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Biological and Agricultural Engineering

Gary A. Clark, Head

Professors G. Clark, Harner, Koelliker, Murphy, Maghirang, Powell, Rogers, Schrock, Slocombe, Steichen, and Zhang; Associate Professors Alam, Barnes, Mankin, and Wolf; Assistant Professors Hutchinson and Wang; Adjunct Professor Dowell; Adjunct Associate Professors Casada, Hagen, and Pearson; Adjunct Assistant Professors Armstrong and Wagner; Emeriti: Professors Chung, S. Clark, Jepsen, Larson, Manges, Spillman, and Wendling; Associate Professors Baugher, Stevenson, and Thierstein.

E-mail: gac@k-state.edu

www.bae.ksu.edu

Objectives

The biological and agricultural engineering program prepares students for professional engineering careers relating to the production and processing of agricultural and biomass materials for food, non-food, and fiber products while conserving natural resources and protecting our environment. It is our goal to give students the best possible education toward that end within the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) program criteria for biological and agricultural engineering.

Biological and agricultural engineers provide an essential link between the biological sciences and engineering, which uses physical science to solve practical problems. Engineering fundamentals are applied to achieve the goal of a safe and stable food and renewable energy supply while considering human and environmental factors. Four curriculum options are available.

General option

Biological and agricultural engineers develop techniques and equipment for using land and water resources to produce and process an array of biological products, including food, fiber, energy, chemical feedstocks, and pharmaceuticals. The increasing demand for agricultural products must be met within the constraints of greater competition for reduced land, water, and energy resources.

Balancing the conflicting needs of society will require engineers trained to apply engineering science in the control and management of biological processes. The first two years of study in the general option concentrate on mathematics, physical sciences, and biological sciences. The third and fourth years contain additional engineering science courses as well as a broad range of technical elective courses that allow the student to pursue his or her specific interests.

Environmental option

Biological and agricultural engineers work at the interface between biology and engineering. They must be knowledgeable in both disciplines. Applications in the environmental option include water quality studies of lakes, rivers, and groundwater, soil and water conservation, irrigation and drainage, system design and management, waste treatment, management of air quality inside buildings and outside, remediation of land damaged by construction, mining, and other uses.

The environmental option focuses on the design and management of systems that use or impact natural resources. Non-point pollution issues have long been a component of agricultural engineering programs. Soil conservation programs began in the 1930s, long before the environmental movement began. Point and non-point pollution sources still impact the environment, requiring biological and agricultural engineering expertise to develop solutions to those problems. This option is distinct from but interfaces with the environmental option in civil engineering.

Secondary major in natural resources and environmental sciences

Students enrolled in biological and agricultural engineering, regardless of option, may participate in the natural resources and environmental sciences secondary major. Courses used for the secondary major may also be used for completing regular graduation requirements. Details are found in the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences section of this catalog.

Biological option

Biological systems range in size from cells to complex groups of living organisms. Biological engineers work with these systems in areas that include biomaterials, bioinstrumentation, biological systems modeling, bioremediation, food and fiber processing, and energy from biological products. The biological option fulfills the requirements for a BS in biological and agricultural engineering while providing students with the flexibility to receive a strong “biological” emphasis in their engineering program. Course selections also provide students with the option of a biology minor, or they can opt to meet the requirements for a pre-medical or pre-veterinary program. Graduates in this program area can pursue careers and/or additional studies in fields such as environmental engineering, biological systems engineering, biomedical engineering, food process engineering, medicine, natural resources, and related areas.

Machinery option

Many biological and agricultural engineers design, test, and evaluate the machines used in agriculture, construction, and related off-highway industries. The machinery option provides graduates with the analytical tools needed to develop machines that reduce the cost of production for both traditional and new crops, while operating within environmental and energy constraints. This option includes courses that emphasize mechanical design as well as the interaction of machines with soil and plant materials. Related technologies such as fluid power, instrumentation, and electronic controls are also included in this option.

Agricultural technology management

Description and curriculum outline are listed in the College of Agriculture section of this catalog.

