Agricultural systems management, B.S.S.W.S

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Idaho

Program Overview

The University of Idaho’s Agricultural Systems Management B.S.S.W.S. is a four-year, 120-credit on-campus degree designed for students who want to combine agriculture, technology, business and applied science to improve the efficiency of modern agricultural operations. Students learn to design, operate and manage agricultural equipment and systems while developing skills in data analysis, computer technologies, precision agriculture, irrigation, machinery management and agricultural business.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin by building a strong foundation in agricultural systems and the sciences through courses such as ASM 1120 Introduction to Agricultural Systems Management, PLSC 1020 The Science of Plants in Agriculture, MATH 1143 Precalculus I: Algebra and ASM 1070 Beginning Welding. They also develop business and communication fundamentals through BUS 1900 Integrated Business and Value Creation and English composition courses, giving them an early mix of technical, scientific and professional skills.

Year 2: The second year develops students’ understanding of agricultural business, biological science and soil systems through ACCT 2010 Introduction to Financial Accounting, STAT 2510 Statistical Methods, ECON 2202 Principles of Microeconomics, SOIL 2050 The Soil Ecosystem and SOIL 2060 The Soil Ecosystem Lab. Students also study BLAW 2650 Legal Environment of Business, helping them understand the financial, statistical, environmental and legal dimensions of agricultural operations.

Year 3: Students move into more specialized agricultural systems management, studying AGEC 2780 Farm and Agribusiness Management, ASM 3150 Irrigation Systems and Water Management and ASM 3310 Electric Power Systems for Agriculture. They also gain practical systems knowledge through ASM 2020 Agricultural Shop Practices and ASM 4090 Agricultural Tractors, Power Units and Machinery Management, while physics and professional writing strengthen their technical problem-solving and communication abilities.

Year 4: The final year focuses on advanced agricultural management and technology through ASM 3050 Precision Agriculture, AGEC 3560 Agricultural and Rural Policy, and SOIL 4380 Pesticides in the Environment. Students also complete upper-division agricultural economics and technical electives, allowing them to tailor their studies while developing the technical skills, modern ASM tools and communication abilities expected for professional agricultural systems practice.

Focus Areas: Agricultural systems management, precision agriculture, irrigation and water management, agricultural machinery, electric power systems, farm and agribusiness management, agricultural economics, soil systems, agricultural technology, computer applications and sustainable agricultural operations.

Learning Outcomes: Students develop the technical knowledge needed to understand, modify and integrate agricultural equipment systems; apply business and physical and biological science knowledge to solve agricultural problems; use modern agricultural systems management tools in professional practice; and communicate effectively about agricultural technology and management solutions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The University of Idaho’s official catalog identifies Agricultural Systems Management as a B.S.S.W.S. major within the Department of Soil and Water Systems. The official program information reviewed does not identify a separate professional accreditation for this specific major, so no additional accreditation claim is made.

Reputation (Employability): The University of Idaho does not publish a specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for this individual program on its official program page. However, the university reports 1,001 current job openings across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Hawaii associated with potential careers for this degree, including agricultural engineering, precision agriculture technology and agricultural technician roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Agricultural Systems Management B.S.S.W.S. at the University of Idaho is strongly hands-on, giving students practical experience with agricultural equipment, machinery, electrical systems, irrigation and precision-agriculture technologies. Students work with modern agricultural systems and develop skills in shop practices, welding, electric power, machinery and small engines, while also learning to collect, analyze and manage agricultural data using computer technologies and geographic information systems (GIS).

