Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Major
The Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABEN) program prepares men and women for careers requiring application of physical, biological, and engineering sciences to develop solutions relating to: the design and production of machine systems; the production and handling of biological materials; processing of food, feed, fiber, and fuel; and the preservation of natural resources and environmental quality. A major in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering can serve a broad range of career interests and can provide excellent career opportunities for men and women from diverse backgrounds.
The program educational objectives of this major are to educate and produce graduates who will become engineers who:
- have the ability to use their technical knowledge and design and problem solving skills throughout their careers,
- have the interpersonal and collaborative skills and the capacity necessary for productive careers, and
- can use their disciplinary knowledge and educational depth and breadth to deal with changing career opportunities in agricultural and related industries.
These objectives support the department mission of developing and extending knowledge through engineering and technology that advances the productivity of agricultural production, the processing and utilization of biological materials, and the management of environmental resources.
Agricultural and biosystems engineering integrates engineering topics, engineering design, and biological sciences in a single program with two concentrations: agricultural engineering and biosystems engineering. While there is considerable overlap between the agricultural engineering (AGEN) and the biosystems engineering (BSEN) concentrations, the BSEN concentration includes a heavier emphasis on fundamental biological and chemical sciences. The AGEN concentration includes a heavier emphasis in the physical sciences. A wide range of electives in related disciplines can be used to compliment the disciplinary course work and to prepare for specific career interests. Although not required by the curriculum, students are encouraged to take advantage of Cooperative Education experiences or the opportunity of paid internships where they gain hands-on experience in engineering.
Agricultural Engineering Option
Career opportunities for graduates in agricultural engineering are many and diverse. Graduates may work for companies and agencies that design, develop, test, and manufacture power and machine systems; handle, store, and process agricultural commodities; design environmental controls and housing systems for plant and animal production; design equipment and systems for processing, manufacturing, distribution and quality protection of food products; design systems for management of air, land and water resources; design and manage crop irrigation systems; and develop electrical and electronic applications for agricultural problems. Graduates with an agricultural engineering concentration may also pursue graduate degrees in engineering, business, or law. By selecting appropriate elective courses, students may emphasize areas such as agricultural systems, environmental systems, biomaterials and processing systems, or an emphasis area designed by the student in consultation with an adviser.
The faculty assist with career planning and job placement of graduates. Students interested in careers involving production, delivery, management, and technical support of systems for food, agricultural, or closely related industries rather than engineering or design should consider the Agricultural Systems Management major offered by the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources .
Major Requirements
Major: Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Option: Agricultural Engineering
Degree Type: B.S.A.B.En
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 133
General Education Requirements
| First Year Experience (F): | ||
| ABEN 189 | Skills for Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take ABEN 189.) | 1 |
| Communication (C): | ||
| ENGL 110 | College Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | College Composition II | 3 |
| One Course in Upper Level Writing. Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing in the Technical Professions | ||
| Writing in the Sciences | ||
| Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal | ||
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning (R): | ||
| MATH 165 | Calculus I | 4 |
| Science & Technology (S): | ||
| CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 122 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| PHYS 252 & 252L | University Physics II and University Physics II Laboratory | 5 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): Select from current general education list | 6 | |
| Wellness (W): Select from current general education list | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D): Select from current general education list | ||
| Global Perspectives (G): Select from current general education list | ||
| Total Credits | 42 | |
Major Requirements - Agricultural Option
| General Education Requirements | 40 | |
| ABEN Core Courses: | ||
| ABEN 110 | Introduction to Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 2 |
| ABEN 255 | Computer Aided Analysis & Design | 3 |
| ABEN 263 | Biological Materials Processing | 3 |
| ABEN 377 | Numerical Modeling in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 3 |
| ABEN 482 | Instrumentation & Measurements | 3 |
| ABEN 486 | Design Project I | 2 |
| ABEN 487 | Design Project II | 2 |
| ABEN 491 | Seminar | 1 |
| ABEN 496 | Field Experience | 1 |
| ABEN 300-400 Electives: Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Electric Energy Application in Agriculture | ||
| Structural Design for Biosystems | ||
| Transport Processes | ||
| Bioprocess Engineering | ||
| 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 | ||
| MATH Courses: | ||
| MATH 128 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 1 |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 259 | Multivariate Calculus | 3 |
| MATH 266 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 3 |
| ME Courses: | ||
| ME 212 | Fundamentals of Visual Communication for Engineers | 3 |
| ME 221 | Engineering Mechanics I | 3 |
| ME 222 | Engineering Mechanics II | 3 |
| ME 223 | Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| ME 350 | Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer | 3 |
| Additional Courses: | ||
| CE 309 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| CE 310 | Fluid Mechanics Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 301 | Electrical Engineering I | 3 |
| ENGR 402 | Engineering Ethics and Social Responsibility | 1 |
| IME 440 | Engineering Economy | 2 |
| IME 460 | Evaluation of Engineering Data | 3 |
| or STAT 330 | Introductory Statistics | |
| Program Electives | The following program electives may be selected from courses listed in the Program Electives Tab | |
| Computer Electives | Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following department website: www.ndsu.edu/aben/academics | 3 |
| Business or Communication Elective | Choose one course from the following prefix options: BUSN, COMM, ACCT, AGEC, ECON, MGT, MIS, MRKT * | 3 |
| Chemistry/Biological Science Electives | Select a minimum of 9 credits from the following department website: www.ndsu.edu/aben/academics | 9 |
| Technical Electives | Select a minimum of 8 credits from the Ag Option Area Tab or following department website: www.ndsu.edu/aben/academics | 8 |
| Total Credits | 133 | |
| * | The course used for this business or communication elective cannot double-count as General Education. |
SUGGESTED EMPHASIS AREA for the Agricultural 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.
