Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Department Head: Professor Jonathan Pote
Office: 150 Agricultural and Biological Engineering Building
Biological Engineering (BE)
Biological Engineering is that branch of the engineering profession which deals with engineering problems encountered in biological systems. The responsibilities of the Biological Engineer may include finding solutions to address the need for more complex food-producing systems, controlling and monitoring the deterioration of the earth’s environment, the replacement of living organs, design and testing of artificial and engineered tissues, the use of new technologies to assist the disabled, and the creation of new engineering designs based on the inherently creative characteristics of living systems.
The curriculum in Biological Engineering is designed to give the student a thorough grounding in the basic sciences of mathematics, physics, chemistry, taken with and followed by a series of courses in the engineering and biological sciences and biological engineering.
The educational objectives of the program are as follows:
- To educate students in the academic discipline of Biological Engineering so that they can formulate and solve engineering problems involving biological systems.
- To ensure that students develop effective written and oral communication skills.
- To educate students in the use of the latest computer-based technology in engineering and engineering tools.
- To develop the students’ ability to work individually and in teams to complete engineering and design projects.
- To prepare students for employment in engineering jobs or for study in graduate and professional schools and for continual professional development.
Ecological and Envrionmental Engineering Emphasis. This emphasis addresses environmental problems through the application of basic engineering in concert with principles of ecology and biology. Man has shown repeatedly that working opposition to natural processes leads either to failure or to expensive and energy-intensive temporary solutions. Ecological engineering attempts to apply and emulate the rules that govern natural systems in order to meet human needs in ways that are sustainable.
Bioenergy Emphasis. Biological engineers can engage in environmental conservation and Bioenergy technologies use renewable biomass resources to produce an array of energy-related products including electricity, liquid, solid, and gaseous fuels, heat, chemicals, and other high volume materials. Students in this emphasis area gain knowledge in the fundamentals of energy production, thermodynamics, alternative energy sources and biomass conversion into biofuels. The Bioenergy program prepares students to take up a career in the energy sector industry or government agencies, as well as pursue research in energy production from renewable sources.
Premedical Emphasis. The Biological Engineering curriculum offers a premedical emphasis which not only leads to a degree in Biological Engineering but also prepares students for acceptance into most medical, dental, and veterinary schools. Students completing this program have demonstrated their ability to tackle tough subjects, perform well under stressful conditions, work together in teams, learn new material, and achieve ambitious goals - characteristics desired by the best medical, dental, and veterinary schools.
Biomedical Engineering (BME)
Biomedical Engineering is a growing interdisciplinary field of engineering that integrates engineering and life sciences to solve problems associated with the human body and human health. The curriculum is built on a core of fundamental math/physics/engineering courses which is similar across all engineering disciplines. It is distinguished by a wide range of life science courses and specialized biomedical engineering courses such as computational modeling, biomechanics, biomaterials, and bioinstrumentation. The curriculum also includes a two-semester capstone design course. It is designed to comply with current requirements for ABET accreditation. Apart from preparing students to work in biomedical industry, the B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is an excellent foundation for graduate study in many fields, including further study of biomedical engineering. It is also good preparation for entry into professional schools, including medical school, dental school, veterinary school, and law school. Although there are no concentrations, a student may emphasize in an area of interest through deliberate selection of engineering electives.
