Find your perfect college degree
Professional bioengineers pursuing a high-level and online degree must know the best options. Finding the right agricultural and biological engineering program per your requirements can be time-consuming and hectic. Based on our research and findings, we want to help you pick the best online master’s in agricultural and biological engineering.
Best Online Master’s in Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Below are some online agricultural and biological engineering programs of reputable universities that will help you make a wise academic decision.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University offers an online master’s in agricultural and biological engineering degree along with the option of thesis or non-thesis. The courses in the program are related to food engineering, bioprocess engineering, energy systems, and fiber processing. To earn this degree, you have to complete the 30 credit hours.
If you take the thesis option, you must complete advanced coursework and a comprehensive report to become proficient in research methodology. However, students who take the non-thesis option do not have to submit a final report.
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is another institution that offers a master’s degree in this field. They have seasoned and competent faculty with years of research experience focused on developing sustainable methods to provide food for the increasing population.
Furthermore, the faculty has expertise in designing systems to manipulate microbial materials and plants into medically relevant consumer products. The expertise and experience of the faculty show how they can add value to students’ learning.
Most program courses focus on creating environmentally relevant biotechnology that can help efficiently manage natural resources. To become eligible for this program, students must have a 3.0 GPA and pass the GRE exam with a score of 301 or above.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has designed this master’s program to prepare students to resolve environmental control, biological systems, and agricultural production issues. The courses in the degree are related to animal science, food science, crop science, statistics, and other relevant areas.
The institution has a good track record of producing graduates who work in high-level positions in government and private organizations. You also have a thesis and non-thesis option in this program.
The thesis-based program has 24 hours of coursework and 8 hours of thesis research. If you choose a non-thesis option, you have to complete 36 hours of documentation and coursework. Agricultural safety, precision agriculture, water quality, grain quality and properties, and bioenvironmental engineering are some research areas of study.
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University offers an online master’s program in agricultural and biological engineering. It allows students to work with competent researchers and scientists from relevant fields. The 1-to-6 faculty-to-student ratio ensures personalized interaction and positively impacts students’ learning experience.
By working with advisors, students can also create a plan of study that helps them manage coursework efficiently. You must complete 30 credit hours for the thesis option and 33 for the non-thesis option. Passing a GRE general test is also one of the admission requirements.
Kansas State University
The Carl R. Ice College of Engineering of Kansas State University offers a master’s in biological and agricultural engineering. Their biological and agricultural engineering department is committed to preparing students for real-world challenges by providing exciting research opportunities.
The department offers expanded innovation and knowledge in advanced biological products, and environmental conservation and sustainability. Many courses in this program also focus on fiber production systems, conservation of natural resources, and food. It provides valuable learning to students to overcome relevant challenges of the modern era.
University of Georgia
If you want a master’s in agricultural engineering, consider applying to the University of Georgia. Their program is focused on teaching students engineering solutions related to food production, feed, and fiber issues.
Different courses in the degree help students to nurture data analysis, problem-solving, and research presentation skills. The curriculum of this program is designed to provide students with knowledge related to technologies for agricultural and biological engineering systems. You have to complete 24 credit hours to earn this degree.
How to Be a Good Agricultural and Biological Engineer
Earning a master’s degree in agricultural and biological engineering makes you eligible for top-level positions with many perks. However, it is essential to know your professional responsibilities so you can prepare yourself to do well in them.
Primary Duties
Knowing the following job duties will help you fit into the agricultural sector.
- Create and implement systems to improve water and soil management, irrigation, and crop production
- Test and develop new farming techniques and technologies
- Discover innovative solutions to overcome agricultural challenges by conducting thorough research
- Offer technical support and assistance to farmers and agricultural workers
- Gather and assess relevant data on crop yield and agricultural productivity
- Work with environmental engineers and hydrologists to identify water resource management issues
- Improve farming practices to minimize waste
- Stay on top of the latest environmental standards and regulations
Required Skills
Getting high-level qualifications is not sufficient to make it big in any field. The same applies to agricultural and biological engineers. Therefore, developing relevant skills that can set you apart from others is essential. The following skills and qualities can help you excel in this field.
- Good understanding of biology, agricultural, and natural resource management practices
- Knowledge of relevant engineering techniques and principles
- Solid problem-solving and analytical skills
- Competence in CAD (computer-aided design) software and other relevant applications
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work as a leader and part of the team
Top Career Options
Here are some rewarding and highly paid career options in the agricultural and biological engineering field that you can consider as per your area of interest.
Agriculture Specialist
An agriculture specialist is known as an expert in every field of the agriculture industry. They mostly focus on improving agriculture farming systems and plants. The average annual salary of an agriculture specialist is $55,506. However, this figure can vary according to your skills and the company you work for.
As an agricultural specialist, you must coordinate with packaging staff and processors to ensure the quality of products transported from the farm. You can also choose to become an auditor in an agricultural firm to keep an eye on safety margins and workstations.
Agricultural Equipment Technician
If you are interested in technical work, an agricultural equipment technician can be the perfect position. Their primary responsibility is to identify and repair farm vehicles and machinery. According to a statistical study, their average annual salary is $45,071.
Agricultural equipment technicians work on tractors, irrigation systems, and dairy equipment and can be a valuable on-site resource on agricultural farms. They work on diverse systems with an understanding of troubleshooting issues in electrical, pipe, and water machines.
Architectural Designer
Architectural designers design barn structures, field designs, and storage facilities in the agricultural industry to help farms store, produce, and deliver relevant products. They also create temporary storage facilities for particular seasons to keep different products.
The average annual salary of an architectural designer is $68,530. They also design testing facilities for laboratory teams to make better crops and pathways for delivery vehicles that increase overall efficiency.
Research Associate
The primary duty of the research associate is to research new methods for production, supply, maintenance, and delivery. It helps agricultural firms to enhance their efficiency and productivity. It includes tactics like planning planting methods for the next season, navigation techniques for harvest tools, and replanning harvesting schedules.
The research associates get an average base salary of $63,897 per year. They work in fields to collect plant samples to notice plant growth periodically or to conduct studies on plants. It helps them create hypotheses regarding harvest and growth rates.
Freight Coordinator
Freight coordinators handle the processing of goods on agricultural farms. When products go through the packaging system, they help workers load them into vehicles and ensure they reach their destination safely.
Freight coordinators are also responsible for maintaining vehicles and choosing the right vehicle for transporting specific goods. Their average annual salary is $49,387.
Related Questions
Here are some common questions that individuals pursuing a master’s degree in agricultural and biological engineering have in their minds.
Which Country Is Best for Studying Agricultural Engineering?
Countries that are best for studying agricultural engineering are the United States, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Germany, and Canada. These countries have many universities offering quality agriculture programs with international scholarships and excellent practicum experience.
Which Subject Has the Highest Scope in Agriculture?
Agronomy, Agriculture Botany, and Horticulture offer a wider scope for individuals to excel. You can make the most out of job opportunities that are currently available in these areas according to your interest.
What Are the Top 5 Agricultural Countries?
The top 5 agricultural countries are China, the United States, Russia, Brazil, and India. These countries hold special significance in the global agricultural landscape and meet the continuously increasing demand for agricultural products.
Conclusion
There are plenty of career opportunities available for individuals with master’s degrees in agricultural and biological engineering. You just need to pick the right program that suits your requirements and develop the required set of skills that can help you advance in today’s agricultural industry.
