Overview
The agricultural engineering profession is over a century old having started in Iowa State University in 1905. In Kenya, agricultural engineering was introduced as a degree programme at the University of Nairobi in the 70s’ and in the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in 1981 as a diploma then 1990 as a degree. Over the years, agricultural engineering has been evolving from the traditional design and development of agricultural machinery, to a knowledge-based engineering that integrates engineering knowledge and design with applied biology, environmental and agricultural sciences. The broad areas of study in this profession include: agricultural processing, farm power and machinery, energy resources, soil and water engineering, environmental management and bio-structures. This profession now includes new areas such as controlled environment agriculture, robotics, the development of technology for the extraction of energy from biomass, the development of biomaterials and new systems that can promote sustainable food production.
Currently universities in the world are offering a variety of programmes related to agricultural engineering. Such programs include Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomechanical Engineering, Food Bioprocess Engineering and Bioresources Engineering. Like other universities worldwide, JKUAT has been reviewing its programme in response to technological and market driven developments in the field of agricultural engineering, to benchmark programmes with other universities in the world, and to ensure that graduates can apply modern technologies in agriculture thereby ensuring the realisation of Vision 2030 (and beyond), food security and sustainable economic growth beyond this century. This Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering programme at incorporates units that address sustainable exploitation of our natural resources in agricultural and industrial development. After five years training, the programme aims at producing specialized Engineers combining biological and technical skills to address issues in agro-industrial development and the consequent environmental problems.
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Admission Requirements
- A candidate wishing to be admitted into the B.Sc. degree programme in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering must satisfy the minimum University entry requirements and College of Engineering and Technology regulations.
- In addition to the above, the candidate must have obtained a minimum grade C+ (plus) in each of the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology or Geography OR C+ (plus) in each of the following subjects: Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Mathematics, and Geography or any of the Group IV subjects at K.C.S.E. or its equivalent.
- Alternatively, admission shall be granted to holders of Diploma in Agricultural or Mechanical Engineering or any other relevant course (with Credit and above) from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology or from other institutions recognized by the University Senate. Such candidates shall enter the programme at the second year of study unless otherwise specified by the Department.
Course Distribution
Year 1
Year 1
Semester I
HRD 2101 Communication Skills
SCH 2120 Physical and Inorganic Chemistry for Engineers
SMA 2170 Algebra
SMA 2177 Applied Geometry
SMA 2172 Calculus-I
SPH 2173 Physics for Engineers-I
EBE 2101 Introduction to Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
ICS 2174 Introduction to Computer Science
SZL 2111 HIV/AIDS
Semester II
HRD 2102 Development Studies and Social Ethics
EMG 2102 Engineering Drawing and Design-I
EMG 2104 Introduction to Material Science
SCH 2121 Organic Chemistry for Engineers
SPH 2174 Physics for Engineers-II
SMA 2173 Calculus-II
AHS 2101 Animal Production
HRD 2103 General Economics
Year 2
Semester I
ICS 2175 Computer Programming-I
EGE 2230 Engineering Surveying
EMG 2105 Engineering Drawing and Design-II
AHS 2131 Crop Production
SMA 2270 Calculus-III
EEE 2235 Electrical Engineering-I
EMG 2203 Engineering Mechanics-Statics
EMG 2106 Workshop Processes and Practice
Semester II
SMA 2271 Ordinary Differential Equations
EMG 2204 Computer Aided Drawing and Design
ICS 2276 Computer Programming-II
SMA 2370 Calculus-IV
EEE 2236 Electrical Engineering-II
EMG 2205 Fluid Mechanics-I
EMG 2206 Engineering Thermodynamics-I
EMG 2207 Engineering Mechanics-Dynamics
EBE 2201 Internal Practical Attachment
Year 3
Semester I
EMG 2301 Fluid Mechanics-II
EMG 2302 Engineering Thermodynamics-II
EMG 2303 Solid and Structural Mechanics-I
EBE 2301 Soil Science
EBE 2302 Introduction to Agricultural and Construction Machinery
STA 2270 Statistics
SMA 2371 Partial Differential Equations
EMG 2208 Mechanics of Machines-I
Semester II
EMG 2304 Mechanics of Machines-II
EMG 2309 Solid and Structural Mechanics-II
EBE 2303 Project Planning and Management
EBE 2304 Hydraulics and Pump Technology
EBE 2305 Design of Machine Elements
EBE 2306 Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
EBE 2307 Agricultural Process Engineering
EBE 2308 Engineering Hydrology
EBE 2309 External Attachment I
Unit Code
Semester I
Common Units
EMG 2414 Numerical Methods for Engineers
EBE 2401 Soil Mechanics
EBE 2402 Remote Sensing and GIS
EBE 2403 Engineering Instrumentation
EBE 2404 Engine and Tractor Technology
HRD 2401 Entrepreneurship Skills
BPE ELECTIVES
EBE 2405 Properties of Biological Materials
EMG 2424 Production Technology
SWEE ELECTIVES
EBE 2406 Applied Environmental Microbiology and Ecology
EBE 2407 Irrigation System Design and Management
SEMESTER II
Common Units
EBE 2408 Types and Materials for Farm Structures
EBE 2409 Soil and Water Conservation
EBE 2410 Computer Modeling and Simulation
EBE 2411 Engineering Economics
EBE 2412 Structural Design
EBE 2413 Sociology, Extension and Enterprise Management
BPE ELECTIVES
EMG 2502 Heat Transfer
EBE 2414 Agricultural Field Machinery
SWEE ELECTIVES
EBE 2415 Waste Water Engineering
EBE 2416 Drainage systems Design and Management
EBE 2417 External Practical Attachment-II
YEAR 5
SEMESTER 1
Common units
EBE 2501 Systems Engineering
EBE 2502 Environment Impact Assessment and Audit
EBE 2503 Engineering Project-I
BPE ELECTIVES
EBE 2504 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
EBE 2505 Postharvest Technology of perennial Crops
EBE 2506 Greenhouse Design and Management
EBE 2507 Mechanization Management
EBE 2508 Pollution and Waste Management
SWEE ELECTIVES
ECE 2302 Engineering Geology
EBE 2509 Solid Waste Management
EBE 2510 Watershed and Water Resources Engineering
EBE 2511 Aquacultural Engineering
EBE 2512 Design of Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Semester II
Common Units
EBE 2513 Engineers in Society
EBE 2514 Industrial Management and Safety
EBE 2515 Engineering Project-II
BPE ELECTIVES
EBE 2516 Design and Management of Farm Structures
EBE 2517 Postharvest Technology of Perishable Crops
EBE 2518 Energy Resources Engineering
AFS 2431 Food Microbiology and Toxicology
SWEE ELECTIVES
EBE 2519 Land Use Planning and Reclamation
EBE 2520 Design and Construction of Hydraulic Structures
EBE 2521 Atmospheric Pollution and Radiation Control
EBE 2522 Design of Soil and Water Conservation Structures