Postgraduate School
Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Master of Engineering in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
M.Eng. Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
| Name | Status and Qualification | Research Interests |
| K.O. Yusuf | Reader and Acting Head of Department B.Eng. (FUT, Minna); M.Eng., Ph.D. (Ilorin); MNIAE; MISTRO; R.Engr. (Nigeria) | Soil and Water Engineering; Irrigation water treatment, Wastewater Engineering |
| A. O. Ogunlela | Professor B.Sc. (Ibadan); M.Sc. (Iowa State); Ph.D. (Oklahoma State); MNSE; MNIAE; MASABE; MISTRO; R.Engr. (Nigeria) | Soil and Water Engineering; Modeling of Agricultural Production Systems |
| C. J. Ejieji | Professor B.Eng., M.Eng. (UNN, Nsukka); Ph.D. (Newcastle); MNSE; MNIAE; MISTRO; R.Engr. (Nigeria) | Soil and Water Engineering; Modeling of Soil Plant Atmospheric Interactions |
| J. O. Olaoye | Professor B.Eng., M. Eng., Ph.D. (Ilorin); MNSE; FNIAE; MASABE; MISTRO; R.Engr. (Nigeria) | Power and Machinery Engineering; Renewable Energy Engineering |
| K. A. Adeniran | Professor B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ibadan); MNSE; MNIAE; MASABE; MISTRO; R.Engr. (Nigeria) | Soil and Water Engineering; Waste and Wastewater Engineering |
| T. A. Ishola | Senior Lecturer B.Eng., M.Eng., (Ilorin); Ph.D. (UPM, Malaysia); MNIAE; MISTRO; R.Engr. (Nigeria) | Power and Machinery; Machine Automation and Robotics |
| M.O. Iyanda | Senior Lecturer B.Eng., M.Eng., Ph.D. (Ilorin); MNIAE; MISTRO; R.Engr. (Nigeria) | Power and Machinery Engineering; Agricultural Mechanization |
| T.D. Akpenpuum | Senior Lecturer B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ibadan); MNIAE; R.Engr. (Nigeria) | Structure and Environment, Smart farming, Agricultural waste management |
| *M. O. Sunmonu | Reader B.Eng., M.Eng., Ph.D. (FUT, Minna), MNIAE; MASABE; R.Engr (Nigeria) | Agro-Product and Food Processing Engineering; Postharvest Engineering |
| *M. M. Odewole | Senior Lecturer B.Eng., M.Eng., (Ilorin); Ph.D. (FUTA); MNIAE; MASABE; R.Engr (Nigeria) | Agro-Product and Food Processing Engineering; Postharvest Engineering |
| *M. S. Sanusi | Lecturer I B.Tech., (LAUTECH, Ogbomoso); M.Sc., Ph.D. (Ibadan); MNIFST; R.Engr (Nigeria) | Food Processing and Preservation |
*Lecturers from other departments
B. Introduction
A Master of Engineering degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is a postgraduate qualification awarded typically after a bachelor‘s degree. A master degree certificate program consists of three semesters, which can be completed in eighteen months. The master degree programme in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is aimed at advancing the use of agricultural engineering profession in food and agricultural production to eradicate poverty, enhance food security and promote sustainable world. The goal is to expand the frontier of knowledge and generates practical solutions to the enormous and multi-faceted problems confronting the nation‘s industrial, technological, agricultural and rural development activities.
C. Philosophy
The philosophy of the postgraduate programme in Agricultural Engineering is to develop highly skilled professionals for the public, private and international organizations, as well as for teaching and research in Tertiary Institution and for global competitiveness. The programme is recommended for students wishing to enhance their professional skills as it concentrates on a more practical application in order to enter the labor market. Students undergoing Master of Engineering degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering can specialize in any of the following options namely:
therefore is to promote, within the student, the science and art of engineering in agriculture and to build in them capacity for high sense of self-reliance, coupled with sound academic and practical discipline towards the attainment of the national goals and objective of rapid industrialization, food self-sufficiency and technological emancipation.
