Work in Progress: I didn't know you did that: A case study of learning outcomes across multiple engineering disciplines compared to biological and agricultural engineering

Abstract

Biological and Agricultural Engineering is a diverse discipline that encompasses skills which transcend across multiple fields of engineering. In addition to the base competencies that all engineering curricula demand from students, Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAEN) students gain additional in-depth knowledge from a variety of core sciences. Unfortunately, there are still many misconceptions about the field and students' knowledge and skills, making it difficult for students to market themselves to companies. When it comes to hiring at career fairs, many companies do not realize that the attributes they seek from alternative disciplines, are also at the forefront of the BAEN knowledge base. This case study compares the curriculum and knowledge areas across multiple engineering departments at a university to those of the BAEN department. Knowledge gained from the study is then used to survey organizations which have employment positions which fit knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) that BAEN students possess. This is a work in progress; however, we anticipate that from this work we will develop a more concrete narrative of the field of BAEN to provide students and recruiters with in identifying their KSAs.