Agricultural & Environmental Technology, Bachelor of Science College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Office & Contact Information

The technological transformation of agriculture that began more than a century ago continues with recent advances made in sensing, data management, information processing, communications, control, modeling and simulation, gene manipulation, automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics that can radically alter resource demand and improve environmental, social and economic sustainability when appropriately implemented.

The Agricultural & Environmental Technology (AET) major aims to bridge the disciplines of agriculture, management, technology, and applied engineering, and to train students in integrating technology, leadership and design in solving complex problems in the agricultural and environmental sciences.

A key aspect of the major is to help students develop an understanding of how the next generation of technologies (including cyber‐physical and knowledge‐based) interact with animals, plants, and their environments, and technologies for the production and management of bio‐based products and sustainable food, feed, fiber, and energy.

The Program

Learn how to integrate the next generation of technologies such as big data, robotics, digital technology, AI and machine learning for more advanced, efficient and sustainable food, fiber and energy production. 

Students specialize within the major through selection of a track. Tracks are regularly reviewed and updated by program faculty to ensure relevancy to current societal needs. We offer tracks in Digital Agriculture, Bioproducts and Wearable Technologies, Energy and Environment. Students choose one of the three tracks, and in the Digital Agriculture track, they also choose an area of emphasis.

As a new major, courses are still in the process of being approved. These are notated as "Pending" in the requirements. Please contact the staff advisor for more information.  

Career Alternatives

Graduates of the AET major will gain technical skills and experience in technology systems management, bio‐based product innovation, environmental quality, energy efficiency, power systems, the next generation of smart agricultural machinery, GIS/GPS remote sensing and geo‐informatics‐based control, irrigation and water control, precision agriculture and other features of the diverse developing technologies in agriculture.

Opportunities for employment include managers and entrepreneurs to bridge between science, engineering and application, skilled operators to interface with smart machines and smart technologies, and scholars and educators to help train others.

Graduate study for the AET student may lead to M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in agricultural technology, data science, agriculture and life sciences, and related fields such as bioproducts, plant science, environmental science and policy, agricultural chemistry, and biochemistry.

Advising

Staff Advisor. The Advising Center for the AET major is located in 1204 Robert Mondavi Institute (RMI), South Building; bftvadvising@ucdavis.edu

Lead Faculty Advisor. Ali Moghimi, Ph.D.

The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Agricultural & Environmental Technology Bachelor of Science is 86.

Preparatory Subject Matter
Accounting4
MGT 011A
Elementary Accounting
Agricultural & Environmental Technology7
TAE 010
Introduction to Agricultural & Environmental Technologies
TAE 030
Mobile Communication & Computing Technologies for Agriculture & the Environment
Chemistry10
CHE 002A
General Chemistry
CHE 002B
General Chemistry
Communication4
CMN 001
Introduction to Public Speaking
Economics8
ECN 001A
Principles of Microeconomics
or ECN 001AV
 Principles of Microeconomics
or ECN 001AY
 Principles of Microeconomics
ECN 001B
Principles of Macroeconomics
or ECN 001BV
 Principles of Macroeconomics
Geology 4
GEL 001
The Earth
Mathematics12
MAT 017A
Calculus for Biology & Medicine
or MAT 021A
 Calculus
MAT 017B
Calculus for Biology & Medicine
or MAT 021B
 Calculus
MAT 017C
Calculus for Biology & Medicine
or MAT 021C
 Calculus
Physics6
PHY 001A
Principles of Physics
PHY 001B
Principles of Physics
Statistics4
STA 013
Elementary Statistics
or STA 013Y
 Elementary Statistics
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal59
Depth Subject Matter
Agricultural & Environmental Technology8
TAE 100
Smart Control Systems for Agricultural & Environmental Technologies
TAE 180
 (Pending Approval)
Management; choose 15 units:15
ARE 100A
Intermediate Microeconomics: Theory of Production & Consumption
ESM 121
Water Science & Management
MGT 120
Managing & Using Information Technology
MGT 140
Marketing for the Technology-Based Enterprise
MGT 150
Technology Management
Writing; choose one:4
UWP 101
Advanced Composition
or UWP 101V
 Advanced Composition
or UWP 101Y
 Advanced Composition
UWP 102G
Writing in the Disciplines: Environmental Writing
UWP 104A
Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
or UWP 104AV
 Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
or UWP 104AY
 Writing in the Professions: Business Writing
UWP 104E
Writing in the Professions: Science
UWP 104T
Writing in the Professions: Technical Writing
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal27
Total Units86

