Agricultural Systems Management

Admitted students who indicate their major as agricultural systems management on their application directly enroll in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. ASM students receive their academic advising from an ASM faculty member and the academic program coordinator for the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. 

Students must earn a minimum of 121 semester credit hours to receive a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with an Agricultural Systems Management major from the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. 

ASM major core course topics

• data visualization and communications 
• applied agricultural mechanics 
• electrical power 
• environmental hydrology 
• land surveying 
• engines and power transmission 
• precision agriculture 
• professional development 
• capstone design project 
• health and safety 

Starting Autumn 2026, students majoring in Agricultural Systems Management may select from one of five technical specialization tracks aligning with industry demand. Students typically complete their specialization core and elective coursework during their second through fourth years. The five areas of specialization include: 

• Machine Automation Systems 
• Agro-Environmental Systems 
• Food and Biomanufacturing Systems 
• Precision Agriculture Systems 
• Precision Livestock Systems 

A minor is not required for students studying agricultural systems management. However, the major requires support courses in business, management and agricultural sciences. This equips students with managerial and technical skills necessary to fill a wide range of positions within companies and agencies providing inputs and support services to agricultural production. 

ASM core and specialization courses are taught in the Agricultural Engineering Building, which houses 97,000 square feet of classrooms, teaching and research laboratories and student study and computer facilities. 

Students in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are eligible to apply for study abroad scholarships through the college. Learn more about applying for study abroad scholarships and programs of interest to students in the college at students.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/academics/undergraduate/study-abroad.

All ASM students are required to complete at least one 10-week internship to gain practical, hands-on experience to augment their on-campus course work. The Career Services Office in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences offers students support in locating internship opportunities.

Agricultural systems management students can apply for the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Honors Program or for the Combined BS/MS Honors Program. The combined program allows students to pursue both degrees at the same time while enrolled in both the Graduate School and CFAES.

Learn more about CFAES honors program options.

The Agricultural Systems Management Club offers students many networking opportunities both locally and nationally with their peers and industry representatives. Club activities include leadership development, community outreach and service learning. Club meetings may feature guest speakers, industry-oriented programs or social and recreational activities. 

ASM graduates find employment in a wide range of positions in companies and agencies across many agricultural industries. Graduates of the program work in sales, service and production sectors of these fields as sales managers, technical support managers, safety coordinators, sales consultants, field technicians, scouts and soil conservationists. Others work in research, technical training and marketing and some graduates go on to own their own businesses. 

2021-24 (3-year average) 

$52,908 average starting salary reported by ASM graduates. These graduates report a salary range of $37,440-$75,000. 100% of ASM graduates reported being employed or continuing their education within 6 months of graduation. Starting salaries depend on a candidate’s skills, previous work experience and other factors determined by various employers. 

Upon completion of the program, agricultural systems management graduates will be able to: 

1. Connect mechanical and electronic technical skills with business and management principles to holistically troubleshoot Ag- and Biomanufacturing issues related to specific equipment, infrastructure or processing steps 
2. Recognize, understand and apply key business principles, practices and tools necessary to manage the physical assets of Ag- and Biomanufacturing systems including production and processing resources 
3. Master technical, computational, problem-solving and managerial skills essential for advancement of the Ag- and Biomanufacturing systems. 
4. Learn and exhibit quality professional and interpersonal communication skills essential for success and advancement in Ag- and Biomanufacturing industries.