D. Aim and Objectives
The aim of Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is among
i. to provide students with knowledge and competitive skills to enhance their performance and to enable them to assume broader responsibilities in the rapidly changing environment in the context of the global and contemporary knowledge.
ii to serve and stimulate society by developing in students heightened intellectual, cultural, and humane sensitivities, scientific, professional and technological expertise.
iii. to promote research efforts directed toward meeting the social, economic and cultural needs of the societies.
iv. offer broad and balanced academic programs that are mutually reinforcing and emphasize high quality and creative instruction at the postgraduate levels.
v. generate new knowledge through a broad array of scholarly, research and creative endeavours, which provide a foundation for dealing with the immediate and long-range needs of society.
vi. to produce graduates having entrepreneurial skills and leadership qualities, including sound professional ethics.
The relationship between Agriculture, Engineering and Technology has widened the job opportunities of Agricultural engineers. Agricultural engineering involves applying engineering principles to any process associated with producing agriculturally based goods and management of our natural resources. Agricultural Engineers also design agricultural machinery, equipment, sensors, processes and structures and solve problems related to farming. Agricultural engineers are also called biological engineers. They also worked for the federal government. Others worked for agricultural, construction and mining machinery manufacturers and for food manufacturers. Agricultural engineers work in laboratories, offices and on agricultural sites.
E. Admission Requirements
The Candidates are required to obtain ―O‖ Level credits in five subjects which include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, English Language, and Biology or any one of the following subjects Agricultural Science, Further Mathematics and Technical Drawing. In addition to this,
a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with a minimum of a second class lower division may be acceptable for this program.
F. Duration of the Programme
The programme will run on full-time basis for a minimum of 18 calendar months and a maximum of 24 calendar months. However, for part-time basis will run for a minimum of 24 calendar months and a maximum of 36 calendar months.
G. Detailed Course Description
ABE 801 Advanced Agricultural Power 3 Credits
Limitations in the use of conventional and non-conventional power sources, including draught, animal power, tractor power. Power selection for mechanized agriculture. Research review on agricultural power utilization. System analysis. Reliability concepts. Replacement criteria. Optimization and modelling of specific applications. 30h (T); 45h (P); C.
ABE 802 Advanced Agricultural Machinery Design and Analysis 3 Credits
Further analysis of agricultural implements and equipment with emphasis on functional requirements for tillage, seeding, fertilizer and herbicide applications, weeding and harvesting process. Design criteria of machine elements and mechanisms. Equipment and machinery evaluations for integrated agricultural mechanization. 30h (T); 45h (P); C.
ABE 803 Advanced Studies in Traction and Transport Mechanization 2 Credits
Analysis of traction and transport mechanisms. Soil values related to traction and transport devices. Performance predictions. Compaction of soil due to machine traffic. Modelling of soil-vehicle systems. Research review of recent trends in off- road locomotion designs. 30h (T); 15h (15); C
ABE 804 Crop Protection Equipment Design and Analysis 3 Credits
Review of crop protection methods and types of sprayers, dosage formulation and specification. Influence of meteorological factors on spray pattern. Spray application efficiency. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 805 Rural Technology 3 Credits
Application of agricultural and biosystems engineering principles and concepts to rural problems. Rural problems appraisals and analysis. Machinery and equipment design and fabrication for rural applications. Limitation of design and adoption. Design methodologies. Design and fabrication techniques with emphasis on machine tools, materials selection Maintenance and repair problems. 15h (T); 90h (P); E
ABE 806 Irrigation Engineering 3 Credits
Design of irrigation systems, basin, furrow, border, sub-irrigation sprinkler including split-line design, drip. Design of an irrigation project, storage and service reservoirs, irrigation scheduling. Choice of irrigation method. Health hazards of irrigation. Economics of irrigation. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 807 Soil Plant Water Relations 3 Credits
