Degree Options:

Agricultural Engineering Technology Option

At a glance:

The Agricultural Engineering Technology program was developed for students seeking careers associated with the application of technologies in the field of food and fiber production. Careers in Agricultural Engineering Technology include: agricultural equipment manufacturers, agricultural/industrial equipment sales and service, fiber processing, food production/processing industries, geospatial technologies and technological fields in government-related careers. The Agricultural Engineering Technology program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. The program prepares students to be successful in careers associated with industry or government. The curriculum is also structured to prepare students for admission to graduate school in Agricultural Engineering Technology, Agricultural Operations Management, Agricultural Systems Management, or Agricultural Mechanics.

Why should a student choose the program at UT Martin?

The Agricultural Engineering Technology concentration will prepare students for careers with: agricultural equipment manufacturers, agricultural/industrial equipment sales and service, fiber processing, food production/processing industries, geospatial technologies, land surveying, geomatics, precision agriculture, and other technological fields. The curriculum also prepares students for admission to graduate schools with programs Agriculture Engineering Technology, Agricultural Operations Management, Agricultural Systems Management, or Agricultural Mechanics. As agriculture becomes more technical and sophisticated, it is essential that students receive a thorough educational background in relevant technologies and business practices. The Agriculture Engineering Technology curriculum integrates engineering technology and business/agribusiness courses from College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, and the College of Business and Public Affairs.

Are there any special opportunities available such as internships, global travel, etc?

Supervised field experience, or an internship, is available for academic credit. Internships are designed to enable a student to obtain credit for completion of a prescribed program of work with an approved business or agency. Supervision and evaluation are provided by departmental faculty and on-the-job supervisors. An essential element of this program is that the work experience be designed so it contributes to a student’s learning and level of competence in his/her chosen career area; routine summer jobs or seasonal employment that do not meet these criteria cannot be considered for internship credit. Students interested in the program should apply for participation one semester in advance and have junior standing.

What can a student do after graduation – graduate school, possible careers?

The production of food and fiber, processing them, and transporting the final products to the world’s people is the largest enterprise on earth. Everyone everywhere depends on agriculture. Colleges of agriculture throughout the country recognize the necessity for trained individuals in the field of agricultural engineering technology. It is estimated that nearly 50,000 jobs related to agriculture become available each year. Career opportunities for Agricultural Engineering Technology graduates include: agricultural equipment manufacturers, agricultural/industrial equipment sales/service, food & fiber industries, financial services, precision agriculture, and government agencies. Two certification options are also available to AGET students: (1) Land Surveying & Geomatics and (2) Geographic Information Systems. These certification options provide additional career opportunities for Agricultural Engineering Technology graduates.

What kind of student organizations, clubs, or honor societies can a student join?

Agriculture and Natural Resources Management students are active in several organizations which include the Aronomy Club, Alpha Gamma Rho, Block and Bridle Club, Collegiate FFA, Collegiate 4-H, National Agribusiness Marketing Association, Park and Recreation Adventure Club, UT Martin chapter of the Wildlife Society, Student Cattlemen’s Association, UT Martin Turf Club, Sigma Alpha, Student Mechanization Branch of the ASABE, and the UT Martin Veterinary Science Club. These student organizations provide opportunities for meeting established professionals in the field, enhancing leadership skills and participation in social activities. Teams composed of students enrolled in agriculture or natural resources management annually participate in intercollegiate contests in livestock judging, crops judging, horse judging, NAMA Quiz Bowl, SAEA Quiz Bowl, ASABE ¼-scale Tractor Design Competition, and soil judging. Instruction and coaching are provided by faculty members and membership on the team is based upon participation and competitive performance in practice exercises. The teams have received awards in regional and national competition. They provide excellent opportunities for interested students to sharpen their evaluation skills.

What kind of facilities and equipment will be available to the student?

The UT Martin Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources Field Teaching and Demonstration Complex, located adjacent to the campus, is utilized as the lab farm in the department’s teaching programs. Together, both units comprise about 680 acres and include herds of beef cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and swine.  The Teaching and Demonstration Complex also includes greenhouses, a landscape design laboratory, the Rhodes Golf Center, a Wildlife study area and field/forage crop demonstration plots. These research/demonstration facilities compliment the teaching program and contribute to the broad objectives of the Center of Excellence in Experiential Learning in the Agricultural Sciences. The organization outlined above enables students to become familiar with research conducted at the teaching farm, other experiment stations of the UT Institute of Agriculture, and other laboratories of the university. UT Martin, in this way, occupies a unique position that differentiates it from other institutions. UT Martin also has the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex (pavilion and stalling facility), an Equine Center, West Tennessee Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, and the Ray and Wilma Smith Livestock Merchandising Center, with all of these hosting a variety of events throughout the year.

Does the faculty specialize in certain areas?

Mr. Richard Shadden (rshadden@utm.edu) is a Professor of Agricultural Engineering Technology with over 35 years of teaching experience in higher education and has been recognized with numerous teaching awards.  He specializes in waste management and biofuels. Dr. Tim Burcham (tburcham@utm.edu) is the Interim Department Chair with over 19 years experience in higher education and is a Registered Professional Engineer. He specializes in biofuels, geomatics, and pedagogy methods for online course delivery. Dr. Sandy Mehlhorn (smehlhorn@utm.edu) is an Assistant Professor in Agricultural Engineering and Coordinator for the Land Surveying and Geomatics Certification option. She is a registered Professional Engineer with over five years of experience in higher education and six years of industry experience.