Tracks

Bioproducts & Wearable Technologies

Bioproducts & Wearable Technologies62
Agricultural & Environmental Technology16
TAE 014
Introduction to Wearable Materials & Bioproducts
TAE 130A
 (Pending Approval)
TAE 130B
 (Pending Approval)
TAE 130C
 (Pending Approval)
Chemistry17
CHE 002C
General Chemistry
CHE 118A
Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
CHE 118B
Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
CHE 118C
Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
Design4
DES 143
History of Fashion
Management4
ARE 113
Fundamentals of Marketing Management
Social Science9
ANT 002
Cultural Anthropology
SOC 002
Self & Society
Restricted Electives12
Choose 12 units if not previously chosen for Depth Subject Matter Requirements:
TAE 092
Internship in Agricultural & Environmental Technology
TAE 099
Special Study for Lower Division Students
TAE 170A
 (Pending Approval)
TAE 170B
 (Pending Approval)
TAE 192
Internship in Agricultural & Environmental Technology
TAE 199
Special Study for Upper Division Students (Pending Approval)
ARE 100B
Intermediate Microeconomics: Imperfect Competition, Markets & Welfare Economics
ARE 112
Fundamentals of Organization Management
ARE 136
Managerial Marketing
ARE 155
Operations Research & Management Science
DES 040A/SAS 043
Energy, Materials, & Design Over Time
DES 077
Introduction to Structural Design for Fashion
DES 127A
Sustainable Design
DES 178
Design & Wearable Technology
MGT 120
Managing & Using Information Technology
MGT 140
Marketing for the Technology-Based Enterprise
MGT 160
Financing New Business Ventures
MGT 170
Management Accounting & Control
MGT 180
Supply Chain Planning & Management
Total Units124

Note: For students considering graduate study in Bioproducts, the following additional preparatory subject matter is recommended; substitute PHY 007A & PHY 007B for PHY 001A & PHY 001B.

Physical Chemistry6
CHE 107A
Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
CHE 107B
Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
Physics 12
PHY 007A
General Physics
PHY 007B
General Physics
PHY 007C
General Physics

Digital Agriculture

Digital Agriculture62
Agricultural & Environmental Technology7
HYD 006
 (Pending Approval)
TAE 060
 (Pending Approval)
Biology10
BIS 002A
Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth
BIS 002B
Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution
Geographic Information Systems4
ABT/LDA 150
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (or TAE 150 Pending Approval)
Management; choose 4 units if not chosen previously from Depth Subject Matter Requirements:4
ARE 112
Fundamentals of Organization Management
ARE 113
Fundamentals of Marketing Management
ARE 120
Agricultural Policy
ARE 121
Economics of Agricultural Sustainability
ARE 140
Farm Management
MGT 120
Managing & Using Information Technology
MGT 140
Marketing for the Technology-Based Enterprise
MGT 150
Technology Management
Philosophy4
PHI 013G
Minds, Brains, & Computers with Discussion
Science & Society; choose three units:3
SAS 002
Feeding the World: Influences on the Global Food Supply
or SAS 002V
 Feeding the World: Influences on the Global Food Supply
SAS 004
 (Discontinued)
SAS/ESM 008
Water Quality at Risk
SAS 009
Crisis in the Environment
SAS/HYD 010
Water, Power, Society
SAS/PLS 012
Plants & Society
SAS 014
Forests & Society
SAS 020
Genetics & Society
SAS 025
Global Climate Change: Convergence of Biological, Geophysical, & Social Sciences
or SAS 025V
 Global Climate Change: Convergence of Biological, Geophysical, & Social Sciences

Emphasis

Digital Agricultural track students must choose one of the following three emphases:

Animal Agriculture Emphasis
Animal Agriculture Emphasis30
Required Courses21
Choose 3 units:3
ANS 015
Introductory Horse Husbandry
ANS 041
Domestic Animal Production
ANS 041L
Domestic Animal Production Laboratory
ANS 042
Introductory Companion Animal Biology
Choose 5 units:5
ANS 100
Animal Physiology
NPB 101
Systemic Physiology
ANS 103Animal Welfare4
ANS 104Principles & Applications of Domestic Animal Behavior4
NPB 121Physiology of Reproduction4
NPB 121LPhysiology of Reproduction Laboratory1
Restricted Electives9
Choose 9 units: 19
TAE 092
Internship in Agricultural & Environmental Technology
TAE 099
Special Study for Lower Division Students
TAE 192
Internship in Agricultural & Environmental Technology
TAE 199
Special Study for Upper Division Students (Pending Approval)
ABT 161
Water Quality Management for Aquaculture
ANG 107
Genetics & Animal Breeding
ANS 115
Advanced Horse Production
ANS 125
Equine Exercise Physiology
ANS 126
Equine Nutrition
ANS 141
Equine Enterprise Management
ANS 143
Pig & Poultry Care & Management
ANS 144
Beef Cattle & Sheep Production
ANS 146
Dairy Cattle Production
ANS 148
Enterprise Analysis in Animal Industries
AVS 103
Avian Development & Genomics
BIS 101
Genes & Gene Expression
NUT 115
Animal Nutrition
1

