Mission
The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering is committed to making our Aggie graduates the most sought-after candidates in the workforce by going beyond the core curriculum and providing our students with the skills and experiences that employers desire most. To help our students succeed in a rapidly changing world, the department is taking education beyond the classroom and working to ensure that each student experiences at least one high-impact learning experience.
What is high impact learning?
Colleges and universities nationwide, together with employers and entrepreneurs, have studied and recognized a great need to broaden a student’s college experience to be better prepared for their professional lives.
High-impact learning immerses students in hands-on experiences outside of the classroom. Students work closely with diverse individuals, including faculty and peers. Some examples of high-impact learning practices are study abroad programs, honors programs, internships, leadership roles, and undergraduate research. Such experiences offer frequent feedback on performance, allow students to apply what he/she learns in the classroom, and connect academics to professional development.
ENGR[X]
The College of Engineering is committed to enhancing engineering student education through high impact experiences, also known as ENGR[X]. Incoming engineering undergraduates students are required to obtain one high impact learning experience before he/she graduates from Texas A&M University. To learn more about high impact opportunities/ENGR[X] in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering department see below. To learn more about ENGR[X] in the College of Engineering click here.
High Impact Learning Experiences
Study Abroad
Texas A&M University is committed to increasing student participation in high impact, international experiences. Over 5,500 Aggies participate in an international experience each year. To learn more about the opportunities for departmental students see the links below. To learn more about the various study abroad choices at TAMU contact Ashlea Schroeder, aschroeder@tamu.edu.
Belgium Environmental Science & Engineering Program | Application
Spain Food Engineering and Technology Program | Application
College of Engineering Study Abroad Opportunities
TAMU Education Abroad Program Office
How to fulfill ENGR[X] credit for study abroad: A student’s registration and final grade in the approved study abroad course for the program will serve as proof of credit. Grades of D, F and U will not be considered as fulfillment of ENGR[X] credit.
Mexico Exchange
The departmental Mexico Exchange program is one of the longest-running study abroad programs at Texas A&M. It is a two-part program where students from the University of Guanajuato visit the TAMU campus in the fall of each year. Then in the spring of each year, the department sends students to visit the University of Guanajuato in Irapuato, Mexico. To learn more about the Mexico Exchange program contact Ashlea Schroeder, aschroeder@tamu.edu.
How to fulfill ENGR[X] credit for Mexico Exchange: Only students who attend the spring program in Mexico will be eligible for ENGR[X] credit. Students should complete the Mexico Exchange Reflection form located here after returning from the program. Once complete, the submission will be reviewed by the Associate Department Head for Academic Programs and, if approved, the course will be placed on your academic record. Grades of D, F and U will not be considered as fulfillment of ENGR[X] credit.
Research
The Council for Undergraduate Research defines undergraduate research as “…the inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate in collaboration with a faculty mentor that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.” It is recognized as one of Texas A&M’s high impact practices that prepares students for the workplace and society. Students connect with faculty and graduate students who, in addition to research, are able to offer advice about career paths and applying for graduate school admissions and fellowships. To learn more about the departmental research program(s) contact Ashlea Schroeder, aschroeder@tamu.edu.
Students must complete the research approval form before the student will be allowed to enroll in the selected research course. Students should plan accordingly to ensure enrollment in the course can be completed in the semester the student wishes to pursue research. It is highly suggested that students complete and submit the form during the pre-registration period. Forms submitted too near the beginning of the semester have a high chance of being denied. Forms submitted after the semester has begun will be denied.
How to fulfill ENGR[X] credit for research: A student’s registration and submission of approved deliverables for the approved research course in the department will serve as proof of credit. Grades of D, F and U will not be considered as fulfillment of ENGR [X] credit.
