Applying engineering principles to biological processes and materials to develop alternative energy sources, beneficial products, and to provide alternative strategies for dealing with household, agricultural, industrial, and municipal wastes.
Biological Materials Processing
Biodiesel
Ethanol
Other alternative energy sources
Processing/Bioseparation of Materials to Produce/Purify
Pharmaceuticals
Oils
Other bio-based products
Treatment System Design/Operation
Household wastes
Municipal wastewater
Solid wastes
Agricultural wastes
Alternative Materials Production
i.e. Straw-based fiberboard
Employers:
Food processing companies
Manufacturing firms
Land grant universities
Research and education facilities
Research laboratories
Government agencies including:
U.S. and State Departments of Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service
U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service
U.S. Agricultural Research Service
Alternative fuel production companies
Environmental consulting firms
Power/utilities companies
Pharmaceutical companies
Research firms
Strategies & Information:
Seek related production and processing experience through co-ops, internships, or part-time jobs.
Maintain knowledge of current alternative energy and product industry trends and regulations.
Develop strong verbal and written communication skills.
Seek extensive laboratory and research experience to obtain research positions.
Learn team and individual design skills.
Obtain Ph.D. for optimal teaching and research careers.
Become familiar with the federal job application and employment procedures.
Participate in related clubs and organizations like the student chapter of The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers to build contacts and cultivate related interests.
Area:
Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
Sub-Area:
Applying engineering principles to the complex environmental problems facing development and conservation of soil and water resources including soil erosion, water pollution by sediment and other contaminants from various land uses, stormwater runoff that causes flooding and damages the environment, and the impact of various land uses on aquatic ecosystems.
Erosion and Sediment Control
Construction sites
Reclaimed mines
Disturbed forests and pasture
Agricultural lands
Stormwater Management for Urban Settings to Reduce
Downstream flooding
Negative ecological impacts
Measuring and Monitoring Hydrologic Phenomena
Hydrologic elements
Water quality concerns
Protecting Water Resources from Waste-Management Operations
Municipal wastewater and solid waste
Household wastewater
Agricultural animal and solid wastes
Pesticide-contaminated rinsewater
Automated Characterization of Aquatic Habitat
Underwater video mapping
Development of Instrumentation and Control Systems
Hydrologic and water quality phenomena
Employers:
Land grant universities
Research and education facilities
Research laboratories
Government agencies including:
U.S. and State Departments of Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service
U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
State Environmental and Conservation Agencies
State Departments of Transportation
Environmental design and consulting firms
Architectural and building firms
Forest product and mining companies
Strategies & Information:
Maintain knowledge of current environmental issues including policy, conservation, and industry trends.
Seek related experience through co-ops, internships, or part-time jobs in specialized area of interest.
Develop strong verbal and written communication skills.
Seek extensive laboratory and research experience to obtain research positions.
Learn team and individual design skills.
Obtain Ph.D. for teaching and research careers.
Participate in related clubs and organizations like the student chapter of The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and/or The Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences Club to build contacts and cultivate academic interests.
Area:
Machinery Systems and Controls
Sub-Area:
Improving equipment efficiency in terms of energy, labor, and economics, while minimizing negative environmental impacts.
Site-Specific Control of Machinery (to reduce inputs/encourage optimal plant growth)
Agricultural tillage
Seeding
Irrigation
Chemical application equipment
Determining/Predicting the Impact of Military
Vehicles
Environmental quality of training areas
Control of Spraying Systems to Target Pest/Nutrient Needs
Development of Sensors/Control of Equipment Using Sensors
Crop and process yield monitors
Crop health monitors
Spray applicators
Collection/Use of Spatial Information
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Employers:
Agricultural and construction equipment manufacturers
Electronic instrumentation and control companies
Manufacturing firms
Biological production, management, and design companies including:
Agricultural
Forest products
Nursery
Turf
Greenhouse
Mining
Agricultural and environmental design and consulting firms
Bulk product handling, processing, and transport manufacturers
Strategies & Information:
Develop strong knowledge of engineering principles with practical application to design and integrate equipment, sensors, and facilities that handle, process, and control biological materials.
Seek related experience through co-ops, internships, and part-time jobs.
Develop strong verbal and written communication skills.
Learn team and individual design skills.
Obtain Ph.D. for optimal teaching and research careers.
Participate in related clubs and organizations like the student branch of The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers to build contacts and cultivate academic interests.
General Information and Strategies
The Bachelor's degree provides a wide range of engineering career opportunities in industry, business, and government.
The B.S. also provides a strong foundation for pursuing technical graduate degrees, as well as professional degrees in Business Administration, Medicine, or Law.
Graduate degrees offer more opportunities for career advancement.
Related work experience obtained through co-op, internships, part-time, or summer jobs is extremely beneficial.
Plan informational interviews or job shadowing opportunities to make contacts in government and industry and to learn more about specific fields.
Engineers need to think in design, scientific and mathematical terms, and must have the ability to study data, sort out important facts, solve problems, and think analytically.
Engineers should be able to see how entire systems are affected and influenced by the various parts of the system.
Creativity is useful.
Other helpful traits include curiosity, technical aptitude, perseverance, a commitment to teamwork, and a basic understanding of the economic and environmental context in which engineering is practiced.
Develop excellent verbal and written communications skills including presentation and technical report writing.
Develop computer skills to assist in determining solutions to problems, collecting and analyzing data, and to control various processes.
Join related professional organizations.
Rapid changes occur in engineering fields, so continuing education and knowledge of new developments are very important.
All states and the District of Columbia require registration of engineers whose work may affect the life, health, or safety of the public.
Learn about state requirements for licensure as a Professional Engineer including the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and the Principles of Practice of Engineering (PE) exams.
