Agricultural and Environmental Systems Degree Program

AES Minor

BAE Undergraduate Programs

About the Bio & Ag Technology Program

The Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Environmental Systems (AES degree) provides a technical program focused on applying advancements in engineering technology to an agricultural and environmentally challenged society.

Precision farming is a necessity. Today all the ramifications of a high-tech society beckon us to apply new technologies with speed and accuracy. Agriculture is feeding an ever growing world population with better quality food. The means to produce, ship and protect this food supply requires people who can implement and utilize these technologies successfully.

What Students Learn

The Agricultural and Environmental Systems program is geared to make individuals think ahead using technology responsibly, hence, our Department motto: "We Bring Engineering to Life." The program uniquely prepares students in the application of science, technology and business principles to effectively manage agricultural and environmental systems. Students can focus their studies to attain depth in science, the environment, or business areas related to agricultural systems. Upon graduation our students are prepared to apply technology to production agriculture and future environmental issues.

An Environmental Systems student secures grass matting along a stream bed. This matting helps to stabilize the bank and prevent erosion. Students then plant grasses and saplings anchoring the bank further.

About the Curriculum

The AES degree places emphasis on basic science and technology with courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, machinery, conservation, safety, and business. The AES degree provides a solid technological and management focus on the application of basic agricultural engineering technology, including new emerging technologies. Students participate in hands-on skills training and developing their own potential to solve challenging agricultural problems. The program allows students to focus their interest in Machinery Systems, Environmental Systems, and Agribusiness.

What the Agricultural and Environmental Systems program is all about...

The AES program is about hands-on technologies applied to developing, integrating, implementing, and problem-solving agricultural and environmental situations. Students are exposed to new and traditional agricultural machinery, tools, and computer programs needed to solve today’s agricultural and environmental problems. Students will have the opportunity to work in the department’s machinery lab, computer labs, and research machine shop. They will also travel to field sites throughout North Carolina and work in real-world situations gathering data and testing equipment. AES students will study and work along with the department’s engineering students, which will provide the opportunity to interface with future biological engineers, anticipating their needs, and understanding the biological engineers’ language.

Areas of Focus

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Agricultural/Machinery Systems

This area offers career opportunities in agricultural production systems, machinery, farm structures and precision agriculture. Positions are with agricultural production and machinery companies as well as with government agencies. These positions require knowledge of technology and the ability to implement and operate agricultural machinery and tools proficiently and efficiently. The employer needs in this area are changing with developments in emerging technologies like the integration of sensors and electronic controls.

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Environmental Systems

This area challenges students to prepare for careers involving traditional soil and water conservation as it relates to waste management, erosion control and wetlands. Rapidly changing environmental situations have created an urgent need for both the trained environmental technologist and energetic student willing to help solve and prevent current and potential damage to our environment.

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Agribusiness

This area offers a wide variety of career options to students. The department's recent graduates can be found employed with precision agricultural companies, large production farms, small family farms, agricultural processing plants and with municipal programs. Students will mix their interests acquiring a solid foundation in agricultural technology and merging it with additional business studies.

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Jobs Opportunities

The diversity of the three program areas can lead students in many job directions:

Agricultural Research & Extension Technician
Agricultural Production Supervisor/Technician
Engineering Research Technician/Assistant

• Water Quality & Irrigation Structures
• Consulting Environmental Engineering Firm
• Agricultural Associations/Agencies

Farm Facilities Manager
Produce Warehouse & Transport Manager/Supervisor
Technical Sales/Service Representatives

• Farm & Earth Moving Equipment Dealer
• Equipment Parts Operations Supervisor
• Grain & Produce Merchant

Chemical/Pesticide & Waste Management Technician
Land Reclamation Technician/Inspector
Agricultural Machinery Technician
Environmental Systems Technician/Manager
Energy Conservationist/Advisor
Environmental Occupations/Safety Specialist
Agricultural Structures & Control System Technician
Farm Appraiser
Farm Development Technician
Vocational Agricultural Instructor
     (with appropriate certification)

About the Degree

The Agricultural and Environmental Systems Program is administered by The College of Agriculture and Life Science. To graduate from this program a student must meet the course requirements of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Graduates of this program receive a BS in Agricultural and Environmental Systems. NOTE: The graduates of this program are not engineers but are technologists who assist in the agricultural and environmental engineering practices.

Advising

Program flexibility allows the students to match their interest with the degree. For each focus area, the student and his/her department advisor selects biological and engineering science electives to customize his/her program.

Contacts:

Talk to us about this program:

Dr. Gary Roberson
Phone: (919) 515-6715 
e-mail: gary_roberson@ncsu.edu

 

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