Curriculum in biological and agricultural engineering (BAE)

Bachelor of science in biological and agricultural engineering

130 hours required for graduation

Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012. 410-347-7700

General option
Freshman
Fall semester
CHM 210Chemistry I4
MATH 220Analytic Geometry and Calculus I4
SPCH 105Public Speaking 1A2
BAE 200Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology2
ECON 110Principles of Macroeconomics3
DEN 015New Student Orientation Seminar
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
15
 
Spring semester
MATH 221Analytic Geometry and Calculus II4
ENGL 100Expository Writing Ic3
CHM 230Chemistry II4
BIOL 198Principles of Biology4
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
15
 
Sophomore
Fall semester
MATH 222Analytic Geometry and Calculus III4
PHYS 213Engineering Physics I5
ME 212Engineering Graphics I2
BAE 350Agricultural Machinery Systems2
BAE 351Agricultural Machinery Systems Lab1
Humanities or social science electivesa3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
17
 
Spring semester
MATH 240Elementary Differential Equations4
PHYS 214Engineering Physics II5
BAE 500Properties of Biological Materials2
CE 333Statics3
DEN 325Introduction to Personal and Professional Development1
CIS 209C Programming for Engineers3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
18
 
Junior
Fall semester
CE 533Mechanics of Materials3
ME 512Dynamics3
CHM 350General Organic Chemistry3
Humanities or social science electivea3
STAT 490Statistics for Engineers1
AGRON 305Soils4
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
17
 
Spring semester
EECE 519Electric Circuits and Controls4
ME 571Fluid Mechanics3
BAE 530Natural Resources Engineering
or
BAE 575Fundamentals of Agricultural Process Engineering
or
ME 533Machine Design I3
ME 513Thermodynamics3
Biology electiveb3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
16
 
Senior
Fall semester
BAE 535Fundamentals of Structures and Environmental Engineering3
BAE 536Agricultural Engineering Design I2
BAE elective (500 level or higher)3
IMSE 530Engineering Economic Analysis2
ENGL 415Written Communications for Engineersc 3
Humanities or social science electivea 3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
16
 
Spring semester
BAE 640Instrumentation and Control for Biological Systems3
BAE 636Agricultural Engineering Design II2
(or approved capstone course)
Technical electiveb5
BAE elective (500 level or higher)6
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
16
 
aHumanities and social science electives are to be selected from the approved list and need not be taken in order listed in the curriculum (2 courses must be 300 level or above and students must complete university general education requirements).
bTechnical, science, and biology electives are to be chosen with the advice and approval of the faculty advisor and department head.
cStudents must complete the appropriate prerequisite credits for ENGL 415, but may apply only three hours of ENGL 415 prerequisite credits towards degree requirements.
Environmental engineering option
Freshman
Fall semester
CHM 210Chemistry I4
MATH 220Analytic Geometry and Calculus I4
SPCH 105Public Speaking IA2
BAE 200Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology2
ECON 110Principles of Macroeconomics3
DEN 015New Student Orientation Seminar
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
15
 
Spring semester
MATH 221Analytic Geometry and Calculus II4
ENGL 100Expository Writing Ic3
CHM 230Chemistry II4
BIOL 198Principles of Biology4
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
15
 
Sophomore
Fall semester
MATH 222Analytic Geometry and Calculus III4
PHYS 213Engineering Physics I5
ME 212Engineering Graphics2
BAE 350Agricultural Machinery Systems2
Humanities or social science electivea3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
16
 
Spring semester
MATH 240Elementary Differential Equations4
PHYS 214Engineering Physics II5
BAE 500Properties of Biological Materials2
CE 333Statics3
DEN 325Introduction to Personal and Professional Development1
CIS 209C Programing for Engineers3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
18
 
Junior
Fall semester
CE 533Mechanics of Materials3
ME 512Dynamics3
CHM 350General Organic Chemistry3
STAT 490Statistics for Engineers1
AGRON 305Soils4
Humanities or social science electivea3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
17
 
Spring semester
EECE 519Electric Circuits and Control4
ME 571Fluid Mechanics3
BAE 530Natural Resource Engineering3
BAE 531Natural Resource Engineering Field Lab1
ME 513Thermodynamics I3
Biology elective3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
17
 
Senior
Fall semester
BAE 535Fundamentals of Structures and Environmental Engineering3
BAE 651Air Pollution Engineering
or
BAE 690Non-Point Pollution Engineering3
BAE 536Agricultural Engineering Design I2
ENGL 415Written Communications for Engineersc3
Environmental technical electiveb3
Humanities or social science electivesa3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
17
 
