Head of the Department: Loren E. Bode
Correspondence and Information: Head, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 338 Agricultural Engineering Sciences Building , 1304 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-2969
GRADUATE FACULTY
Professors: L. E. Bode, L. C. Christianson, D. L. Day, C. E. Goering, J.
W. Hummel, D. R. Hunt, B. A. Jones, Jr., J. K. Mitchell, M. R. Paulsen, R. L.
Pershing, E. D. Rodda, J. C. Siemens
Associate Professors: R. A. Aherin, P. Buriak, R. C. Coddington, S. R. Eckhoff, M. C. Hirschi, J. B. Litchfield, J. F. Reid, G. L. Riskowski
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
The Department of Agricultural Engineering offers the master of science and
doctor of philosophy degrees.
MASTER OF SCIENCE
Admission requirements include completion of an undergraduate program
equivalent to the agricultural engineering curriculum at the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with at least a 4.0 grade-point average (A = 5.0)
for the last 60 semester hours of course work. Applicants whose native language
is not English must present a TOEFL score of 570 or more (also see Graduate
College minimum). Students may concentrate study in one of the areas of
research specialization listed below. Supporting course work includes
mathematics; computer science; statistics; engineering mechanics; civil,
electrical, and mechanical engineering; agronomy; food science; and other
appropriate fields. The completion of 81/4 units and the preparation
and defense of a thesis involving an analytical or experimental investigation
(which satisfies 2 units of credit) are required of M.S. candidates unless a
waiver of thesis is granted. At least 3 of the units for the M.S. degree must
be in 400-level courses, and 2 of these units must be in agricultural
engineering. Candidates who are permitted to pursue a nonthesis degree must
complete a minimum of 9 units.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Admission is limited to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional ability
through outstanding performance in obtaining the master of science degree
and/or through a high degree of technical and professional accomplishment.
Candidates must also satisfy entrance requirements for the M.S. degree
program.
Opportunities for study are found in all of the areas of specialization listed below. Candidates will be required to include course work and staff consultation from the various disciplines within the University to build strong technical programs and to fulfill the standard requirements of the Graduate College. There are no foreign language requirements; however, a high degree of competence may be required in areas associated with thesis research, such as statistics, simulation, and computer programming.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Students may specialize in power and machinery (tillage and soil dynamics, site
specific crop management, pesticide application technology, machine vision
applications, machinery management, and engines and alternative fuels); soil
and water resources (hydrology, erosion and sediment transport, water
management, wetlands, and water quality); structures and environment
(structural analysis and design; building materials evaluation; bioprocessing
of agricultural wastes and byproducts; and environmental control for plant,
animal, and human biological systems); food and process engineering
(engineering properties of foods, physical properties of biological products,
crop conditioning, grain drying, milling, grain quality evaluation, transport
phenomenon in biological materials, fermentation, nonfood uses of cereal
grains, and alternative energy systems); or electronic and electrical systems
(biosensors and controls, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, machine vision,
near-infrared reflectance applications, energy systems, and microprocessor
control applications).
FINANCIAL AID
Fellowships, supported both by University and by College of Agriculture funds,
are available on a competitive basis. A limited number of assistantships,
providing both teaching and research experience, are usually available on a
half-time basis.
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