Note that some ANS and ANG courses require ANS 015, ANS 041, BIS 101 and/or NUT 115 as prerequisites. Students choosing these courses should take the required prerequisites as part of their required courses or restricted electives accordingly.

Plant Agriculture Emphasis
Plant Agriculture Emphasis 30
Required Courses13
Choose 4 units:4
BIS 002C
Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life
PLS 002
Botany & Physiology of Cultivated Plants
Choose 9 or 10 units:9-10
PLS 100A
Metabolic Processes of Cultivated Plants
PLS 100B
Growth & Yield of Cultivated Plants
PLS 100C
Environmental Interactions of Cultivated Plants
OR
BIS 101
Genes & Gene Expression
PLB 112
Plant Growth & Development
PLB 113
Molecular & Cellular Biology of Plants
Restricted Electives17
Choose 17 units:17
ABT 182
Environmental Analysis Using GIS
TAE 092
Internship in Agricultural & Environmental Technology
TAE 099
Special Study for Lower Division Students
TAE 192
Internship in Agricultural & Environmental Technology
TAE 199
Special Study for Upper Division Students (Pending Approval)
BIS 101 Genes & Gene Expression (4)
BIT 160
Principles of Plant Biotechnology
BIT 161B
Plant Genetics & Biotechnology Laboratory
ENH 125
Greenhouse & Nursery Crop Production
ENH 150
Genetics & Plant Conservation: The Biodiversity Crisis
FST 104
Food Microbiology
FST 109
Principles of Quality Assurance in Food Processing
FST 131
Food Packaging
HYD 124
Plant-Water-Soil Relationships
PLB/PLS 102
 (Discontinued)
PLB/EVE 108
 (Discontinued)
PLB/EVE 117
Plant Ecology
PLB/EVE 119
Population Biology of Invasive Plants & Weeds
PLB 143
Evolution of Crop Plants
PLB/PLP 148
Introductory Mycology
PLP 120
Introduction to Plant Pathology
PLP 140
 (Discontinued)
PLS 100AL
Metabolic Processes of Cultivated Plants Laboratory
PLS 100BL
Growth & Yield of Cultivated Plants Laboratory
PLS 100CL
Environmental Interactions of Cultivated Plants Laboratory
PLS 101
Agriculture & the Environment
PLS 105
Concepts in Pest Management
PLS 110
Crop Management Systems for Vegetable Production
PLS 112
Forage Crop Production
PLS 113
Biological Applications in Fruit Tree Management
PLS 114
Biological Applications in Fruit Production
PLS 141
Ethnobotany
PLS 147
California Plant Communities
PLS 147L
California Plant Communities Field Study
PLS 152
Plant Genetics
PLS 154
Introduction to Plant Breeding
PLS 170A
Fruit & Nut Cropping Systems
PLS 170B
Fruit & Nut Cropping Systems
PLS 171
Principles & Practices of Plant Propagation
PLS 172
Biology and Quality of Harvested Crops
PLS 173
 (Discontinued)
PLS 174
Microbiology & Safety of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
PLS 176
Introduction to Weed Science
PLS 196
 (Discontinued)
SSC 100
Principles of Soil Science
Individualized Emphasis Option
Individualized Emphasis Option30
Choose a minimum of 30 upper division units, with approval from a faculty advisor, to form a coherent program of study resulting in expertise and competence in a sub-discipline of courses in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Energy & Environmental Technology

