September / October, 2004
New Department Name Change
This article first appeared in
Currents Magazine, Volume 4, Number 1 (Summer 2004),
published by the College of Engineering at MSU
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biosystems engineering graduate student research focuses on food safety and biosecurity |
Effective July 1, the Department of Agricultural Engineering officially became the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering.
Ajit Srivastava, department chairperson, says that the new name more correctly defines the department’s research, teaching, and outreach programs, reflecting the transformation of agricultural engineering to a biology-based engineering discipline.
The early mission of the department, which was founded in 1906, was to improve farm production through mechanization, build rural roads so farmers could bring their commodities to the market, introduce irrigation technologies, drain swamplands, conserve soil, and build farm buildings for storage of crops and livestock.
Today, the department’s research focus is on food engineering (ensuring food quality, safety, and biosecurity) and ecosystems engineering (enhancing the environment and conserving natural resources).
“Agriculture has become so much more complex, “ says Srivastava. “Consumers have become much more sophisticated. They demand safe, nutritious, and quality food. They also demand a clean environment and sustainable systems. We need to train today’s students to address theses important societal issues.”
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In 1995, in response to changing needs, the department replaced its degree programs in agricultural engineering with new biology-based programs in biosystems engineering—emphasizing the integration of biology and engineering to solve problems in a systems context.
Effective fall 2004, the department will offer a four-year Technology Systems Management (TSM) program to train students to apply emerging technologies to manage agriculture, foods, environment, and natural resource systems; and has plans to expand its two-year Electrical Technology program to include electronics technology. “Electronic controls and devices are widely used in food and agriculture systems; qualified service technicians continue to be in high demand,” says Srivastava.
“With the department name change and the new direction,” says Srivastava, “we are in a position to address the challenges of the 21st century.”
Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering
Michigan State University
A.W. Farrall Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1323
(517) 355-4720
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