Academics

Agricultural and biological engineering embraces a variety of specialty areas. As new technology and information emerge, specialty areas are created, and many overlap with one or more other areas. Here are descriptions of some of the exciting specialties you could choose to focus on as a student in agricultural and biological engineering.

Agricultural Machinery Design
Pioneers in agricultural engineering were responsible for creating the machines that reduced the need for farm labor: tractors, tillage equipment, irrigation equipment, harvest equipment. Those who have followed in their professional footsteps continue to design such machinery, making it more efficient and less demanding of our natural resources. They also develop other types of machinery-equipment for highly precise crop spraying, for agricultural commodity and waste transport, for turf and landscape maintenance, as well as equipment for such specialized tasks as removing seaweed from beaches. Their work remains challenging as farming practices change and as equipment manufacturers expand globally.

Soil & Water Engineering
The 1930s Dust Bowl was a harsh lesson in the fragility of our agricultural resources. ABEs with soil and water expertise work to better understand the complex mechanics of those resources, so that they can be used efficiently and without degradation. Soil and water engineers determine crop water requirements and design irrigation systems and channel design. They are experts in agricultural hydrology principles, such as controlling drainage, and they seek ways to control soil erosion and study the environmental effects of sediment on water quality. Soil and water engineers design, build, operate and maintain water control structures for reservoirs, floodways and channels. In addition, they monitor water quality and design equipment for injecting fertilizers and pesticides into irrigation systems.

Structures & Agricultural Environment
ABEs understand the importance of creating and maintaining the proper growing environment for agricultural commodities. They also understand that our natural resources must not be diminished, in quality or availability, by agricultural operations. Toward these ends, ABEs with expertise in structures and environment design improved animal housing, storage structures, and greenhouses, with ventilation systems, temperature and humidity controls, and structural strength appropriate for their climate and purpose. They also devise better practices and systems for storing, recovering, reusing, and transporting agricultural waste products.

Food and Process Engineering
Did you know that in some parts of the world, even if a harvest is successful, nearly half the grain can be lost because of spoilage caused by moisture? Agricultural products must be handled and processed properly once they come off the field, and it's at that point that food and process engineers step in. They address problems related to storage and transport of grain and other agricultural commodities. They are experts in food pasteurization, sterilization, irradiation, freezing, and dehydration, as well as packaging, transportation and storage of perishable agricultural products. Food and process engineers combine design expertise with economical methods of large-scale manufacturing to develop processing methods needed by industry. These engineers also use microbiological processes to produce fermented foods, fuels, biochemicals and pharmaceuticals and to treat municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes. And food and process engineers look for ways to reduce agricultural waste by devising alternatives for treatment, disposal and utilization.

Safety and Health
Agriculture continues to be among the most hazardous of all industries, with numerous injuries and accidental deaths occurring each year. Farmers can be at high risk for injuries, work-related lung diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, skin diseases, and certain cancers associated with chemical use and prolonged sun exposure. Farming is one of the few industries in which the families (who often share the work and live on the premises) are also at risk for injuries, illness, and death. Agricultural and biological engineers analyze injury data, the use and possible misuse of machines, and equipment compliance with standards and regulations. They constantly look for ways in which the safety of equipment and agricultural practices can be improved and for ways in which safety issues can be communicated to the public.

Energy
Our high standard of living and comfort could not be maintained without energy to power the machines, devices, and systems in our homes and workplaces. But many energy sources are nonrenewable and create undesirable byproducts. Agricultural and biological engineers are at the forefront of the effort to identify new, viable energy sources-biomass, methane, and vegetable oil, to name a few-and to make current systems cleaner and more efficient. These specialists also develop energy conservation strategies to reduce costs and protect the environment.