Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
This is an archived copy of the 2020-21 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.
The agricultural and biosystems engineering (ABEN) program prepares students for careers in:
- Machine Systems
- Processing Systems for food, biofuels, and other biproducts
- Natural Resources and Environmental Systems
Graduates design systems and solve problems requiring mathematics and the application of physical, biological, and engineering sciences involving biological systems. Agricultural and biosystems engineers address society’s grand challenges in food, energy, and water.
The Program
Agricultural and biosystems engineers are uniquely qualified to use their knowledge of mathematics, biological and physical sciences, and engineering principles to solve problems relating to the production, handling and processing of biological materials for food, feed, fiber and fuel; the preservation of natural resources and environment quality; and the design and production of machine systems. 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 Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. Agricultural and biosystems engineering students are well qualified for and encouraged to take the national Fundamentals of Engineering examination. This is the first step in the process of registration as a professional engineer.
Agricultural and biosystems engineering integrates engineering topics, engineering design, and biological sciences in a single program with two concentrations: agricultural engineering and biosystems engineering.
Internships
Although not required by the curriculum, students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of co-operative education experiences (paid internships). These experiences allow students to spend a summer or, more typically, a summer and a semester doing engineering work for an employer of program graduates. Students gain hands-on experience in engineering for the first time. This experience allows students to make an informed decision on their major, to make better selections of elective courses, and to open doors for employment upon graduation.
Career Opportunities
Position titles of graduates for both concentrations may include design engineer, test engineer, project engineer, plant engineer, quality control engineer, process engineer, energy adviser, consulting engineer and environmental engineer. Starting salaries are among the highest paid for college graduates and are comparable to those in other fields of engineering. Recent starting salaries range from $55,000 to $75,000 per year with an average of $60,000 per year. Placement of graduates has been at or near 100 percent for many years.
Biosystems Engineering Concentration
Graduates in biosystems engineering integrate engineering, biology and chemistry in a variety of applications. Graduates may work in careers with the following goals: develop innovative green products and industries; convert bio-based resources to food, fuel and other renewable products; design new generations of devices or systems for biological systems; and control biological systems for natural resource protection, waste remediation and ecosystem restoration. Graduates may work with industries to create new and improved processes through the innovative use of microorganisms, plant and animal cells and enzymes, or they may develop sensors, control systems and computer models to monitor and control biological processes occurring in industry or the environment. Graduates with a biosystems engineering concentration may also pursue a professional or graduate degree in a number of fields including engineering, medicine, veterinary medicine, management or law.
Agricultural Engineering Concentration
Career opportunities for graduates in agricultural engineering are many and diverse. Graduates may work for companies and agencies that design, develop, test and manufacture agricultural power and machine systems; handle, store, process and enhance or protect the quality of agricultural commodities and processed products; design environment control and housing systems for plant and animal production; design equipment and systems for processing, manufacturing, distribution and quality protection of food products; manage 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 areas such as engineering, business or law.
Scholarships
A number of departmental and College of Engineering scholarships are competitively awarded to students in the ABEN program each spring. These scholarships range in value from about $500 to $4,000. Scholastic achievement, financial need and extracurricular activities are considered. Scholarships are provided by industry, faculty and alumni. The department provides an opportunity to apply for these scholarships early in spring semester.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Varied extra-curricular programs are available to students majoring in agricultural and biosystems engineering. One professional student organization is the North Dakota Student Engineering Branch of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), the society for engineering in agricultural, food and biological systems. The honorary societies are Alpha Epsilon (agricultural and biosystems engineering), Tau Beta Pi (engineering) and Phi Kappa Phi (general university). Members of the Student Engineering Branch of ASABE take an active part in the annual Agricultural Technology Exposition, interact with speakers, go on field trips, participate in departmental picnics, compete in the annual AEM Report national competition, compete in the international quarter-scale tractor pull and design competition, and are involved in public service and social activities.
