agricultural and biosystems engineering
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Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State UniversityTRANSCRIPT
College of Agriculture and Life SciencesCollege of Engineering
AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERINGTHE NATION’S FIRST PROGRAM, AND CONTINUED WORLD LEADER, IN PROVIDING ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS TO BENEFIT AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Designed under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines, the Iowa State Biorenewables Complex is
a role model for sustainable features that benefit the environment. Contributing to the sustainable features of the complex include
repurposing storm water from green roofs for water quality research and building uses, a ventilation system that ensures human
thermal comfort for all occupants and chilled beam technology that provides low-energy cooling.
Since 1905, the Iowa State University Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE),
has been a leader in providing engineering and technical solutions for agriculture, government and
industry. The department has built an extraordinary record of education, research, extension and
outreach for Iowa, the United States and the world.
The nation’s first program in agricultural engineering has evolved to encompass a global and
interdisciplinary view of modern agricultural and biological systems. This includes environmental
stewardship, plant and animal production, biorenewable energy, biobased materials, farm safety,
occupational safety, manufacturing and advanced innovation in off-road equipment design.
Among its peer programs, Iowa State boasts one of the largest student enrollments and is consistently ranked
as one of the top ABE departments in the country. The program is jointly administered by the College of
Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering, providing abundant resources and talent.
Fourteen parallel laser-cut steel panels make up the hanging art created by Ralph Helmick. His “Floating World”
art represents the agricultural progression in Iowa through time while still paying homage to the department’s
history at Iowa State University. Seven circular terrazzo medallions in the floor of the Sukup Atrium act as
a map, guiding visitors through the main entrance to an ideal spot to view the hanging art. The medallions
themselves are unique pieces of art, scaling down from the solar system all the way to a carbon atom.
STATE-OF-THE-ART BIORENEWABLES COMPLEXThe Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering program is housed in Elings Hall and Sukup Hall, which
are part of Iowa State’s new Biorenewables Complex that also includes the Biorenewables Research
Laboratory. Elings Hall and Sukup Hall provide more than 100,000 square feet of modern research labs,
classrooms, student spaces and offices offering a state-of-the-art learning and innovation environment.
A VISION FOR SERVING AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY AND SOCIETY
Through innovative research, education and support, the Iowa State ABE program touches lives around
the world to provide biorenewable energy, clean air and water, wise management of natural resources
and high-tech agriculture and manufacturing. The department’s five main focus areas include:
• Advanced machinery engineering and manufacturing systems
• Animal production systems engineering
• Biological and process engineering and technology
• Land and water resources engineering
• Occupational safety engineering
In the spacious high bay, students and faculty work on large pieces of machinery and equipment. Multiple high bays accommodate hands-
on education with off-road equipment, grain bin replicas, planters or the next generation of automated agricultural robots. These spaces
include dust-capture units to keep the learning environment clean and dynamometers to measure motor output. Almost anything that is
drivable can enter the workspace.
The classroom space in Sukup Hall is designed with flexibility in mind. What currently is utilized as a computer lab can easily
become a workplace for students and faculty or a research area for biological experiments. Centralized electrical, gas and other
utilities make it fast and easy to fit the purpose of the class or experiment. As programming in the Agricultural and Biosystems
Engineering Department evolves, so can the facilities.
STUDENTS AND FACULTY ACHIEVE SUCCESS
Agriculture and biosciences are powerhouses for economic development and jobs, with industries that
depend on highly trained graduates. The Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department at Iowa
State was the first to grant such a degree, and it hasn’t stopped breaking new ground since.
The program fills a growing demand for skilled professionals in many technical fields – including some of the
world’s most highly visible and forward-looking companies in agriculture, technology and manufacturing.
Faculty in the ABE department are nationally and internationally known experts in many fields such as
advanced off-road machinery design, precision technologies for production agriculture, biosecurity,
air quality, environmental issues in crop and animal agriculture, water quality, agricultural drainage
systems, agricultural buildings and energy systems. They have won numerous awards for their
leadership in teaching, research, extension and services.
A WORLDWIDE LEADER WITH INNOVATIVE RESEARCH
Current research efforts include agricultural water quality and
management, engineering for economically and environmentally
sound animal production systems, grain handling and food
processing, agricultural machine design and automated
controls, precision farming systems, agricultural safety, seed
conditioning and processing, advanced manufacturing and soil
tillage and management systems.
Research is directed increasingly toward biosystems
engineering through the use of biosensors, image analysis,
biological systems modeling, and the design and control of
biological systems and processes. Biorenewable products,
including biofuels, are an important focus of these research
efforts.
Biorenewables and biofuels. Departmental research is a
linchpin to discover how science and technology link to
future sustainability in agriculture-based energy solutions and
future prosperity in the emerging bioeconomy. ABE provides
leadership and innovation on each link in the chain, from farm to
processing to new fuels and products.
Water and air quality. The department is a leader in studying
the environmental impacts of agricultural production. Faculty
explore new systems to improve water quality and provide
the science to inform decision-makers on water quality policy
options. The ABE department continues to break new ground on
emissions, odors and mitigation strategies for animal agriculture
industries. Faculty scientists also serve as national leaders on
air quality and environmental issues in the egg production and
processing industries.
Next generation of technologies. Faculty members are
developing advance sensing and control systems to optimize
machinery management. Improvements will promote the
agronomic and environmental gains from use of precision
technology in crop fields.
Department of Agricultural andBiosystems Engineering
1340 Elings HallAmes, Iowa 50011-3270
To learn more about Iowa State University’s Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, contact:
Agricultural and Biosystems EngineeringIowa State University 1340 Elings HallAmes, Iowa 50011-3270515 [email protected]
Copyright © 2014, Iowa State University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Robinette Kelley, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, and Affirmative Action Officer, 3350 Beardshear Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515 294-7612, email [email protected].