Reuse Water Quality Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates (REEU)
The goal of the Reuse Water Quality Research and Extension Experiences for Undergrads (REEU) program is to provide students with: 1) hands-on learning experiences in reuse water quality, 2) exposure to careers in agricultural research and extension, and 3) a pathway to graduate school. Participants will have the chance to interact with a multidisciplinary team of extension specialists, agricultural engineers, and soil and water microbiologists, from the TAMU and PVAMU campuses. A mentoring program will pair students with faculty members who will introduce the students to the program, cultivate the student’s interests, and help the students to set individual educational and research goals for the experience.
For more information about the program, please contact Dr. Jantrania (ajantrania@tamu.edu) or Dr. Moore (j.moore@tamu.edu).
Student Club Leadership
Texas A&M is home to more than 1,000 student organizations, meaning there are more than 1,000 opportunities for students to find other Aggies who share similar interests and passions. The Department offers two academic student clubs and several research/design clubs. To learn more about the opportunities for departmental students see the links below.
Texas A&M Aggie Pullers – quarter-scale tractor team
How to fulfill ENGR[X] credit for student clubs: Students should submit their desire to use a student club leadership role for ENGR[X] credit to Ashlea Schroeder before the beginning of the term in which the student club leadership will occur. Once complete, the request will be reviewed by the Associate Department Head for Academic Programs. If approved, the student club leadership course will be placed on your academic record. At the conclusion of the student’s club leadership, the student will be required to complete the Student Leadership Reflection form located here. Grades of D, F and U will not be considered as fulfillment of ENGR[X] credit.
Texas A&M Aggie Pullers
The Aggie Pullers is a hands-on student organization that is dedicated to designing, managing and presenting a quarter-scale tractor each year. Students from all majors are welcome to join Aggie Pullers. To learn more about the Aggie Pullers team contact Dr. Doug Kingman, dougkingman@tamu.edu.
Read more about the Texas A&M Aggie Pullers team here.
How to fulfill ENGR[X] credit for the Texas A&M Aggie Pullers: Students should complete the Aggie Pullers Reflection form located here. Once complete, the submission will be reviewed by the Associate Department Head for Academic Programs and, if approved, the course will be placed on your academic record. Only students with verified, substantial involvement will be eligible for ENGR[X] credit. Grades of D, F and U will not be considered as fulfillment of ENGR[X] credit.
Internships
According to the National Association for Colleges and Employers, over 1.5 million students complete an internship each year. Internships are a valuable way to obtain professional development and exposure to possible career avenues. To learn more about internships contact Ashlea Schroeder, aschroeder@tamu.edu.
Students must complete the Internship Approval Form before the student will be allowed to enroll in the selected internship course. Students should plan accordingly to ensure enrollment in the course can be completed in the semester the student wishes to pursue an internship. It is highly suggested that students complete and submit the form during the pre-registration period. Forms submitted too near the beginning of the semester have a high chance of being denied. Forms submitted after the semester has begun will be denied.
How to fulfill ENGR[X] credit for internships: Students should complete the Internship Approval Form for review before the beginning of the term in which the internship will occur. Once complete, the approval form will be reviewed by the Associate Department Head for Academic Programs. If approved, the internship course will be placed on your academic record. At the conclusion of the student’s internship, the student will be required to complete the Internship Reflection form located here. Grades of D, F and U will not be considered as fulfillment of ENGR[X] credit.
Honors Program
The departmental honors program was established for students who accept the challenge of an engineering degree, but who recognize that they need extra opportunities and preparation to achieve their goals. These are students who are interested in more than a job – they want to invent, imagine, create, explore and inspire. The links below provide more information about the different honors opportunities at Texas A&M.
Biological and Agricultural Engineering Departmental Honors Program
Craig and Galen Brown Engineering Honors
Texas A&M University Honors Programs
How to fulfill ENGR[X] credit for honors: A student’s registration and submission of approved deliverables for the approved honors program in the department will serve as proof of credit. Grades of D, F and U will not be considered as fulfillment of ENGR[X] credit.
Contact
Ashlea Schroeder
aschroeder@tamu.edu
(979) 845-0609