Students who major in Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering (FABE) strive to serve society and to improve our environment. Graduates use their skills to identify and solve engineering problems related to renewable energy; environmental issues; production of safe, healthy, nutritious, value-added food products; and other areas where natural earth systems can be engineered to be more productive for humanity, while protecting these resources for a sustained and secure future. Students specialize in either food, agricultural, biological, or ecological engineering in order to pursue their particular interests.
The Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering program at The Ohio State is an internationally recognized leader in the advancement of the science and application of engineering in systems involving food, agriculture, biology, and ecology. The department provides a hands-on and supportive learning environment for students to specialize their education to prepare them for future careers using the latest principles, practices, and technology.
Nationally Recognized
FABE is ranked consistently among the top programs in the nation for our undergraduate biological and agricultural engineering programs according to U.S. News and World Report.
Job Outcomes
2020-2021 FABE graduates secured jobs with an average starting salary of $65,413.
Scholarships
Each year our department awards over $100,000 in scholarships to current and incoming students. Students in FABE can also apply for scholarships through both the College of Engineering and the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Each college awards $1.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively, in scholarships each year.
Accredited Program
Agricultural Engineering, BSFABE, is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
Food, Biological, and Ecological Engineering, BSFABE, is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.
Program Objectives and Student Outcomes
Specializations
Food engineering involves the production, processing, packaging, safety and/or transportation of the world’s food supply. With over 15,000 registered food processing and equipment companies in the United States, the food industry is one of the largest industries in the world. Food engineers design sustainable and environmentally responsible food processes for manufacturing safe, tasty, healthy, convenient food products.
Agricultural engineering allows students to focus on soil and water, structures and facilities, or machinery systems. The program prepares students for careers in industries and agencies providing engineering inputs and services to agricultural production. Though the curriculum focuses on agriculture-related themes, agricultural engineering graduates are prepared for careers in electrical, mechanical and civil engineering.
Biological engineering involves the engineering of living systems and the application of engineering principles to real world problems. Ohio State’s biological engineering program combines the knowledge of biology, microbiology, molecular genetics and biochemistry with hands-on work with plants, animals, humans, and microorganisms. Graduates of this program have pursued graduate and professional degrees in a multitude of areas, including biomedical engineering, veterinary medicine, human medicine, dentistry and optometry.
Ecological engineering focuses on the design and restoration of natural ecosystems for societal and environmental benefits. Students who study ecological engineering may choose to focus on the design and restoration of natural ecosystems including streams, wetlands and coastal systems. Others will focus their studies on water quality and environmental contamination issues through the design, development and management of ecosystems.
Where our Graduates Go
Students with degrees in FABE are competitive for a wide array of jobs in a number of industries. See the interactive map below to learn more about where our graduates go on to work, or visit Engineering Career Services to learn more about career outcomes. The data below represents graduates from 2017-2019 who reported a job outcome at the time of graduation.
Changing to FABE MAjor
If you are a current Ohio State student, visit this webpage to learn more about how to switch to the College of Engineering for the Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering major.
Ohio State academic programs are designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure and certification and state licensing board contact information at go.osu.edu/onground.