Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering involves identifying and solving engineering problems related to renewable energy, environmental issues, producing safe, healthy nutritional-value-added food products, and other areas where natural earth systems can be engineered to be more productive for humanity, yet protected for a sustained and secure future. Students have the opportunity to specialize in the following areas:
| Agricultural Engineering | Students who specialize in agricultural engineering combine fundamental engineering principles with the design of machines, structures, and water management systems. |
| Biological Engineering | This specialization involves the engineering of living systems and the application of engineering principles to real world problems that require a working knowledge of biology. |
| Ecological Engineering | This specialization focuses on the design, restoration, development, or management of natural ecosystems for societal and environmental benefits. |
| Food Engineering | This specialization focuses on the production, processing, packaging, safety, and/or transportation of the world’s food supply. Food Engineers use their skills to design sustainable and environmentally responsible food processes for manufacturing safe, tasty, healthy, and convenient food products. |
Possible Career Options
| Agriculture Facilities Manager | Automotive/Machine Engineer |
| Biomedical Engineer | Environmental Engineer |
| Equipment Designer | Food Processing Engineer |
| Ground Water Geologist | Patent Administrator |
| Product Development Engineer | Soil and Water Systems Engineer |
| Waste Management Specialist | Water Quality Specialist |
Classes and Curriculum
| Agricultural Engineering | Coursework begins with a foundation in math and physics, progressing into learning fundamental engineering skills in fluid and solid mechanics, heat and mass transfer processes, and instrumentation. Advanced courses will allow students to apply these principles to engineering design. Students will also study soil-water-plant relationships, water quality and quantity for crops and livestock, computer-controlled environments, irrigation systems, solar energy applications, mechanical systems for producing crops, material handling and transport, precision agriculture, GPS/GIS applications, and computerized controls. |
| Biological Engineering | Coursework begins with a foundation in math and science including biology, chemistry, and physics. This program incorporates the knowledge of biology, microbiology, molecular genetics, and biochemistry with hands-on work with plants, animals, humans, cells in tissue culture, and microorganisms. As students progress, they’ll study fundamental engineering principles such as fluid mechanics and heat and mass transfer. Advanced courses will allow students to apply these principles to biological systems. |
| Ecological Engineering | Studies combine the basics of math and science (calculus, biology, physics, chemistry, ecology) with fundamental engineering principles (fluid mechanics, heat transfer system, dynamics, instrumentation, and engineering economics) and advanced courses in soil and water engineering, stream geomorphology and watershed hydrology, and sustainable waste management. |
| Food Engineering | Studies combine basic principles of engineering (fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and mass transfer) and math and science (biology, chemistry, and physics) with advanced courses in food chemistry, microbiology, food processing operations, and engineering design. |
Getting Involved
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1/4 Scale Tractor Team The ¼ Scale Tractor Design Team designs and builds a ¼ scale tractor each year for the ASABE annual competition. Students gain practical experience in the design of drive train systems, tractor performance, manufacturing processes, analysis of tractive forces, weight transfer and strength of materials. In addition, they will develop skills in communication, leadership, teamwork, fundraising, and test and development. |
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American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Student Branch is an educational and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems. |
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Ecological Engineering Society (EES) The Ecological Engineering Society (EES) seeks to learn and promote ecological engineering among undergraduate and graduate students as well as members of the community. They actively participate in projects that serve the community and the environment. |
Questions?
Contact:
| Kelli Whitcomb |
| Undergraduate Program Coordinator |
| Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering |
| (614) 247-6735 |
| Hannah Zimmerman |
| Coordinator of Prospective Student Services |
| (614) 247-6685 |