For the undergraduate curriculum in Agricultural Engineering leading to the degree Bachelor of Science. The Agricultural Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Agricultural and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
As an agricultural engineer, you apply your knowledge of the biological, physical, engineering, and technical sciences to solve problems for the world’s largest industry – the agriculture and food system all while sustaining our natural resources.
The Agricultural Engineering program offers three focused degree options to align your passions for a career of impact:
Animal Production Systems Engineering: Design the next generation of livestock, poultry, and indoor plant production facilities with a systems-based approach integrating structural analysis, environmental control, manure/nutrient and energy optimization, and animal welfare. Areas of study also focus on precision livestock farming (PLF) and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems and technologies.
Land and Water Resources Engineering: Design, analyze, and implement sustainable solutions to enhance crop production while mitigating environmental impacts. Areas of study involve remote sensing, advanced modeling, and watershed-based approaches to manage water resources, improve water quality, and protect natural resources.
Vehicle Systems Engineering: Develop, analyze, and improve the next generation of off-road vehicle systems and agricultural equipment. Areas of study involve mechanical systems, power transmission, controls and automation, and soil-crop-machine interactions.
Goal: To educate students in the analysis and design of machinery, animal housing, and environmental systems for the production, processing, storage, handling, distribution, and use of food, feed, fiber and other biomaterials, and the management of related natural resources, by integrating basic physical and biological sciences with engineering design principles.
Student Learning Outcomes: Graduates of the Agricultural Engineering curriculum should have, at the time of graduation:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Program Educational Objectives: Three to five years after graduation, our graduates will be using the knowledge, skills, and abilities from their agricultural engineering degree to improve the human condition through successful careers in a wide variety of fields. They will be effective leaders, collaborators, and innovators who address environmental, social, technical, and business challenges. They will be engaged in life-long learning and professional development through self-study, continuing education, or graduate/professional school.
Graduates find employment in diverse ag- and bio-related industries and government agencies dealing with agricultural machines and buildings, animal and environmental control, grain processing and handling, soil and water resources, food, biorenewables, and biotechnology. Their work involves engineering design, development, testing, research, manufacturing, consulting, sales, and service. Students are highly encouraged to participate in either cooperative education or internship programs.
The department also offers a Bachelor of Science curriculum in biological systems engineering. Additionally, the department offers Bachelor of Science curricula in agricultural systems technology and in industrial technology.
Well-qualified juniors and seniors in agricultural engineering who are interested in graduate study may apply for concurrent enrollment in the Graduate College to simultaneously pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering and a Master of Science degree in agricultural engineering. A concurrent Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration program is also offered by the department. Refer to Graduate Study for more information.
Curriculum in Agricultural Engineering
Administered by the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
Leading to the degree bachelor of science.
Total credits required:
126.0 cr Land and Water Resources Engineering Option
128.0 cr VEHICLE SYSTEMS Engineering Option
128.0 cr Animal Production Systems Engineering Option.
Any transfer credit courses applied to the degree program require a grade of C or better (but will not be calculated into the ISU cumulative GPA, Basic Program GPA or Core GPA). See also Basic Program and Special Programs.
International Perspectives: 3 cr.1
U.S. Cultures and Communities: 3 cr.1
Communication Proficiency/Library requirement :
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication (Must have a C or better in this course) | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (Must have a C or better in this course) | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| 3 |
| Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences | |
| Proposal and Report Writing | |
| Technical Communication | |
| Advanced Professional Selling | |
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | |
| Business and Professional Speaking | |
Social Sciences and Humanities: 12 cr. 1,2
Basic Program: 24 cr.
A minimum GPA of 2.00 required for this set of courses (please note that transfer course grades will not be calculated into the Basic Program GPA). See Requirement for Entry into Professional Program in College of Engineering Overview section. Within the Agricultural Engineering Basic Program, students are required to complete CHEM 1670 and CHEM 1670L or the sequence of CHEM 1770, CHEM 1770L, and CHEM 1780. This is a departmental requirement within the College of Engineering Basic Program requirements. CHEM 1780 credits can then be applied to the Math/Science Elective within the options of Power and Machinery Engineering and Animal Production Systems Engineering of the Agricultural Engineering major requirements.
| ABE 1600 | Systematic Problem Solving and Computer Programming 3 | 3 |
| CHEM 1670 | General Chemistry for Engineering Students | 4 |
| |
| |
| General Chemistry II | |
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication (Must have a C or better in this course) | 3 |
| ENGR 1010 | Engineering Orientation | R |
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| MATH 1650 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1660 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS 2310 | Introduction to Classical Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 2310L | Introduction to Classical Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| Total Credits | 24 |
Math and Physical Science: 7 cr.
| CHEM 1670L | Laboratory in General Chemistry for Engineering | 1 |
| or CHEM 1770L | Laboratory in General Chemistry I |
| MATH 2660 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| STAT 3050 | Engineering Statistics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 7 |
Ag Engineering Core: 35 cr.