The Biological Engineering and the Biomedical Engineering curricula are offered by the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering which is jointly administered by the College of Engineering and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
The Biological Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
Biological Engineering
| English Composition | ||
| EN 1103 | English Composition I | 3 |
| or EN 1104 | Expanded English Composition I | |
| EN 1113 | English Composition II | 3 |
| or EN 1173 | Accelerated Composition II | |
| Mathematics | ||
See Major Core | ||
| Science | ||
See Major Core | ||
| Humanities | 6 | |
See approved list of Humanities electives | ||
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
See approved list of Fine Arts electives | ||
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | 6 | |
See approved list of Social/Behavioral electives | ||
| Major Core | ||
| Math and Basic Science | 40 | |
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Calculus III | ||
| Calculus IV | ||
| Differential Equations I | ||
| Chemistry I | ||
| Investigations in Chemistry I | ||
| Chemistry II | ||
| Investigations in Chemistry II | ||
| Elementary Organic Chemistry | ||
or CH 4513 | Organic Chemistry I | |
| Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
or CH 4511 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | |
| Physics I | ||
| Physics II | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Principles of Biochemistry | ||
| Engineering Topics | 39 | |
| Engineering in the Life Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Engineering Design | ||
| Biosystems Simulation | ||
| Bioinstrumentation I | ||
| Transport in Biological Engineering | ||
| Bioinstrumentation II | ||
| Biophysical Properties of Materials | ||
| Principles of Engineering Design | ||
| Practices of Engineering Design | ||
| Engineering Seminar | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Inference | ||
| Engineering Mechanics I | ||
| Engineering Mechanics II | ||
| Mechanics of Materials | ||
| Fluid Mechanics | ||
| Oral Communication Requirement | ||
| Satisfied by successful completion of GE 3513 | ||
| Writing Requirement | ||
| GE 3513 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| Computer Literacy | ||
| Fulfilled in Engineering Topics courses | ||
| Major Requirements and Engineering Electives | ||
| Biological Treatment of Nonpoint Source Pollutants | ||
or ABE 4323 | Physiological Systems in Biomedical Engineering | |
BIO Science Elective | ||
BIO Science Elective or Engineering elective | ||
Approved Engineering Electives | ||
ABE Elective | ||
| Total Hours | 128 | |
Biomedical Engineering
| English Composition | 6 | |
| English Composition I | ||
or EN 1163 | Accelerated Composition I | |
| English Composition II | ||
or EN 1173 | Accelerated Composition II | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
See General Education courses | ||
| Natural Science | ||
See Major Core | ||
| Extra Science (if appropriate) | ||
| See Major Core | ||
| Mathematics | ||
See Major Core | ||
| Humanities | 6 | |
See General Education courses | ||
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | 6 | |
See General Education courses | ||
| Major Core | ||
| Math and Basic Science | 44 | |
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Calculus III | ||
| Calculus IV | ||
| Differential Equations I | ||
| Chemistry I | ||
| Investigations in Chemistry I | ||
| Chemistry II | ||
| Investigations in Chemistry II | ||
| Elementary Organic Chemistry | ||
or CH 4513 | Organic Chemistry I | |
| Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory | ||
or CH 4511 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | |
| Physics I | ||
| Physics II | ||
| Biology I | ||
| General Microbiology | ||
| Principles of Biochemistry | ||
or BCH 4603 | General Biochemistry I | |
| Engineering Topics | 42 | |
| Engineering in the Life Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Engineering Design | ||
| Biosystems Simulation | ||
| Bioinstrumentation I | ||
| Transport in Biological Engineering | ||
| Physiological Systems in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Bioinstrumentation II | ||
| Biophysical Properties of Materials | ||
| Principles of Engineering Design | ||
| Practices of Engineering Design | ||
| Engineering Seminar | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Inference | ||
| Engineering Mechanics I | ||
| Engineering Mechanics II | ||
| Mechanics of Materials | ||
| Fluid Mechanics | ||
| Oral Communication Requirement | ||
Satisfied by successful completion of GE 3513 | ||
| Writing Requirement | 3 | |
| Technical Writing | ||
| Computer Literacy | ||
| Fulfilled in Engineering Topics courses | ||
| Restricted Electives | ||
Biological Science Elective 1 | ||
| Engineering Electives (at least 6 hours must be ABE electives) 2 | 12 | |
| Engineering Elective OR Math/Physics Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 128 | |
| 1 | Biological Science Electives. Select from: BIO 2103, BIO 3004, BIO 3014, BIO 3103, BIO 3504, BIO 3524, BIO 4113, BIO 4114, BIO 4133, BIO 4143, BIO 4405, BIO 4413, BIO 4433, BIO 4503, BIO 4504, BIO 4514, ADS 4613, BCH 4113, CVM 2443. |
| 2 | Engineering Electives. Select from: ABE 4523, ABE 4613, ABE 4723, ABE 4624, ABE 4533, EM 4123, EM 4133, EM 4213, ME 3113, ME 4123, ME 4743, ME 4833, EG 1143, CSE 4613, CSE 4623, IE 3913, IE 4113, IE 4173, IE 4553, IE 4733, IE 4743, ECE 3714, ECE 3443 |
| 3 | Math/Physics Electives. Select from: MA 3113, MA 3353, MA 4143, MA 4373, PH 2233, PH 3613, PH 4113 |
Courses
ABE 1001 First Year Seminar: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. First year seminars explore a diverse array of topics that provide students with an opportunity to learn about a specific discipline from skilled faculty members
ABE 1073 Technology Design I.: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: For AETB majors or Consent of Instructor). One hour lecture. Four hours laboratory. Introduction to design process and parametric solid modeling. Standards for materials, processes and parametric solid modeling. Standards for materials, processes, and documentation. Experimental learning of manufacturing processes within precision measurement, joining, machining, forming
ABE 1083 Technology Design II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ABE 1073 or Consent of Instructor). One hour lecture. Four hours laboratory. Teams work on design prototypes to meet real-world constraints (manufacturability, economics, safety). Intermediate parametric solid modeling. Emphasis on project planning, scheduling, oral/written communication
ABE 1863 Engineering Technology in Agriculture: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Introductory course emphasizing use of fundamentals for solving problems related to soil and water management, electrical power and control, agricultural machinery, and environmental control
ABE 1911 Engineering in the Life Sciences: 1 hour.
