Agricultural Systems Technology

(Administered by the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering)
Stewart Melvin, Head of Department
University Professors: Baker
Professors: Bern, Bundy, Hurburgh, L. Johnson, Kanwar, Melvin, Misra
Professors (Adjunct): Quick
Professors (Collaborators): Colvin, Deboer, Laflen
Distinguished Professors (Emeritus): H. Johnson
Professors (Emeritus): Beer, Bekkum, Bockhop, Buchele, Hazen, Hoerner, Hull, Keeney, Lovely, Mangold, Marley, Meyer, Pedersen, Smith
Associate Professors: Anderson, Batchelor, Glanville, Greiner, Harmon, Hoff, Mickelson, Schwab, Tim, Xin
Assistant Professors: Birrell, Briggs, Brumm, Freeman, Lorimor, Powers-Schilling, Richard, Steward
Assistant Professors (Adjunct): Shahan
Assistant Professors (Emeritus): M. Boyd
Instructors (Adjunct): P. Boyd, Zmolek

Undergraduate Study

The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering offers the bachelor of science degree with a major in agricultural systems technology (see College of Agriculture, Curricula).

The curriculum prepares men and women for careers requiring integration and application of agricultural and mechanical technology, physical and biological sciences, and business to manage human and natural resources, environmental systems, and systems for producing, processing, and marketing food and other biomaterials worldwide. Graduates have the ability to apply science and technology to problems related to agriculture and manage complex agricultural systems for sustainability. They are able to communicate effectively, have problem-solving skills and awareness of environmental issues. Graduates have developed team building skills and computer proficiency. Graduates find careers with agricultural machinery industries; environmental organizations; governmental agencies; farm builders; grain, feed, seed, fertilizer, and chemical companies; or in production agriculture.

The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering offers a minor in agricultural systems technology which may be earned by completing a minimum of 15 credits of agricultural systems technology courses, with a maximum of 6 credits of 100- and 200-level courses and at least two credits in 400-level courses. Students may select courses to provide emphasis in areas such as:

1. Machine and energy management,

2. Livestock production systems,

3. Soil and water resource management,

4. Electrical systems,

5. Grain operations

6. Environmental systems technology.

For undergraduate curriculum in agricultural systems technology leading to the degree of bachelor of science, see College of Agriculture, Curricula.

Visit our departmental website at

www.ae.iastate.edu

Graduate Study

The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering offers courses for nonmajor graduate credit in agricultural systems technology for students taking major work in other departments, and cooperates in the interdepartmental program in professional agriculture. A minor in agricultural systems technology is offered.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 420, 425, 435, 460, 462, 474, 475, 476, 490, 493, 496.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students

AST 110. Experiencing Agricultural Systems Technology
(0-2) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: AST majors only. Laboratory-based, team oriented experiences in a spectrum of topics common to the practice of agricultural systems technology. Report writing, internships, careers, industry visits.

AST 115. Technology Problems with Computational Laboratory
(2-2) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Math 140 (can be taken concurrently). Solving technology problems and presenting solutions through technical reports. Graphing and curve-fitting. Use of SI units. Significant digits. Solutions of technology problems using spreadsheet software. Data collection and analysis.

AST 120. Introduction to Renewable Resources (Same as Agron 120, A Ecl 120, Env S 120, For 120.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Overview of soil, water, plants, and animals as renewable natural resources in an ecosystems context. History and organization of resource management. Concepts of integrated resource management.

AST 210. Fundamentals of Agricultural Systems Technology
(3-0) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: 115, Math 140, 142. Introduction to problem solving related to systems in agricultural power and machinery, environmental and natural resources, structures and animal environment, and electrical circuits. Basic energy and force laws, definitions, and units.

AST 215. Computer-aided Graphics Applications
(1-2) Cr. 2. F.S. Prereq: 115. Computer-aided graphics for agricultural systems using AutoCAD and other software. Computer modeling and documentation of two- and three-dimensional geometries. Drawing organization and interfacing with other software. Integration of CAD graphics with reports, presentations, and other media.

