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2021-2022 General Catalog 
    
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Agricultural Systems Technology - BS


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College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Department of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education

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  • For more information about Agricultural Systems Technology, see website.
  • Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
  • Admitted students must meet with an advisor. Current students should also meet with an advisor and log on to Degree Works  to check student-specific program progress.
  • Choose to emphasize in Agricultural Mechanization, Agribusiness or Farm & Ranch Operations. 24 credits are required.

 

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits 120

 

Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)

2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better 100 Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above) 40
Total USU Credits 30 Upper-division USU Credits 20
USU Credits within the Major 10 Credits in Minor (if required) 12
Credits in Major see below Credits in American Institutions 3
General Education Requirements   see link University Studies Depth Requirements   see link
NOTES: The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1050: College Algebra (QL) .

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program

New freshmen Admitted to USU in Good Standing

 

Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU 2.75 GPA

First Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ASTE 1010: Introduction to Agricultural Systems Technology   3     APEC 1600: Natural Resources and American Economic Institutions (BAI)  or ECN 1500: Introduction to Economic Institutions, History, and Principles (BAI)   3  or 3    
ENGL 1010: Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)   3     ASTE 2200: Electricity in Agricultural Systems   3    
Breadth Creative Arts (BCA) Course   3   MATH 1050: College Algebra (QL)   4    
Breadth Humanities (BHU) Course   3   Designated Elective Course  3 See emphasis lists below
Math Course 2-4   Designated Elective Course  3 See emphasis lists below
Comments

Choose to emphasize in Agricultural Mechanization, Agribusiness or Farm & Ranch Operations. 24 credits are required.

Comments

Second Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

APEC 2120: Small Firm Accounting Basics   3     APEC 2010: Introduction to Microeconomics (BSS)   3    
ASTE 2830: Agribusiness Sales and Marketing   3     CHEM 1110: General Chemistry I (BPS)   4    
ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)   3     CAAS Elective or NR Course 3  
TEE 1200: Computer-Aided Drafting and Design   3     CAAS Elective or NR Course  
USU 1350: Integrated Life Science (BLS)   3    Recommended BLS course CAAS Elective or NR Course 3  
Comments
Comments

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ASTE 3030: Metal Welding Processes and Technology in Agriculture   3     APEC 3010: Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness (DSS)   3    
ASTE 3050: Technical and Professional Communication Principles (CI)   3     ASTE 2900: Food Matters: Ethics, Economics, and the Environment (BSS)   3   Recommended BSS course
PSC 3000: Fundamentals of Soil Science   4     ASTE 3080: Compact Power Units for Agricultural and Turfgrass Applications   3    
Designated Elective Course  3 See emphasis lists below ASTE 4100: Agricultural Structures and Environment (QI)   3   See emphasis lists below
Designated Elective Course  3 See emphasis lists below Designated Elective Course  3 See emphasis lists below
Comments
Comments

Fourth Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ASTE 5260: Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Systems (CI)   3     APEC 2310: Small Firm Management  3   
CAAS Elective or NR Course 3   CAAS Elective or NR Course 3  
CAAS Elective or NR Course 3 See emphasis lists below Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) Course  2  
CAAS Elective or NR Course 3   Designated Elective Course 3 See emphasis lists below
CAAS Elective or NR Course  3   Designated Elective Course 3 See emphasis lists below
Comments
Comments

 

A degree in Agricultural Systems Technology prepares individuals to manage agricultural systems and agribusinesses with the application of sound technical, economical, and environmental practices. The focal point of the program is on the management, use, and troubleshooting of agricultural technology.

Students’ coursework typically involves a broad foundation through real-world instruction in power and machine systems, natural resources conservation, electricity and electronics, precision agriculture technologies, and agricultural structural systems­.

Students have the option to take electives to focus their studies in one of three emphases: AgribusinessAgricultural Mechanization and Farm & Ranch Operations.

An Agribusiness emphasis provides in-depth, technical education in agricultural economics and business management. It is designed to provide basic knowledge of business concepts and approaches, as well as an understanding of current agricultural changes. This emphasis is for students who wish to become managers in the ag industry. Students take courses in agricultural economics, agricultural business, and agricultural mechanics.

An Agricultural Mechanization emphasis provides a broad understanding of the production processes in agriculture, with a depth of understanding related to using machinery. Students take courses in agricultural mechanics, animal science, natural resources, plant science, and soil science. 

Farm & Ranch Operations emphasis provides a path for students who wish to efficiently manage a crop or livestock production operation, or make a positive contribution on a multi-generational farm and/or ranch. Students in this 24-credit emphasis strengthen their knowledge and ability in animal and plant science to meet the variety of challenges that face agriculture today.

For more information, click on this link or contact the academic advisor, Marci Chidester at marci.chidester@usu.edu or 435-797-8434.

Note:


Agricultural Systems Technology students may elect to concentrate their coursework within one of the three major emphases: Agribusiness, Agricultural Mechanization, or Farm and Ranch Operations.

Farm & Ranch Operations Emphasis


Select 24 credits from the following courses. Twelve of these credits must be selected from upper-division (3000-level and above) courses.

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