Revised Course for Agricultural Engineering at Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Revised course structure for Agricultural Engineering at Tribhuvan University, Nepal, featuring new subjects, internships, and updated assessments.

Agricultural Engineering has been a part of Tribhuvan University’s academic offerings since its introduction in 2002 AD (2057 BS) at Purwanchal Campus, Institute of Engineering, Dharan. Since then, the curriculum has undergone several updates, including a major revision in 2012 AD (2068 BS). Now, in 2024 AD (2081 BS), the course structure has been updated again to align with the evolving demands of the agricultural sector.

Why the Curriculum Needed Revision:

• Wave of Agricultural Mechanization: The field is witnessing a rapid adoption of mechanized farming practices.
• Internship Program for Skill Development: There has been a growing demand for hands-on, practical experience in the industry.
• Emerging Technologies: The global agricultural landscape is evolving with new technologies like precision agriculture and sustainability-focused engineering solutions.

If you want to view the previous syllabus from 2012 AD, visit this link.

Major Revisions:

• Added a 12-week Internship Program to enhance practical skills.
• New Subject: "Precision Agriculture" introduced to focus on the application of technology for optimizing farm productivity.
• New Subject: "Agricultural Engineering for Sustainable Development" to address the role of engineering in promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
• Merged Courses:
  • "Basic Electrical" and "Basic Electronics"
  • "Engineering Professional Practice" and "Project Management"
• Removed Courses:
  • "Electric Systems and Machines"
  • "Climate Change and Adaptation Measures"
  • "Field and Industrial Training"
• Increased Internal Assessment Marks: The weight of internal assessments has been raised to 40% from 20% of theory marks.
• Elimination of Final Practical Exams: Almost all subjects have removed final practical exams, emphasizing continuous assessment.

Minor Revisions:

• Shuffling of course schedules and content adjustments.
• Changes in subject codes.

Teaching Schedule & Examination Scheme:

Each course is assigned credit hours for lectures (L), tutorials (T), and practicals (P). Here's a snapshot of the courses in the revised curriculum:

L=lecture, T=Tutorial, P= Practical 

Year I, Part I

SN. Subject code, Subject Name;Course Credit (L:, T:, P:)

1. SH 101, Engineering Mathematics I; 3 (L: 3, T: 2)
2. SH 103, Engineering Chemistry; 3 (L: 3, T: 2, P: 3)
3. CT 101, Computer Programming; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 3)
4. ME 106, Engineering Workshop; 2 (L: 1, T: 1, P: 3)
5. ME 101, Engineering Drawing; 4 (L: 2, T: 2, P: 4)
6. CE 101, Engineering Mechanics; 4 (L: 4, T: 2)
7. AE 101, Agricultural Engineering for Sustainable Development; 2 (L: 2, T: 1)

Year I, Part II

1. SH 151, Engineering Mathematics II; 3 (L: 3, T: 2)
2. SH 152, Engineering Physics; 4 (L: 4, T: 2, P: 1)
3. EE 153, Basic Electrical and Electronics Engineering; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 1)
4. ME 151, Engineering Thermodynamics I; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 1)
5. CE 155, Fluid Mechanics; 4 (L: 4, T: 2, P: 1)
6. AE 151, Engineering Materials; 2 (L: 2)
7. AE 152, Soil Science; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 2)

Year II, Part I

1. SH 201, Engineering Mathematics III; 3 (L: 3, T: 2)
2. CE 206, Hydraulics; 4 (L: 4, T: 2, P: 1)
3. CE 207, Engineering Survey; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 4)
4. ME 207, HVAC and Cold Storage; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 1)
5. AE 201, Crop Production Technology; 2 (L: 2, T: 1, P: 1.5)
6. AE 202, Farm Power and Engine System; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 2)
7. AE 203, Engineering Properties of Biomaterials; 2 (L: 2, T: 1.5)

Year II, Part II

1. SH 251, Communication English; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 4)
2. SH 252, Probability and Statistics; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 4)
3. SH 253, Numerical Methods; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 3)
4. CE 257, Strength of Materials and Theory of Structures; 3 (L: 3, T: 2, P: 1)
5. CE 258, Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 2)
6. CE 259, Survey Camp; 2
7. AE 251, Renewable Energy and Conversion Devices; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 2)
8. AE 252, Tractor Systems and Control; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 2)

Year III, Part I

1. ME 307, Theory and Design of Machine Elements; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 1)
2. AE 301, Hydrology and Agricultural Meteorology; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 2)
3. AE 302, Farm Machinery and Equipment; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 2)
4. AE 303, Agri-Economics and Entrepreneurship; 2 (L: 2, T: 1, P: 1)
5. AE 304, Irrigation and Drainage Engineering; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 2)
6. AE 305, Postharvest Engineering; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 2)
7. AE 306, Field Operation and Maintenance of Farm Machines; 1 (L: 1, P: 3)

Year III, Part II

1. CE 357, Design of Structures; 3 (L: 3, T: 2, P: 1.5)
2. AE 351, Soil and Water Conservation Engineering; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 2)
3. AE 352, Groundwater Development and Tube Well Technology; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 1.5)
4. AE 353, Dairy and Food Engineering; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 2)
5. AE 354, Farm Structures and Building Technology; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 1.5)
6. AE 355, Precision Agriculture; 2 (L: 2, T: 1, P: 1)
7. AE 365, Elective I; 3 (L: 3, T: 2, P: 1)

Year IV, Part I

1. AE 411, Project Engineering and Professional Practice; 3 (L: 3, T: 2)
2. AE 412, Rural Infrastructure Engineering; 3 (L: 3, T: 2)
3. AE 413, Estimating and Costing; 2 (L: 2, T: 2)
4. AE 414, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development; 3 (L: 3, T: 1, P: 1)
5. AE 425, Elective II; 3 (L: 3, T: 2, P: 1)
6. AE 435, Elective III; 3 (L: 3, T: 2, P: 1)
7. AE 415, Project I; 2

Year IV, Part II

1. AE 461, Project II; 2
2. AE 462, Internship; 4

The revised curriculum is designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, making them ready for the evolving challenges in agricultural engineering. From an emphasis on sustainability to the integration of new technologies, this updated syllabus is expected to provide a holistic education experience for future engineers.