Agricultural engineers apply their knowledge of agricultural systems, natural resources and engineering to equipment design and assure environmental compatibility of practices used by production agriculture.
The Agricultural Engineering curriculum offers a great variety of course experiences to choose from. Subject areas include computer-aided engineering, fluid power, finite element analysis, natural resource conservation, and engineering properties of biological materials.
Excellent career opportunities exist in product engineering, equipment research and design, facilities design, and engineering management. Practical applications in lab intensive classes (every ABE3-credit hour class has a lab) and significant opportunities to be involved in clubs (1/4-Scale Tractor, PUP, ASABE Robotics) are important assets. Students in this program earn a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering.
Applying
Agricultural Engineering is a major within the Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department. Students in this major will obtain a degree granted in the College of Engineering, and there are multiple entry paths for those who are interested in ABE majors.
First-time college students may apply to Agricultural Engineering in the College of Agriculture(where they would begin in the pre-ABE program) or they may select First-Year Engineering in the College of Engineering (where they would begin in the First-Year Engineering program). The first-year curriculum is the same for each path.
Transfer students who have fulfilled the first-year requirements of this engineering program may apply directly to Agricultural Engineering in the College of Agriculture.
Note: The First-Year Engineering Program is the entry point for all beginning engineering students. They must complete the First-Year Engineering requirements before entering the engineering school of their choice. The mission of this student-oriented service program is to advise, teach and retain outstanding students for Purdue's College of Engineering. This core curriculum includes courses in math, chemistry, physics, computer programming, and communication skills, as well as introductory engineering coursework taught in the new Ideas to Innovation (i2i) Learning Laboratory. The First-Year Engineering Program provides students with a firm foundation and initial understanding of engineering and career options to assist them in identifying which of Purdue's engineering disciplines is the right fit. Our professional academic advisors, faculty and student advisors are dedicated to assisting beginning engineers with the first-year experience.