Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Major Requirements

Major: Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Option: Agricultural

Degree Type: B.S.A.B.En
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 133

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
  6. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  7. Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Category C: Communication12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning 3
Category S: Science and Technology 10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts 6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences 6
Category W: Wellness 2
Category D: Cultural Diversity *†
Category G: Global Perspectives *†
Total Credits39
*

Courses for category D & G are satisfied by completing D & G designated courses in another general education category.

General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

ABEN Core Requirements

ABEN 110Introduction to Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering3
ABEN 255Computer Aided Analysis & Design3
ABEN 263Biological Materials Processing3
ABEN 348Agricultural Technology Exposition 11
ABEN 358Electric Energy Application in Agriculture3
ABEN 391Seminar1
ABEN 444Transport Processes3
or ABEN 452 Bioenvironmental Systems Design
ABEN 479Fluid Power Systems Design3
ABEN 482Instrumentation & Measurements3
ABEN 484Drainage and Wetland Engineering3
or ABEN 464 Resource Conservation and Irrigation Engineering
ABEN 486Design Project I2
ABEN 487Design Project II2
BIOL 150General Biology I3
or BIOL 111 Concepts of Biology
or BIOL 124 Environmental Science
or MICR 202 Introductory Microbiology
BIOL 150LGeneral Biology I Laboratory1
or CHEM 121L General Chemistry I Laboratory
or MICR 202L Introductory Microbiology Lab
CHEM 121General Chemistry I3
CHEM 122General Chemistry II3
CE 309Fluid Mechanics3
or ME 352 Fluid Dynamics
CSCI 122Visual BASIC3
or ME 213 Modeling of Engineering Systems
or GEOG 455 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
or PAG 215 Mapping of Precision Ag Data
ENGR 327Ethics, Engineering, and Technology3
IME 440Engineering Economy3
IME 460Evaluation of Engineering Data3
MATH 128Introduction to Linear Algebra1
MATH 165Calculus I4
MATH 166Calculus II4
MATH 259Multivariate Calculus3
MATH 266Introduction to Differential Equations3
ME 212Fundamentals of Visual Communication for Engineers3
ME 221Engineering Mechanics I3
ME 222Engineering Mechanics II3
ME 223Mechanics of Materials3
ME 350Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer3
PHYS 252
252L
University Physics II
and University Physics II Laboratory
5
Program Electives: Select from courses below. At least 3 of the 15 cr. must be upper-divison courses from the College of Engineering courses listed below with an "*".15
Introduction to Controlled Environment Agriculture (Natural Resource/General Focus)
Numerical Modeling in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (Machinery/Natural Resource/General Focus) 3
Biobased Energy (Processing Focus) 3
Process Engineering for Food, Biofuels and Bioproducts (Processing/General Focus)
Agricultural Power ( Machinery Focus)
Field Experience (All Focus Areas) 2
Machinery Analysis & Design (Machinery Focus)
Introduction to Animal Sciences (Natural Resource Focus)
Livestock Production (Natural Resource Focus)
Natural Resource Management Systems (Natural Resource Focus)
Post-Harvest Technology (Machinery/Processing Focus)
Machinery Principles and Management (Machinery Focus)
Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (Processing Focus)
Introduction to Food Science and Technology (Processing Focus)
Food Processing I (Processing Focus)
Surveying (Natural Resource Focus)
Soil Mechanics (General Focus) 3
Structural Engineering and Analysis (General Focus) 3
Water Resources and Supply (Natural Resource Focus) 3
Slope Stability and Retaining Walls (General Focus) 3
Open Channel Flow (Natural Resource Focus) 3
Basic Dynamics of Structures (General Focus) 3
Applied Hydrology (Natural Resource Focus) 3
Survey of Organic Chemistry (Processing Focus)
Digital Design (Machinery Focus)
Electrical Engineering I
and Electrical Engineering Lab I (Machinery Focus) 3
Manufacturing Processes (Processing Focus) 3
Welding Technology (Machinery Focus) 3
Program and Project Management (All Focus Areas) 3
Materials Science and Engineering (Machinery Focus) 3
Theory of Vibrations (Machinery Focus) 3
Plastics and Polymer Processing in Manufacturing (Processing Focus) 3
Machine Design I (Machinery Focus) 3
Introduction to Precision Agriculture (Machinery/Natural Resource Focus)
Electronic Systems in Precision Ag (Machinary Focus)
Applications of Precision Agriculture (Machinery Focus)
World Food Crops (Processing/Natural Resource Focus)
Principles of Crop Production (Processing/Natural Resource Focus)
Introduction to Soil Science (Natural Resource Focus)
Soils and Land Use (Natural Resource Focus)
Total Credits105
1