- Biomaterial 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.
Degree Requirements and Notes
A student must complete at least 60 semester credits of professional level course work in his/her program while in residence and enrolled in the college. Students transferring into the college from programs with professional accreditation are exempt from this residency requirement but are subject to the residency requirement of NDSU.
Program Electives for ABEN:
Agricultural Option - Program Electives
| Computer Electives: 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 | ||
| Modeling of Engineering Systems | ||
| Business or Communication Elective: Choose one 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.) | ||
| Chemistry/Biological Science Electives: Select 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Feeds and Feeding | ||
| Livestock Production | ||
| Concepts of Biology | ||
| Concepts of Biology Lab | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Environmental Science Laboratory | ||
| 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 | ||
| World Food Crops | ||
| Principles of Crop Production | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Principles of Forage Production | ||
| Principles of Weed Science | ||
| Seed Technology & Production | ||
| Natural Resource & Agro-Ecosystems | ||
| Introduction to Soil Science | ||
| Introduction to Meteorology & Climatology | ||
| Soils and Land Use | ||
| Soils and Pollution | ||
| Technical Electives: Select elective courses from the following department website www.ndsu.edu/asm/. May choose from the ABEN section, Chemistry/Biological Science electives or the Engineering electives listed below: | 8 | |
| Post-Harvest Technology | ||
| Tractors & Power Units | ||
| Power Units Laboratory | ||
| Machinery Principles and Management | ||
| Hydraulic Power Principles and Applications | ||
| Principles and Application of Precision Agriculture | ||
| Surveying | ||
| Structural Engineering and Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Engineering | ||
| Environmental Engineering Laboratory | ||
| Reinforced Concrete | ||
| Water Resources and Supply | ||
| Water and Wastewater Engineering | ||
| Open Channel Flow | ||
| Advanced Surveying | ||
| Solid Waste Management | ||
| Air Pollution | ||
| Applied Hydrology | ||
| Water Quality Management | ||
| Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment | ||
| Contracts and Specifications | ||
| Digital Design | ||
| Electrical Engineering II | ||
| Embedded Systems | ||
| Manufacturing Processes | ||
| Advanced Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Welding Technology | ||
| CAD/CAM for Manufacturing | ||
| Process Engineering | ||
| Production Engineering | ||
| Systems Engineering and Management | ||
| Management of People Systems | ||
| Program and Project Management | ||
| Quality Assurance and Control | ||
| Materials Science and Engineering | ||
| Mechanics of Machinery | ||
| 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 | ||
| Modeling of Range and Agro-Ecosystems | ||
| Applied Regression Models | ||
| Introduction to Experimental Design | ||
| Total Credits | 23 | |
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.
Agricultural Systems
| ABEN 358 | Electric Energy Application in Agriculture | 3 |
| ABEN 383 | Structural Design for Biosystems | 3 |
| ABEN 444 | Transport Processes | 3 |
| ABEN 452 | Bioenvironmental Systems Design | 3 |
| ABEN 456 | Biobased Energy | 3 |
| ABEN 458 | Process Engineering for Food, Biofuels and Bioproducts | 3 |
| ABEN 464 | Resource Conservation and Irrigation Engineering | 4 |
| ABEN 473 | Agricultural Power | 3 |
| ABEN 478 | Machinery Analysis & Design | 3 |
| ABEN/ME 479 | Fluid Power Systems Design | 3 |
| ASM 323 | Post-Harvest Technology | 3 |
| ASM 373 | Tractors & Power Units | 3 |
| ASM 374 | Power Units Laboratory | 1 |
| ASM 378 | Machinery Principles and Management | 3 |
| ASM 429 | Hydraulic Power Principles and Applications | 3 |
| ASM 454 | Principles and Application of Precision Agriculture | 3 |
| CE 343 | Structural Engineering and Analysis | 4 |
| CE 404 | Reinforced Concrete | 3 |
| ECE 275 | Digital Design | 3 |
| ECE 303 | Electrical Engineering II | 3 |
| ECE 376 | Embedded Systems | 4 |
| GEOG 455 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| GEOG 456 | Advanced Geographic Information Systems | 3 |
| IME 330 | Manufacturing Processes | 3 |
| IME 335 | Welding Technology | 3 |
| IME 380 | CAD/CAM for Manufacturing | 3 |
| IME 430 | Process Engineering | 3 |
| IME 431 | Production Engineering | 3 |
| IME 450 | Systems Engineering and Management | 3 |
| IME 455 | Management of People Systems | 2 |
| IME 456 | Program and Project Management | 3 |
| IME 461 | Quality Assurance and Control | 3 |
| ME 331 | Materials Science and Engineering | 4 |
| ME 341 | Mechanics of Machinery | 3 |
| ME 353 | Thermodynamics II | 3 |
| ME 421 | Theory of Vibrations | 3 |
| ME 442 | Machine Design I | 3 |
| ME 454 | Heat and Mass Transfer | 3 |
| ME 471 | Experimental Stress Analysis | 3 |
| ME 473 | Engineering with Polymeric Materials | 3 |
| ME 474 | Mechanics of Composite Materials | 3 |
| ME 475 | Automatic Controls | 3 |
| ME 487 | Internal Combustion Engines | 3 |
Environmental Systems
| ABEN 358 | Electric Energy Application in Agriculture | 3 |
| ABEN 444 | Transport Processes | 3 |
| ABEN 450 | Bioprocess Engineering | 3 |
| ABEN 452 | Bioenvironmental Systems Design | 3 |
| ABEN 456 | Biobased Energy | 3 |
| ABEN 464 | Resource Conservation and Irrigation Engineering | 4 |
| ABEN 479 | Fluid Power Systems Design | 3 |
| ABEN 484 | Drainage and Wetland Engineering | 3 |
| ASM 454 | Principles and Application of Precision Agriculture | 3 |
| CE 204 | Surveying | 4 |
| CE 370 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering | 3 |
| CE 371 | Environmental Engineering Laboratory | 1 |
| CE 408 | Water Resources and Supply | 3 |
| CE 410 | Water and Wastewater Engineering | 3 |
| CE 421 | Open Channel Flow | 3 |
| CE 451 | Advanced Surveying | 2 |
| CE 472 | Solid Waste Management | 3 |
| CE 473 | Air Pollution | 3 |
| CE 477 | Applied Hydrology | 3 |
| CE 478 | Water Quality Management | 3 |
| CE 479 | Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment | 3 |
| CE 483 | Contracts and Specifications | 3 |
| CHEM 240 | Survey of Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 341 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 341L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| ECE 303 | Electrical Engineering II | 3 |
| ME 454 | Heat and Mass Transfer | 3 |
| MICR 350 | General Microbiology | 3 |
| RNG 326 | Modeling of Range and Agro-Ecosystems | 3 |
| SOIL 210 | Introduction to Soil Science | 3 |
| SOIL 410 | Soils and Land Use | 3 |
| SOIL 480 | Soils and Pollution | 3 |
Biomaterials Systems
| ABEN 358 | Electric Energy Application in Agriculture | 3 |
| ABEN 444 | Transport Processes | 3 |
| ABEN 450 | Bioprocess Engineering | 3 |
| ABEN 452 | Bioenvironmental Systems Design | 3 |
| ABEN 456 | Biobased Energy | 3 |
| ABEN 458 | Process Engineering for Food, Biofuels and Bioproducts | 3 |
| ABEN 479 | Fluid Power Systems Design | 3 |
| ABEN 484 | Drainage and Wetland Engineering | 3 |
| BIOC 460 | Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I | 3 |
| BIOC 460L | Foundations of Biochemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CFS 210 | Introduction to Food Science and Technology | 2 |
| CFS 430 | Food Unit Operations | 2 |
| CFS 450 | Cereal Technology | 3 |
| CFS 470 | Food Processing II | 3 |
| CFS 471 | Food Processing Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 240 | Survey of Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 341 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 341L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 342 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| ECE 303 | Electrical Engineering II | 3 |
| IME 450 | Systems Engineering and Management | 3 |
| IME 460 | Evaluation of Engineering Data | 3 |
| IME 461 | Quality Assurance and Control | 3-4 |
| ME 331 | Materials Science and Engineering | 4 |
| ME 442 | Machine Design I | 3 |
| ME 454 | Heat and Mass Transfer | 3 |
| MICR 350 | General Microbiology | 3 |
