strategies; and for evaluating present strategies.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 10 Integrated Product |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:ACE 10 Integrated Product
Prerequisites: Permission
Description: Subject matter in emerging areas of Mechanized Systems Management not covered in other courses within the curriculum. Topics, activities, and delivery methods vary.
| Credit Hours: | 1-6 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 6 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1-6
ACE:
Prerequisites: 15 hours in AGST or closely related area.
Description: Individual or group projects in research, literature review, or extension of course work under the supervision and evaluation of a departmental faculty member.
| Credit Hours: | 1-5 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 5 |
| Max credits per degree: | 12 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1-5
ACE:
Prerequisites: Admission to the University Honors Program and permission
AGRI 299H recommended.
Description: Conduct a scholarly research project and write a University Honors Program or undergraduate thesis.
| Credit Hours: | 3-6 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 6 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Grading Option: | Graded |
Credit Hours:3-6
ACE:
PLEASE NOTE
This document represents a sample 4-year plan for degree completion with this major. Actual course selection and sequence may vary and should be discussed individually with your college or department academic advisor. Advisors also can help you plan other experiences to enrich your undergraduate education such as internships, education abroad, undergraduate research, learning communities, and service learning and community-based learning.
Agricultural Systems Technology - Business
Critical - Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
Agricultural Systems Technology - Processing Operations
Critical - Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
Agricultural Systems Technology - Production
Critical - Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
Agricultural Systems Technology - Technical
Critical - Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
Career Information
The following represents a sample of the internships, jobs and graduate school programs that current students and recent graduates have reported.
Jobs of Recent Graduates
- Operations Management LDP, Ardent Mills - Kenosha, WI
- Operations Supervisor, Cargill - Nebraska City, NE
- Production Supervisor, Land O'Lakes - Harrisburg, PA
- Operations Management, Union Pacific - Lincoln, NE
- Ag Services Operations Management, Archer Daniels Midland - Fremont, NE
- Technical Product Support Specialist, Orthman Manufacturing - Lexington, NE
- Marketing Representative - Product Support, John Deere - Waterloo, IA
- Field Test Engineer, AGCO Corporation - Hesston, KS
- Ag Specialist, JR Simplott Company - Scottsbluff, NE
- Product Support Technician, Lindsay Manufacturing - Lindsay, NE
Internships
- Ag Services Operations Intern, ADM Grain - Corpus Christi, TX
- Marketing Intern, John Deere - Urbandale, IA
- Operations Intern, Dow AgroSciences - York, NE
- Product Support Intern, John Deere - Ottumwa, IA
- Operations Intern, ConAgra Foods - Hastings, MN
- Agronomy/Crop Scout Intern, DuPont Pioneer - York, NE
- Test Engineer Assistant, Global Industries - Grand Island, NE
- Equipment Testing Technician, CLAAS - Omaha, NE
- Plant Operations, Scoular - Omaha, NE
- Engineering Test Lab Intern, Exmark Manufacturing - Beatrice, NE
Graduate & Professional Schools
- Master's in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN
- Master's in Mechanized Systems Management, University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Lincoln, NE
- Master's in Agricultural & Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Lincoln, NE
- Ph.D., Engineering, Purdue University - Richmond, IN
- Ph.D., Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Lincoln, NE