Agricultural Systems Technology

200 | 300 | 400

(Administered by the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering)
Rameshwar Kanwar, Chair of Department
Distinguished Professors (Emeritus): H. Johnson
University Professors: Bern
University Professors (Emeritus): Baker
Professors: Brown, Chen, Downing, Hurburgh,L. Johnson, Kanwar, Misra, Van Leeuwen, Xin
Professors (Emeritus): Beer, Bekkum, Buchele, Bundy, Hazen, Hoerner, Keeney, Lovely, Mangold, Marley, Miller, Pedersen, Riley, R. Smith
Professors (Collaborators): Colvin, Laflen
Associate Professors: Anex, Birrell, Burns, Freeman, Glanville, Harmon, Hoff, Mickelson, Powers- Schilling, Schwab, Tim
Associate Professors (Emeritus): Anderson, Greiner, Lorimor, Weber
Assistant Professors: Brumm, Helmers, Kaleita-Forbes, Koziel, S. Smith, Steward, Tang
Assistant Professors (Emeritus): Boyd, Bradshaw
Assistant Professors (Adjunct): Shahan
Assistant Professors (Collaborators): Malone

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).

Program Objectives:

1) To produce graduates competent in the application of mathematics, agricultural and biological science, engineering, technology, and business management needed in their careers in managing agricultural and natural resource systems.

2) To produce graduates prepared for successful careers,life-long learning, and continuous personal and professional growth.

3) To produce graduates capable of addressing issues of ethics, safety, professionalism, cultural diversity, globalization, environmental impact, and social and economic impact in their careers.

4) To produce graduates with the skills necessary to analyze and manage technology systems, including abilities necessary to think creatively, solve problems, communicate effectively, and evaluate and implement problem solutions.

5) To produce graduates who can work collaboratively and who have people skills needed for a productive and satisfying life.

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, which includes AST 115, AST 210 and at least two credits in 400-level courses.

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.abe.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 programs in professional agriculture, sustainable agriculture, environmental sciences, and biorenewable resources and technology. A minor in agricultural systems technology is offered.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 425, 433, 435, 460, 475, 476, 490, 493, 496.

Courses primarily for undergraduate students

AST 103. Further Experiencing Agricultural Systems Technology. (0-2) Cr. 1. S. 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, competencies, electronic portfolios, industry visits.

AST 110. Experiencing Agricultural Systems Technology. (1-0) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: AST majors only. Team-oriented introduction to agricultural systems technology. Report writing, internships, careers, competencies, academic success strategies, industry visits.

AST 115. Solving Technology Problems. (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 Excel. Presentation of technical information using Word and PowerPoint.

AST 120. Introduction to Renewable Resources. (Same as Agron 120, Env S 120, NREM 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 130. Natural Resources and Agriculture. (Same as Env S 130, NREM 130.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Survey of the ecology and management of fish, forest, and wildlife resources in areas of intensive agriculture, with emphasis on Iowa. Conservation and management practices for private agricultural lands.

AST 203. Sophomore Seminar in Agricultural Systems Technology. (1-0) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Sophomore classification in AST. Ethics, competencies, portfolios, professionalism, career and leadership development.

AST 210. Fundamentals of Agricultural Systems Technology. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 115, Math 140. Introduction to problem solving related to fundamental agricultural technology systems such as: 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. S. Prereq: 115. Computer-aided graphics for agricultural systems using AutoCAD and other software. Computer modeling and documentation of two- and three-dimensional geometries. Integration of CAD graphics with reports, presentations, and other media.

AST 303. Junior Seminar in Agricultural Systems Technology. (1-0) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Junior classification in AST. Ethics, competencies, portfolios, professionalism, career and leadership development.

AST 324. Soil and Water Conservation Management. (2-3) Cr. 3. 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. Agricultural surveying for field area measurement and mapping.

AST 330. Agricultural Machinery and Power Management. (2-3) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 210, Math 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. 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. Only one of 333 and 433 may count toward graduation.

AST 335. Tractor Power. (3-3) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: 210, Math 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. (2-2) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 210. Fundamental hydraulic principles. Hydraulic fluid properties. Function and performance of pumps, valves, actuators, lines, and accessories. Introduction to electrohydraulics.

AST 358. Small Power Equipment. (1-2) Cr. 2. F.S. Principles of operation of small power units and their equipment applications.

AST 360. Electric Power and Electronics for Agriculture. (2-3) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 210, 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 quality preservation. Grain drying and grain storage. Psychrometrics. Fan and airflow. Grain handling methods and system planning. Grain quality measurement, and end-use value analysis.

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 internship coordinator. A supervised work experience in an approved learning setting with application to agricultural systems practices and principles. Employer evaluation required.

AST 399. Work Experience in Agricultural Systems Technology. Cr. 2. F.S.SS. Prereq: AST major and approval of instructor required prior to commencing work experience. Work experience must be related to career objectives. Employer evaluation of work experience required. Written report and oral presentation required on the work experience. A maximum of 4 credits of 399 may be used toward the total of 128.5 credits required for graduation.

AST 403. Senior Seminar in Agricultural Systems Technology. (1-0) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Senior classification in AST. Ethics, competencies, portfolios, professionalism, career and leadership development.

AST 425. Impacts of Agriculture on Water Quality. (2-0) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: Math 140, one of the following: 324, Agron 154. 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 433. Precision Farming Systems Advanced Concepts and Applications. (3-0) Cr. 3. Off campus, S. Prereq: Math 140 or equivalent, admission to Master of Agriculture program. Technologies for precision resource management. Geospatial information technologies for precision agriculture (geographic information systems, global positioning systems, remote sensing systems). Sensing and sampling strategies in precision agriculture. Data mining and visualization. Building input recommendations. Systems for precision agriculture, equipment, software uses, legal and social issues, and production economics. Advanced concepts and the future of precision agriculture. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AST 435. Agricultural Safety. (1-3) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: 115. Introduction to fundamentals of safety, injury collection, analysis and investigation, risk assessment, 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 2006. 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 475. Manure Management Systems for Livestock Production. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2006. (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 Applications
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 491. Seed Science Internship Experience. (Same as Agron 491, Hort 491.) Cr. 1-2. May be repeated once. F.S.SS. Prereq: Agron 338, advanced approval and participation of employer and instructor. A professional work experience and creative project for seed science secondary majors. The project requires prior approval and participation of the employer and instructor. The student must submit a written report.

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 Applications
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 497. Agricultural Systems Analysis and Planning. (1-4) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 12 credits in AST and senior classification in agriculture. Student teams identify, select, and complete a term project involving critical analysis and planning of an agricultural system. Team projects include problem solving, solution evaluation, cost analysis, computer decision-aided and graphics, and oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.