Agricultural Systems Management
Agricultural Systems Management
The Agricultural Systems Management (ASM) program combines an understanding of the agricultural, biological, and physical sciences with economics, managerial, and technical skills. This understanding of science, systems management, and applications engineering can be applied to a career in the production and processing of food, feed, fiber, and fuel, and the marketing, sales, and distribution of agricultural products and services. Students focus on the application of engineering designs, the study of technology used in agriculture, and the integration of business management concepts in the agricultural, food, and closely related industries. Students complete courses in machinery principles, off-road power systems, precision agriculture, commodity handling and processing, natural resources management, electrical and electronic systems, and information and decision support technology.
Taking courses in accounting, economics, marketing, management, business law, sales, and finance develops a strong business background. Personal career objectives may be pursued through specialization in areas such as agribusiness and production agriculture. Students are encouraged to minor in agribusiness, business administration, communication, or another agricultural discipline.
Agricultural Systems Management graduates are often self-employed as owners/operators of commercial farms, ranches, and businesses. Others are employed in positions that provide the link between the consumer and people in fields such as research design, engineering, or manufacturing. They are often also employed as crop consultants or production specialists. Employers include:
- companies and agencies that provide inputs, products, and services for agricultural production;
- companies or agencies in the business of handling, storing, processing, and distributing agricultural products/commodities and processed food or non-food products; and
- companies and agencies that supply physical and business services to rural and urban communities.
This degree is ideal for those interested in careers in technical sales or management of an agriculture-related business involved in production, processing, or manufacturing. The flexibility of the program allows students the opportunity to tailor the curriculum to complement their career goals.
Students interested in the design, testing, manufacturing, and development aspects of products, processes, or systems for agricultural production, food, and value-added processing of commodities, or sustainable management of environmental resources should consider the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering curriculum in the College of Engineering .
Curriculum Options
- Production Agriculture: Students select courses in agricultural sciences and supporting areas to achieve career goals in the technical and management aspects of production agriculture systems.
- Applied Business: Students select courses in agribusiness, business, and related areas to achieve career goals in agricultural and related areas to achieve career goals in agricultural and related business areas.
- Dealership Management: This option is designed for students who want careers as equipment dealership managers or with equipment manufacturers. Technology, agribusiness, and communication are emphasized. Requirements include a minor in business administration or agribusiness, two paid internships with equipment dealerships, and an additional communication course.
Agricultural Systems Management Minor
A minor in Agricultural Systems Management is available to students from other majors by working with department faculty to select 16-21 credits in Agricultural Systems Management. A minimum of eight credits must be completed at NDSU.
Major Requirements
Major: Agricultural Systems Management
Degree Type: B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 128
General Education Requirements
| First Year Experience (F): | ||
| AGRI 189 | Skills for Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take ABEN 189.) | 1 |
| Communication (C): | ||
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| One Course in Upper Level Writing. Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Business and Professional Writing | ||
| Writing in the Technical Professions | ||
| Creative Writing I | ||
| Writing in the Sciences | ||
| Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal | ||
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (R): | ||
| STAT 330 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| Science & Technology (S): | ||
| CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 122 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| PHYS 211 & 211L | College Physics I and College Physics I Laboratory | 4 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): | ||
| ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| Wellness (W): Select from current general education list | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D): Select from current general education list | ||
| Global Perspective (G): | ||
| ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Major Requirements
Students must maintain a 2.25 GPA in ASM prefix courses.
