BS in Agricultural Systems Technology

Degree Program Description

Agricultural Systems Technology combines interests in technology, machines, and business to be at the forefront of technological innovation in agriculture, environmental protection and related industries. Students will study digital agricultural systems pertaining to structures, hydraulics, precision agriculture, machinery, electricity, sensors and the Internet of Things to manage agricultural systems.  Agricultural Systems Technology graduates apply science, technology and engineering principles to manage complex agricultural and other production systems.

Agricultural Systems Technology will prepare graduates for a variety of careers, including: agricultural and power equipment manufacturing, equipment sales and service, food production and processing, precision agriculture technology, and government.

Major Program Requirements

Students who earn a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Systems Technology, the management of technical agricultural systems, are required to complete all University general education, University graduation and degree requirements, including selected foundational courses, which may fulfill some University general education requirements.   

Foundational Courses29-30
MATH 1100College Algebra3
ABM 2225Statistical Analysis3
or MATH 1140 Trigonometry
or MATH 1400 Calculus for Social and Life Sciences I
or MATH 1500 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
or STAT 1200 Introductory Statistical Reasoning
BIO_SC 1010
BIO_SC 1020
General Principles and Concepts of Biology
and General Biology Laboratory
5
or BIO_SC 1030 General Principles and Concepts of Biology with Laboratory
or BIO_SC 1200 General Botany with Laboratory
or BIO_SC 1500 Introduction to Biological Systems with Laboratory
PLNT_SCI 2110Who Runs the World? Plants.3
or SOIL 2100 Introduction to Soils
ABM 1041Applied Microeconomics3
ABM 1042Applied Macroeconomics3
CHEM 1400
CHEM 1401
College Chemistry I
and College Chemistry I Laboratory
4
or CHEM 1100 Atoms and Molecules with Lab
ACCTCY 2036Accounting I3
or ACCTCY 2010 Introduction to Accounting
or ACCTCY 2026 Accounting I
AGSC_COM 2220Verbal Communication in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources3
or COMMUN 1200 Public Speaking
Core Requirements29
AG_S_TCH 1020Introduction to Agricultural Systems Technology3
AG_S_TCH 1040Physical Principles for Agricultural Applications3
AG_S_TCH 2199Seminar in Professional Development1-3
AG_S_TCH 2340Pesticide Application Equipment3
AG_S_TCH 3225Sensors and Control for Agricultural Systems 3
AG_S_TCH 4140Electricity: Wiring and Equipment3
AG_S_TCH 4160Internet of Things for Agricultural Technology3
AG_S_TCH 4320Agricultural Equipment and Machinery4
AG_S_TCH 4360Precision Agriculture Science and Technology3
AG_S_TCH 4390Optimization and Management of Food and Agricultural Systems3
Supporting AST Electives12
AG_S_TCH 2220Agricultural/Industrial Facility Systems3
AG_S_TCH 2360Fluid Power3
AG_S_TCH 4220Material Handling and Conditioning3
AG_S_TCH 4420Surface Water Management3
AG_S_TCH 4365Machinery Management Using Precision Agriculture Technology3
AG_S_TCH 4366Data Management and Analysis Using Precision Agriculture Technology3
AG_S_TCH 4368Profit Strategies Using Precision Agriculture Technology3
AG_S_TCH 4460Irrigation and Drainage3
AG_S_TCH 4940Agricultural Systems Technology Internship2-5

In consultation with their advisor, students may select elective courses to bring their total credit hours to the 120 hour minimum.  

Suggested Electives
PLNT_SCI 2125Plant Structure and Function4
PLNT_SCI 3210WPrinciples of Weed Science - Writing Intensive4
PLNT_SCI 3275Grain Crops3
PLNT_SCI 4313Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition3
ABM 3241WEthical Issues in Agriculture - Writing Intensive3
ABM 3260General Farm Management3
ABM 3256Agribusiness and Biotechnology Law3

Back to Top

Example AST Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available. This plan shows how students have the opportunity to develop their area of study to achieve a Certificate in Precision Agriculture Technology.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AG_S_TCH 10203AG_S_TCH 10403
AG_S_TCH 21991-3ABM 10423
ABM 10413ENGLSH 10003
MATH 11003State Requirement3
BIO_SC 10103BIO_SC 10202
Humanities3 
 16-18 14
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AG_S_TCH 41403AG_S_TCH 23403
AG_S_TCH 43204AG_S_TCH 32253
COMMUN 1200 or AGSC_COM 22203SOIL 21003
CHEM 11004STAT 12003
Elective3Humanities3
 17 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AG_S_TCH 43603AG_S_TCH 42203
AG_S_TCH 41603AG_S_TCH 4365 (Precision AG Certificate)3
Supporting AG_S_TCH Course3Supporting AG_S_TCH Course3
Accounting3Writing Intensive3
Elective3Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AG_S_TCH 43903AG_S_TCH 4368 (Precision AG Certificate)3
Supporting AG_S_TCH Course33000 Level Writing Intensive3
AG_S_TCH 4366 (Precision AG Certificate)3Elective3
Supporting AG_S_TCH Course3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3 
 18 15
Total Credits: 125-127

Back to Top

Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

Back to Top

Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

Back to Top