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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
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The program of Mechanical-Agricultural Technology, administered by the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department for students of agriculture emphasizes the practical application of engineering principles to the problems encountered in modern farming. In pursuing this objective, all main divisions of the agricultural engineering field are considered: farm power and machinery, soils and water management, farm structures and environmental control, rural electrification, and agricultural products processing.
The first year of Mechanical-Agricultural Technology Curriculum is the same as that prescribed in most of the other undergraduate curricula in the College of Agricultural Sciences; specialization gradually begins during the second year. The student, in consultation with his advisor, selects 12 credits of professional electives during the last two years of his program. Professional electives are chosen from the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department's course offerings. The student also selects 12 credits of free electives to refine curricular balance in accordance with his particular interests. During the summer, between the third and fourth year, the student participates in a summer field practice which is administered in cooperation with various government agencies and private industries.
Most of the agricultural activities in Puerto Rico need to be effectively mechanized in order to be economically viable and profitable. As a result of a continuing process of agricultural mechanization, there has been an increasing demand for graduates of the Mechanical-Agricultural Technology program.
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MECHANICAL AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM
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FIRST YEAR
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First Semester |
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Number
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Course
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Credits
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*INGL 3--- |
First year course in English |
3
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*ESPA 3101 |
Basic course in Spanish |
3
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*MATE 3171 |
Pre-Calculus I |
3
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QUIM 3131-3133 |
General Chemistry I |
4
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BIOL 3435 |
Elementary Botany |
4
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EDAG 3005 |
Agricultural Orientation |
1
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18
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Second Semester |
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Number
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Course
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Credits
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*INGL 3--- |
First year course in English |
3
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*ESPA 3102 |
Basic course in Spanish |
3
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*MATE 3172 |
Pre-Calculus II |
3
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QUIM 3132-3134 |
General Chemistry II |
4
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BIOL 4015 |
General Zoology |
3
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EDFI ---- |
Physical Education Elective |
1
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17
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SECOND YEAR
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First Semester |
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Number
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Course
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Credits
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INGL 3--- |
Second year course in English |
3
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ECON 3021 |
Principles of Economics I |
3
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MATE 3049 |
Mathematical Analysis for Management Sciences |
3
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INGE 3011 |
Engineering Graphics I |
2
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CFIT 3005 |
Fundamentals of Crop Production |
4
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ELECTIVES |
**Elective |
3
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18
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Second Semester |
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Number
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Course
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Credits
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INGL 3--- |
Second year course in English |
3
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COMP 3057 |
Computer Fundamentals |
3
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FISI 3091 |
Elements of Physics |
3
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FISI 3092 |
Elements of Physics Laboratory |
1
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INPE 3005 |
Fundamentals of Animal Science |
4
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AGRO 3005 |
General Soils |
3
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17
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THIRD YEAR
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First Semester |
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Number
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Course
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Credits
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ECAG 4019 |
Introduction to Farm Management |
3
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TMAG 4009 |
Agricultural Power |
3
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CISO ---- |
***Elective course in Social Sciences |
3
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CFIT 4005 |
Physiological Principles of Crop Production |
3
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INCI 4005 |
Agricultural Surveying |
3
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ECAG 4007 |
Marketing of Agricultural Products |
3
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18
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Second Semester |
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Number
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Course
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Credits
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TMAG 4015 |
Agricultural Machinery I |
3
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TMAG 4005 |
Farm Electrification |
3
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CISO ---- |
***Elective course in Social Sciences |
3
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TMAG 4028 |
Farm Service Buildings |
3
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ELECTIVES |
**Electives |
6
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18
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SUMMER SESSION
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Number
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Course
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Credits
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TMAG 4008 |
Mechanical Technology in Agriculture Practicum |
3
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or |
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TMAG 4990 |
Supervised Professional Occupational Experience for Coop Students |
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FOURTH YEAR
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First Semester |
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Number
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Course
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Credits
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TMAG 4029 |
Agricultural Products Processing |
3
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TMAG 4035 |
Soil and Water Management |
4
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TMAG 4036 |
Seminar in Mechanized Agriculture |
