Program Coordinator/Contact
Van Kelley, Department Head
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Agricultural Engineering 107
605-688-5141
e-mail: van.kelley@sdstate.edu
http://www.sdstate.edu/abe/
Click here for additional information .
Program Information
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is the science of engineering applied to the products and processes of agriculture and related industries. Design projects solicited from industry provide students with relevant “real world” design experience. This provides hands on learning in variety of technical areas such as natural resource management, irrigation and drainage, water resources development, machine dynamics and design, precision agriculture, agricultural power, properties and processing of biological materials, environmental control for livestock, indoor air quality, structures, control and disposal of agricultural wastes, computers, or instrumentation. To earn the Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, students must have an average grade of “C” or better in courses taken and required in the ABE curriculum and take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination prior to graduation.
Student Outcomes
Graduates of the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering program will:
- Advance within the agricultural and biosystems engineering profession as practicing engineers and consultants to positions of management, supervision, or leadership in a diversity of organizations or companies within the areas of agricultural and off–road machines; processing of food, fiber, and energy products; management of natural resources; structural systems; information and control systems; or other related areas.
- Obtain graduate degrees at recognized research universities in agricultural and biosystems engineering or related fields.
- Obtain professional registration or other professional certification where appropriate.
Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
The undergraduate Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. ABET is a federation of 32 professional societies representing applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. Most state licensing boards and certification programs require graduation from an ABET-accredited program as the first step in the registration or certification process for professional practice. Additionally, the Fundamentals in Engineering examination is required for becoming a registered Professional Engineer. For more details on dates, time and location, go to the South Dakota Board of Technical Professions website.
Course Delivery Format
The ABE program engages students in lecture, laboratory, and field based learning experiences. Senior students are members of design teams which design, build, test and demonstrate engineered products and processes.
