Agricultural and Biological Engineering
What is Agricultural Engineering?
Agricultural engineering integrates the biological and physical sciences to provide a foundation for engineering applications in agriculture, food systems, natural resources, the environment, and related biological systems.
What do Agricultural Engineers do?
Agricultural engineers are involved with food and bioprocess engineering, off-road equipment, bioenvironmental engineering of plant and animal facilities, water quality, and the design of systems for the use and protection of soil and water resources. Important design constraints are related to economics, conservation of materials and energy, safety, and environmental quality.
Agricultural Engineering at UIUC
All graduates obtain a four-year ABET-accredited bachelor of science degree from the College of Engineering and, in an optional five-year program, may receive second bachelor of science degree from the College of Agriculture. By choice of electives, a student may direct his or her program toward specialization in:
- Power and Machinery
- Soil and Water
- Structures and Environment
- Electric Power and Processing
- Food and Bioprocess Engineering
The curriculum requires 128 hours for graduation except for the specialization in food and bioprocess engineering, which requires 132 hours for graduation.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this department are in high demand, and most graduating seniors are employed before the end of their final semester. Graduates are employed by industry, consulting firms, and government for research, education, and manufacturing. Some major employers have been the EPA, federal government, Morton Buildings, and Aerovent. Although most students enter industry after graduation, many opportunities are available for students who are interested in research and further specialization. The Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at UIUC provides tremendous support for undergraduate students who are interested in enrolling in the graduate program.
Students can also participate in the Cooperative Education program, which gives them a chance to gain valuable industrial experience. By alternating terms on campus with work sessions in industry, students are able to obtain a bachelor of science degree and two years of experience at the end of five calendar years.
Why Agricultural Engineering?
The Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is world-renowned, and departmental advisors to ensure that Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology requirements are met for any chosen specialization. As an Agricultural Engineering major at UIUC, you will benefit from a challenging and stimulating program directed at producing the country's best engineers!
Department Contact Information:
Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
338 Agricultural Engineering Sciences Bldg., MC-644
1304 W. Pennsylvania Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
Telephone: 217-333-3570
Fax: 217-244-0323
E-mail: age@uiuc.edu
Web page: http://www.age.uiuc.edu
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