Agricultural
engineers develop
engineering science and technology in the context of
Agricultural production and processing and for the management of natural resources. The first curriculum in Agricultural Engineering was established at Iowa State University by J. B. Davidson in 1905. The American Society of Agricultural Engineering was founded in 1907.
Agricultural engineers
design agricultural machinery, equipment, and agricultural structures.Agricultural Engineers may perform tasks as planning, supervising and managing the building of dairy effluent schemes, irrigation, drainage, flood and water control systems, perform environmental impact assessments and interpret research results and implement relevant practices.
Some specialties include power systems and machinery design; structures and environmental science; and food and bioprocess engineering. They develop ways to conserve soil and water and to improve the processing of agricultural, food, and biorenewable products.
A large percentage of agricultural engineers work in academia or for government agencies such as the United States Department of
Agriculture or state agricultural extension services. Many are employed by manufacturers of agricultural machinery and equipment. Agricultural engineers work in production, sales, management, research and development, or applied science.Nature of the Work
Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop
economical solutions to technical problems. Their work is the link
between perceived social needs and commercial applications.
Engineers consider many factors when developing a new product.
For example, in developing an industrial robot, robotic engineers
precisely specify the functional requirements; design and test the
robot’s components; integrate the
components to produce the final
design; and evaluate the design’s overall effectiveness, cost,
reliability, and safety. This process applies to the development of
many different products, such as chemicals, computers, gas turbines,
helicopters, and toys.
In addition to design and development, many engineers work in
testing, production, or maintenance. These engineers supervise
production in factories, determine the causes of component failure, and
test manufactured
products to maintain quality. They also estimate the
time and cost to complete projects. Some move into engineering
management or into sales. In sales, an engineering background enables
them to discuss technical aspects and assist in product planning,
installation, and use. Supervisory engineers are responsible for major
components or entire projects.
Engineers use computers extensively to produce and analyze
designs; to simulate and test how a machine, structure, or system
operates; and to generate specifications for parts. Many engineers also
use computers to monitor product quality and control process
efficiency. The field of nanotechnology, which involves the creation of
high-performance materials and components by integrating atoms and
molecules, also is introducing entirely new principles to the design
process.
Specializations in engineering would include structural and
transportation engineering, which are subdivisions of civil
engineering; and ceramic, metallurgical, and polymer engineering, which
are subdivisions of materials engineering. Engineers also may
specialize in one industry, such as agriculture, or in one type of
technology, such as turbines or semiconductor materials.
Agricultural engineers apply knowledge of engineering
technology and science to agriculture and the efficient use of
biological resources. They design agricultural machinery and equipment
and agricultural structures. Some specialize in areas such as power
systems and machinery design; structures and environment engineering;
and food and bioprocess engineering. They develop ways to conserve soil
and water and to improve the processing of agricultural products.
Agricultural engineers often work in research and development,
production, sales, or management.
More abstracts about the Agriculture Egnineering