The program combines classroom learning with laboratories, field-based activities, industry exposure and opportunities for internships and study abroad:

Agricultural equipment & machinery: Students gain practical skills in agricultural shop practices, tractors, power units and machinery management, including hands-on work with equipment systems.
Welding and shop laboratories: The program specifically includes welding and shop practices labs, giving students practical experience with agricultural equipment and repair-related skills.
Electric power laboratory work: Students study agricultural electric power systems, including circuits, wiring, motors and controls, with the course incorporating a three-hour laboratory each week.
Small-engine experience: Agricultural Systems Management students can develop mechanical skills through small-engine coursework alongside agricultural shop practices and welding.
Precision agriculture: Students work with technologies such as yield monitors, variable-rate applications, precision sprayers, crop/soil sensors, environmental sensors and data storage and communication systems.
GIS and computer technologies: The degree specifically develops students' ability to collect, analyze and manage agricultural data using computer technologies and geographic information systems (GIS).
Irrigation and water management: Students receive practical exposure through irrigation systems and water-management coursework covering irrigation methods, water measurement, pumps, conveyance, drainage and soil-water-plant relationships.
Soil science laboratory: SOIL 2060 – The Soil Ecosystem Lab provides a three-hour weekly laboratory involving experiments and demonstrations in basic and applied soil science.
Internships: Students can complete ASM 3980 – Internship, offering 1–6 academic credits of practical professional experience, subject to permission.
Field and research facilities: The Department of Soil and Water Systems has access to 1,145 acres near campus for field crops, orchards and livestock, plus field and laboratory facilities at the Aberdeen, Parma, Kimberly and Twin Falls research and extension centers.
Research facilities: SWS provides access to a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory, greenhouse facilities with controlled temperature and light, growth chambers and the Maynard A. Fosberg Monolith Collection, which contains 232 soil monoliths.
Industry and professional exposure: The Agricultural Systems Management Club provides opportunities to travel, attend industry conventions and meetings, develop teamwork and communication skills, and build professional connections and references.
Study abroad: The degree offers opportunities for international study in locations including India, Mexico and Taiwan, allowing students to experience agricultural systems in different environments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Agricultural Systems Management B.S.S.W.S. prepares students to combine agricultural technology, machinery, biological and physical sciences, and business knowledge for careers across the food and fiber sector. Graduates can move into farm management, agricultural businesses, equipment and technology operations, banking, government agencies, and other agricultural or natural-resource organizations.

Typical Job Roles: Farm Manager; Agricultural Equipment/Technology Specialist; Agricultural Business Manager; Agricultural Sales or Service Professional.

Career Services: University of Idaho Career Services supports students with career coaching, resume and interview preparation, job and internship searches, career fairs, employer networking, and the Handshake platform. CALS also provides a dedicated career consultant for its students.
Employment Statistics: 92% of graduating College of Agricultural and Life Sciences students have a job lined up or plans to pursue further education within six months of graduation. CALS reports that its graduates are sought after by employers including Simplot, AgWest Farm Credit, Glanbia, Nike and Agri Beef.
Salary Figures: The University of Idaho's official sources reviewed for this program do not publish a program-specific graduate salary figure, so no salary amount is stated here.
University–Industry Partnerships: Students can connect with employers through Handshake, career fairs, networking events, internships and co-op opportunities. University of Idaho also works with employers through its Strategic Corporate Partnerships program to develop internships, co-ops and recruitment opportunities; agriculture-related employers listed by CALS include Simplot, AgWest Farm Credit, Glanbia and Agri Beef.
Professional Networking: The Agricultural Systems Management Club provides opportunities to attend the Spokane Ag Expo, explore current agricultural technology and hear from guest speakers, while SWS clubs provide opportunities to gain professional experience and references from faculty.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The University of Idaho's official program and catalog pages identify Agricultural Systems Management as a B.S.S.W.S. program but do not state a separate professional accreditation for this major. Therefore, no specific accreditation advantage should be claimed. The degree instead provides a broad technical, agricultural and business foundation that can support progression across agricultural and natural-resource careers.
Graduation Outcomes: The program develops technical skills in agricultural equipment systems, business and physical/biological sciences, modern agricultural systems management tools, and professional communication. These outcomes are designed to prepare graduates for professional practice in agricultural systems management.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can continue into graduate study at the University of Idaho, including the M.S. or Ph.D. in Soil and Land Resources, or pursue interdisciplinary graduate programs in Water Resources or Environmental Science. The department specifically offers master's and doctoral pathways for students who want to deepen their expertise through research and specialized study.