Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois

ABE Program Objectives and Outcomes

Program Objectives

The educational objectives for the Agricultural and Biological Engineering program reflect the mission of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and the importance placed on successful professional practice, the ability to pursue advanced degrees, the assumption of professional and societal leadership roles, and a commitment to life-long learning. University of Illinois Agricultural and Biological Engineering graduates will…

Objective 1: Successfully enter the agricultural and biological engineering profession as practicing engineers and consultants with prominent companies and organizations in diverse areas that include agricultural and off-road equipment manufacturing and automation, food and fiber production, renewable energy production, environmental conservation and water quality engineering, indoor environmental control, systems informatics and analysis, or other related fields.

Objective 2: Pursue graduate education and research at major research universities in agricultural and biological engineering, and related fields.

Objective 3: Advance in their chosen fields to supervisory and management positions.

Objective 4: Engage in continued learning through professional development.

Objective 5: Participate in and contribute to professional societies and community services.

Educational Outcomes

Engineering design, teamwork, and communication are integrated throughout the curriculum, culminating in a capstone design experience. By choice of electives, students not only meet all the outcomes listed below and those listed as college-wide outcomes in the introduction to the Programs of Study in the CoE, but are also provided with the opportunity to specialize in bioenvironmental engineering, food and bioprocess engineering, off-road equipment engineering, or soil and water resource engineering. The curriculum requires 128 hours for graduation, except for the concentration in food and bioprocess engineering, which requires 132 hours for graduation.

The Agricultural and Biological Engineering degree program includes coursework to provide exposure, practice and evaluation to demonstrate that our students attain:

(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
(b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
(c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;
(d) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;
(e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
(f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
(g) an ability to communicate effectively;
(h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;
(i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
(j) a knowledge of contemporary issues;
(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.