ABEN 348 - AG Tech Exp (1 add'l cr.) may be used as a Program Elective.

2

ABEN 496 - Field Exp./Internship (1 - 3 cr.) may be used as a Program Elective. A maximum of three credits of ABEN 496 Field Exp./Internship may be counted towards degree requirements.

3

Students must select at least 3 cr. of upper-division College of Engineering courses to satisfy the 15 cr. Program Elective requirement.

Degree Requirements and Notes

SUGGESTED FOCUS AREAS:  Consult with adviser when making selections.

  • Machinery Focus - Select electives with emphasis on machine, power, robotic/autonomous, and electrical/electronic systems.
  • Natural Resource Focus - Select electives with emphasis on areas that contribute to solving problems in environmental engineering, natural resources management, hydrology, irrigation, watershed management, and waste management.
  • Processing Focus - Select electives with emphasis on combining engineering, biological, and physical sciences in the application of engineering principles to handling and processing of biomaterials for food and non-food products.
  • General Focus - Select electives from any of the above focus areas. Includes courses in structural and environmental aspects of agricultural facilities.

Degree Requirements for the Accelerated M.S. Program in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Students pursuing an accelerated master’s degree in ABEN must complete the following requirements:

  • 30 credits after the B.S is required. However, a maximum of 15 graduate credits earned during the combined/accelerated degree program may also be counted toward the graduate degree.
  • 20-24 credits are from didactic course work, while 6-10 credits are typically devoted for a master's thesis based on research
  • A minimum of 6 credits of NDSU ABEN courses numbered 601-689 and 700-789 is required.
  • ABEN Graduate Seminar (ABEN 790).

Major Requirements

Major: Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Option: Biosystems

Degree Type: B.S.A.B.En
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 133

University Degree Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
  2. Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework.  Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
  3. Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
  4. A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  5. At least 30 credits must be NDSU resident credits.  Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
  6. At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
  7. Students presenting transfer credit must meet the NDSU residence credits and the minimum upper level credit. Of the 30 credits earned in residence, a minimum of 15 semester credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 semester credits must be in the student’s curricula for their declared major.

For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.

Category C: Communication12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning 3
Category S: Science and Technology 10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts 6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences 6
Category W: Wellness 2
Category D: Cultural Diversity *†
Category G: Global Perspectives *†
Total Credits39
*

Courses for category D & G are satisfied by completing D & G designated courses in another general education category.

General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review major requirements to determine if specific courses can also satisfy these general education categories.

