The department consists of 13 graduate faculty members, about 25 graduate students, and five adjunct graduate faculty members. Master of Science students may specialize in (1) environmental engineering, (2) food and feed process engineering, (3) information and electrical technology, (4) machinery systems, (5) natural resource engineering, and (6) structure and environment. Minimum degree requirements are 30 semester hours of graduate credit, including a Master’s thesis of 6 semester hours based upon original research or a master’s report of 2 semester hours of research or problem work. A generalized Doctoral program is offered by the College of Engineering through each department. The traditional areas of specialization are integrated into the following five interdisciplinary areas: (1) energy utilization, (2) informational systems, (3) materials engineering, (4) systems engineering, and (5) bio-environmental engineering. Award of a doctorate requires successful completion of the equivalent of at least three full years of full-time study beyond the baccalaureate as well as completion of a major research study reported in a doctoral dissertation.

Research facilities

The department is located in Seaton Hall. The department possesses 15 well-equipped instructional and research laboratories, including the computer laboratory, and laboratories for instrument and control, physical properties, image processing, thermal food processing, grain wet processing, air quality and control, water quality and control, hydrology, engine testing, machinery systems, and biomass energy systems. Field studies may be carried out at experiment fields near Topeka and St. John and at Research Extension Centers near Garden City and Colby. Opportunities also exist for research in the U.S. Grain Marketing and Production Research Center and the Wind Erosion Research Unit, USDA-ARS, both located in Manhattan.