A Well-Equipped Teaching Facility
The agricultural and biosystems engineering department is housed in its own building. Laboratories are furnished with equipment typically used in industry and research, such as personal computers that are networked to the University’s computing facilities and to the Internet, ANSYS, Pro-E and AutoCAD software, data acquisition systems, biomaterials handling and processing equipment, environmental measurement equipment, controllers, and analog and digital test equipment. The ABEN building is also home to the Bio-Imaging and Sensing Center. This is a state-of-the-art lab with imaging and sensing equipment to solve multidisciplinary problems associated with biological systems. The department also occupies the North Dakota State University Pilot Plant with facilities and equipment for producing and analyzing biofuels, food products and other renewable products. ABEN class size is usually fewer than 25 students, which allows for close faculty-student interaction.
Plans of Study
Please note this is a sample plan of study and not an official curriculum. Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress and customize an individual plan of study.
Freshman | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
ABEN 110 | 3 | ABEN 496 (Ag Tech Expo) | 1 |
CHEM 121 | 3 | ME 212 | 3 |
ENGL 110 | 4 | ME 221 | 3 |
MATH 165 | 4 | CHEM 122 | 3 |
CHEM/BIO Elective | 3 | ENGL 120 | 3 |
MATH 166 | 4 | ||
17 | 17 | ||
Sophomore | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
ABEN 255 | 3 | ABEN 263 | 3 |
COMM 110 | 3 | PHYS 252 | 4 |
ME 222 | 3 | PHYS 252L | 1 |
ME 223 | 3 | MATH 266 | 3 |
MATH 259 | 3 | ME 350 | 3 |
MATH 128 | 1 | Computer Elective | 3 |
Gen Ed Elective | 2 | ||
18 | 17 | ||
Junior | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
IME 460 | 3 | ABEN 377 | 3 |
CE 309 | 3 | ABEN 391 | 1 |
ENGL 321, 324, or 459 | 3 | ABEN 482 | 3 |
ENGR 402 | 1 | ECE 301 | 3 |
ABEN Elective | 3 | ABEN Elective | 3 |
CHEM/BIO Elective | 3 | Gen Ed Elective | 3 |
16 | 16 | ||
Senior | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
ABEN 486 | 2 | ABEN 487 | 2 |
IME 440 | 2 | Tech Elective | 3 |
ABEN Elective | 3 | CHEM/BIO Elective | 3 |
Gen Ed Elective | 3 | Gen Ed Elective | 3 |
Tech Elective | 5 | Gen Ed Elective | 3 |
BUS/COMM Elective | 3 | ||
15 | 17 | ||
Total Credits: 133 |
Plan of Study
Please note this is a sample plan of study and not an official curriculum. Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress and customize an individual plan of study.
Freshman | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
ABEN 110 | 3 | ABEN 496 (Ag Tech Expo) | 1 |
CHEM 121 | 3 | ME 221 | 3 |
CHEM 121L | 1 | CHEM 122 | 3 |
ENGL 110 | 4 | CHEM 122L | 1 |
MATH 165 | 4 | ENGL 120 | 3 |
BIOL 150 | 3 | MATH 166 | 4 |
Computer Elective | 3 | ||
18 | 18 | ||
Sophomore | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
ABEN 255 | 3 | ABEN 263 | 3 |
CHEM 240 | 3 | PHYS 252 | 4 |
COMM 110 | 3 | PHYS 252L | 1 |
MATH 128 | 1 | MATH 266 | 3 |
MATH 259 | 3 | Gen Ed Elective | 3 |
ME 222 | 3 | CHEM/BIO Elective | 3 |
16 | 17 | ||
Junior | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
CE 309 | 3 | ABEN 391 | 1 |
IME 440 | 2 | ABEN 444 | 3 |
IME 460 | 3 | ABEN 482 | 3 |
ENGL 321, 324, or 459 | 3 | ME 350 | 3 |
ENGR Elective | 3 | ABEN Elective | 3 |
CHEM/BIO Elective | 3 | Gen Ed Elective | 5 |
17 | 18 | ||
Senior | |||
Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
ABEN 486 | 2 | ABEN 487 | 2 |
ENGR 402 | 1 | ABEN Elective | 3 |
ABEN Elective | 3 | ENGR Elective | 3 |
Gen Ed Elective | 3 | Gen Ed Elective | 3 |
ENGR Elective | 3 | Tech Elective | 3 |
Tech Elective | 3 | ||
15 | 14 | ||
Total Credits: 133 |