AST 297. Work Experience in Agricultural Systems Technology
Cr. 1 to 2. F.S.SS. Prereq: AST major and approval of adviser required prior to commencing work experience. Work experience must be related to career objectives. Written report and oral presentation required on the work experience. A maximum of 4 credits of 297 may be used toward the total of 128 credits required for graduation.

AST 298. Cooperative Education in Agricultural Systems Technology
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Sophomore classification in AST and approval of cooperative coordinator. All cooperative education students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

AST 324. Soil and Water Conservation Management
(2-0) Cr. 2. F.S. Prereq: Math 140. Introduction to engineering principles applied to the planning of erosion control systems, water control structures, water quality management, drainage and irrigation systems, and farm water resource development.

AST 326. Conservation Surveying and Design
(0-3) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in 324. Agricultural surveys for field area measurement and mapping. Handbook design of drainage systems and farm water control structures. Layout of conservation structures.

AST 330. Agricultural Machinery and Power Management
(2-3) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Math 140, 142. Selection, sizing, and operational principles of tractors and machinery systems. Cost analysis and computer techniques applied to planning and management of agricultural machine systems. Principles, operation, and application of power sources.

AST 333. Precision Farming Systems
(2-2) Cr. 3. F.S. (web-based course spring semester) Prereq: Math 140, junior or senior classification. Geographic information systems and global positioning systems. Sampling strategies for precision farming. Building prescriptions and recommendations. Systems for precision farming, equipment, software uses, legal and social issues, and economics.

AST 335. Tractor Power
(3-3) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: 210, Math 140, 142. Theory and construction of tractor engines, mechanical power trains and hydraulic systems. Introduction to traction, chassis mechanics, and hydraulic power.

AST 337. Fluid Power Systems for Agriculture
(1-3) Cr. 2. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: 210, 335. Fundamental hydraulic principles. Hydraulic fluid properties. Function and performance of pumps, valves, actuators, lines, and accessories. Operation and maintenance of hydraulic systems.

AST 358. Small Power Equipment
(1-2) Cr. 2. F.S. Principles of operation, adjustment, maintenance and repair of small internal-combustion engines and associated equipment.

AST 360. Electric Power and Electronics for Agriculture
(2-3) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 115, A E 271, Math 140, Physics 106 or 111. Basic electricity. Electrical safety, wiring, 3-phase service, controls, and motors for agricultural applications. Programmable controller applications. Planning lighting and electrical systems.

AST 362. Preservation of Grain Quality
(2-3) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Math 140. Principles and management for grain preservation. Grain drying and dry grain storage. Psychrometrics. Fan and airflow. Grain handling methods and system planning. Grain quality measurement, end-use value analysis, high-moisture preservation.

AST 373. Animal Production Systems
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 210. Response of animals to the thermal environment. Environmental systems for animal production. Water, feed handling and waste management systems. Planning confinement facilities for swine, poultry, beef and dairy production systems.

AST 397. Internship in Agricultural Systems Technology
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Sophomore classification in AST and approval of adviser. A supervised work experience in an approved learning setting with application to agricultural systems practices and principles.

AST 398. Cooperative Education in Agricultural Systems Technology
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Junior classification in AST and approval of cooperative coordinator. All cooperative education students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

AST 403. Senior Seminar
(1-0) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Senior classification. Development of professionalism and ethics. Career search; resume and cover letter preparation; interviews. Oral and written communication applications.

