• Home
• Academic
  • Academic Overview
  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
• Research
• Extension
  • Extension @ BAE
  • Program Areas
  • Extension Mission
  • Publications
  • Workshops
  • Action Photos
  • Extension Personnel
• Training & Credit
  • Overview
  • Distance Education
  • Workshops & Conferences
  • Graduate Credit Programs
  • Professional Development
• Community
  • Business Connections
  • Public Relations & Media
  • Scholarship & Giving
  • Youth Resources
  • Topics of Public Interest
  • Alumni
  • Faculty Positions
  • About Bio & Ag
  • NEWS
• Directory / Contacts

 

Department Facts & Stats

Did you know?

The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (Bio & Ag) is 77 years old and Agricultural Engineering practice at the university is almost 100 years old.

Location:

The Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering is located on the NCSU Central Campus in D. S. Weaver Laboratories. See campus map.

Department Background:

The Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and extension, especially in the areas of water and drainage management, water quality, waste management, precision agriculture, and bio processes. It currently has 29 tenure-track faculty, 20 professional faculty and 17 technical / clerical staff. The department has a strong educational program with approximately 130 undergraduate and approximately 50 graduate students. The department is administratively located in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with its teaching program jointly administered with the College of Engineering.

About the Department Name

Originally this department was an Agricultural Engineering department with studies and extension work centered on making improvements to agricultural operations through mechanization. Over time advancements in agriculture shifted towards improvements to agricultural practices and processes and to the proper management of land and water assets. This department was the first Agricultural Engineering Department in the nation to notice this shift and to change its name to Biological and Agricultural Engineering in 1965. The name change aptly reflects the fact that biology is the base science that differentiated this field of engineering from other fields. In this new millennium the name is even more relevant due to an impressive growth in the biological knowledge base which is currently fueling today's engineering advancements.

Who's in Charge:

Dr. Robert Evans is the current Department Head. He is a professional engineer researching in the area of soil and water engineering. Our Biological Engineering program trains students to earn a Professional Engineering Licence if they choose to. To learn about the departments past Department Heads, visit the Bio & Ag History pages. To find other people in the department who can answer additional questions about the department visit the main contact page.

Department Focus:

The main focus of the Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering is on training engineers and technician to improve and increase food and fiber production and to protect agricultural lands. Biological Engineers manage and improve the source conditions of whatever may be negatively affecting the quality of rural large-scale land areas. This type of engineering protects our life sustaining agricultural environments and makes improvements to the way we feed and clothe our increasing populations. Biological Engineers and their assisting technicians improve soils, waterways, and watersheds; they mitigate negative impacts of cities, farming and animal production. They are trained to protect the environment by managing its resources and reducing pollution which may be caused by everything from urban stormwater issues to agricultural animal waste.

Biological engineers are trained to engineer aspects of food and fiber growth, production, transport, and to ensure the quality of agricultural goods delivered to market. The engineer of today utilizes advancements in biological processes which are more interdisciplinary and a blend of sciences and new technologies. The educational challenge of this department is to prepare students to become well trained engineers by re-sourcing an ever increasing base of science knowledge.

Department Offerings:

The Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering offers two Bachelor of Science Programs which are four year programs of study. The first program is Biological Engineering the other is a Technology Program in Agriculture and Environmental Technology. (If you were looking for the Agricultural two year program see the Agriculture Institute).

If you are looking for the Biomedical concentration once a part of this department and which was developed from work in bio-mechanical and animal health studies. It has moved to serve an increase numbers of students interested in the biomedical engineering field. The university separated the concentration from Bio & Ag and created a new department for it in 2000. Please see the department of Biomedical Engineering programs.

Prospective Students:

Learn why students choose to become Biological and Agricultural engineers and technicians. Prospective students who are interested in Bio & Ag should look through the web site to decide if programs will be a good fit for their abilities. If Bio & Ag might be right for you then please contact the department directly. BAE will be glad to answer your questions, send you an additional packet of information or make and appointment for you to visit. You can talk directly with faculty and plan to tour the facility. Note that parents, student groups, and teachers are also welcome. See bottom of the page to Contact BA E's recruiter. 

To Apply:

To apply to any of the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Programs see the NC State Admissions web site for all forms and basic information. To speak for the departments Undergraduate and Graduate coordinators please see the department contact page.

The Courses:

To review courses for both BAE undergraduate programs see: Registration and Records Curricula for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

About Advisors:

At NCSU each student has an Advisor. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor at least once a semester to discuss class options, degree requirements, or any other questions the student may have. Your advisor will also have your necessary pin number used for class registration purposes. You will be assigned your advisor once you have been accepted to NCSU. Advisors are chosen based on your designated major. Prior to this prospective students can request a temporary advisor from NCSU Advising Central before a permanent advisor is assigned to them.

Advanced Degree Offerings:

The Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering offers several options for ADVANCED DEGREES which many of our former undergraduates choose to pursue. Our graduate level programs are flexible enough that it is possible to customize them to a students particular interest or aspect of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. The department will work with students who's program many require interdepartmental collaborations to achieve their educational goals. In addition to Masters and PhD Studies the department also offers a web-based Graduate Certificate Program.

The Numbers:

The department has graduated over 150 PhD's and even more Masters students. Bio & Ag is known for having a significantly strong graduate program. Our Biological and Agricultural engineering programs are often sought out by those looking for ADVANCED DEGREES in this area. To review statistics about the university in general go to rankings or see the stats for student enrollment.

About Minors:

The department offers an AET MINOR. Many current Bio & Ag Degree program students become double majors with most choosing Biomedical Engineering as a minor. Other Bio & Ag students add an additional course or two to build on a particular strength or to enhance their resumes.

Other Learning Opportunities:

The Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering also provides WORKSHOPS and TRAINING for a wide group of citizens, engineers, and municipal employees offering a diverse collection of free and fee-based workshops and training.

Wireless Access:

Weaver Laboratory offers wireless computing and also several other options for computing. Did you know that NC State is currently considered one of the most connected universities in the country? University Wireless Options

Student Help:

NCSU offers many tutorial services for students. Visit the NCSU Undergraduate Tutorial Center to learn about this free student assistance. A benefit to students is that some tutorial programs are on a walk-in basis, but others do require appointments. 

Job Opportunities:

Bio & Ag students have many Job Opportunities in the work force. Recent Bio & Ag students have been employed as design engineers for the NC Department of Transportation, the NC Division of Water Quality, John Deere, and R. J. Reynolds. Did you know that agriculture is North Carolina's number one industry? See: NC Agriculture. Many of the new biomanufacturing pharmaceutical/nutraceuticals and biofuel ventures in the triangle region are also hiring NCSU bioprocess engineers. See: ncbiotech.org To learn about potential job opportunities for biological engineers and technicians visit CALS Career Services or Bi o& Ag Job Opportunities.

Getting the Job:

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences CALS Career Services and the University Career Center provide students with help in preparing and finding jobs.

Note: Figures tends to be vulnerable to fluctuations however, every effort is made to keep information current.