College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Curriculum in Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Biological and agricultural engineers apply their knowledge of physical and biological sciences, mathematics, engineering principles and engineering design to the production and processing of food and fiber, to the preservation of environmental quality, to biological systems and processes, and to machine systems that interface with all of these. Because of their broad general engineering background, biological and agricultural engineering graduates are sought by a wide variety of employers. Recent employers include environmental consulting firms, equipment manufacturers, crop storage and handling industries, the cotton and forest products industries, food and feed processing industries, concentrated animal production industries, biotechnology companies, electric utility companies, chemical companies, and governmental agencies. Biological and agricultural engineers are making significant contributions to meeting many basic needs of society such as maintaining food quality, quantity and safety; improving environmental quality; and enhancing the quantity and quality of our water resources.

The Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department provides quality education, research and outreach in engineering and technology for the world's agricultural, biological, environmental and food systems. Our undergraduate programs provide a high quality education for engineering and systems management students to fulfill the needs of industries we serve and advance our reputation as a world leader in engineering and systems management education.

The biological and agricultural engineering program develops graduates who can pursue engineering careers in industry, academia, consulting or government. The curriculum is designed

  • to produce graduates to serve the engineering needs of clientele in environmental and natural resources, machine systems, food processing, bioprocessing, and agricultural production and processing;
  • to produce graduates who are successfully employed in engineering jobs in industry, government or academia;
  • to maintain our national and international reputation for program excellence; and
  • to produce graduates who continue to be engaged in professional development.

Students learn to apply fundamental knowledge of biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering principles to formulate and solve engineering problems. Engineering design is integrated throughout the curriculum, along with opportunities to develop communication, learning, and teamwork skills, culminating in a capstone design experience. Electives in the curriculum allow the student to specialize in

  • Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering—design and management of systems affecting soil, water, and air resources.
  • Food and Bioprocess Engineering—design and development of systems for processing and handling of food and agricultural products and processes involving cells, enzymes, or other biological components.
  • Machine Systems Engineering—design and development of machines and machine systems for food, feed and fiber production and processing.

Students select courses with the assistance of faculty advisors in an individualized advising system. Faculty members also assist with professional development and job placement for students.

The biological and agricultural engineering program is jointly administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Dwight Look College of Engineering, and the curriculum is fully accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The department is one of the largest in North America and is consistently ranked as one of the top two in the nation.

Freshman Year
First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
AGLS 101 Modern Ag. Systems (1-0) 1   BIOL 113 Introductory Biology I (3-3) 3
BAEN 150 Intro. to Biol. and Ag. Engineering Design (0-2) 1   CHEM 107 Chemistry for Engineers (3-3) 4
ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric (3-0) 3   ENGR 112 Foundations of Engr. II (1-3) 2
ENGR 111 Foundations of Engr. I (1-3) 2   MATH 152 Engineering Math. II (3-2) 4
MATH 151 Engineering Math. I 1 (3-2) 4   University Core Curriculum elective 2   3
PHYS 218 Mechanics (3-3) 4   * KINE 199 Required Physical Activity (0-2) 1
* KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity (0-2) 1       17
    16        
Sophomore Year
First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
ENGL 210 Scientific and Tech. Writing (3-0) 3   BAEN 265 Inv. Tech. for Biol. and Ag. Engr. (1-6) 3
MATH 251 Engineering Math. III (3-0) 3   BAEN 320 Eng. Thermodynamics (2-2) 3
MEEN 221 Statics andParticles Dynamics (2-2) 3   CVEN 305 Mechanics of Materials (3-0) 3
MEEN 222 Materials Science (3-0) 3   MATH 308 Differential Equations (3-0) 3
PHYS 208 Electricity and Optics (3-3) 4   Science elective3   4
    16       16
Junior Year
First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
BAEN 340 Fluid Mechanics (3-0) 3   BAEN 365 Unit Ops. for Biol. and Ag. Engr. (2-3) 3
BAEN 354 Engr. Properties of Biological Materials (2-2) 3   BAEN 366 Transport Processes in Biological Systems (3-0) 3
BAEN 375 Des. of Ag. Mach. and Struc. (3-0) 3   BAEN 370 Meas. and Control of Bio. Sys. and Ag. Processes (2-2) 3
CHEM 222 Elements of Org. Biol. Chem. (3-0) 3   Mathematics elective 3   3
ENGR 215 Prin. of Electrical Engr. (2-2) 3   University Core Curriculum elective 2   3
    15       15
Senior Year
First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
BAEN 479 Biol. and Ag. Engr. Design I (1-2) 2   BAEN 480 Biol. and Ag. Engr. Design II (1-5) 3
BAEN 481 Seminar (1-0) 1   Engineering electives 4   3
ENGR 482 Ethics and Engineering (2-2) 3   Technical elective3   3
Engineering electives 4   6   University Core Curriculum electives 2   6
University Core Curriculum electives 2   6       15
    18        
NOTES:
  1. Entering students will normally be given a placement test in mathematics. Test results will be used in selecting the appropriate starting course which may be at a higher or lower level.
  2. To be selected from the University Core Curriculum. Of the 18 hours shown as University Core Curriculum electives, 3 must be from visual and performing arts, 3 from social and behavioral sciences, 6 from U.S. history, and 6 from POLS 206 and 207. The required 6 hours from international and cultural diversity may be met by courses satisfying the visual and performing arts, social and behavioral sciences, and the political science and history requirements if they are also on the approved list of international and cultural diversity courses (see University Core Curriculum, item 6).
  3. Science, mathematics and technical electives are to be selected from a departmental approved list in consultation with an academic advisor to enhance the chosen career emphasis.
  4. Engineering electives must include at least 6 hours of departmental engineering courses and are to be selected from an approved list in consultation with the academic advisor to enhance the chosen career emphasis.

The Systems Safety Engineering specialty is available for students pursuing this degree.

*See University Core Curriculum, item 7.