Agricultural & Biological Engineering: Sustainable Ecological and Environmental Systems Engineering, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Sustainable Ecological and Environmental Systems Engineering Concentration

Graduates design, manage, and restore sustainability and resilience in natural and urban environments, integrating automation and environmental control while applying principles of ecology and conservation.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Sustainable Ecological and Environmental Systems Engineering Concentration

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Overall GPA: 2.0
Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours.

University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog. 

General Education​Requirements
Students must complete the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements, including the campus Gen Ed language requirement.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
fulfilled by ABE 469
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
fulfilled by CHEM 102, CHEM 104, PHYS 211, PHYS 212, and IB 150
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by ECON 102, ACE 100, ACE 210, ACE 251, or ACE 255 and one other course approved as Social and Behavioral Sciences
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
fulfilled by CS 101, MATH 220 or MATH 221, MATH 231, MATH 241, MATH 285, PHYS 211, and PHYS 212
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15

Orientation and Professional Development

ABE 127Introduction to Agricultural & Biological Engineering2
ENG 100Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar (External transfer students take ENG 300.)1
Total Hours3

 Foundational Mathematics and Science

CHEM 102General Chemistry I3
CHEM 103General Chemistry Lab I1
CHEM 104General Chemistry II3
CHEM 105General Chemistry Lab II1
MATH 221Calculus I (MATH 220 may be substituted. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus. 4 of 5 credit hours count towards degree.)4
MATH 231Calculus II3
MATH 241Calculus III4
MATH 257Linear Algebra with Computational Applications3
MATH 285Intro Differential Equations3
PHYS 211University Physics: Mechanics4
PHYS 212University Physics: Elec & Mag4
Total Hours33

Foundational Economics

Select one of the following:
ECON 102Microeconomic Principles3
ACE 100Introduction to Applied Microeconomics4
ACE 210Environmental Economics & Policy3
ACE 251The World Food Economy3
ACE 255Economics of Food and Environmental Justice3

Agricultural and Biological Engineering Technical Core

ABE 128Applied Biology for Agricultural and Biological Engineers3
ABE 227Computer-Aided Problem-Solving for ABE I3
ABE 228Computer-Aided Problem-Solving for ABE II3
ABE 340Thermodynamics for Agricultural and Biological Engineering3
ABE 430Project Management2
ABE 469Capstone Design Experience4
CS 101Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci3
ECE 205Electrical and Electronic Circuits3
SE 101Engineering Graphics & Design3
IE 300Analysis of Data3
or STAT 400 Statistics and Probability I
TAM 211Statics3
TAM 212Introductory Dynamics3
Total Hours36

Concentration Requirements: complete a minimum of 30 hours from courses below 

Required courses
ABE 341Transport Processes in ABE3
ABE 425Engrg Measurement Systems4
TAM 335Introductory Fluid Mechanics4
CEE 330Environmental Engineering3
IB 150Organismal & Evolutionary Biol4
Total Hours18
Select one of the following:
ABE 452Engineering for Disaster Resilience3
ABE 456Land & Water Resources Engrg3
Select one of the following:
ABE 436Renewable Energy Systems3
ABE 457NPS Pollution Processes2
ABE 458NPS Pollution Modeling2
ABE 459Drainage and Water Management4
ABE 476Indoor Air Quality Engineering4
CEE 434Environmental Systems I3
CEE 440Fate Cleanup Environ Pollutant4
Select at least two courses from one of the following sets (Ecological, Horticultural or Animal):
Ecological Systems
IB 452Ecosystem Ecology3
NRES 219Applied Ecology3
NRES 348Fish and Wildlife Ecology3
NRES 362Ecology of Invasive Species3
NRES 418Wetland Ecology & Management3
NRES 419Env and Plant Ecosystems3
NRES 420Restoration Ecology4
NRES 429Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation3
NRES 439Env and Sustainable Dev3
NRES 485Stream Ecology3
OR
Horticultural Systems
HORT 100Introduction to Horticulture3
HORT 341Greenhouse Mgmt and Production4
HORT 435Urban Food Production3
OR
Animal Systems
ANSC 100Intro to Animal Sciences4
ANSC 363Behavior of Domestic Animals4
IB 329Animal Behavior3
Total Minimum Concentration Hours30
Free Electives10
Additional course work, subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree.
Total Hours of Curriculum to Graduate128

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Sustainable Ecological and Environmental Systems Engineering Concentration

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements.

Free Electives: Additional course work, subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ABE 1272ABE 1283
ENG 1001PHYS 2114
MATH 221 or 2204MATH 2313
CHEM 1023CHEM 1043
CHEM 1031CHEM 1051
Composition I or General Education course4Composition I or General Education course3
 15 17
Total Hours 32
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ABE 2273ABE 2283
CS 1013PHYS 2124
MATH 2414MATH 2853
SE 1013MATH 2573
TAM 2113TAM 2123
 16 16
Total Hours 32
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ABE 3403IE 300 or STAT 4003
ECE 2053ABE 4254
CEE 3303ABE 3413
TAM 3354IB 1504
General Education course3Foundational Economics course3
 16 17
Total Hours 33
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ABE 4302ABE 4694
ABE 452 or 4563ABE 436, 457, 458, 459, 476, CEE 434, or CEE 4403
Choose one of two courses from the same set (Ecological Systems, Horticultural Systems or Animal Systems)3Choose one of two courses from the same set (Ecological Systems, Horticultural Systems or Animal Systems)3
General Education course (choose one course that fulfills two categories)3General Education course3
Language Other than English (3rd level)4General Education course3
 15 16
Total Hours 31

Total Hours: 128

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Sustainable Ecological and Environmental Systems Engineering Concentration

  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.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Sustainable Ecological and Environmental Systems Engineering Concentration

Agricultural and Biological Engineering 

Agricultural & Biological Engineering Faculty

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences
Grainger College of Engineering