AST 420. Land Drainage and Irrigation
(2-0) Cr. 2. Off campus. Offered Fall 2003. Prereq: 324, Agron 154. Technical, economic, and environmental aspects of the planning and management of farm field drainage and irrigation systems. Application of theory from engineering, soil science, and plant science to the solution of real-world problems. Designed for master of agriculture program. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AST 425. Impacts of Agriculture on Water Quality
(2-0) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: One of the following: 324, Agron 154, Math 140. Relationship between agriculture and water quality; chemical use; erosion and conservation tillage; water quality monitoring techniques; animal waste and water quality; nonpoint source pollution; management systems to reduce chemical leaching to groundwater. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AST 435. Agricultural Safety
(1-3) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: 115. Fundamentals of safety, injury collection, analysis and investigation, risk assessment, fault tree analysis, and hazard communications applied to agricultural operations. Exploration of noise, indoor air quality, chemicals, machinery, fire, and confined space hazards identification and injury prevention interventions. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AST 460. Agricultural Electronics
(1-3) Cr. 2. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: 360. Electronics to sense, monitor, and control processes in power and machinery, grain operations, animal environment, and natural resources. Semiconductors, digital logic circuits; speed, pressure, position, temperature, and moisture sensors; electrohydraulics; programmable logic controllers. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AST 462. Post-Harvest Grain Technology
(2-0) Cr. 2. Off campus, offered F. 2001 - S. 2003. Prereq: 6 credits in agricultural or biological science, 3 credits in math. Grain drying and high-moisture preservation methods with emphasis on corn. Psychrometrics. Fans and airflow. Grain handling methods and system planning, corn milling, soybean processing. Designed for master of agriculture program. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AST 474. Livestock Housing Systems
(2-0) Cr. 2. Off campus, offered F. 2002. Prereq: 6 credits in agricultural or biological science, 3 credits in math. Properties of moist air, effects of environment on animal performance, principles of environmental control, feed handling systems, manure management alternatives, and planning total systems. Designed for master of agriculture program. Credit in only one of 373 or 474 may be used for graduation. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AST 475. Manure Management Systems for Livestock Production
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. (web-based course) Prereq: 6 credits in agricultural or biological sciences, Math 140. Livestock manure production, properties, collection, transport, storage, treatment and utilization. Regulations and environmental impacts. Systems for nutrient management and odor abatement. Practical design criteria and procedures for planning livestock manure handling systems. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AST 476. Planning Agricultural Structures and Farmstead Systems
(2-2) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 373. Layout and organization of farmstead systems. Planning farm shops, machine sheds, crop storage structures, livestock production buildings, and manure management systems. Analysis of building plans and calculating building costs. Building materials including timber, concrete and steel; construction methods and structural analysis. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AST 490. Independent Study
Cr. 1 to 3. Prereq: Junior or senior classification, permission of instructor. A maximum of 4 credits of 490 may be used toward the total of 128 credits required for graduation. Nonmajor graduate credit.

                A. Animal Environment/Air Quality

                C. Computer Operations

                E. Electrical/Electronics

                G. Grain Operations

                H. Honors

                 I. Safety and Human Factors

                K. Bioprocessing

                L. Livestock Production Systems

                M. Machine Systems

                N. Energy

                S. Soil and Water Resources

                T. Structures/Buildings

                W. Waste Management

AST 493. Workshop in Agricultural Systems Technology
Cr. 1. Offered as demand warrants. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Nonmajor graduate credit.

                A. Environment and Structures

                B. Waste Management

                C. Computer Operations

                D. Electricity and Electronics

                E. Metals Fabrication

                F. Grain Operations

                G. Safety and Human Factors

                H. Water Quality

                I. Erosion Control

                J. Tractor Power and Machine Systems

                K. Swine Production Systems

AST 496. Agricultural Systems Analysis and Planning
(1-4) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 12 credits in AST and senior classification in agriculture. Student teams prepare oral and written reports on term projects involving analysis and planning of systems for agriculture. Team projects include problem solving, solution evaluation, cost analysis, and use of computer decision-aid and computer graphics to prepare plans and reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AST 498. Cooperative Education in Agricultural Systems Technology
Cr. R. F.S.SS. Prereq: Senior classification in AST and approval of cooperative coordinator. All cooperative education students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.