Spring semester
BAE 640Instrumentation and Control for Biological Systems3
BAE 636Agricultural Engineering Design II2
(or approved capstone course)
IMSE 530Engineering Economic Analysis2
Environmental technical elective5
Science electives3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
15
 
aHumanities and social science electives are to be selected from the approved list and need not be taken in order listed in the curriculum (2 courses must be 300 level or above and students must complete university general education requirements).
bTechnical, science and biology electives are to be chosen with the advice and approval of the faculty advisor and department head.
cStudents must complete the appropriate prerequisite credits for ENGL 415, but may apply only three hours of ENGL 415 prerequisite credits towards degree requirements.
Biological option
Freshman
Fall semester
CHM 210Chemistry I4
MATH 220Analytic Geometry and Calculus I4
ECON 110Principles of Macroeconomics3
BAE 200Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology2
SPCH 105Public Speaking IA2
DEN 015New Student Orientation Seminar
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
15
 
Spring semester
ENGL 100Expository Writing Ic3
MATH 221Analytic Geometry and Calculus II4
CHM 230Chemistry II4
BIOL 198Principles of Biology4
ME 212Engineering Graphics2
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
17
 
Sophomore
Fall semester
MATH 222Analytic Geometry and Calculus III4
PHYS 213Engineering Physics I5
CHM 350General Organic Chemistry3
CHM 351General Organic Chemistry Lab2
Humanities or social science electivesa3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
17
 
Spring semester
MATH 240Elementary Differential Equations4
PHYS 214Engineering Physics II5
BAE 500Properties of Biological Materials2
DEN 325Introduction to Personal and Professional Development1
BIOL 455General Microbiology4
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
16
 
Junior
Fall semester
CE 530Statics and Dynamics3
ME 513Thermodynamics I3
EECE 519Electric Circuits and Control4
Biology/biochemistry/chemistry electiveb3
Humanities or social science electivesa3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
16
 
Spring semester
ME 571Fluid Mechanics3
STAT 510Introduction to Statistics I3
Biology/biochemistry/chemistry electiveb3
College of Engineering electived4
Humanities or social science electivesa3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
16
 
Senior
Fall semester
BAE 536Agricultural Engineering Design I2
ENGL 415Written Communication for Engineersc3
BAE elective3
College of Engineering electived6
Biology/biochemistry/chemistry electiveb3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
17
 
Spring semester
BAE 640Instrumentation and Control for Biological Systems3
BAE 636Agricultural Engineering Design II2
(or approved capstone course)
IMSE 530Engineering Economic Analysis2
BAE elective3
College of Engineering electived3
Biology/biochemistry/chemistry electiveb3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
16
 
aHumanities and social science electives are to be selected from the approved list and need not be taken in order listed in the curriculum (2 courses must be 300 level or above and students must complete university general education requirements).
bBiology, biochemistry, and chemistry electives are to be chosen from an approved departmental list of courses with the advice and approval of the faculty advisor and department head. Six of the 12 hours must be 400 level or higher.
cStudents must complete the appropriate prerequisite credits for ENGL 415, but may apply only three hours of ENGL 415 prerequisite credits towards degree requirements.
dCollege of Engineering electives are to be chosen from an approved departmental list of courses with the advice and approval of the faculty advisor or department head.
Machinery option
Freshman
Fall semester
CHM 210Chemistry I4
ECON 110Principles of Macroeconomics3
MATH 220Analytic Geometry and Calculus I4
SPCH 105Public Speaking IA2
BAE 200Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering Technology2
DEN 015New Student Orientation
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
15
 

Spring semester

MATH 221Analytic Geometry and Calculus II4
ENGL 100Expository Writing Ic3
CHM 230Chemistry II4
BIOL 198Principles of Biology4
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
15
 
Sophomore
Fall semester
MATH 222Analytic Geometry and Calculus III4
PHYS 213Engineering Physics I5
ME 212Engineering Graphics2
BAE 350Agricultural Machinery Systems2
BAE 351Agricultural Machinery Systems Lab1
Humanities or social science electivesa3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
17
 
Spring semester
MATH 240Elementary Differential Equations4
PHYS 214Engineering Physics II5
BAE 500Properties of Biological Materials2
CE 333Statics3
DEN 325Introduction to Personal and Professional Development1
CIS 209C Programming for Engineers3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
18
 
Junior
Fall semester
CE 533Mechanics of Materials3
ME 512Dynamics3
CHM 350General Organic Chemistry3
STAT 490Statistics for Engineers1
Biology elective3
Humanities or social science electivesa3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
16
 