Soil water. Soil moisture potential. Theory of infiltration. Capillary. Hydraulic conductivity of saturated and unsaturated soils. Soil water diffusivity. Plant water. Transpiration. Evapotranspiration. T Root growth. Growth stages of crops. Yield response to water shortage at various growth stages of crops. Salt-balance. Effect of salinity on soils and crops. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 808 Management, Operation and Maintenance of Irrigation and Drainage Projects 3 Credits
Project goals. Types of organization structure. Factors affecting structure. Organization for water management. Irrigation organizations. Project management, water charges. Operation objectives. Operation planning and monitoring. Water distribution. Maintenance function cycles, cost, machinery and manpower requirements. Diagnostic analysis approach. Use of microcomputers. Farmers participation. Case studies. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 809 Advanced Agricultural Land Drainage 3 Credits
Surface drainage design. Sub-surface drainage. Steady and non-steady state theories. Design criteria. Drainage of homogeneous soils, stratified soils, heavy clay soils, drainage by pumping. Drainage analogues and models. Envelope materials, pipe sizes and their design. Installation of drainage system. Salinity and control. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 810 On-Farm Water Management 3 Credits
Water requirements of crops. Irrigation scheduling. Water management in basin, furrow, boarder, sprinkler and drip irrigation fields. Irrigation efficiencies, uniformity of water application, effect of wind on sprinkler system, cropping patterns. Evaluation of irrigation systems and practices. Irrigation under limited water supply. On-farm water management for selected crops. Management of salt-affected soil. Case studies. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
ABE 811 Water Storage, Transport and Distribution System 3 Credits
Design of earth dams: types, site selection. Foundation design criteria, Embankment details. Seepage, slope stability. Spillways construction and maintenance. Reservoir losses and sedimentation. Life of a reservoir. Design of water conveyance and distribution systems. Design of in-field structures, outlets, division boxes, culverts, siphons, weirs, flumes, drops. Water harvesting techniques. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 812 Soil Conservation 3 Credits
Review of types of erosion and processes. Erodibility and erosivity. Estimation of soil loss, Prediction of erosion hazard. Erosion control. Desertification and its control. Sedimentation. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 813 Soil Conservation Structures and Land Protection 3 Credits
Shear strength of soils. Slope stability. Design of gully control structures. Check dams, drop split ways, chute spillways, mechanical protection structures. Design of terraces, grassed waterways. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 814 Soil Conservation Stability Aspects of Hydrology and Climatology 3 Credits
Review of the hydrologic cycle. Precipitation. Return period, probability distribution, extreme values. Overland flow. Flood routing. Hydrograph analysis. A physiographic characteristic of water sheds shapes, form, topographic and drainage factors. Peak discharge estimates from precipitation and water shed data. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 815 Advanced Processing Techniques for Agricultural and Biological Products 3 Credits
Size analysis and size reduction. Feed grinding and mixing. Processing systems for seed, grain, fruits, vegetables, egg, poultry, meat, milk, hay and forage. Processing systems for tree crops and forestry products. Process conditions, observation and control. Process analysis and plant design. Cost analysis. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 816 Advanced Drying Systems for Agricultural and Biological Products 3 Credits
Moisture content effects and measurements. Equilibrium moisture relationship. Moisture and temperature changes and effects. Airflow and air distribution. Theory of drying. Heated air dryers. Natural and forced air drying. Drying systems for various crops and animal products. Solar energy drying system. Moisture in stored products. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 817 Advanced Design and Analysis of Storage Systems 3 Credits
Rural storage systems in Nigeria. Design of storage bins and silos. Pests, rodents, fungi and diseases that attack field crops production. Pests and diseases of stored products and their control methods using fumigants and insecticides. Storage systems for various crops and animal products including refrigerated and frozen storage. Storage losses. Quality control. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 818 Advanced Handling of Agricultural and Biological Products 3 Credits
