Agricultural & Biological Engineering Major
Agricultural & Biological Engineering is the application of engineering to agriculture, food, and biological systems. It is a major within Engineering & Technology.
Agricultural and Biological Engineering applies engineering principles to solve problems in agriculture, food production, and biological systems. Students in this major learn to design and improve equipment, processes, and technologies that help farmers grow crops more efficiently, process food safely, reduce waste, and manage natural resources. The field involves thinking about practical questions like how to irrigate land effectively, design machinery that doesn't damage crops, preserve food quality, treat agricultural byproducts, or create systems that minimize environmental impact. It combines physics, chemistry, and mathematics with hands-on problem-solving related to living systems.
Students drawn to this major typically have interest in both engineering and the natural or agricultural world. They may want to address challenges in food security, sustainability, or environmental management. The major usually begins with foundational courses in mathematics, chemistry, and basic engineering principles, then progresses to more specialized coursework in areas like soil and water management, machinery design, food processing, or biological systems analysis. Throughout the program, students move from understanding core concepts to applying those concepts to real-world agricultural and biological challenges through design projects and laboratory work.
Typical coursework
Course requirements vary by school, but a Agricultural & Biological Engineering program commonly includes topics such as:
- Bioprocessing
- Soil and water engineering
- Machinery systems
- Food engineering
- Renewable energy
- Biology for engineers
Most programs also include general-education requirements and, in many fields, a capstone project, internship, or research experience.
Degree levels
Agricultural & Biological Engineering is commonly offered at these levels:
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Availability differs by institution, and program names can vary (for example, a Bachelor of Arts versus a Bachelor of Science track).
Common career directions
Graduates with a Agricultural & Biological Engineering background pursue a range of paths. Some roles related to this field of study include:
- Agricultural engineer
- Biosystems engineer
- Food process engineer
- Project engineer
Many careers require additional steps beyond the major — such as a graduate degree, a license, or a certification — and many graduates work in fields unrelated to their major. What you study is one factor among many in where your career goes.
General career information is drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Career paths vary widely by person, school, and region; this is not a list of guaranteed jobs or earnings.
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Find degree programs →Frequently asked questions
What is a Agricultural & Biological Engineering major?
Agricultural & Biological Engineering is the application of engineering to agriculture, food, and biological systems. It is part of engineering & technology, and combines foundational coursework with more focused study as you advance.
What courses do Agricultural & Biological Engineering majors take?
Coursework varies by school, but commonly includes topics such as bioprocessing, soil and water engineering, machinery systems, food engineering, and others, plus general-education requirements.
What can you do with a Agricultural & Biological Engineering major?
Graduates pursue a range of paths, including roles such as agricultural engineer, biosystems engineer, food process engineer. Many roles require additional steps such as a graduate degree, license, or certification. This is general information, not a guarantee of any job or salary.
What degree levels is Agricultural & Biological Engineering offered at?
It is commonly offered at the bachelor's, master's, doctoral level, though availability varies by institution.