Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

ABE graduate students are passionate about impacting the world. They study how to grow food under controlled environments, to detect and evaluate pathogens, to generate renewable fuel, to conserve and reuse water, and many other topics that influence our modern society.

Associate Specialist Pedro Andrade Sanchez leads the statewide program to increase the efficiency of mechanized agricultural operations. Here he tests equipment to evaluate plant growth status in the field. Extension activities of Pedro and other ABE faculty aim to impact growers and farmers throughout the state.

Biosystems engineering students gain hands on experience especially working in the ABE Department machine shop.

Dr. Donald Slack was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering in Agricultural Engineering by Khon Kaen University, Thailand. ABE faculty has an impact all across the globe.

Every day, a typical municipal water company must deliver many thousands of gallons of fresh, potable water to its customers. To make sure the water is safe to drink, water-quality engineers must add the proper amounts of beneficial chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride. The Water Distribution Laboratory examines these chemicals experimentally and computationally to determine how they will mix and spread throughout the water as the water travels on through the pipe network.

As a part of our ongoing algae biofuel research efforts, researchers have been developing a computer model that will help them to design optimal raceways and establish operational criteria. The model will also enable scientists to identify the warm-climate algal species that can best thrive in the American Southwest.

Students learn advanced concepts in evaluating soils for installing onsite wastewater treatment (septic) systems. Sixteen advanced students from around the state participated in a 2-day course in Payson, AZ, to learn about issues relating to soil and site evaluation of onsite wastewater treatment systems. This new offering by the University of Arizona’s Onsite Wastewater Education Program, directed by Dr. Kitt Farrell-Poe of the Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Department, provided classroom and field experience. Here you see students in soil pits evaluating the soil for texture, structure, and consistence. For more...

Upcoming Events

Friday, January 27, 2012 - 5:00pm - AZ-ASABE meeting

Thursday, March 1, 2012 - 1:00pm - Institute of Biological Engineering

Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - 8:00pm - SW Ag Summit in Yuma, AZ

Saturday, March 10, 2012 - 8:00am - Spring Break

Wednesday, May 2, 2012 - 8:00am - Last day of classes for Spring 2012

Saturday, May 12, 2012 - 1:00pm - UA Spring Commencement

See more events

Recent ABE and University News

Greenhouse tomatoes produced close to Tucson

A story in the 12/26/11 AZ Daily Star reports that ground has been broken for the first of five 12-acre greenhouses on a 60-acre spread in Amado, south of Green Valley by Wholesum Family Farms. Completion of the first greenhouses is expected in August 2012, with production starting in October, involving the transplanting of 15- to 20-inch starts grown from traditionally bred Dutch seed in the company's nursery in Sonora, Mexico, said General Manager Ricardo Crisantes. read more

UA News article on use of sweet sorghum to feed the elephants at the Tucson zoo

Here is a nice story on the use of the sweet sorghum bagasse. Dennis Ray from PLS is leading this activity, but is not listed in the story. http://uanews.org/node/43834

Give Back the Grease

On Nov. 25, when leftovers line fridge shelves and stuffing recipes slip back into kitchen drawers, Thanksgiving feasters will have the opportunity to get rid of their waste cooking grease and help the environment in the process. During the 7th Annual Day-After-Thanksgiving Grease Drive, Tucson-based company Grecycle Arizona, LLC will collect used grease with several drop off points across Tucson. read more

UA Solar System Reduces Costs, Enhances Curriculum

A 10-kilowatt solar installation on a UA science building will do more than lower the energy bill. The system, located on the roof of the conference center at Earth sciences facility Biosphere 2, will complement the curriculum in some university classes.

Employees Invited to Lease a Plot in New Community Garden

The student-led group Garden in the Desert will be ready next month to lease plots in its newest community garden. University employees are invited to join the gardening effort.

Employee Q&A: Senior Lecturer Emerita and Former Study Abroad Chaperone Donna Swaim

Donna Swaim has taught literature, poetry and spirituality in her 47 years at the University of Arizona, but she is probably best known for her work with the study abroad program. She took her last official University trip last year, but she says she'll continue to travel on her own.