Review of handling techniques. Design and selection of conveying systems including belt, chain, bucket, vibratory, pneumatic and screw conveyors. Design of size reduction equipment. Grain handling systems. Forage and hay handling systems. Fruits and vegetables handling systems. Layout of equipment. Cost analysis. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 819 Advanced Engineering Properties for Agricultural and Biological Products 3 Credits
Revision of physical characteristics. Rheological and non-rheological properties of agricultural and biological products. Frictional properties. Water-material interaction of agricultural and biological materials. Visco-elastic properties. Aerodynamic and hydrodynamic characteristics. Mechanical damage to agricultural and biological materials. Mechanical damage to agricultural and biological products during harvesting, handling and processing. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
ABE 820 Solar Energy for Agricultural and Biological Processes 3 Credits
Solar energy fundamentals. Solar radiation. Flat and concentrating collectors. Solar systems. Solar heating and cooling. Application of solar energy in agricultural and biological processes. Solar heat storage. Economics of solar energy systems. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
ABE 821 Instrumentation and Measurements 3 Credits
Theory of measurements. Errors in measurements. Error analysis. Application of primary sensing elements. Measurements of temperature, pressure, density, specific gravity, surface area, motion, force, torque, displacement, stress, strain and moisture content in materials. Transducers, fluid and automatic control systems. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 822 Computer Modelling and Simulation of Agricultural and Biological Systems 3 Credits
Computer simulation of agricultural and biological processes and systems. Modelling of agricultural and biological processes and systems with particular emphasis on soil, crop, animal and machine systems. 15h (T); 90h (P); C
ABE 823 Project Planning and Appraisal 3 Credits
Classification and categorization of projects. Terminologies of project appraisal, planning and analysis. Project tools and methodologies for implementation. Relevance of project planning and appraisal to national agricultural development. Case studies. 45h (T); C
ABE 824 Graduate Seminar 1 Credit
Presentation of reviews and research thesis highlights as may be relevant to each postgraduate student‘s chosen option. Critical discussions of the topics and methodologies involved. 15h (T); C
ABE 825 Advanced Agricultural Power and Machinery Management 3 Credits
Optimization of agricultural equipment and machinery needs for specific requirements. Equipment selection, maintenance and sequencing of operations. Criteria for equipment replacement; spare parts inventory. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
ABE 826 Soil-Plant-Machine Systems 3 Credits
Interaction of soil values, plant and machine parameters for optimum tillage, production and performance of plant and machine systems. Soil properties and tillage tools parameters. Similitude approach to tillage mechanics. Design criteria for soil working tools. Tillage edaphic and environmental factors. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
ABE 827 Advanced Irrigation and Drainage Engineering 3 Credits
Minimum cost irrigation pipeline design. Flow over an infiltrating surface. Application of system analysis. Finite element method. AD Electrical resistance network. Latest development in irrigation and drainage. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
ABE 828 Advanced Soil Conservation Engineering 3 Credits
Rainfall simulation for soil erosion studies. Sedimentation theory of seepage. Application of soil mechanics theory to soil conservation. Watershed treatment. Latest developments in soil erosion and desertification control. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
ABE 829 Seed Processing and Design of Seed Plants 3 Credits
Seed processing technology. Seed processing equipment design, selection and maintenance. Seed processing plant layout. Economics of seed processing. 45h (T); E
ABE 830 Food Process Engineering 3 Credits
Calendaring and extrusion. Food preservation. Calendation of thermal processes. Pasteurization, homogenization, blanching, sterilization, fermentation, cooling, freezing and thawing. Drying including freeze, spray and run drying. 45h (T); E
ABE 831 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 3 Credits
Principles of refrigeration. Ice refrigeration system, mechanical refrigeration system, absorption system. Storage location, layout and management; load calculations. Controlled atmosphere and hypobaric storages. Microbiology, diseases and deterioration of foods; food refrigeration. Refrigerated ware-house design. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
