Agricultural Engineering Technology and Management

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Purdue University West Lafayette

Program Overview

The BS in Agricultural Engineering Technology and Management at Purdue University prepares students to apply engineering principles, advanced technologies, and management practices to modern agricultural systems. Designed for students interested in agricultural machinery, precision agriculture, automation, and sustainable production, the program combines engineering technology with hands-on learning to solve real-world challenges in the agricultural industry.

Curriculum structure

Year 1 : Students develop a strong foundation in agricultural systems, mathematics, science, and communication while gaining an introduction to engineering technology. Core courses such as Introduction to Agricultural and Biological Engineering, College Algebra, and General Chemistry help students understand the scientific and technical principles that underpin modern agricultural engineering.

Year 2 : The second year focuses on engineering fundamentals and agricultural machinery. Through courses including Electrical Applications in Agriculture, Agricultural Machinery Systems, and Fluid Power, students learn how agricultural equipment operates while developing practical troubleshooting and technical problem-solving skills.

Year 3 : Students advance into precision agriculture and engineering management by studying Precision Agriculture, Power Units and Machinery Management, and Soil and Water Conservation Engineering. Laboratory and field experiences strengthen their ability to integrate emerging technologies into agricultural production systems.

Year 4 : The final year emphasizes system integration, leadership, and professional practice through courses such as Agricultural Systems Management, Capstone Project, and Agricultural Safety and Risk Management. Students complete industry-focused projects that demonstrate their ability to design, evaluate, and manage agricultural engineering technologies in real-world environments.

Focus areas : Precision Agriculture, Agricultural Machinery Systems, Engineering Technology, Automation and Control Systems, Fluid Power, Soil and Water Engineering, Agricultural Power Systems, Agricultural Safety, Equipment Management, Sustainable Agricultural Systems.

Learning outcomes : Apply engineering technology to agricultural systems, evaluate and manage agricultural machinery, utilize precision agriculture technologies, solve engineering and operational challenges, analyze agricultural data for decision-making, communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, manage engineering projects, and demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility.

Professional alignment (accreditation) : The Agricultural Engineering Technology and Management program is offered through Purdue University's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, one of the nation's leading agricultural engineering departments. The department's Agricultural Engineering undergraduate programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET where applicable, while the Agricultural Engineering Technology and Management curriculum is developed in close collaboration with agricultural equipment manufacturers and industry partners to meet workforce needs.

Reputation (employability rankings) : Purdue University is consistently recognized among the world's leading universities for Agriculture & Forestry and Engineering in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. The College of Agriculture and the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering have strong industry connections, providing graduates with excellent employment opportunities across agricultural equipment, precision agriculture, manufacturing, consulting, and agribusiness sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The BS in Agricultural Engineering Technology and Management at Purdue University gives students extensive hands-on experience by combining engineering technology, agricultural systems, precision agriculture, and equipment management with practical laboratory instruction and real-world problem solving. Students apply classroom knowledge through laboratory exercises, team-based design projects, field demonstrations, and industry engagement while using the same technologies and equipment found in modern agricultural operations.

Students strengthen their practical skills through a wide range of experiential opportunities :

Precision Agriculture Laboratory : Gain experience with GPS guidance systems, GIS technologies, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), remote sensing, yield monitoring, and precision farming equipment used in modern agricultural production.
Agricultural Machinery and Power Laboratories : Learn equipment operation, machinery testing, power systems, hydraulics, tractors, engines, and agricultural machinery management through hands-on laboratory activities.
Senior Design Project : Complete a multidisciplinary capstone project where student teams solve real agricultural engineering technology challenges in collaboration with faculty and industry partners.
Field-Based Learning : Participate in equipment demonstrations, field exercises, and applied learning activities that connect engineering technology with crop production and agricultural operations.
Industry Internships : Students are encouraged to complete internships with agricultural equipment manufacturers, precision agriculture companies, agribusiness firms, and production agriculture organizations to gain professional experience before graduation.
Digital Technologies : Develop skills using GIS software, GPS systems, remote sensing technologies, unmanned aerial systems (drones), agricultural data collection tools, and precision agriculture technologies integrated throughout the curriculum.
Research and Teaching Facilities : Access Purdue's Agricultural and Biological Engineering teaching laboratories, research facilities, engineering shops, and field research areas that support machinery systems, precision agriculture, and agricultural technology education.
Purdue University Farms : Utilize university-operated research farms and agricultural field sites for machinery evaluation, crop production studies, and precision agriculture applications.
Libraries and Learning Resources : Benefit from the Purdue Libraries system, providing extensive engineering, agriculture, and technology collections, digital databases, research support, and collaborative study spaces.
Student Organizations : Participate in organizations such as the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) student chapter, offering technical competitions, networking opportunities, leadership development, and professional engagement with industry.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Purdue University's BS in Agricultural Engineering Technology and Management are prepared to lead in the agricultural machinery, precision agriculture, equipment management, manufacturing, and agribusiness sectors. The program combines engineering technology, business management, and hands-on learning, enabling graduates to solve real-world agricultural challenges while meeting the needs of a rapidly evolving global industry.

Typical job roles : Agricultural Equipment Manager, Precision Agriculture Specialist, Field Service Engineer, Operations and Production Manager.

Career development and graduate success :

University career services : Purdue's Center for Career Opportunities (CCO) helps students prepare for employment through career advising, résumé and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, career fairs, employer networking events, the myCCO job platform, internship support, and professional development workshops.
Employment statistics and salary figures : Purdue reports that over 95% of graduates from the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering are employed, continuing their education, or pursuing military service within six months of graduation. The university does not publish an official average starting salary specifically for the Agricultural Engineering Technology and Management program.
University–industry partnerships : Students benefit from Purdue's strong relationships with leading agricultural and engineering companies, including John Deere, CNH Industrial, AGCO, Caterpillar, Case IH, and Corteva Agriscience, through internships, industry-sponsored projects, research collaborations, and career recruitment events.
Long-term accreditation value : The Agricultural Engineering Technology and Management program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of ABET, ensuring that graduates earn a globally recognized qualification valued by employers and supporting future professional certification opportunities.
Graduation outcomes : Graduates possess expertise in agricultural machinery systems, precision agriculture technologies, project management, equipment operations, business management, and sustainable agricultural practices, preparing them for leadership positions across the agricultural engineering and technology industries.

Further Academic Progression : After completing this bachelor's degree, graduates can continue with a Master of Science (MS) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Engineering Technology, Precision Agriculture, Systems Management, or related engineering and agricultural sciences. The program also provides a strong foundation for advanced study in business through an MBA or specialized postgraduate programs in data analytics, automation, sustainability, and agricultural technology management.