Spring semester
EECE 519Electric Circuits and Control4
ME 571Fluid Mechanics3
ME 513Thermodynamics I3
ME 533Machine Design I3
CE 522dSoil Mechanics I3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
16
 
Senior
Fall semester
BAE 535Fundamentals of Structures and Environmental Engineering3
BAE 651Air Pollution Engineering
or
BAE 530Natural Resource Engineering
(Spring semester course; if taken, use 3 hr. technical elective in the fall)
or
BAE 575Fundamentals of Agricultural Process Engineering3
BAE 536Agricultural Engineering Design I2
ENGL 415Written Communication for Engineersc3
IMSE 530Engineering Economic Analysis2
Technical electives3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
16
 
Spring semester
BAE 640Instrumentation and Control for Biological Systems3
BAE 636Agricultural Engineering Design II2
(or approved capstone course)
BAE 650Energy and Biofuel Engineering3
Machinery technical elective6
Humanities or social science electivesa3
BAE 020Engineering Assembly
17
 
aHumanities and social science electives are to be selected from the approved list and need not be taken in order listed in the curriculum (2 courses must be 300 level or above and students must complete university general education requirements).
bTechnical, science, and biology electives are to be chosen with the advice and approval of the faculty advisor and department head.
cStudents must complete the appropriate prerequisite credits for ENGL 415, but may apply only three hours of ENGL 415 prerequisite credits towards degree requirements.
dStudents may take either CE 522 (3) or AGRON 305 (4).

Biological and agricultural engineering courses

BAE 020. Engineering Assembly. (0) I, II. Presentation of professional problems and practices by students, faculty, and professionals associated with the career of biological and agricultural engineering. One hour lec. a month.

BAE 200. Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Technology. (2) I. Introduction to discipline, department, profession. Gain skills through application-oriented problem solving, computer use, and written communication. Introduction to land surveying. One hour rec. and three hours lab a week. Open to ATM and BAE majors only.

BAE 350. Agricultural Machinery Systems. (2) I. Basic power and energy concepts. Machinery systems for tillage, planting, and harvesting crops. Impact of these systems on the environment and natural resources. Two hours rec. a week. Pr.: ATM 160 or PHYS 113 or one year of high school physics.

BAE 351. Agricultural Machinery Systems Lab. (1) I. Basic power and energy concepts. Machinery systems for tillage, planting, and harvesting crops. Impact of these systems on the environment and natural resources. Three hours lab a week. Must be taken conc. with BAE 350.

BAE 499. Honors Research in Biological and Agricultural Engineering. (Var.) I, II. Individual research problem selected with approval of faculty advisor. Open to students in the College of Engineering honors program. A report is presented orally and in writing during the last semester.

BAE 500. Properties of Biological Materials. (2) II. Characterization of biological material properties that affect the design and analysis of material handling equipment and processes. Physical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, aero-dynamic, hygroscopic, and rheological properties of grain and other agricultural products will be examined. One hour rec. and three hours lab a week. Pr.: PHYS 213.

BAE 530. Natural Resource Engineering. (3) II. Principles and measures for controlling storm water runoff and soil erosion including hydrology and surface water flow; design of water handling structures for land drainage, flood protection, and irrigation; pipeline flow and pump selection. Two hours rec. and three hours lab a week. Pr.: STAT 490. Pr. or conc.: ME 571. Not available for students with credit for CE 550.

BAE 531. Natural Resource Engineering Field Laboratory. (1) II. In-depth, field applications of natural resource engineering analysis and design for controlling storm water runoff and soil erosion; design of water handling structures for land drainage, flood protection, and irrigation; economic analysis of design options. Three hours lab a week. Pr.: AGRON 305 or CE 522. Pr. or conc.: ME 571. Conc. BAE 530.

BAE 533. Applied Hydrology. (3) II. Study of watersources and movement above, on, and beneath the earth's surface. Topics include water law relating to water quality and water supply. Three hours rec. Prereq.: ATM 160 or PHYS 113 or PHYS 115.

BAE 535. Fundamentals of Structures and Environment Engineering. (3) I. Principles of environmental control for agricultural buildings and structures; analysis and design of structural systems and members for agricultural structures. Two hours rec. and three hours lab a week. Pr.: ME 513 and CE 333.

