Agricultural Business and Technology Systems
QUICK JUMP
- Agricultural Business and Technology Systems
- Requirements and Core Courses
- Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
- Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Contact Information
Agricultural Business and Technology Systems
The Agricultural Business and Technology Systems major gives you a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of agriculture systems. There are also several options that allow you to develop specialized knowledge in your areas of interest.
The program prepares not only aspiring growers of crops, but also students who are interested in related industries, such as global marketing, direct marketing, or food production to contribute to the changing field of agriculture.
Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science in agricultural and food systems with a major in agricultural business and technology systems
Available at: Pullman
NOTE: If you are interested in an M.S. or Ph.D., see the listing of degree programs in Agriculture at WSU at academic.cahe.wsu.edu/graduate_studies.htm
Requirements and Core Courses
MAJOR IN AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
General Requirements
- Public Speaking (ComSt 102[C]) or Comm. In Human Relations (HD 205[C])
- World Civ. I & II (GenEd 110/111,[A])
- Introductory Writing (Engl 101, Com [W])
- World Agricultural Systems (CropS 360,[I])
- Intro. Psychology (Psych 105, [H,G,S,K])
- Biological Science [B]
- Intro to Chemistry/Chemistry Related to Life Sciences (Chem 101/102) or Principles of Chemistry I & II (Chem 105/106)[P]
- Elementary Functions (Math 107) or Intro to Finite Math for Bus. & Econ. (Math 201)
- Intro to Statistical Methods (Stat 212 [N]), Math for Life Scientists (Math 140), Calculus I (Math 171), Intro to Math Analysis for Business and Econ. Majors (Math 202)
- Arts & Hum ([H]& [D])
- Capstone (Tier III, [T])
Total General Requirements: 47-48 credits
Agricultural and Food Systems Core Requirements
- Intro to Systems (AFS 101)
- Cultivated Plants (CropS/Hort 102)
- Animal Sciences (AS 101)
- Intro. Systems Development (AFS 201)
- Fund. of Microeconomics (EconS 101[S])
- Soil: A Living System (SoilS 201 [B])
- Gen. Ecology (Biol 372 [M]) or Natural Resource Ecology (NATRS 300 [B])
- Systems Development & Analysis (AFS 301)
- Agriculture, Environment, and Community (CRS 336[S])
- Seminar (discipline optional)
- Advanced Systems Analysis & Design (AFS 401)
Total AFS Core Credits: 31-32
Choose a specialty from among the following options
Option 1 – Agri-Food Business Management
- Intro to Financial Management (Fin 325)
- Intro to Managerial Accounting (Acctg 231)
- Intro to Farm & Ranch Management (EconS 350)
- Intro to Agricultural Marketing (EconS 351)
- Intro to Agribusiness Management (EconS 352)
- EconS (300-level elective, agriculture related)
- EconS (400-level elective, agriculture related)
- Intro to Financial Accounting (Acctg 230)
- Technical & Professional Writing (Engl 402 [W,M])
- Electives (15 credits)
Total Agri-Food Business Option Credits: 42
Total program Credits: 120-122
Option 2 – Agri-Food Production Management
- Natural Resource & Society (NATRS 312 [S,D])
- Agricultural Precision Systems (AgTM 305)
- Irrigation Systems & Water Management (AgTM 315)
- Agricultural Technology Design & Lab (AgTM 436/437)
- American Agriculture & Rural Life (EconS 355 [S,M])
- Crop Growth & Development (CropS/Hort 202)
- Horticulture/Crop Science (300-level course)
- Electives (20 credits)
Total Agri-Food Production Option Credits: 42
Total program credits: 120-122
Option 3 – Technology
- Agricultural Precision Systems (AgTM 305)
- Agricultural Power Units & Mobile Electrical Systems (AgTM 314)
- Irrigation Systems & Water Management (AgTM 315)
- Electrical Power Systems for Agriculture (AgTM 330)
- Advanced Agricultural Precision Systems (AgTM 405)
- Human & Machinery Risk Management (AgTM 412)
- Fluid Power Systems (AgTM 416)
- Seminar (AgTM 451, seminar in AFS Core)
- Principles of Organization & Management (MgtOp 301)
- Intro to Financial Accounting (Acctg 230)
- Marketing (Mktg 360)
- Advanced Farm & Ranch Management (EconS 450 [M])
- Tech & Professional Writing (Engl 402 [M,W])
- Electives (9 credits)
Total Technology Option Credits: 44
Total program credits: 122-124
Option 4 – Communications: Journalism
- Language & Human Behavior (Com 245)
- Media Writing (Com 295)
- Quantitative Research (Com 409)
- Law of Mass Communications (Com 415)
- Media Ethics (Com 440)
- Mass Media Criticism (Com 460)
- Reporting (Jour 305 [M])
- News Editing (Jour 330)
- Reporting of Public Affairs (Jour 425 [M])
- Journalism Option Elective
- Writing & Research (Engl 201 [W])
- Electives (9 credits)
Total Communications-Journalism Option Credits: 42
Total program credits: 120-122
Option 5 – Communications: Public Relations
- Language & Human Behavior (Com 245)
- Media Writing (Com 295)
- Quantitative Research (Com 409)
- Principles of Group Communication (ComST 235 [C])
- Argumentation (ComST 324 [C,M])
- Organization Communication (ComST 335)
- Writing & Research (Engl 201 [W])
- Reporting (Jour 305 [M])
- Principles of Public Relations (PR 312)
- Public Relations Techniques & Media Usage (PR 313 [M])
- Public Relations Management & Campaign Design (PR 412)
- Intro to Agricultural Marketing (EconS 351)
- Electives (Adv 380 or Jour 330)
Total Communications-Public Relations Option Credits: 42
Total program credits: 120-122
Option 6 – Communications: Advertising
- Language & Human Behavior (Com 245)
- Media Writing (Com 295)
- Quantitative Research (Com 409)
- Advertising Principles & Practices (Adv 380)
- Advertising Copywriting & Creative Strategies (Adv 381[M])
- Advertising Agency Operation & Campaigns (Adv 480)
- Argumentation (ComST 324 [C,M])
- Organization Communication (ComST 335)
- Intro to Agricultural Marketing (EconS 351)
- Writing & Research (Engl 201 [W])
- Electives (9 credits, must include ComST 235 or PR 312)
- Total Communications-Advertising Option Credits: 42
- Total program credits: 120-122
NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog and meet with their advisor as early as possible for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.
Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences annually awards more than $250,000 to students. For more information or to apply for scholarships, see our scholarships Web page.
You may also be eligible for a variety of federal, state, and University-sponsored scholarships and financial aid. To find out more, visit the Costs & Financial Aid section of the WSU Web site.
Contact Information
Agricultural and Food Systems degree program
College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-6243
afs@wsu.edu
509-335-4562
Lead Faculty
Dr. Michael Swan
mswan@wsu.edu
1-509-335-2899
Jim Durfey
jedurfey@wsu.edu
1-509-335-7001
Visit Department Web Page
Department of Agricultural Business and Technology Systems
Watch a Video about this program
Department of Agricultural and Food Systems
Strengths of the Program
- Benefit from the University's rich selection of agriculture courses, science and general education classes, and modern classrooms and laboratories.
- Interact personally with faculty--students are encouraged to participate in research programs with faculty scientists who are on the leading edge of their fields.
- Learn and practice new agricultural technologies for the future.
- Join other science, math, and engineering students in the Gannon-Goldsworthy residence hall—share courses with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s own computer lab.