Energy & Environmental Technology62
Agricultural & Environmental Technology20
TAE 020
Sustainable Energy Technologies
TAE 128
 (Pending Approval)
ABT 101
Engine Technology (or TAE 125 Pending Approval)
ABT 121
Animal Housing & Environment Management
or TAE 121
 Controlled Environments for Plants & Animals
ABT 212
Path to Zero Net Energy (or TAE 212 Pending Approval)
Geographic Information Systems & Remote Sensing11
ABT/LDA 150
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (or TAE 150 Pending Approval)
ABT 182
Environmental Analysis Using GIS (or TAE 182 Pending Approval)
ESM 108
Environmental Monitoring
ESM 186
Environmental Remote Sensing
Science, Management, & Policy15
Choose 15 units; if not chosen previously for Depth Subject Matter Requirements15
ATM 116
Modern Climate Change
ESM 120
Global Environmental Interactions
ESP 110
Principles of Environmental Science
ESP 167
Energy Policy
ESP/ARE 175
Natural Resource Economics
ECN 125
Energy Economics
MGT 120
Managing & Using Information Technology
MGT 140
Marketing for the Technology-Based Enterprise
Restricted Electives16
TAE 092
Internship in Agricultural & Environmental Technology
TAE 099
Special Study for Lower Division Students
TAE 192
Internship in Agricultural & Environmental Technology
TAE 199
Special Study for Upper Division Students (Pending Approval)
ATM 005
Global Climate Change
BIS 002A
Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth
BIS 103
Bioenergetics & Metabolism
BIS 105
Biomolecules & Metabolism
CHE 002C
General Chemistry
CHE 118A
Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
DES 127A
Sustainable Design
DES 136A
Lighting Technology & Design
DES 136B
Designing with Light–Industrial Design
DES 137A
Daylighting & Interior Design
DES 138
Materials & Methods in Interior Design
ENH 125
Greenhouse & Nursery Crop Production
ESM/SAS 008
Water Quality at Risk
ESM 100
Principles of Hydrologic Science
ESM 121
Water Science & Management
ESM 131
Air as a Resource
ESP 001
Environmental Analysis
ESP/EVE 111
Marine Environmental Issues
ESP/GEL 116N
Oceanography
ESP/ECI 163
Energy & Environmental Aspects of Transportation
ESP 165
Climate Policy
ESP 166
Ocean & Coastal Policy
ESP 179
Environmental Impact Assessment
ETX 130
Role & Applications of Toxicology in Modern Industry
ETX 131
Environmental Toxicology of Air Pollutants
ETX 135
Health Risk Assessment of Toxicants
ETX 138
Legal Aspects of Environmental Toxicology
ETX 146
Exposure & Dose Assessment
FST 102A
Malting & Brewing Science
FST 104
Food Microbiology
FST 110
Food Processing
FST 123
Introduction to Enzymology
GEL 018
Energy & the Environment
or GEL 018V
 Energy & the Environment
GEL 130
Non-Renewable Natural Resources
LDA 003
Sustainable Development: Theory & Practice
LDA 140
Green Building, Design, & Materials
MGT 160
Financing New Business Ventures
MGT 170
Management Accounting & Control
MGT 180
Supply Chain Planning & Management
PHY 010C
Physics of California
or PHY 010CY
 Physics of California
PHY 112
Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
PHY 129A
Introduction to Nuclear Physics
PHY 129B
Nuclear Physics, Extensions & Applications
PLS 100A
Metabolic Processes of Cultivated Plants
PLS 101
Agriculture & the Environment
PLS 162
Urban Ecology
POL 012B
Climate Change & Politics
POL 171
The Politics of Energy
SAS/PLS 012
Plants & Society
SAS 025
Global Climate Change: Convergence of Biological, Geophysical, & Social Sciences
or SAS 025V
 Global Climate Change: Convergence of Biological, Geophysical, & Social Sciences
SAS 043/DES 040A
Energy, Materials, & Design Over Time
SOC 160
Sociology of the Environment
SSC 010
Soils in Our Environment
SSC 100
Principles of Soil Science
SSC 102
Environmental Soil Chemistry
WFC 130
Physiological Ecology of Wildlife
WFC 144
Marine Conservation Science
WFC 168
Climate Change Ecology

Agricultural & Environmental Technology (TAE)

TAE 010 — Introduction to Agricultural & Environmental Technologies (3 units)

Course Description: Technologies of agriculture and the environmental sciences. History & revolution of industrial technology and its impacts on agriculture, environment, energy, and bioproducts; types of sensing technologies; communication and information transfer technologies; artificial intelligence, technologies for control of automatic processes; technologies for the production of food, bioproducts, clean energy and water purification; gene-editing technology; wearable technologies.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s); Discussion 1 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One restricted to Agricultural & Environmental Technologies majors and students in College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Oral Skills (OL).

TAE 014 — Introduction to Wearable Materials & Bioproducts (4 units)

Course Description: Technical terminologies describing chemical structures and properties of polymers, biopolymers, fibers and fabrics. Introduction to manufacturing processes, colorations, coating, printing, and basic performances of fibers and fabrics, and properties for functional wearable products.

