About the Department

Science and technology to feed the world, protect natural resources, and improve quality of life.

The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering is Penn State’s home for advancing the engineering, business, and technical management of biological and agricultural systems through teaching, research, and outreach.

We are a small, inclusive group united by our fascination with the technology and processes that make life better for everyone.

We boast state-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty composed of engineers and scientists with years of working experience in their fields.

Student success drives the department. Our undergraduate majors offer hands-on learning with real-world applications, excellent internship experiences, robust scholarship opportunities, and high job placement.

Our graduate programs offer master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees rooted in research through our core engineering, science, and management disciplines.

Penn State is a Tier 1 Research University. Students are highly encouraged to participate in meaningful research starting the first semester of their freshman year.

Meet our faculty, staff, and students, and learn more about our academic home. Welcome!

Latest News

February 27, 2025

New computer vision system can guide specialty crops monitoring

Soilless growing systems inside greenhouses, known as controlled environment agriculture, promise to advance the year-round production of high-quality specialty crops, according to an interdisciplinary research team at Penn State. But to be competitive and sustainable, this advanced farming method will require the development and implementation of precision agriculture techniques. To meet that demand, the team developed an automated crop-monitoring system capable of providing continuous and frequent data about plant growth and needs, allowing for informed crop management.

February 4, 2025

College of Agricultural Sciences student selected as Farm Foundation Cultivator

Raymond Yan, a fourth-year agricultural and biorenewable systems management student in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, represented the University at the January 2025 Farm Foundation Round Table in North Carolina. Yan, one of six students from across the country selected as a "cultivator" by the nonprofit organization Farm Foundation, presented research covering various multidisciplinary projects focusing on food system innovation.

January 27, 2025

Researchers recognized for excellence by Institute of Energy and the Environment

The Institute of Energy and the Environment presented awards to six Penn State faculty members for their collaborative, interdisciplinary research efforts and mentorship.

January 9, 2025

Cycling and sustainability go hand-in-hand for College of Ag Sciences student

Emily Stapleton, a first-year agricultural and biorenewable systems management major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is working toward a career in sustainable food production. At Penn State, she’s found a place to pursue her academic interests and love of competitive cycling.

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