ABE 832 Design of Agricultural Buildings and Environments 3 Credits
Selection and specification of agricultural building materials. Design procedures for water supply and sewage disposal systems in agricultural buildings. Design, planning and layout of farmstead, equipment, crop, livestock and human houses. Environmental control systems for plants, animals and aquatic habitats. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 833 Advanced Bioenvironmental Engineering 3 Credits
Advanced design and analysis of environmental control equipment and processes. Design of water supply and sewage disposal systems. Environmental control systems and devices for plants, animals and aquatic habitats. Environmental laws and regulations. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 834 Advanced Waste Management Engineering 3 Credits
Processes and equipment for converting agro-product and food processing wastes to useful products. Handling, processing, management and utilization of agricultural biological wastes. Design of waste treatment plants. Management and control of industrial wastes and effluents. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 835 Advanced Renewable Energy Engineering 3 Credits
Review of renewable energy resources. Review of recent developments, utilization and environmental impact assessment of renewable energy. Design, development and optimization of biomass, biofuel and biogas production equipment. Design of biogas storage and distribution systems for domestic and industrial use. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 836 Advanced Aquaculture Technology 3 Credits
Sedimentation, bio infiltration and gas transfer; microphytes and phytoremediation; aqua phonics. Techniques, processes and equipment for ozonisation and UV irradiation. Dynamics of water-mass balance including systems flow and recirculation. Fish growth and health in relation to water-mass balance and loading rates. Design and analysis of aqua cultural structures. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 837 Advanced Aqua cultural and Animal Production Engineering 3 Credits
Advanced production and processing techniques for fisheries and marine foods. Conceptual design of processes, structures and machines for fishery operations. Design of machines and equipment for slaughtering, cutting and packaging of animals. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
ABE 839 Research Dissertation 6 Credits
Each student shall carry out a research, design project on a topic approved by the department. 225h (P); C
Courses offered from other departments
AGY 830 Soil Survey and Land Use Evaluation 3 Credits
Course description as contained in the department of agronomy 30h (T); 45h (P); E
AGY 831 Soils Physics 3 Credits
Course description as contained in the department of agronomy. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
AGY 835 Management of Tropical Soils 3 Credits
Course description as contained in the department of agronomy. 30h (T); 45h (P); E
MEE 801 Numerical Analysis and Computation I 3 Credits
Course description as contained in the department of mechanical engineering. 30h (T); 45h (P); C
STA 810 Statistics and Field Experimentation 3 Credits
Course description as contained in the department of statistics. 45h (T); C
H. Graduation Requirement
The student must have registered and passed a minimum of Thirty-three (33) credits for Power and Machinery and Thirty-four (34) credits for other options
I. Summary
1. Power and Machinery Engineering
Core Courses: ABE 801(3), ABE 802 (3), ABE 821 (3), ABE 822 (3), ABE 823 (3) ABE 824 (1), ABE 839(6), MEE801(3),
STA 821(3) = 28 Credits
Elective Courses: ABE 803 (2 ), ABE 804 (3 ) = 5 Credits
2. Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
Core Courses: ABE 812(3), ABE 813(3), ABE 821 (3), ABE 822 (3), ABE 823 (3),ABE 824(1), ABE 839, (6), MEE801(3),
STA 821(3) = 28 Credits
Elective Courses: ABE 811(3), ABE 814 (3) = 6 Credits
3. Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Core Courses: ABE 806(3), ABE 809(3), ABE 821 (3), ABE 822 (3), ABE 823 (3) ABE 824(1), ABE 839(6) MEE 801 (3),
STA 821(3) = 28 Credits
Elective Courses: ABE 807(3), ABE 808 (3) = 6 Credits
4. Agro-Product and Food Processing and Storage Engineering
Core Courses: ABE 816(3), ABE 817(3), ABE 821 (3), ABE 822 (3),
ABE 823 (3) ABE 824(1), ABE 839(6)MEE 801 (3),
STA 821(3) = 28 Credits
Elective Courses: ABE 815(3), ABE 818 (3) = 6 Credits
5. Agricultural Buildings and Environmental Control Engineering
Core Courses: ABE 821 (3), ABE 822 (3), ABE 823 (3) ABE 824(1),
ABE 832(3), ABE 833(3),ABE 839(6) MEE 801 (3),
STA 821(3) = 28 Credits
Elective Courses: ABE 834 (3), ABE 835 (3) = 6 Credits
6. Aqua cultural Engineering
Core Courses: ABE 821 (3), ABE 822 (3), ABE 823 (3) ABE 824(1),
ABE 836(3), ABE 837(3), ABE 839(6) MEE 801 (3),
STA 821(3) = 28 Credits
Elective Courses: ABE 831(3), ABE 834 (3) = 6 Credits
© 2025 University of Ilorin