BAE 536. Agricultural Engineering Design I. (2) I. Team-oriented design laboratory, with projects selected to address design of equipment or systems to produce or process food, fiber, and energy, or to preserve environmental quality, remediate damage, and conserve natural resources. Two 3-hour labs a week. Pr.: ME 533 or BAE 530 or BAE 575.

BAE 575. Fundamentals of Agricultural Process Engineering. (3) I. Application of basic science and engineering fundamentals for the analysis and design of agricultural processes. Two hours rec. and three hours lab a week. Pr. or conc.: CHE 320 or ME 571.

BAE 620. Problems in Agricultural Engineering. (Var.) I, II, S. Problems in the design, construction, or application of machinery or power in agriculture, structures, modern conveniences, and rural electrification. Pr.: Approval of instructor.

BAE 636. Agricultural Engineering Design II. (2) II. A continuation of BAE 536. Completion of a team-oriented design project, with emphasis on construction, evaluation, documentation, and presentation of the design. Two 3-hour labs a week. Pr.: BAE 536.

BAE 640. Instrumentation and Control for Biological Systems. (3) II. Fundamentals of instrumentation and control engineering applied in biological and agricultural systems and processes. Time-domain analysis and frequency response methods. Sensors and actuators in feedback control systems. Control system design. Case studies. Two hours rec. and three hours lab a week. Pr.: EECE 510 (or EECE 519) and MATH 240.

BAE 650. Energy and Biofuel Engineering. (3) II. Energy use and production in agriculture and related industries. Energetics of primary production, including crop energy conversion. Energy and material balances of biomass energy production and processing systems, including energy embodied in fertilizers and pesticides. Review of the role of fossil fuels in agricultural and forestry operations, including opportunities for energy conservation. Impact of alternative fuels on internal combustion engine emissions. Three hours lecture a week. Pr. or conc.: ME 513.

BAE 651. Air Pollution Engineering. (3) II. Air pollution legislation, standards, measurement, and terminology. Design and economics of particulate pollution control systems including cyclones, fabric filters, wet scrubbers, and electrostatic precipitators. Abatement of gas and vapor pollution using VOC incineration, gas adsorption, and gas absorption. Meteorology and atmospheric dispersion modeling. Three hours rec. a week. Pr.: ME 513, 571.

BAE 690. Non-Point Pollution Engineering. (3) I. Management of diffuse sources of pollution generally resulting from storm water and runoff. Use of models and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate the extent and magnitude of non-point pollution, legislation and programs affecting non-point pollution, and design of treatment and management systems. Non-point pollutants addressed include: nutrients, pesticides, sediment, and hazardous wastes. Three hours lec. a week. Pr.: BAE551 or CE551.

BAE 705. Irrigation Engineering. (3) II, on sufficient demand. Design and operative problems on the fundamentals of irrigation system design and management. Soil, plant, and water relationships; pipeline and system hydraulic design; design of irrigation systems; filtration systems and chemigation; sources of water and water quality. Two hours rec. and three hours lab a week. Pr. BAE 530, and AGRON 305 or CE 522. Pr. or conc. ME 571.

BAE 740. Biomaterials Processing. (3) I (odd years). Technologies of bio-based material processing including starch extraction (wet milling), plant oil extraction and refining, plant protein extraction and processing, cellulose processing, biofuel production, chemicals bioconversion, and drying technologies of biomaterials. Cross-listed with GRSC 740. Three hours rec. a week. Pr.: BAE 500 or BAE 575 or GRSC 602.

BAE 750. Analysis and Design of Off-Highway Vehicles. (3) II, on sufficient demand. Analytical study of design, testing, construction, and operating characteristics of off-highway vehicles and machinery. Includes human factors, mobility, and precision agriculture. Two hours rec. and three hours lab a week. Pr.: BAE 536 or ME 574.

BAE 761. Natural Treatment Systems. (3) I, even years. Engineering analysis, modeling, and design of natural systems for treating liquid and solid wastes. Applications of plant and microbial systems. Three hours rec. a week. Pr.: MATH 221 and one of the following courses: BAE 530, CE 563, BIOL 529 or 612, ATM 661.

BAE 768. Geoenvironmental Engineering Design. (3) II. A capstone design project in geoenvironmental engineering focused on resolving issues related to containment of pollutants and remediation of soil and groundwater. Pr.: One of the following: AGRON 605, AGRON 746, BAE 690, CE 625, CE 654, CHE 531, or GEOL 611. Cross-listed with CE 768 and CHE 768.

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