Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (B.S.)

Program Coordinator/Contact

Van Kelley, Department Head
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Raven Precision Agriculture Center 136
605-688-5143

Kristin Stuckey, Program Coordinator
Raven Precision Agriculture Center 136
605-688-5144

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.

Program Educational Objectives

A few years after graduation, SDSU ABE graduates will:

• Use methods of analysis involving use of mathematics, fundamental physical and biological sciences, and the computer skills needed for the practice of agricultural and biosystems engineering.
• Practice design skills, including the ability to think creatively, to formulate problem statements, to communicate effectively, to synthesize information, and to evaluate and implement problem solutions both individually and in team settings.
• Address issues of ethics, safety, professionalism, diversity, globalization, environmental impact, and social and economic impact in engineering practice.
• Contribute to agricultural profitability and enhance environmental and biological systems through the development, adaptation, and proper use of improved and safer engineering technologies, production systems, and management practices.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering program will have:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. 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.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

The Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (B.S.) program at SDSU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

The Fundamentals of Engineering examination is a national licensure examination that covers material taught in an ABET-accredited engineering program. Completion of the exam prior to graduation is a requirement for the B.S. in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering program and required for any engineering graduate who wishes to become licensed as a Professional Engineer.

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.