Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog

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Course Descriptions

Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Professors M. E. Castell-Perez, C. R. Engler, J. R. Gilley, E. A. Hiler, A. L. Kenimer, R. E. Lacey, M. R. McLellan, B. P. Mohanty, R. G. Moreira, Z. Nikolov, C. B. Parnell, Jr., G. L. Riskowski (Head), S. W. Searcy, R. Srinivasan, J. A. Thomasson; Associate Professors C. L. Darcey, C. L. Munster, B. W. Shaw; Assistant Professor P. K. Haan; Lecturer G. L. Stark

Agricultural Engineering
(AGEN)

150. Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering Design. (0-2). Credit 1. I

Introduction to the engineering design process using design problems presented by biological and agricultural engineers from industry; problem definition, information search, idea generation and development of design concepts. Prerequisite: Engineering major or approval of department head. Cross-listed with BSEN 150.

285. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4.

Selected problems in any phase of agricultural engineering; credit and specific content dependent upon background, interest, ability and needs of student enrolled; individual consultations and reports required. Prerequisites: Freshman or sophomore classification; approval of department head.

289. Special Topics in… Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified area of agricultural engineering. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

340. Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology. (3-0). Credit 3.

Fundamentals of fluid properties, basic conservation principles of momentum, energy and continuity; flow through closed conduits and open channel hydraulics; basics of the hydrologic cycle on a variety of spatial and temporal scales; rainfall-runoff relationships, stream flow, evapotranspiration, infiltration. Prerequisites: ENGR 212; junior classification.

350. Hydrologic Principles in Agriculture. (3-0). Credit 3. I

The hydrologic cycle; precipitation, infiltration, percolation and groundwater, runoff and streamflow, surface water, evaporation and transpiration; mechanics of erosion; energy balance, radiation, temperature, wind and humidity; measurement and analysis of hydrologic data for engineering design. Prerequisites: AGRO 301; ENGR 214 or registration therein.

360. Systems Engineering in Food and Agriculture. (3-0). Credit 3. II

Tools of operations research applied to food and agricultural industries; linear programming, queuing theory and simulation; techniques for optimizing design of materials handling, processing and irrigation systems; techniques for improving management decisions. Prerequisites: ENGR 214; MATH 251.

365. Unit Operations for Biological and Agricultural Engineering. (2-3). Credit 3. II

Theoretical and practical understanding of basic unit operations required to design processes and equipment in the agricultural, biological, environmental, and food industries, with unique constraints presented by biological and agricultural systems considered in design of all units. Prerequisites: AGEN 340; BSEN 366 or registration therein; ENGR 214 or registration therein; junior or senior classification. Cross-listed with BSEN 365.

370. Measurement and Control of Biological Systems and Agricultural Processes. (2-2). Credit 3. II

Theory and application of sensors and techniques in the design of systems for automatic control in biological systems and agricultural production and processing; sensor operation; signal processing,; control techniques; automation and robotics. Prerequisite: ENGR 215.

375. Design Fundamentals for Agricultural Machines and Structures. (3-0). Credit 3. I

Applications of stress/strain relationships and failure theory to the design of agricultural machines and structures; structural properties of engineering materials; finite element analysis and computer aided engineering design. Prerequisite: ENGR 214.

464. Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. (2-2). Credit 3. I

Engineering principles and design of both surface and pressurized irrigation systems; introduction to the design of surface and subsurface drainage systems including crop water requirements, soil moisture, irrigation scheduling, surface irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, trickle irrigation, pumps, pipelines, irrigation canals, irrigation wells, and surface and subsurface drainage. Prerequisites: AGEN 340.

468. Soil and Water Conservation Engineering. (2-2). Credit 3. II

Engineering principles of soil and water conservation; open channel flow principles, hydraulic grade stabilization, erosion control, storm water management, design of structures for floodwater routing, culvert design, design of waterways and agricultural reservoirs, stream bank protection, water quality assessment, groundwater flow, surface water modeling. Prerequisites: AGEN 340; ENGR 214.

469. Water Quality Engineering. (3-0). Credit 3. II

Nonpoint source pollution processes including transport mechanisms and contaminant fate; design of best management practices for abating nonpoint source pollution. Prerequisites: AGEN 340 or equivalent; ENGR 214.

477. Air Pollution Engineering. (3-0). Credit 3. I

Design of air pollution abatement equipment and systems to include cyclones, bag filters and scrubbers; air pollution regulations; permitting; dispersion modeling; National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Prerequisite: ENGR 214 or equivalent. Cross-listed with MEEN 477 and SENG 477.

479. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Design I. (1-2). Credit 2. I

Capstone design project selection from problems posed by biological and agricultural engineers in industrial practice; project to be completed in AGEN 480; completion of project feasibility study and outline; design philosophy, teamwork and communication; economics; product liability and reliability; use of standards and codes; goal setting and time management. Prerequisites: AGEN 365 or BSEN 365; AGEN 370 and 375; senior classification. Cross-listed with BSEN 479.

480. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Design II. (0-6). Credit 3. II

Continuation of engineering design experience through team solution of design problem developed in AGEN 479; preparation of design solution under supervision of biological and agricultural engineering staff and clients; critical evaluation of results by students; staff and industrial consultants. Prerequisites: AGEN 479 or BSEN 479; senior classification. Cross-listed with BSEN 480.

481. Seminar. (1-0). Credit 1. II

Review of current literature dealing with agricultural engineering problems presented by staff members and students. Prerequisite: Senior classification. Cross-listed with BSEN 481.

485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4 each semester. I, II, S

Selected problems in any phase of agricultural engineering. Credit and specific content dependent upon background, interest, ability and needs of student enrolled. Individual consultations and reports required. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification and approval of department head.

489. Special Topics in. Credit 1 to 4. I, II, S

Special topics in an identified area of agricultural engineering. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of department head.