Academics: Programs of Study: Undergraduate Degree Programs
Agricultural Engineering
- Department: Biological and Agricultural Engineering
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering - BSAE
- UGA Bulletin: Major Requirements
- Campus: Athens
- UGA Career Center: Career Choices
Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering (B.S.A.E.) curriculum at the University of Georgia is a general engineering program. This versatile engineering program combines the principles of mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical engineering to prepare men and women for professional careers in both agricultural and non-agricultural industries. Activities in these careers may involve design of machinery and equipment (mechanical); structural and environmental design (civil); water and soil management (civil); processing, manufacturing, and quality measurement (mechanical, chemical, and electrical); and controls, energy use, microelectronics, and electrical machines and equipment (electrical).
This four-year professional engineering curriculum provides graduates with a general engineering degree that includes the basic sciences, humanities, social sciences, engineering sciences and courses in engineering design and analysis. All students complete courses in the basic engineering sciences such as static's, dynamics, strength of materials, fluid mechanics, electric circuits, heat transfer, and thermodynamics. They also select from intermediate engineering science and design courses in mechanism design, structural design, physical unit operations, management of structural environments, natural resource engineering, and electronics. Engineering design is introduced in the freshman year and a design methodology course is taught for sophomores. The capstone engineering design course is required in the senior year. In addition, courses with engineering science and design components are offered throughout the four-year curriculum.
Fifteen credit hours are selected by students during their junior and senior years to develop a desired engineering emphasis in one of the following areas: (1) Electrical and Electronic Systems, (2) Mechanical Systems, (3) Natural Resource Management, (4) Process Operations, or (5) Structural Systems. The development of both technical and communication skills is stressed throughout the program. The program establishes an interrelationship between the engineering profession and society.
The B.S.A.E. degree program is accredited by the Accrediting Board for Engineering Technology (ABET) and graduating seniors must complete the Fundamentals of Engineering examination prior to graduation. Successful completion of this exam qualifies the student for Engineer in Training registration which is a prerequisite for the Professional Engineer registration.
The objectives of the B.S.A.E. program are to provide graduates with:
- Educational experiences using mathematics, natural sciences, engineering sciences and engineering design which motivate and qualify graduates to recognize and solve complex engineering problems.
- Superb technical skills in the areas of computers, information transfer, and communication; innovative and imaginative attitudes; and an appreciation for the management function.
- Learning experiences necessary for the synthesis of knowledge across disciplines in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences in order to understand the ethical, environmental, and social impacts of decisions.
An appreciation for continued professional development through life-long learning.
Course work in the B.S.A.E. program is selected to assure that graduates develop the desired competencies in a wide range of engineering topics. The engineering design experience is integrated throughout the B.S.A.E. curriculum. All students are required to take a first-year course in Introduction to Engineering Design, a second-year course in Engineering Design Methodology, and a fourth-year capstone course in Engineering Design. The capstone course draws upon previous course work and includes a major engineering design team project which focuses on professional practice in the student's area of emphasis. The engineering design experience is structured to fulfill the above objectives.
Career Opportunities
The general engineering nature of the B.S.A.E. program enables graduates to take advantage of employment opportunities related to agricultural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and food engineering. The versatility of this degree program provides a broad spectrum of career alternatives in engineering design, development, testing, process control, and management. Typical employers of graduates are involved in food processing (e.g., General Foods, Gold Kist, Proctor & Gamble); electrical, electronics, and communications (e.g., Southern Bell, General Electric, Logic Technologies, Reliance); environmental engineering (e.g., CH?M Hill, USGS, EPA); mechanical equipment (e.g., Carrier Transicold, John Deere, FMC); utilities (e.g., Georgia Power Co., Jackson EMC, Duke Power Co.); paper production (e.g., Georgia Pacific, Weyerhauser); structural, construction, and consultants (e.g., Golder and Associates, Haliburton, Trus-Joist-MacMillan); textiles (e.g., Milliken Industries); and federal, city, and state agencies (e.g., Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, USDA-NRCS).
Special Requirements
All students must earn a grade of C or better in all required mathematics and physics courses and ENGR 1120, 2110, 2120, 2130, 2140, 2150, 2170, 3140 and 3150. Competency in a computer programming language, such as C++, is expected.
Scholarships
The following scholarships are available for B.S.A.E. majors in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department: Bruce E. Dixson Scholarship; Bertram S. Reid Scholarships; Georgia Power Freshmen Scholarship; Georgia Section ASAE Scholarship; Rudie Driftmier Scholarship; Goodloe Yancey Scholarships; B. Derrell McLendon Scholarship; Robert H. Brown Scholarship. In addition, many scholarships are available at the College and University levels.
Cooperative Education
The Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department offers its students an opportunity to integrate academic instruction and real-life applications through a cooperative plan of education. Usually beginning after the freshman year, the plan allows for alternating semesters of full-time, off-campus professional work experience in designated industries, agencies and laboratories arranged by the Department. The student is considered by the University to be in an uninterrupted program of study since the student is enrolled for academic credit while on work-experience semesters. While co-op placement does not imply permanent employment of the student upon graduation, it does provide an extended period for mutual evaluation by the student and the cooperating industry, enhancing the possibility of permanent employment.