Agricultural Systems Management Minor

The Agricultural Systems Management minor covers the mechanical, structural, natural resource, processing, and electronic technologies applied in agriculture systems. Students who graduate with this minor will have a solid understanding of how physical sciences and biological principles apply to real world problems in food and fiber industries. With industry teams often formed purposefully with many disciplines represented, this background of applied engineering basics and the focus on quantitative analysis has proven helpful to past graduates.

Integration of the applied technologies is addressed using a systems approach in each required course. Technologies addressed by courses in this minor include combustion engines, electric motors, mechanical and hydraulic power transmission systems, mobile equipment functions and operations, sensor and control systems, building structures, ventilation, drying, irrigation, drainage, and food processing. The minor is targeted to students who will use these technologies or manage others who are responsible for systems utilizing these technologies. Most courses required for the minor are taught by engineering faculty, and nearly every course has a laboratory period.

Agricultural Mechanization Technology minor emphasizes application of mechanization and engineering technology to solve problems in agriculture. This minor provides a background in the fundamentals of agricultural production and processing systems, power use, machinery, building construction, and annual plant environments, facilities, and natural resource management.

Requirements
The minor in Agricultural Systems Management may be combined with any undergraduate major in the University. It requires 18 credits in addition to the student's baccalaureate degree and departmental major requirements. Certain courses may require prerequisites not included in the minor. Admission to the minor requires introductory calculus (MATH 110 or 140) and introductory physics (PHYS 211 or 250).

Students may select courses from the following list. No more than 3 credits of ASM 495, 496, and/or 497 may apply toward the minor.

ASM 221 Introduction to Agricultural Systems Management
ASM 307 Golf Course Irrigation and Drainage
ASM 310 Power Transmission in Agriculture
ASM 320 Combustion Engines for Mobile Equipment
ASM 326 Hazard Identification and Control in Production Agriculture and Related Businesses
ASM 327 Soil and Water Resource Management
ASM 420 Off-Road Power Units
ASM 422 Environmental Systems for Agricultural Buildings
ASM 424 Selection and Management of Agricultural Machinery
ASM 425 Physical Principles in Food Processing
ASM 426 Management of Safety and Health Issues in Production Agriculture and Related Businesses
ASM 428 Electrical Power and Instrumentation in Agriculture
ASM 429W Agricultural Systems Analysis and Management
ASM 457 Land Application of Wastes
ASM 495 Internship
ASM 496 Independent Studies
ASM 497 Special Topics

A grade of C or better is required for all courses taken to satisfy the minor.

Procedures for Enrollment
Students may apply for admission to the Agricultural Systems Management minor by submitting an Application for Admission to a Minor form in 224 Agricultural Engineering Building. The approval of the student's major program adviser is required. For additional information, contact the coordinator in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at 814-865-2633.