(Open to freshmen and sophomores or first-semester transfer students only). One hour lecture. Introduction to agricultural and biological engineering; survey of the engineering profession; elementary analysis of biological systems; creative engineering and design and synthesis
ABE 1921 Introduction to Engineering Design: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite: ABE 1911). Two hours laboratory. Introduction to the process of engineering design, including project management, prototype assembly, engineering graphics, technical writing and oral presentation
ABE 2173 Principles of Agricultural and Off-Road Machines: 3 hours.
Two hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. Operational principles and construction of agricultural and off-road vehicles. Engine, electrical, and fluid power systems. Mechanical power transmission, traction performance, and human factors
ABE 2543 Precision Agriculture I: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and MA 1313). Two hours lecture. Two hours lab. This introductory course highlights site-specific crop management techniques. Topics include: Best Management Practices, economic and physical farm production models, and measurement of variability (same as PSS 2543)
ABE 2873 Land Surveying: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: MA 1323 or equivalent). Two hours lecture . Three hours laboratory. Fundamentals of measurements and traverse computations. Public land surveys. Surveying practice in traverse and topographic surveys
ABE 2990 Special Topics in Agricultural and Biological Engineering: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
ABE 3303 Transport in Biological Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PH 2233 and CS 1213 or CS 1233 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Principles of steady state and unsteady state energy and mass transfer as applied to biological systems
ABE 3413 Bioinstrumentation I: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PH 2223 or equivalent). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Applied circuit analysis, electrodes and transducers, stress and strain, temperature measurements, human physiology, digital and programmable instrumentation
ABE 3513 The Global Positional System and Geographic Information Systems in Agriculture and Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: MA 1313 and MA 1323, or equivalent). Two hours lecture. Four hours laboratory. Basic theory and hands-on application of global positioning system (GPS) technology/hardware, and geographic information systems (GIS) software, for precise positioning in agriculture and engineering
ABE 3700 Internship in Gin Management and Technology: 1-6 hours.
(Prerequisite: Minimum of junior standing or permission of instructor). Credits to be arranged. Work experience in approved cotton gins for Agricultural Engineering Technology and Business majors with an emphasis in Gin Management and Technology
ABE 3773 Current Topics in Biomedical Engineering: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. This course offers an introduction to Biomedical Engineering for sophomore and junior level Biological and Biomedical Engineering students. This course will introduce students to current areas of research to advance the field of Biomedical Engineering. The course will also cover ethics related to Biomedical Engineering
ABE 3813 Biophysical Properties of Materials: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: PH 2213). Two hours lecture . Two hours laboratory. Physical properties of biological products and materials. Primary emphasis on measurement and evaluation of dimensional, mechanical, rheological, transport, thermal, electrical, and optical properties
ABE 4000 Directed Individual Study in Agricultural and Biological Engineering: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
ABE 4163 Agricultural and Off-Road Machinery Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ABE 2173 or consent of instructor). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Selection, sizing and operation machine systems using cost analysis and systems techniques. Emphasis on agricultural machines used in farming; tillage, planting, harvesting, conveying agricultural materials
ABE 4263 Soil and Water Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ABE 2873. Students with credit in ABE 2263 will not receive credit in this course). Two hours lecture . Three hours laboratory. Introduction to soil and water management principles; elementary hydrology, basic fundamentals of erosion control, surface and subsurface drainage, and water control for irrigation
ABE 4313 Biological Treatment of Nonpoint Source Pollutants: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Fundamental principles and design of biologically based treatment systems used to remove pollutants and protect receiving waters from agricultural and urban/suburban storm water runoff
ABE 4323 Physiological Systems in Biomedical Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: BIO 1504 or equivalent; EM 3313 or equivalent; ABE 3813; ABE 4803 or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Mathematical description and modeling of the behavior of physiological systems significant to biomedical engineers
ABE 4383 Building Construction: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EG 1143, junior standing.) Three hours lecture. An introduction to building terms, construction materials, structural components, construction methods, and mechanical systems pertaining to residential and commercial structures
ABE 4423 Bioinstrumentation II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ABE 3413 or graduate standing). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Theory; application of automated measuring and control systems in biological sciences. Includes design/use of transducer interfaces; electronic signal conditioning; data logging; microprocessor based systems
ABE 4473 Electrical Applications: 3 hours.
Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Fundamental electricity, wiring, and control of agricultural operations. Includes use of computer tools, intruments, safety, and hardware
ABE 4483 Introduction to Remote Sensing Technologies: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Senior or graduate standing, or consent or instructor). Three hours lecture. Electromagnetic interactions, passive sensors, multispectral and hyperspectral optical sensors, active sensors, imaging radar, SAR Lidar, digital image processing, natural resource applications. (Same as ECE 4423/6423 and PSS 4483/6483)
ABE 4523 Biomedical Materials: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: One of the following: ABE 3813, CHE 3413, or ME 3403). Three hours lecture. Emphasis is on applications, composition, testing, and biocompatibility of biomedical materials used in implant devices. This course may be used for honors credit
ABE 4533 Rehabilitation Engineering: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Senior standing in College of Engineering). Three hours lecture. An introduction to rehabilitation engineering emphasizing applications of technology in prosthetics, orthotics, mobility, and sensory augmentation. This course may be used for honors credit
ABE 4543 Precision Agriculture II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PSS/ABE 2543 and Junior Standing). Two hours lecture. Two hours lab. Site-specific management techniques are examined. Continuous decision-making processes of farm production are integrated using a whole-system, geospatial approach. (Same as PSS 4543/6543)
ABE 4613 Biomechanics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EM 2413 and EM 2433). Three hours lecture. Force, motion, and deformation analysis of organisms and biological structures. Mechanical modeling techniques unique to biological materials
ABE 4624 Experimental Methods in Materials Research: 4 hours.
(Prerequisites:CHE 3413 or ABE 3813 or ME 3403 or permission of instructors).Three hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. An introduction to research methodologies commonly used in the evaluation of treatments, and mechanical testing. ( Same as CHE 4624/6624 and ME 4624/6624)
ABE 4723 Tissue Engineering and Regeneration: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite:ABE 3813) . Three hours lecture. A comprehensive course covering the fundamental concepts, multidisciplinary approaches, and clinical applications of tissue engineering/regeneration
ABE 4800 Undergraduate Research in Ag & Bio Engineering: 13 hours.
The purpose of this course is to provide a student with the opportunity to participate in research and/or creative project beyond the traditional undergraduate experience, while allowing the university to track undergraduate participation in these activities. Hours, credits and deliverables to be arranged
ABE 4803 Biosystems Simulation: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Spring semester. Application of engineering analysis, modeling and simulation to biological systems
ABE 4813 Principles of Engineering Design: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: senior standing in engineering) Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. First semester of the senior capstone design sequence. Students learn the fundamentals of the design process, select a design project, and complete a preliminary design
ABE 4833 Practices of Engineering Design: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ABE 4813). One hour lecture. Two hours laboratory. Second semester of the senior design sequence. Students continue learning about engineering design as they complete, construct, and test the design began in ABE 4813
ABE 4843 Sustainable Communities: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Theory and practices that minimize resource use and pollutant production in the human landscape (same as LA 4843/6843)
ABE 4911 Engineering Seminar: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). One hour lecture. Discussion of current engineering developments, professional developments, ethics and their relation to agriculture and the life sciences
ABE 4961 Seminar: 1 hour.
