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About the Department
Engineering and Agriculture have been taught at UK since the university opened over 150 years ago. Building on that tradition, the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering features internationally recognized faculty members conducting research at the leading edge of technology. The Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering educates engineers who ensure that the world has clean water systems, adequate food production and sustainable energy sources. Our department, graduate students and faculty members are in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, while our undergraduate students are in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering.
Undergraduate and graduate students who want to work in well-equipped laboratories, publish results in technical journals and present at international meetings will discover unique opportunities for solving problems within the globally critical food-energy-water nexus. Graduates have the opportunity to establish dynamic careers in industry and government. Students have been hired by many organizations, such as USDA, Alltech, Chiquita, Nestle, Kuerig, Yum! Foods, Duke Energy, UPS, Trane, Cummins, John Deere, Honeywell, Altec, LinkBelt and Big Ass Solutions.
$107M
Total active research awards
$22
Average hourly pay for Co-op students
$67,610
Average starting salary (NACE Spring 2023)
6
Areas of study
96
Undergraduates
71.9%
Of undergrads are Kentucky residents
57.3%
Of undergrads identify as female
14.6%
Of undergrads are first-generation college students
15.6%
Of undergrads are underrepresented minorities
In the News
Department Spotlights
Hunter Walters
A survivor of a deadly disease, Hunter Walters is putting his interest in bioenvironmental sustainability toward restoring natural processes.
Biosystems Engineering
Student
Zachary Tyler (BSAE 2016)
Zachary Tyler has been hired as the city of Louisville's first Energy Manager to help the city work toward its clean energy goals.
Biosystems Engineering
Alumnus
Staci McGill
Advised by assistant extension professor Morgan Hayes, doctoral student and equine enthusiast Staci McGill is exploring all aspects of indoor riding facilities.