Biological & Agricultural Engineering

As a biological engineer, you will learn the knowledge and tools to design sustainable water, food, energy, and agricultural systems. With our state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology, our undergraduate and graduate students are at the forefront, solving real-world problems in classroom, field, and laboratory settings, significantly impacting our society.

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Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering, B.S.B.E.

Master of Science in Biological Engineering, M.S.B.E.

Doctor of Philosophy, Ph.D.

6.1

Student to Faculty Ratio

56%

Female Students

Students Enrolled (2024)

Recent Student/Faculty Publications

> 95%

Graduate Employment Placement Rate

$72,500

Average Salary

Career Outlook

Our personalized approach not only enhances your skills and knowledge but also ensures that your education is relevant and fulfilling, positioning you for success in your engineering career.

What You Can Do

Environmental Engineer
Consultant
Design engineer
Project management
Project manager
Bioprocess engineer
Systems engineer
Research and development engineer

Industries You Can Work In

Water and natural resources
Food and bioprocessing
Renewable Energy Systems
Environmental Sustainability
Agricultural Productivity

Research Areas

Agricultural and Food Engineering

Faculty in this area are developing efficient and sustainable food production methods for a growing population. Their research covers various agricultural industries, including reducing transportation costs through on-farm grain drying, utilizing agricultural residues for biofuels, renewable fuel use in poultry house heating, mitigating aerial emissions, improving indoor air quality, assessing microbial risks in poultry and food processing, modeling pathogenic bacteria, producing value-added bio-products, algae production for biofuels, managing manure, and applying geospatial technologies in food systems.

Our faculty involved in this research:

Biotechnology and Bioprocessing

Faculty in this area design systems utilizing engineering tools with life sciences. Examples of biotechnology engineering include biosensors and bioinstrumentation for foodborne pathogens, avian influenza in poultry and food safety. Bio-nanotechnology for DNA-computing, nano-building block toolboxes (nano-toolboxes) for multifunctional nanocomposites with “customizable” shapes and functions, nano-therapeutics and diagnostics (nanotheranostics) with nanoparticles and nanocomposites, multimodal, multiplex, multicolor bio-detection platform for agriculture, food safety and biosecurity, bio-driven nanostructure self-assembly, nanoscale bio/abio interfacing technology, and nucleic acid technology for molecular computation, genomics and proteomics.

Our faculty involved in this research:

Ecological Engineering and Water Resources

Faculty in this area combine the science of ecology with the practice of engineering to solve complex ecosystem problems. These solutions include designing systems to restore lakes, disinfect water, remove nutrients and contaminants, repair eutrophic reservoirs, and monitor water quality. Studies are conducted on agricultural and urban Best Management Practices and efficiencies, water quality management and trends, stream restoration, eco-hydrology, ecological risk assessment, designing water risk protocols for governments and industries under climate change scenarios, non-point source pollution engineering, water quality impacts of row crop irrigated agriculture in Arkansas, irrigation scheduling, water resource development, irrigation system technology development and alternative irrigation systems, crop water use, chemigation, irrigation scheduling, pumping plant performance and irrigation energy use.

Our faculty involved in this research:

Sustainability and Green Engineering

Sustainability concerns inform all the areas of biological and agricultural engineering. Researchers in this department are using lifecycle assessment of agricultural, urban and supply chain systems, designing sustainable global food supply systems, devising corporate strategies for risk reduction and management, and reducing environmental impacts. Impacts of climate change are being studied by evaluating evapotranspiration, surface water nutrient fluxes and source partitioning, land-atmosphere exchange of carbon-dioxide, methane and water vapor, and wetlands eco-hydrology in agricultural practices. Researchers are also collaborating with national and international organizations to develop industry standards and contribute to the global conversation about sustainability.