Major Requirements - Biosystems Option

ABEN Core Requirements:
ABEN 110Introduction to Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering3
ABEN 255Computer Aided Analysis & Design3
ABEN 263Biological Materials Processing3
ABEN 391Seminar1
ABEN 444Transport Processes3
ABEN 482Instrumentation & Measurements3
ABEN 486Design Project I2
ABEN 487Design Project II2
ABEN 496Field Experience1
MATH 128Introduction to Linear Algebra1
MATH 165Calculus I4
MATH 166Calculus II4
MATH 259Multivariate Calculus3
MATH 266Introduction to Differential Equations3
ME 221Engineering Mechanics I3
ME 222Engineering Mechanics II3
ME 350Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer3
BIOL 150General Biology I3
CHEM 121
121L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
4
CHEM 122
122L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Laboratory
4
CHEM 240Survey of Organic Chemistry3
CE 309Fluid Mechanics3
ENGR 327Ethics, Engineering, and Technology3
IME 440Engineering Economy2
IME 460Evaluation of Engineering Data3
or STAT 330 Introductory Statistics
PHYS 252
252L
University Physics II
and University Physics II Laboratory
5
Select one from the following:3
Writing in the Technical Professions
Writing in the Sciences
Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal
ABEN Electives 300-400 Level: Select 9 credits from the following:9
Electric Energy Application in Agriculture
Numerical Modeling in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
ABEN 450
Bioenvironmental Systems Design
Biobased Energy
Process Engineering for Food, Biofuels and Bioproducts
Resource Conservation and Irrigation Engineering
Agricultural Power
Machinery Analysis & Design
Fluid Power Systems Design
Drainage and Wetland Engineering
Major Program Electives:
Engineering Electives - Select a minimum of 9 credits from the following:9
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering Laboratory
Electrical Engineering I
Mechanics of Materials
Materials Science and Engineering
Chemistry/Biological Science/Environmental Electives - Select a minimum of 6 credits from the following:6
Animal Genetics
Physiology of Reproduction
Elements of Biochemistry
Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II
Methods of Biochemical Research
Methods of Recombinant DNA Technology
General Biology I Laboratory
General Biology II
General Biology II Laboratory
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Genetics
Genetics Laboratory
General Ecology
BOT 380
Introduction to Food Science and Technology
Food Processing I
Cereal Technology
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
Organic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
Introductory Microbiology
Introductory Microbiology Lab
General Microbiology
General Microbiology Lab
Critical Skills in Microbiology
Critical Skills in Microbiology Laboratory Research
Microbial Ecology
Technical Electives - Select a minimum of 6 elective courses from the courses listed in the ABEN Electives, Engineering Electives, or Chemistry/Biological Sciences/Environmental Science Electives not used in those :6
Computer Elective - Select one course from the following:3
Civil Engineering Graphic Communications
Visual BASIC
Computer Science I
Introduction to Computing
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
CAD/CAM for Manufacturing
Fundamentals of Visual Communication for Engineers
Modeling of Engineering Systems
Total Credits111

Program Electives for the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering - Agricultural Option

Computer Electives: Select one course from the following:3
Civil Engineering Graphic Communications
Visual BASIC
Computer Science I
Introduction to Computing
Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
CAD/CAM for Manufacturing
Modeling of Engineering Systems
Business or Communication Electives: Choose one of the following courses or a course from the following prefix options:3
BUSN, COMM, ACCT, AGEC, ECON, MGT, MIS, MRKT (The course used for this elective cannot double-count as General Education)
Fundamentals of Accounting
Elements of Accounting I
Introduction to Agricultural Management
Agricultural Marketing
Introduction to Agricultural Finance
Interpersonal Communication
COMM 214
Intercultural Communication
Introduction to Web Design
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Macroeconomics
MRKT 301
Chemistry/Biological/Environmental Science Electives: Select 9 credits from the following:9
Natural Resource Management Systems
Livestock Production
Concepts of Biology
BIOL 111L
Environmental Science
BIOL 124L
General Biology I
General Biology I Laboratory
General Biology II
General Biology II Laboratory
Introduction to Food Science and Technology
Food Processing I
Cereal Technology
General Chemistry I Laboratory
General Chemistry II Laboratory
Survey of Organic Chemistry
Insects, Humans and the Environment
Introductory Microbiology
Introductory Microbiology Lab
General Microbiology
General Microbiology Lab
Environmental Law and Policy
World Food Crops
Weed Identification
Principles of Crop Production
Genetics
PLSC 320
Principles of Weed Science
Seed Technology & Production
Natural Resource & Agro-Ecosystems
Introduction to Soil Science
Introduction to Meteorology & Climatology
Soils and Land Use
Technical Electives: May choose from the ABEN section, Chemistry/Biological Science electives, Computer electives, or the Engineering electives listed below:8
ABEN 496 - Ag Tech Expo (1 add'l cr.) may be used as a Technical Elective. ABEN 496 - Field Exp./Internship, 1 cr., may be used as an ABEN Elective or as a Technical Elective. A maximum of two credits of ABEN 496 FE/Internship may be counted towards degree requirements.
Post-Harvest Technology
Tractors & Power Units
Power Units Laboratory
Machinery Principles and Management
Hydraulic Power Principles and Applications
ASM 454
Surveying
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
Structural Engineering and Analysis
Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering Laboratory
Reinforced Concrete
Water Resources and Supply
Water and Wastewater Engineering
Open Channel Flow
CE 473
Applied Hydrology
Water Quality Management
Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment
Contracts and Specifications
Digital Design
Electrical Engineering II
Embedded Systems
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Manufacturing Processes
Welding Technology
CAD/CAM for Manufacturing
Process Engineering
Production Engineering
Systems Engineering and Management
IME 455
Program and Project Management
Quality Assurance and Control
Materials Science and Engineering
Thermodynamics II
Theory of Vibrations
Machine Design I
Heat and Mass Transfer
Experimental Stress Analysis
Engineering with Polymeric Materials
Mechanics of Composite Materials
Automatic Controls
Internal Combustion Engines
RNG 326
Applied Regression Models
Introduction to Experimental Design
Total Credits8

