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Michigan State University
215 Farrall Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-355-4720
Fax: 517-432-2892
MSU | Contact Us | Site
Technology Systems Management Major
By: Luke E. Reese
Technology Systems Management (TSM) is the newest undergraduate degree option available through the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE). The University approved the major beginning Fall 2004.
Why a new major?
The department’s Industry Advisory Board identified trends and future employee skills, and Ag Expo commercial exhibitors were surveyed in 1998 to substantiate these skills. Survey participants answered the question, “If your business were planning to hire technical personnel, in which areas should they be knowledgeable in order to benefit your business?” Over fifty percent of the respondents picked the skills listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Summary of skill areas sought by Ag. Expo exhibitors, 1998
Electronics / Electrical Control Systems
A trend clearly emerged indicating a need for students trained in computer and information systems, spatial analysis and technical aspects of production and processing. Supporting documentation also can be found in the Career Services Network document, 12 Essentials for success: Competencies employers seek in college graduates. Three key essentials that support the TSM major are: 1) thinking critically, 2) communicating effectively, and 3) solving problems.What makes the TSM degree different from the Biosystems Engineering (BE) degree?
The December 2005 edition of the Resource magazine, an ASABE publication probably has the best answer for this question. The magazine states, “The engineer is trained to analyze and design a process, system or mechanism, while the agricultural systems graduate is able to identify system problems, formulate possible solutions, analyze the impact of alternatives (including social and economic dimensions), and then implement the best solution. Agricultural systems graduates get a broad and basic background in agriculture and physical sciences, along with courses in business, economics and management. When comparing agricultural systems to engineering, you will find that agricultural systems programs are less theoretical and more practical.”
Why is the MSU degree named Technology Systems Management with no mention of agriculture?
Thirty five universities, in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, offer the degree under eleven or twelve different names. As described in the Resource magazine, “Many universities have changed the scope of their programs to focus on emerging technologies as they apply to food and agricultural systems and to address society’s need to efficiently utilize natural resources and protect the environment. The names reflect the philosophy of the school in responding to these issues.” Technology Systems Management was selected to encompass the breath, depth and versatility of the program as related to future careers. The academic program has a solid core of courses in electrical and digital logic controls, machinery and hydraulics, and information management. In addition, a concentration of non-departmental courses in Economics, Management and Business is selected depending upon a student’s strengths and interests.
TSM students finish the program with a Capstone class designed to integrate their academic work by solving a real world issue with a real client. The versatility of a TSM degree is immeasurable. TSM graduates leave MSU with an employability tool kit filled with a science foundation, control and information systems management skills, systems and critical thinking skills, along with economics, management and/or business skills. Graduates are well qualified for any of the 60-75 job titles listed in the Resource magazine. Many of these job titles don’t mention agriculture but rather careers in the environment, natural resource, processing, business and management. As society changes so do careers and degree options. One might surmise that TSM graduates would be well suited for future homeland security and biosecurity careers requiring sensor, monitor and management skills. Research indicates that starting salaries for TSM graduates are $35-50K, and career opportunities for women and minorities are excellent.
What can I do to help?
Launching any new program takes time and effort. For our alumni, industry partners, colleagues and friends, we could use your help spreading the word about the TSM major. Particularly for our industry friends, we need professionals who might mentor students or offer internship opportunities.
Where can I find out more about TSM?
Visit the following web site:
http://www.egr.msu.edu/age/TSM/
If you would like more information than provided on the web site, please feel free to contact any of the following individuals:
- Tim Harrigan (517-353-0767, harriga1@msu.edu),
- Luke Reese (517-353-3258, reesel@msu.edu),
- Gary Van Ee(517-353-4508, vanee@egr.msu.edu),
- Jon Althouse (517-353-4896, althous2@egr.msu.edu),
- Truman Surbrook (517-353-3232, surbrook@egr.msu.edu), or
- Frank Galbavi (517-353-8850, galbavi@msu.edu)
BibliographyASABE, (2005). Exploring Careers in Agricultural Technology and Systems Management. Resource. 12(9)
Career Services Network. (2005). 12 Essentials: Competencies employees seek in college graduates. Unpublished manuscript. Michigan State University
Harrigan, T. (1999). Development of an undergraduate program in Biosystems Technology Management. Unpublished manuscript.
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