Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
This is an archived copy of the 2022-23 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ndsu.edu.
Major Requirements
Major: Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Option: Agricultural
Degree Type: B.S.A.B.En
Minimum Degree Credits to Graduate: 133
University Degree Requirements
- Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
- Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework. Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
- Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
- A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
- At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
- Transfer Students: Must earn a minimum of 60 credits from a baccalaureate-degree granting or professional institution.
- Of these 60, at least 36 must be NDSU resident credits as defined in #7.
- Within the 36 resident credits, a minimum of 15 must be in courses numbered 300 or higher and 15 credits in the major field of study.
- At least 36 credits must be NDSU resident credits. Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.
University General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication (C) | 12 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| College Composition II | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
Upper Division Writing † | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning (R) † | 3 | |
| Science and Technology (S) † | 10 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts (A) † | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) † | 6 | |
| Wellness (W) † | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D) *† | ||
| Global Perspectives (G) *† | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
| * | May be satisfied by completing 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. |
- A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.
Major Requirements - Agricultural Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ABEN Core Courses: | ||
| ABEN 110 | Introduction to Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 3 |
| ABEN 255 | Computer Aided Analysis & Design | 3 |
| ABEN 263 | Biological Materials Processing | 3 |
| ABEN 377 | Numerical Modeling in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 3 |
| ABEN 391 | Seminar | 1 |
| ABEN 482 | Instrumentation & Measurements | 3 |
| ABEN 486 | Design Project I | 2 |
| ABEN 487 | Design Project II | 2 |
| ABEN 496 | Field Experience | 1 |
| MATH 128 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 1 |
| MATH 165 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 259 | Multivariate Calculus | 3 |
| MATH 266 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 3 |
| 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 |
| CE 309 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| or ME 352 | Fluid Dynamics | |
| CHEM 121 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 122 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| ECE 301 | Electrical Engineering I | 3 |
| ENGR 327 | Ethics, Engineering, and Technology | 3 |
| IME 440 | Engineering Economy | 2 |
| IME 460 | Evaluation of Engineering Data | 3 |
| 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 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 | ||
| Major Program Electives: | ||
| 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 Elective - Select a minimum of 3 credits from the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Accounting | ||
| Elements of Accounting I | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural Management | ||
| Agricultural Marketing | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural Finance | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Introduction to Web Design | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Chemistry/Biological Science Electives - Select a minimum of 9 credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Natural Resource Management Systems | ||
| Introduction to Anthrozoology | ||
| Non-Majors Biology Lab | ||
| Concepts of Biology | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Technical Electives - Select a minimum of 8 credits from the following: | 8 | |
| Post-Harvest Technology | ||
| Tractors & Power Units | ||
| Power Units Laboratory | ||
| Machinery Principles and Management | ||
| Hydraulic Power Principles and Applications | ||
| 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 | ||
| Applied Hydrology | ||
| Water Quality Management | ||
| Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment | ||
| Contracts and Specifications | ||
| Digital Design | ||
| Electrical Engineering II | ||
| Embedded Systems | ||
| Air Pollution | ||
| Advanced Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Manufacturing Processes | ||
| Welding Technology | ||
| Process Engineering | ||
| Production Engineering | ||
| Systems Engineering and Management | ||
| 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 | ||
| Applied Regression Models | ||
| Introduction to Experimental Design | ||
| Total Credits | 111 | |
| 2 | 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 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
- Satisfactory completion of all requirements of the curriculum in which one is enrolled.
- Earn a minimum total of 120 credits in approved coursework. Some academic programs exceed this minimum.
- Satisfactory completion of the general education requirements as specified by the university.
- A minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
- At least 36 credits presented for graduation must be in courses numbered 300 or higher.
- Transfer Students: Must earn a minimum of 60 credits from a baccalaureate-degree granting or professional institution.
- Of these 60, at least 36 must be NDSU resident credits as defined in #7.
- Within the 36 resident credits, a minimum of 15 must be in courses numbered 300 or higher and 15 credits in the major field of study.
- At least 36 credits must be NDSU resident credits. Resident credits include credits registered and paid for at NDSU.
For complete information, please refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section of this Bulletin.
University General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Communication (C) | 12 | |
| College Composition I | ||
| College Composition II | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
Upper Division Writing † | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning (R) † | 3 | |
| Science and Technology (S) † | 10 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts (A) † | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) † | 6 | |
| Wellness (W) † | 2 | |
| Cultural Diversity (D) *† | ||
| Global Perspectives (G) *† | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
| * | May be satisfied by completing 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. |
- A list of university approved general education courses and administrative policies are available here.
Major Requirements - Biosystems Option
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ABEN Core Requirements: | ||
| ABEN 110 | Introduction to Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 3 |
| ABEN 255 | Computer Aided Analysis & Design | 3 |
| ABEN 263 | Biological Materials Processing | 3 |
| ABEN 391 | Seminar | 1 |
| ABEN 444 | Transport Processes | 3 |
| ABEN 482 | Instrumentation & Measurements | 3 |
| ABEN 486 | Design Project I | 2 |
| ABEN 487 | Design Project II | 2 |
| ABEN 496 | Field Experience | 1 |
| MATH 128 | Introduction to Linear Algebra | 1 |
| MATH 165 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 259 | Multivariate Calculus | 3 |
| MATH 266 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 3 |
| ME 221 | Engineering Mechanics I | 3 |
| ME 222 | Engineering Mechanics II | 3 |
| ME 350 | Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer | 3 |
| BIOL 150 | General Biology I | 3 |
| 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 240 | Survey of Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CE 309 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| ENGR 327 | Ethics, Engineering, and Technology | 3 |
| IME 440 | Engineering Economy | 2 |
| IME 460 | Evaluation of Engineering Data | 3 |
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Plant Physiology | ||
| 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 Credits | 111 | |
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.
- 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.
- 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS | ||
| Electric Energy Application in Agriculture | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Surveying | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Engineering | ||
| Environmental Engineering Laboratory | ||
| Water Resources and Supply | ||
| Water and Wastewater Engineering | ||
| Open Channel Flow | ||
| 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 | ||
| Air Pollution | ||
| Heat and Mass Transfer | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Introduction to Soil Science | ||
| Soils and Land Use | ||
| BIOMATERIAL 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 | ||
| Food Unit Operations | ||
| 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 | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| Principles of Forage Production | ||
| Seed Technology & Production | ||
| Sugarbeet Production | ||
| Genomics | ||
| Intermediate Genetics | ||
| Additional Course Options | ||
| General Ecology | ||
| Animal Genetics | ||
| Managing Natural and Rangeland Resources using GIS | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||