(A minimum GPA of 2.00 required for this set of courses, including any transfer courses please note that transfer course grades will not be calculated into the Core GPA).
| ABE 2160 | Fundamentals of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 3 |
| ABE 2180 | Project Management & Design in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 2 |
| ABE 3160 | Applied Numerical Methods for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 3 |
| ABE 3630 | Agri-Industrial Applications of Electric Power and Electronics | 4 |
| ABE 3780 | Mechanics of Fluids | 3 |
| ABE 4040 | Instrumentation for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 3 |
| ABE 4150 | Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Design I | 2 |
| ABE 4160 | Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Design II | 2 |
| CE 2740 | Engineering Statics | 3 |
| EM 3240 | Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| EM 3270 | Mechanics of Materials Laboratory | 1 |
| or ABE 3780L | Mechanics of Fluids Laboratory |
| IE 3050 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 |
| ME 2310 | Engineering Thermodynamics I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 35 |
Other Remaining Courses: 11 cr.
| ABE 1100 | Experiencing Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 1 |
| ABE 1700 | Engineering Graphics and Introductory Design | 3 |
| ABE 2010 | Preparing for Workplace Seminar | 1 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (Must have a C or better in this course) | 3 |
| 3 |
| Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences | |
| Proposal and Report Writing | |
| Technical Communication | |
| Advanced Professional Selling | |
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | |
| Business and Professional Speaking | |
| Total Credits | 11 |
Complete remaining courses from one of the following options:
Land and Water Resources Engineering Option: 37 cr.
| ABE 4310 | Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Systems | 3 |
| AGRON 1810 | Introduction to Crop Science | 3 |
| AGRON 1820 | Introduction to Soil Science | 3 |
| BIOL 2510 | Biological Processes in the Environment | 3 |
| |
| CE 3260 | Principles of Environmental Engineering | 3 |
| CE 3720 | Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics | 3 |
| GEOL 2010 | Geology for Engineers and Environmental Scientists | 3 |
| MICRO 2010 | Introduction to Microbiology | 2 |
| MICRO 2010L | Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| ABE 2730 | CAD for Process Facilities and Land Use Planning | 1 |
| 3 |
| Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems | |
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | |
| Geospatial Technologies | |
| Intro GIS for Geoscientists | |
| Natural Resource Photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems | |
| Integrating GPS and GIS for Natural Resource Management | |
| 3 |
| Geotechnical Engineering | |
| Groundwater Hydrology | |
| 3 |
| Nonpoint Source Pollution and Control | |
| Watershed Modeling and Policy | |
| 3 |
| Functional Analysis of Soil, Crop, and Machine Systems | |
| Principles of Biological Systems Engineering | |
| |
| Modeling and Simulation of Soil-Crop-Machine Systems | |
| Engineering for Grain Storage, Preservation, Handling, and Processing Systems | |
| Controlled Environments for Animals and Plants (offered Spring even years) | |
| Wood Frame and Agri-Industrial Structures (offered Spring odd years) | |
| Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems | |
| Total Credits | 37 |
Vehicle Systems Engineering Option: 39 cr.
| ABE 3400 | Functional Analysis of Soil, Crop, and Machine Systems | 3 |
| ABE 3420 | Agricultural Tractor Power | 3 |
| ABE 4100 | Electronic Systems Integration for Agricultural Machinery | 3 |
| ABE 4130 | Fluid Power Engineering | 3 |
| BIOL 2510 | Biological Processes in the Environment | 3 |
| |
| ME 3450 | Engineering Dynamics | 3 |
| 1 |
| Engineering Applications of Parametric Solid Modeling | |
| Parametric Solid Models, Drawings, and Assemblies Using Creo Parametric | |
| CAD for Process Facilities and Land Use Planning | |
| 3 |
| Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Systems | |
| Engineering for Grain Storage, Preservation, Handling, and Processing Systems | |
| Controlled Environments for Animals and Plants (offered Spring even years) | |
| Wood Frame and Agri-Industrial Structures (offered Spring odd years) | |
| Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems | |
| 3 |
| Introduction to Crop Science | |
| Introduction to Soil Science | |
| General Chemistry II (In combination with CHEM 1770) | |
| Matrices and Linear Algebra | |
| Calculus III | |
| Introduction to Classical Physics II | |
| Introduction to Classical Physics II Laboratory | |
| 2 | 14 |
| Total Credits | 39 |
Animal Production Systems Engineering Option: 39 cr.