| General Education Requirements | 40 | |
| Agricultural Systems Management Core Requirements | ||
| ASM 115 | Fundamentals of Agricultural Systems Management | 3 |
| ASM 125 | Fabrication & Construction Technology | 3 |
| ASM 225 | Computer Applications in Agricultural Systems Management | 3 |
| ASM 264 | Natural Resource Management Systems | 3 |
| ASM 323 | Post-Harvest Technology | 3 |
| ASM 354 | Electricity and Electronic Applications | 3 |
| ASM 373 | Tractors & Power Units | 3 |
| ASM 374 | Power Units Laboratory | 1 |
| ASM 378 | Machinery Principles and Management | 3 |
| ASM 429 | Hydraulic Power Principles and Applications | 3 |
| ASM 454 | Principles and Application of Precision Agriculture | 3 |
| ASM 475 | Management of Agricultural Systems (Capstone Course) | 2 |
| ASM 491 | Seminar | 1 |
| ASM 496 | Field Experience (Expo) | 1 |
| Supporting Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-6 | |
| Fundamentals of Accounting | ||
| Elements of Accounting I and Elements of Accounting II | ||
| AGRI 150 | Agriculture Orientation (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take AGRI 150.) | 1 |
| CSCI 114 | Microcomputer Packages | 3-4 |
| or CSCI 116 | Business Use of Computers | |
| MATH 103 | College Algebra (or higher - May not be required based on math placement.) | 3 |
| MATH 105 | Trigonometry (or higher) | 3 |
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Specialized Options - Select from one of the specialized options listed below. A minor program of study may be completed in place of an option. | 28-35 | |
| Degree Electives: Potential of 9 credits to reach 128 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 128-138 | |
specialized options
| Applied Business Option: Minimum 28 Credits | ||
| This is the standard option for this major; students can declare another option or the minor option with the Office of Registration and Records. | ||
| Complete any course from the College of Ag and or biological science course with the following prefix: BIOL, BOT, MICR, ZOO. | ||
| Select courses in agriculture science or supporting areas to enhance careers in Agribusiness. Select courses in consultation with an advisor. Courses not on the list will require a substitution form to be submitted to the Office of Registration and Records. | ||
| Production Agriculture Option: Minimum of 28 Credits | ||
| Complete any course from the College of Ag or any biological science course with the following prefix: BIOL, BOT, MICR, ZOO. | ||
| Select courses in consultation with an advisor. Courses not on the list will require substiution form to be submitted to the Office of Registration and Records. | ||
| Dealership Management Option: Minimum 28-35 | ||
| Minor in either Business Administration (24 credits) or Agribusiness (17 or 21 credits) required. | 17-24 | |
| ACCT 200 & ACCT 201 | Elements of Accounting I and Elements of Accounting II | 6 |
| ASM 496 | Field Experience | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Persuasive Speaking | ||
| Listening and Nonverbal Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Speaking | ||
| Small Group Communication | ||
Degree Requirements and Notes:
- Students must register for an ASM internship in the semester it is be completed. This includes internships arranged with the NDSU Career Center.
- Transfer grades must be ‘C’ or higher to count towards major requirements.
- The completion of a minor program of study is suggested but not required. Option suggestions are: Accounting, Agribusiness, Animal Sciences, Business Administration, Construction Management, Crop & Weed Sciences, Industrial Engineering & Management, Public Relations & Advertising, or Range Science.
Minor Requirements
Agricultural Systems Management
Minor Requirements
Required Credits: 16
| Required Courses | ||
| ASM 264 | Natural Resource Management Systems | 3 |
| ASM 354 | Electricity and Electronic Applications | 3 |
| ASM 373 | Tractors & Power Units | 3 |
| or ASM 378 | Machinery Principles and Management | |
| Remaining Credits: Select 7 credits from the following: | 7 | |
| Computer Applications in Agricultural Systems Management | ||
| Post-Harvest Technology | ||
| Power Units Laboratory | ||
| Hydraulic Power Principles and Applications | ||
| Principles and Application of Precision Agriculture | ||
| Management of Agricultural Systems (Capstone) | ||
| Seminar | ||
| Field Experience (Expo) | ||
| Field Experience | ||
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Minor Requirements and Notes:
- A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.
- Students must earn a minimum 2.00 GPA for the minor requirements.