1
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HUMA ---- |
***Elective course in Humanities |
3
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EDFI ---- |
Physical Education Elective |
1
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ELECTIVES |
**Electives |
6
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18
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Second Semester |
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Number
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Course
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Credits
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ECAG 4028 |
Agricultural Finance |
3
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TMAG 4037 |
Seminar in Mechanized Agriculture |
1
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HUMA ---- |
***Elective course in Humanities |
3
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ELECTIVES |
**Electives |
9
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16
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Total credits required for this program: 143
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| * Refer to the Academic Regulations section for information on Advanced Placement. |
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| ** The Program in Mechanical Technology in Agriculture requires a minimum of 24 credits in elective courses. It includes twelve credits in Professional electives selected from the offerings of the Department of Agricultural Engineering and related areas and with the authorization of the Director of the Agricultural Engineering Department. The other twelve credits are free electives. |
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| ***The electives in Social Sciences and Humanities require authorization of the Director of the Agricultural Engineering Department. |
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| RAFAEL F. DÁVILA, Extension Specialist, Ph.D., 1984, Cornell University. |
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| CARMEN GONZÁLEZ, Extension Associate Specialist, M.S.C., 1985, Michigan State University. |
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| ERIC W. HARMSEN, Associate Professor, Ph.D., P.E., 1989, University of Wisconsin-Madison. |
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| CAROL HARPER, Professor, Ph.D., 1991, Colorado State University. |
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| JAVIER HUERTAS, Instructor, M.S. Ch.E., 1996, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. |
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| ERIC A. IRIZARRY-OTAÑO, Associate Professor, M.E.S., 2001, Universidad Metropilitana de Puerto Rico. |
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| HÉCTOR O. LÓPEZ, Associate Professor, M.E.M., 1998, Texas A & M. |
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| FRANCISCO M. MONROIG, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., P.E., 2003, Purdue University. |
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| LUIS R. PÉREZ-ALEGRÍA, Professor, Ph.D., P.E., 1987, Pennsylvania State University. |
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| FERNANDO J. PÉREZ-MUÑOZ, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., 1996, Iowa State University. |
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| FÉLIX R. RIVERA-NEGRÓN, Associate Researcher, M.S.C., 1976, Purdue University. |
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| YOOSEF SHAHABASI, Professor, Ph.D., 1979, Michigan State University. |
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| DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING |
| Undergraduate Courses |
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INAG 4990. SELECTED TOPICS. One to three credit hours. One to three hours of lecture per week.
Selected topics in Agricultural Engineering. Topics will vary according to the needs and interests of the students and the faculty.
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INAG 4996. AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING PROJECTS. Two to four credit hours.
Supervised projects in areas of agricultural engineering. A written report is required.
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TMAG 4005. FARM ELECTRIFICATION. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: FISI 3172, or FISI 3152, or FISI 3091.
Application of electrical energy to agricultural production and rural living. Fundamentals of selection, installation, operation, and maintenance of electrical farm equipment; safety rules and regulations.
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TMAG 4007. METALWORKING AND WELDING. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: FISI 3172 or FISI 3152 or FISI 3091.
Agricultural mechanics shop skills, with emphasis on metal work, oxyacetylene cutting and welding, electric arc welding, safety and organization of the farm shop.
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TMAG 4008. MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE PRACTICUM. Three credit hours. A minimum of thirty hours per week during six consecutives weeks. Prerequisite: A minimum of nine credits approved in Mechanical Technology in Agriculture and authorization of the Director of the Department.
Practical work experience in Mechanical Technology in Agriculture. It is carried out under the supervision of the Department in collaboration with public or private entities.
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TMAG 4009. MECHANICAL POWER IN AGRICULTURE. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: FISI 3171 or FISI 3151, or FISI 3091.
Sources, measurement, transmission, and economic application of mechanical power on the farm. Principles of construction and operation of various types of farm power units, with particular emphasis on internal combustion engines. Classification, selection, operation, and maintenance of agricultural farm power units.
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TMAG 4015. AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY I. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: FISI 3171, or FISI 3151, or FISI 3091.
Principles of construction and operation, maintenance procedures, power relationships, and economic utilization of the main tillage, planting, cultivating, and other related agricultural machinery.
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TMAG 4017. SAFETY IN AGRICULTURE. Two credit hours. Two hours of lecture per week.
Principles of personnel and property protection as applied to agricultural operations and use of agricultural machinery, with emphasis on the development of a philosophy of safety as a basis for effective accident prevention.
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TMAG 4018. COMPUTER PROGRAMMING IN AGRICULTURE. Two credit hours. Two hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: MATE 3172.
Introductory course to computer technology and programming using BASIC language, with emphasis on applications to agriculture.
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TMAG 4019. FARM DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: AGRO 3005.
Principles of irrigation and drainage of farm lands. Drainage systems, sources of water supply, water quality, irrigation distribution systems through gravity, sprinkler or trickle.
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TMAG 4025. AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY II. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: TMAG 4009 and TMAG 4015.
Advanced study of agricultural machinery, including machinery for application of chemical products, harvesting, and others.
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TMAG 4026. DAIRY MECHANICS TECHNOLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: INPE 3005 and (FISI 3171, or FISI 3151, or FISI 3091).
Space distribution, installation, operation and management of mechanical equipment used in dairy industries.
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TMAG 4028. AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: (INGE 3011 or INGE 4005) and (FISI 3171 or FISI 3151 or FISI 3091).
Planning of agricultural structures, functional requirements, construction materials, construction; principles and procedures, with particular reference to main agricultural structures.
