Biosystems Engineering Curricula in Europe

This paper describes the history of the harmonisation of agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs in Europe from 1989, when the need for this process was widely felt, until now, when this need was partly satisfied through the implementation of the projects of two EU funded thematic networks, i.e., USAEE-TN and ERABEE-TN. The objective of this paper is to contribute to promote, in each EU country and elsewhere, the process of harmonisation of agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs, and student and graduate mobility within the EU, as well as between the EU and the USA. At present, in Europe, this harmonisation process is aided by the key results of the projects of USAEE-TN, ERABEE-TN and POMSEBES. USAEE developed some core curricula, to be used as benchmarks for European agricultural/biosystems engineering degree study programs, and a web-based database of these study programs. ERABEE promoted the transition from agricultural engineering to biosystems engineering and established the recognition procedures of new European study programs in biosystems engineering. The EU-US POMSEBES consortium built up a platform for exchange of experiences and ideas between the USA and the EU, aimed at: enhancing the quality and linkage of research and education; establishing appropriate policy oriented measures; promoting compatible degree study programs in biosystems engineering, within the EU as well as between the EU and the USA.