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Engineering  |  URBAN-AG NEXUS

Course & Internships

Exploring Agricultural Research Applications

EVE 494 at ASU, AG 298AA at MCC

Course description

As part of a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, this new course will launch in the spring of 2020 with a goal to demonstrate the applicability of STEM fields to agriculture. This 1-credit course held jointly between ASU and Mesa Community College will teach students about agriculture in Arizona, the available jobs in agriculture, and the need for innovation and technology  in agriculture. Students will then participate in developing a faculty-supervised research project.

Learning outcomes

  • Practical experience in developing a research question
  • Applicable research skills including literature reviews, lab, field, and data analysis techniques
  • Communication skills through the opportunity to present work at a national conference
  • Knowledge of the science and engineering involved in agriculture
  • Identification of agricultural jobs available to STEM fields

How to get involved

  • Sign up through either ASU or MCC course portals
  • Questions: Dr. Rebecca Muenich (rebecca.muenich@asu.edu)
  • Considering a career in agriculture? Check out this video from undergraduate student Kayla Brashears. She made it as part of her honors project for the course to get students like you thinking about the broad opportunities of a career in agriculture:

*Song credit: “I’m Farming and I Grow it” – The Peterson Farm Brothers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48H7zOQrX3U)

Internship opportunities

Students who are successful in the spring course will be eligible to apply for a paid internship with the USDA’s Arid Lands Agricultural Research Center. This internship will allow students to continue their research project at ASU, ALARC, or MCC campuses.

Spring 2020 Student Projects

There were four student project teams formed in the spring 2020 class. The titles and authors of the presentations are below. 

  1. “Water use comparison of aquaponics systems & traditional farming”
    • students: Marie, Agripina, Ken, and Eslie
    • mentors: Peter Conden (MCC) and George Brooks (MCC)
  2. “Tetrabromobisphenol A and crops: A proposal to examine effluent irrigation impacts in agriculture”
    • students: Wesley, Sergio, Kendal, Jeanene
    • mentor: Clinton Williams (USDA ALARC)
  3. “Effects of Arizona’s arid conditions on neonicotinoid toxicity and fate”
    • students: Marisela, Kayla, Jeremy
    • mentor: Otakuye Conroy-Ben (ASU)
  4. “Water consumption benefits of urban food production in Phoenix, AZ”
    • students: Samantha, Daniel, Emma
    • mentor: Rebecca Muenich (ASU)