(Prerequisite: Consent of instructor). One hour lecture. Review of current literature dealing with the technical problems in the agricultural industry
ABE 4990 Special Topics in Agricultural and Biological Engineering: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
ABE 6163 Machinery Management for Agro-Ecosystems: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: ABE 2173 or consent of instructor). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Selection, sizing and operation machine systems using cost analysis and systems techniques. Emphasis on agricultural machines used in farming; tillage, planting, harvesting, conveying agricultural materials
ABE 6263 Soil and Water Management: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ABE 2873. Students with credit in ABE 2263 will not receive credit in this course). Two hours lecture . Three hours laboratory. Introduction to soil and water management principles; elementary hydrology, basic fundamentals of erosion control, surface and subsurface drainage, and water control for irrigation
ABE 6383 Building Construction: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EG 1143, junior standing.) Three hours lecture. An introduction to building terms, construction materials, structural components, construction methods, and mechanical systems pertaining to residential and commercial structures
ABE 6423 Bioinstrumentation II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: ABE 3413 or graduate standing). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Theory; application of automated measuring and control systems in biological sciences. Includes design/use of transducer interfaces; electronic signal conditioning; data logging; microprocessor based systems
ABE 6473 Electrical Applications: 3 hours.
Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Fundamental electricity, wiring, and control of agricultural operations. Includes use of computer tools, intruments, safety, and hardware
ABE 6483 Introduction to Remote Sensing Technologies: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Senior or graduate standing, or consent or instructor). Three hours lecture. Electromagnetic interactions, passive sensors, multispectral and hyperspectral optical sensors, active sensors, imaging radar, SAR Lidar, digital image processing, natural resource applications. (Same as ECE 4423/6423 and PSS 4483/6483)
ABE 6523 Biomedical Materials: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: One of the following: ABE 3813, CHE 3413, or ME 3403). Three hours lecture. Emphasis is on applications, composition, testing, and biocompatibility of biomedical materials used in implant devices. This course may be used for honors credit
ABE 6543 Precision Agriculture II: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: PSS/ABE 2543 and Junior Standing). Two hours lecture. Two hours lab. Site-specific management techniques are examined. Continuous decision-making processes of farm production are integrated using a whole-system, geospatial approach. (Same as PSS 4543/6543)
ABE 6613 Biomechanics: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: EM 2413 and EM 2433). Three hours lecture. Force, motion, and deformation analysis of organisms and biological structures. Mechanical modeling techniques unique to biological materials
ABE 6624 Experimental Methods in Materials Research: 4 hours.
(Prerequisites:CHE 3413 or ABE 3813 or ME 3403 or permission of instructors).Three hours lecture. Three hours laboratory. An introduction to research methodologies commonly used in the evaluation of treatments, and mechanical testing. ( Same as CHE 4624/6624 and ME 4624/6624)
ABE 6723 Tissue Engineering and Regeneration: 3 hours.
ABE 6803 Biosystems Simulation: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Spring semester. Application of engineering analysis, modeling and simulation to biological systems
ABE 6843 Sustainable Communities: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Theory and practices that minimize resource use and pollutant production in the human landscape (same as LA 4843/6843)
ABE 6990 Special Topics in Agricultural and Biological Engineering: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
ABE 7000 Directed Individual Study in Agricultural and Biological Engineering: 1-6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
ABE 8000 Thesis Research/ Thesis in Agricultural and Biological Engineering: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
ABE 8511 Journal Reviews in Biomedical Engineering: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. Current journal articles relevant to Biomedical Engineering topics are read and reviewed
ABE 8621 Methods of Biomedical Engineering Research: 1 hour.
One hour lecture. No prerequisites. Introduction to biomedical engineering research including literature review, experimental design, laboratory practices, presentation, and ethics
ABE 8723 Cellular and Tissue Biomechanics: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Fundamental concepts, experimental and theoretical approaches of biomechanics and their applications in modern biomedical engineering (e.g. mechanotransduction,tissue engineering/regeneration, surgical intervention)
ABE 8801 Clinical Experience for Biomedical Engineering: 1 hour.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in the Biomedical Program and permission of the instructor. Three hours experiential learning. This course will provide graduate students with exposure, understanding, and insight into the clinical environment and/or treatment modalities of clinical (human and/or animal) patients
ABE 8911 Agricultural and Biological Engineering Seminar: 1 hour.
Discussion of research needs, review of literature, and development of research work plans
ABE 8921 Agriculturual and Bio Engineering Seminar: 1 hour.
Discussion of research needs, review of literature, and development of research work plans
ABE 8990 Special Topics in Agricultural and Biological Engineering: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
ABE 9000 Dissertation Research/ Dissertation in Agricultural and Biological Engineering: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged