This is an archived copy of the 2015-16 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.

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:

  1. have the ability to use their technical knowledge and design and problem solving skills throughout their careers,
  2. have the interpersonal and collaborative skills and the capacity necessary for productive careers, and
  3. 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 189Skills for Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take ABEN 189.)1
Communication (C):
ENGL 110College Composition I3
ENGL 120College Composition II3
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 110Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
Quantitative Reasoning (R):
MATH 165Calculus I4
Science & Technology (S):
CHEM 121General Chemistry I3
CHEM 122General Chemistry II3
PHYS 252
252L
University Physics II
and University Physics II Laboratory
5
Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): Select from current general education list6
Wellness (W): Select from current general education list2
Cultural Diversity (D): Select from current general education list
Global Perspectives (G): Select from current general education list
Total Credits42

Major Requirements - Agricultural Option

General Education Requirements40
ABEN Core Courses:
ABEN 110Introduction to Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering2
ABEN 255Computer Aided Analysis & Design3
ABEN 263Biological Materials Processing3
ABEN 377Numerical Modeling in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering3
ABEN 482Instrumentation & Measurements3
ABEN 486Design Project I2
ABEN 487Design Project II2
ABEN 491Seminar1
ABEN 496Field Experience1
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 128Introduction to Linear Algebra1
MATH 166Calculus II4
MATH 259Multivariate Calculus3
MATH 266Introduction to Differential Equations3
ME Courses:
ME 212Fundamentals of Visual Communication for Engineers3
ME 221Engineering Mechanics I3
ME 222Engineering Mechanics II3
ME 223Mechanics of Materials3
ME 350Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer3
Additional Courses:
CE 309Fluid Mechanics3
CE 310Fluid Mechanics Laboratory1
ECE 301Electrical Engineering I3
ENGR 402Engineering Ethics and Social Responsibility1
IME 440Engineering Economy2
IME 460Evaluation of Engineering Data3
or STAT 330 Introductory Statistics
Program ElectivesThe following program electives may be selected from courses listed in the Program Electives Tab above.
Computer ElectivesSelect a minimum of 3 credits from the Program Electives Tab.3
Business or Communication ElectiveChoose one course from the following prefix options: BUSN, COMM, ACCT, AGEC, ECON, MGT, MIS, MRKT *3
Chemistry/Biological Science ElectivesSelect a minimum of 9 credits from the Program Electives Tab.9
Technical ElectivesSelect a minimum of 8 credits from the Program Electives Tab.8
Total Credits133
*

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
General Microbiology
General 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: 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
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Manufacturing Processes
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 Credits23

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 358Electric Energy Application in Agriculture3
ABEN 383Structural Design for Biosystems3
ABEN 444Transport Processes3
ABEN 452Bioenvironmental Systems Design3
ABEN 456Biobased Energy3
ABEN 458Process Engineering for Food, Biofuels and Bioproducts3
ABEN 464Resource Conservation and Irrigation Engineering4
ABEN 473Agricultural Power3
ABEN 478Machinery Analysis & Design3
ABEN/ME 479Fluid Power Systems Design3
ASM 323Post-Harvest Technology3
ASM 373Tractors & Power Units3
ASM 374Power Units Laboratory1
ASM 378Machinery Principles and Management3
ASM 429Hydraulic Power Principles and Applications3
ASM 454Principles and Application of Precision Agriculture3
CE 343Structural Engineering and Analysis4
CE 404Reinforced Concrete3
ECE 275Digital Design3
ECE 303Electrical Engineering II3
ECE 376Embedded Systems4
GEOG 455Introduction to Geographic Information Systems4
GEOG 456Advanced Geographic Information Systems3
IME 330Manufacturing Processes3
IME 335Welding Technology3
IME 380CAD/CAM for Manufacturing3
IME 430Process Engineering3
IME 431Production Engineering3
IME 450Systems Engineering and Management3
IME 455Management of People Systems2
IME 456Program and Project Management3
IME 461Quality Assurance and Control3
ME 331Materials Science and Engineering4
ME 341Mechanics of Machinery3
ME 353Thermodynamics II3
ME 421Theory of Vibrations3
ME 442Machine Design I3
ME 454Heat and Mass Transfer3
ME 471Experimental Stress Analysis3
ME 473Engineering with Polymeric Materials3
ME 474Mechanics of Composite Materials3
ME 475Automatic Controls3
ME 487Internal Combustion Engines3

Environmental Systems

ABEN 358Electric Energy Application in Agriculture3
ABEN 444Transport Processes3
ABEN 450Bioprocess Engineering3
ABEN 452Bioenvironmental Systems Design3
ABEN 456Biobased Energy3
ABEN 464Resource Conservation and Irrigation Engineering4
ABEN 479Fluid Power Systems Design3
ABEN 484Drainage and Wetland Engineering3
ASM 454Principles and Application of Precision Agriculture3
CE 204Surveying4
CE 370Introduction to Environmental Engineering3
CE 371Environmental Engineering Laboratory1
CE 408Water Resources and Supply3
CE 410Water and Wastewater Engineering3
CE 421Open Channel Flow3
CE 451Advanced Surveying2
CE 472Solid Waste Management3
CE 473Air Pollution3
CE 477Applied Hydrology3
CE 478Water Quality Management3
CE 479Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment3
CE 483Contracts and Specifications3
CHEM 240Survey of Organic Chemistry3
CHEM 341Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 341LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory1
ECE 303Electrical Engineering II3
ME 454Heat and Mass Transfer3
MICR 350General Microbiology3
RNG 326Modeling of Range and Agro-Ecosystems3
SOIL 210Introduction to Soil Science3
SOIL 410Soils and Land Use3
SOIL 480Soils and Pollution3

Biomaterials Systems

ABEN 358Electric Energy Application in Agriculture3
ABEN 444Transport Processes3
ABEN 450Bioprocess Engineering3
ABEN 452Bioenvironmental Systems Design3
ABEN 456Biobased Energy3
ABEN 458Process Engineering for Food, Biofuels and Bioproducts3
ABEN 479Fluid Power Systems Design3
ABEN 484Drainage and Wetland Engineering3
BIOC 460Foundations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I3
BIOC 460LFoundations of Biochemistry I Laboratory1
CFS 210Introduction to Food Science and Technology2
CFS 430Food Unit Operations2
CFS 450Cereal Technology3
CFS 470Food Processing II3
CFS 471Food Processing Laboratory1
CHEM 240Survey of Organic Chemistry3
CHEM 341Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 341LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory1
CHEM 342Organic Chemistry II3
ECE 303Electrical Engineering II3
IME 450Systems Engineering and Management3
IME 460Evaluation of Engineering Data3
IME 461Quality Assurance and Control3-4
ME 331Materials Science and Engineering4
ME 442Machine Design I3
ME 454Heat and Mass Transfer3
MICR 350General Microbiology3