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TMAG 4029. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS PROCESSING. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: FISI 3171 or FISI 3091 or FISI 3151.
Unit operations, equipment, techniques, and processes used in handling and preparing of farm products for marketing, utilization, or storage.
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TMAG 4035. SOIL AND WATER MANAGEMENT. Four credit hours. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: AGRO 3005 and INCI 4005.
Soil-water plant relationships: principles and practice of irrigation and drainage of farm lands; land improvement by means of mechanical procedures, or structures for soil and water management and conservation.
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TMAG 4036-4037. SEMINAR IN MECHANIZED AGRICULTURE. One credit hour per semester. One meeting per week each semester. Prerequisite: TMAG 4008 or authorization of the Director of the Department.
Oral reports and discussion concerning experiences and observations gathered during the summer field practice. During the second semester, emphasis will be on a review and discussion of current developments, in the field of Agricultural Engineering.
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TMAG 4038. AGRICULTURAL HYDROLOGY. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: FISI 3171 or FISI 3151 or FISI 3091.
The study of the hydrologic cycle, weather elements and climate, water precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, infiltration, soil moisture and run-off as related to soil and water management.
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TMAG 4039. AGRICULTURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: AGRO 3005.
Characteristics of agricultural wastes; environmental impact, biological processes; pollution problems and controls; agricultural wastes management systems; legal and economic aspects.
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TMAG 4045. FLUID POWER IN AGRICULTURE. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: MATE 3172.
Study of the operation, main components, power requirements and maintenance of hydraulic and pneumatic systems used in agricultural machinery and processes.
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TMAG 4990. SUPERVISED PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR COOP STUDENTS. Three to six credit hours. A minimum of two practice periods is required, one of them in a semester. Prerequisite: authorization of the Director of the Department and to be a Coop program student.
Practical experience in Mechanical Technology in Agriculture in cooperation with the private sector or government. To be jointly supervised by the academic department, the Coop program coordinator, and an official from the cooperating entity. Written reports will be required upon completion of each work period.
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TMAG 4991. SPECIAL PROBLEMS. One to three credit hours. One to three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: authorization of the Director of the Department.
Problems pertaining to the applied and technical aspects of Agricultural Engineering related to the agriculture of Puerto Rico. Conferences, library research, laboratories, of field trips will be assigned on an individual basis.
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TMAG 4992. SPECIAL PROBLEMS. One to three credit hours. One to three hours of lecture per week.
Problems pertaining to the applied and technical aspects of Agricultural Engineering related to the agriculture of Puerto Rico. Conferences, library studies, laboratories or field trips will be assigned on an individual basis.
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| Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate Courses |
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INAG 5990. SELECTED TOPICS. One to three credit hours. One to three hours of lecture per week.
Selected topics in Agricultural Engineering. Topics will vary according to the needs and interest of the students and the faculty.
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TMAG 5005. EQUIPMENT FOR APPLICATION OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: TMAG 4015 or authorization of the Director of the Department.
Study of techniques and equipment used for the application of chemical and biological products in agriculture.
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TMAG 5006. PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT FOR POWER FARMING. Three credit hours. Two lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: TMAG 4009 and TMAG 4015 or authorization of the Director of the Department.
General principles of agricultural mechanization, with particular reference to the economic and managerial aspects of the application of power and machinery to modern farming; farm work simplification in agricultural systems.
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TMAG 5007. ADVANCED SOIL AND WATER MANAGEMENT. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: TMAG 4035 or authorization of the Director of the Department.
Advanced topics and special problems in the field of soil and water management and control, with particular reference to drainage, irrigation, and watershed management.
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TMAG 5015. DRIP IRRIGATION: PRINCIPLES AND MANAGEMENT. Three credit hours. Two hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: AGRO 3005 or authorization of the Director of the Department.
Principles of drip irrigation, system and components, soil and water relations, tensiometer principle and installation, chemigation, clogging and filtration, system layouts, automation, problem shooting, and field evaluation.
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TMAG 5017. AGROCLIMATOLOGY. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: fifth year student, or graduate, or authorization of the Director of the Department.
Basic concepts in climatology related to environmental conservation and sustainable agricultural production: application of climatology in precipitation, evaporation, evapotranspiration, photosynthesis, crop production; irrigation and drainage applications; applications in crop protection, agronomy, crop production, agricultural technology; and remote data acquisition systems.
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TMAG 5991. SELECTED TOPICS. One to three credit hours. One to three hours of lecture per week.
Selected topics in Agricultural Engineering. Topics will vary according to the needs and interests of the students and the faculty.
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TMAG 5995. PROBLEMS IN MECHANIZED AGRICULTURE. One to three credit hours. One to three research periods per week.
Problems pertaining to the applied and less technical aspects of Agricultural Engineering as related to the agriculture of Puerto Rico. Conferences, library laboratory and/or field work on an assigned problem, on an individual basis, with complete written report required.
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