| ABE 3270L | Animal Production Systems Design Lab | 1 |
| ABE 4690 | Engineering for Grain Storage, Preservation, Handling, and Processing Systems | 3 |
| ABE 4720 | Controlled Environments for Animals and Plants (offered Spring even years) | 3 |
| ABE 4780 | Wood Frame and Agri-Industrial Structures (offered Spring odd years) | 3 |
| BIOL 2510 | Biological Processes in the Environment | 3 |
| |
| CE 3320 | Structural Analysis I | 3 |
| CE 3330 | Structural Steel Design I | 3 |
| CE 3340 | Reinforced Concrete Design I | 3 |
| TSM 3270 | Livestock and Poultry Production: Facilities, Technology, and Management | 3 |
| 3 |
| Poultry Science | |
| Swine Science | |
| Beef Cattle Science | |
| Sheep Science | |
| Dairy Cattle Science | |
| Principles of Horticulture Science | |
| 1 |
| Engineering Applications of Parametric Solid Modeling | |
| Parametric Solid Models, Drawings, and Assemblies Using Creo Parametric | |
| CAD for Process Facilities and Land Use Planning (Preferred) | |
| 2 | 3 |
| Functional Analysis of Soil, Crop, and Machine Systems | |
| Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Systems | |
| Modeling and Simulation of Soil-Crop-Machine Systems | |
| Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems | |
| 4 |
| Geotechnical Engineering | |
| Heat Transfer | |
| 3 |
| Introduction to Crop Science | |
| Introduction to Soil Science | |
| General Chemistry II (In combination with CHEM 1770) | |
| Geology for Engineers and Environmental Scientists | |
| Greenhouse and Nursery Operations and Management | |
| Matrices and Linear Algebra | |
| Calculus III | |
| Introduction to Classical Physics II | |
| Introduction to Classical Physics II Laboratory | |
| Total Credits | 39 |
Co-op/Internships (Optional)
- These university requirements will add to the minimum credits of the program unless the university-approved courses are also approved by the department to meet other course requirements within the degree program.
U.S. Cultures and Communities, International Perspectives and Social Science/Humanities courses may not be taken Pass/Not Pass.
- Choose from department approved list.
- See Basic Program for Professional Engineering Curricula for accepted substitutions for curriculum designated courses in the Basic Program.
TRANSFER CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
Students graduating with a degree in AE or BSE are required to have a minimum of 18 credits of 3000-level and 4000-level ABE courses taken at Iowa State University (excluding 4900, 4150, and 4160), and must complete the two-semester ABE Capstone sequence (ABE 4150 & 4160) at Iowa State University. The Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering requires a grade of C or better for any transfer credit course that is applied to the degree program.
See also: A 4-year plan of study grid showing course template by semester.
Agricultural Engineering, B.S. - Vehicle Systems option
Agricultural Engineering, B.S. - Animal Production Systems Engineering option
Agricultural Engineering, B.S. - Land and Water Resources Engineering option
Concurrent B.S./Master’s Engineering Degree
The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering has concurrent Bachelor of Science /Master of Science (B.S./M.S.) program in agricultural and biosystems engineering designed especially for departmental seniors who wish to pursue advanced studies. Up to 6 credits of graduate course work can be used to satisfy your program requirements for both degrees.
The concurrent B.S./M.S. program allows seniors to:
Concurrent B.S. in Agricultural Engineering and MBA in the College of Business
Accelerate Your Career with an MBA
Today’s successful engineers often need strong business management skills to complement their degree in engineering. These skills are especially important for engineers who are interested in working for technical companies, launching their own business ventures, or pursuing nontraditional jobs such as consulting. The MBA provides an opportunity for competitive advantage for advancement into management positions.
The Colleges of Business and Engineering offer an integrated, concurrent program leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees. The program is designed to be completed in a minimum of five academic years or ten semesters. The actual time for completion may be longer depending upon semester course loads, internships, and course sequencing.
The department offers Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in agricultural and biosystems engineering. Within the agricultural and biosystems engineering major the student may specialize in advanced machinery engineering, animal production systems engineering, biological and process engineering, occupational safety engineering, or water and environmental stewardship engineering. For more information about our concurrent undergraduate and graduate programs in Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, visit: https://www.abe.iastate.edu/graduate-students/agricultural-engineering/
For the Master of Science program, at least 30 credits of acceptable graduate work must be completed with a minimum of 22 credits of course work; corresponding numbers for the Master of Engineering program are 32 and 27. For the Doctor of Philosophy degree, at least 72 credits of acceptable graduate work must be completed with a minimum of 42 credits of course work. All Ph.D. students must complete a teaching/extension experience prior to graduation.
The department also offers both master of science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in industrial and agricultural technology.
The department also participates in interdepartmental majors in environmental science, sustainable agriculture, human computer interaction, and toxicology (see Index).