SUGGESTED EMPHASIS AREA for the Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Option: Consult with adviser when making selections.

  • Agricultural Systems - Select electives with emphasis on machine, power, structural and electrical/electronic systems to solve problems involving engineering aspects of food, feed, and fiber production.
  • Environmental Systems - Select electives with emphasis on areas that contribute to solving problems in environmental engineering, natural resources management, hydrology, irrigation, watershed management, and waste management.
  • Biomaterials Systems - Select electives with emphasis on combining engineering, biological, and physical sciences in the application of engineering principles to handling and processing of biomaterials for food and non-food products. 
  • Advance Biosciences Electives - 9 credits required.  Double Count with electives above.  A minimum of 3 credits must be from non-ABEN prefix courses in the Advanced Biosciences tab.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
Electric Energy Application in Agriculture
ABEN 383
Transport Processes
Bioenvironmental Systems Design
Biobased Energy
Process Engineering for Food, Biofuels and Bioproducts
Resource Conservation and Irrigation Engineering
Agricultural Power
Machinery Analysis & Design
Fluid Power Systems Design
Post-Harvest Technology
Tractors & Power Units
Power Units Laboratory
Machinery Principles and Management
Hydraulic Power Principles and Applications
ASM 454
Structural Engineering and Analysis
Reinforced Concrete
Digital Design
Electrical Engineering II
Embedded Systems
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Manufacturing Processes
Welding Technology
CAD/CAM for Manufacturing
Process Engineering
Production Engineering
Systems Engineering and Management
IME 455
Program and Project Management
Quality Assurance and Control
Materials Science and Engineering
Thermodynamics II
Theory of Vibrations
Machine Design I
Heat and Mass Transfer
Experimental Stress Analysis
Engineering with Polymeric Materials
Mechanics of Composite Materials
Automatic Controls
Internal Combustion Engines
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
Electric Energy Application in Agriculture
Transport Processes
Bioenvironmental Systems Design
Biobased Energy
Resource Conservation and Irrigation Engineering
Fluid Power Systems Design
Drainage and Wetland Engineering
ASM 454
Surveying
Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering Laboratory
Water Resources and Supply
Water and Wastewater Engineering
Open Channel Flow
CE 473
Applied Hydrology
Water Quality Management
Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment
Contracts and Specifications
Survey of Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
Electrical Engineering II
Heat and Mass Transfer
General Microbiology
RNG 326
Introduction to Soil Science
Soils and Land Use
BIOMATERIALS SYSTEMS
Electric Energy Application in Agriculture
Transport Processes
Bioenvironmental Systems Design
Biobased Energy
Process Engineering for Food, Biofuels and Bioproducts
Fluid Power Systems Design
Fluid Power Systems Design
Drainage and Wetland Engineering
Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I
Foundations of Biochemistry I Laboratory
Introduction to Food Science and Technology
CFS 430
Cereal Technology
Food Processing II
Food Processing Laboratory
Survey of Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
Organic Chemistry II
Electrical Engineering II
Systems Engineering and Management
Evaluation of Engineering Data
Quality Assurance and Control
Materials Science and Engineering
Machine Design I
Heat and Mass Transfer
General Microbiology
