Pre-Agricultural Engineering

Agricultural engineering (AGEN) is one of two engineering degree programs offered in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at UNL. AGEN students emphasize coursework in one of three engineering areas: machine design, test, or soil and water resources. Thus, some agricultural engineers are involved in the analysis and design of field machinery systems and machine components through study of the principles of mechanical design, joining techniques, hydraulics, controls, ergonomics, and safety. Others are evaluating machine or mechanical system functional performance based on study of test procedure standards, measurements, data acquisition, electronic communication and statistics, and practical experience gained at the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory. Still others are analyzing and designing soil and water management-related infrastructure as aided through study of irrigation, drainage, erosion and runoff control techniques, crop tillage and cultivation practices, and natural resources management. Job opportunities for graduates are available in industry, public agencies, consulting, and private practice.

Students choosing the pre-agricultural engineering program on the Scott Campus in Omaha should be aware that there are five courses in the first two years (AGEN 100, AGEN 112, AGEN 225, AGEN 260, and MSYM 232); 12 total credit hours) for which there are no equivalents on the Scott Campus. AGEN 100 will be waived for students in the pre-agricultural engineering program who transfer to Lincoln to complete their degree program. This waiver doesn’t reduce the minimum number of required credits to earn the degree.