Prerequisite(s): CHE 002B; or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 3 hour(s), Discussion/Laboratory 2 hour(s).
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Science & Engineering (SE).

TAE 015 — Agricultural & Wood Framed Structures (3 units)

Course Description: Construction technologies for small farms. Design and construction of typical farm structures utilizing CAD, common construction tools and techniques while exploring the effects of wood properties on structures.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Lab 3 hour(s), Lecture 1 hour(s); Extensive Problem Solving.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Science & Engineering (SE); Oral Skills (OL); Visual Literacy (VL);

TAE 020 — Sustainable Energy Technologies (4 units)

Course Description: Sustainable and efficient energy technologies and their application in agriculture and other sectors. Basic principles of energy efficiency, conservation, and conversion technologies using solar, wind, water, biomass, geothermal, and other renewable sources. Environmental impacts and energy policy. Experiential learning about solar drying, controlled environment agriculture, net-zero energy building, electricity generation, energy storage, biofuels, and integrated waste management; field visits.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s), Lecture/Lab 3 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One restricted to Agricultural & Environmental Technology and Biological Systems Engineering students.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Science & Engineering (SE); Quantitative Literacy (QL).

TAE 030 — Mobile Communication & Computing Technologies for Agriculture & the Environment (4 units)

Course Description: Modern computer technologies and the applications of sensing technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) in agriculture and the environment. IoT and embedded devices; history and evolution of IoT, communication, and computing technologies; sensors and actuators; microcontrollers; data communication technology; introduction to data analysis and data visualization; designing web applications; and hands‐on IoT-based projects.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Discussion 1 hour(s), Laboratory 3 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One restricted to students in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Quantitative Literacy (QL); Visual Literacy (VL).

TAE 092 — Internship in Agricultural & Environmental Technology (1-12 units)

Course Description: Supervised internship in agricultural and environmental technology.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Internship 3-36 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated 12 unit(s).
  • Grade Mode: P/NP only.

TAE 098 — Directed Group Study (1-5 units)

Course Description: Directed group study.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Variable 1-5 hour(s).
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
  • General Education: Science & Engineering (SE).

TAE 099 — Special Study for Lower Division Students (1-5 units)

Course Description: Special study for lower division students.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
  • General Education: Science & Engineering (SE).

TAE 100 — Smart Control Systems for Agricultural & Environmental Technologies (4 units)

Course Description: Smart devices that communicate, sense their environment, and control their environment. Application examples include smart plant & animal care, and irrigation & fertigation. Technologies include Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) for applications in agricultural, environmental, and food sciences.

Prerequisite(s): Upper division standing; TAE 030 recommended.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture 2 hour(s), Discussion/Laboratory 2 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One restricted to Agricultural & Environmental Technology majors.
  • Credit Limitation(s): Only 3 units of credit if the student has taken EME 172, EEC 157A, and EEC 157B.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.

TAE 121 — Controlled Environments for Plants & Animals (4 units)

Course Description: Principles of environmental control (temperature, humidity, lighting, CO2, air circulation, air quality) for plants and animals. Psychrometrics and applications. Energy-efficient building envelopes for greenhouses, vertical farmings, and animal barns. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, lighting and CO2 enrichment systems, growing substrates, and irrigation systems. Control systems (sensors and sensing for automated control). Visiting controlled environment facilities.

Prerequisite(s): Upper division standing in Agricultural Environmental Technology; or consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Lecture/Discussion 3 hour(s); Laboratory 3 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Pass One restricted to Agricultural & Environmental Technology or Biological Systems Engineering majors only.
  • Grade Mode: Letter.
  • General Education: Science & Engineering (SE); Quantitative Literacy (QL); Writing Experience (WE).

TAE 192 — Internship in Agricultural & Environmental Technology (1-12 units)

Course Description: Supervised internship in agricultural and environmental technology.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor; approval of project prior to period of internship.

  • Learning Activities: Internship 3-36 hour(s).
  • Enrollment Restriction(s): Restricted to upper division students.
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.

TAE 198 — Directed Group Study (1-5 units)

Course Description: Directed group study.>

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Repeat Credit: May be repeated.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
  • General Education: Science & Engineering (SE).

TAE 199 — Special Study for Upper Division Students (1-5 units)

Course Description: Special study for advanced undergraduates.

Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor.

  • Learning Activities: Variable.
  • Grade Mode: Pass/No Pass only.
  • General Education: Science & Engineering (SE).