Advanced Biosciences Electives - 9 credits required. Students may double count with other program electives. A minimum of 3 credits must be from non-ABEN prefix courses in the Advanced Biosciences tab.
ABEN Courses (Eligible for Adv. Biosci.)
Transport Processes
Bioenvironmental Systems Design
Biobased Energy
Process Engineering for Food, Biofuels and Bioproducts
Resource Conservation and Irrigation Engineering
Drainage and Wetland Engineering
SOIL Courses
Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
Soil Ecology
Soils and Land Use
Soil Genesis and Survey
Soil And Plant Analysis
PLSC Courses
PLSC 320
Seed Technology & Production
PLSC 350
Genomics
Intermediate Genetics
Additional Course Options
General Ecology
Animal Genetics
Managing Natural and Rangeland Resources using GIS
Engineering Electives: Select 9 credits from the following:9
Fluid Mechanics Laboratory
Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering Laboratory
Electrical Engineering I
Mechanics of Materials
Materials Science and Engineering
Chemistry/Biological Science Electives: Select 6 credits from the following:6
Animal Genetics
Physiology of Reproduction
Elements of Biochemistry
Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II
Methods of Biochemical Research
Methods of Recombinant DNA Technology
General Biology I Laboratory
General Biology II
General Biology II Laboratory
Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Genetics
Genetics Laboratory
General Ecology
Introduction to Food Science and Technology
Food Processing I
Cereal Technology
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
Organic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
Introductory Microbiology
Introductory Microbiology Lab
General Microbiology
General Microbiology Lab
Critical Skills in Microbiology
Critical Skills in Microbiology Laboratory Research
Microbial Ecology
Technical Electives: Select 6 credits from ABEN Electives, Engineering Electives, Chem/Bio Electives, or Computer Electives.6
ABEN 496 - Ag Tech Expo (1 add'l cr.) may be used as a Technical Elective. ABEN 496 - Field Exp./Internship, 1 cr., may be used as an ABEN Elective or as a Technical Elective. A maximum of two credits of ABEN 496 FE/Internship may be counted towards degree requirements.
Computer Elective: Select 3 credits from the following:3
Civil Engineering Graphic Communications
Visual BASIC
Computer Science I
Introduction to Computing
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
CAD/CAM for Manufacturing
Fundamentals of Visual Communication for Engineers
Modeling of Engineering Systems
Total Credits24
Advanced Biosciences Electives - 9 credits required. Students may double count with other program electives. A minimum of 3 credits must be from non-ABEN prefix courses in the Advanced Biosciences tab.
ABEN Courses (Eligible for Adv. Biosci.)
Transport Processes
Bioenvironmental Systems Design
Biobased Energy
Process Engineering for Food, Biofuels and Bioproducts
Resource Conservation and Irrigation Engineering
Drainage and Wetland Engineering
Engineering Electives (Eligible for Adv. Biosci.)
Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering Laboratory
CHEM/BIO Electives (Eligible for Adv. Biosci.)
Animal Genetics
Elements of Biochemistry
Methods of Biochemical Research
Methods of Recombinant DNA Technology
General Ecology
Survey of Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry I
Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
Organic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
General Microbiology
General Microbiology Lab
Critical Skills in Microbiology
Critical Skills in Microbiology Laboratory Research
Microbial Ecology