Agricultural engineers apply natural science and engineering principles to the development and design of food production and processing as well as environmental conservation. They design agricultural machinery and food-processing plants, advise on water quality and pollution control issues, and plan rural electric power distribution systems. Agricultural engineers must have at least a bachelor’s degree in agricultural or biological engineering.
Mathematics and Science Prerequisites
The upper-division classes in a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering have prerequisites in mathematics and sciences, which students have to take in their first few semesters. Students are required to take calculus 1 and 2 during their first year, as well as two semesters of general chemistry and a chemistry laboratory class. Students might also take an introductory physics course during the first year. In the second year, many programs require students to take more advanced mathematics classes like calculus 3, linear algebra and differential equations. Additional physics courses like thermodynamics or electricity and magnetism are also required.
Core Agricultural Engineering Courses
The core classes in an agricultural engineering major start with classes like introduction to biological and agricultural engineering design, which exposes students to the engineering design process. Required upper-division courses within the major include engineering properties of biological materials, measurement and control of biological systems and agricultural processes, and transport processes in biological systems.
Biological Science Electives
The number of elective credits available depends upon the degree program, but students are generally able to choose from a variety of upper-division courses in areas of particular interest. Students in an agricultural engineering program might choose electives in biological and natural sciences to expand their knowledge of the living organisms and ecological issues involved in food production. Examples of biological electives are principles of animal physiology, applied animal ecology and applied entomology.
Students who are interested in the design of mechanical systems for agriculture or other technical areas might choose to take electives that address practical solutions to food production challenges. Agricultural engineering technical electives include package engineering, drainage and water management, indoor air-quality engineering and off-road machine design. Other course options include more theoretical subjects like biological nano-engineering, kinetics and dynamics of mechanical systems, and momentum and heat transfer.
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