College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Curriculum in Biological Systems Engineering
Biological Systems Engineers apply their knowledge of physical and biological sciences, mathematics, and engineering principles to biological systems and processes, e.g., processing of food, design of fermentation and enzyme processes, ecological processes, and design of greenhouse and animal housing systems. Because of their broad general engineering background, biological systems engineering graduates are sought by a wide variety of employers including food processing industries, nursery and greenhouse industries, concentrated animal production industries, biotechnology companies, environmental consulting firms, and governmental agencies.
The Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department provides quality education, research and outreach in engineering and technology for the world's agricultural, biological, environmental and food systems. Our undergraduate programs provide a high quality education for engineering and systems management students to fulfill the needs of industries we serve and advance our reputation as a world leader in engineering and systems management education.
The biological systems engineering program develops graduates who can pursue engineering careers in industry, academia, consulting or government. The curriculum is designed:
- to produce graduates to serve the engineering needs of clientele in food processing, bioprocessing, bioenvironmental applications, and bioproduction systems;
- to produce graduates who are successfully employed in engineering jobs in industry, government or academia;
- to maintain our national and international reputation for program excellence; and
- to produce graduates who continue to be engaged in professional development.
Students learn to apply fundamental knowledge of biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering principles to formulate and solve engineering problems. Engineering design is integrated throughout the curriculum, along with opportunities to develop communication, learning and teamwork skills, culminating in a capstone design experience. Electives in the curriculum allow the student to specialize in:
- Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering--design and management of systems and biological processes affecting soil, water and air resources.
- Food Engineering--design and management of systems for production, processing, packaging, storing and distribution of food.
- Bioprocess Engineering--design and development of processes involving cells, enzymes, or other biological components.
Students select courses with the assistance of faculty advisors in an individualized advising system. Faculty members also assist with professional development and job placement for students.
The biological systems engineering program is jointly administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Dwight Look College of Engineering, and the curriculum has been designed to meet accreditation requirements of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The department is one of the largest in North America and is consistently ranked as one of the top two in the nation.
FRESHMAN YEAR
| First Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | Second Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGEN 150 Intro. to Biol. and | BIOL 113 Introductory Biology I | (3-3) | 3 | |||
| Ag. Engr. Design | (0-2) | 1 | CHEM 107 Chemistry for Engrs. | (3-3) | 4 | |
| AGLS 101 Modern Ag. Systems | (1-0) | 1 | ENGR 112 Foundations of Engr. II | (1-3) | 2 | |
| ENGL 104 Comp. and Rhetoric | (3-0) | 3 | MATH 152 Engineering Math. II | (3-2) | 4 | |
| ENGR 111 Foundations of Engr. I | (1-3) | 2 | University Core Curriculum elective2 | 3 | ||
| MATH 151 Engineering Math. I1 | (3-2) | 4 | * KINE 199 Required Physical Activity | (0-2) | 1 | |
| PHYS 218 Mechanics | (3-3) | 4 | 17 | |||
| * KINE 198 Health and Fitness Activity | (0-2) | 1 | ||||
| 16 |
SOPHOMORE YEAR
| First Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | Second Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 210 Sci. and Technical Writing | (3-0) | 3 | BSEN 265 Inv. Tech. for Biol. and Ag. Engr. | (1-6) | 3 | |
| ENGR 211 Conserv. Prin. in Engr. Mech. | (2-2) | 3 | CHEM 222 Elements of Organic and | |||
| ENGR 213 Principles of Materials Engr. | (2-2) | 3 | Biological Chemistry | (3-0) | 3 | |
| MATH 251 Engineering Math. III | (3-0) | 3 | ENGR 212 Conserv. Prin. in Thermal Sci. | (2-2) | 3 | |
| PHYS 208 Electricity and Optics | (3-3) | 4 | ENGR 214 Conserv. Prin. of Cont. Mech. | (2-2) | 3 | |
| 16 | MATH 308 Differential Equations | (3-0) | 3 | |||
| 15 |
JUNIOR YEAR
| First Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | Second Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AGEN 340 Fluid Mech. and Hydrology | (3-0) | 3 | AGEN 370 Meas. and Control of Bio. Sys. and Ag. Processes | (2-2) | 3 | |
| AGEN 375 Des. of Ag. Mach. and Struc. | (3-0) | 3 | BICH 303 Biochemistry | (3-0) | 3 | |
| BSEN 354 Engr. Properties of | BSEN 365 Unit Ops. for Biol. and Ag. Engr. | (2-3) | 3 | |||
| Biological Materials | (2-3) | 3 | BSEN 366 Transport Processes in | |||
| ENGR 215 Principles of Electrical Engr. | (2-2) | 3 | Biological Systems | (3-0) | 3 | |
| Microbiology elective3 | 4 | Mathematics elective4 | 3 | |||
| 16 | 15 |
SENIOR YEAR
| First Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | Second Semester | (Th-Pr) | Cr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSEN 479 Biol. and Ag. Engr. Des. I | (1-2) | 2 | BSEN 480 Biol. and Ag. Engr. Des. II | (0-6) | 3 | |
| ENGR 482 Ethics and Engineering | (2-2) | 3 | BSEN 481 Seminar | (1-0) | 1 | |
| Engineering elective5 | 3 | Engineering electives5 | 6 | |||
| University Core Curriculum electives2 | 9 | University Core Curriculum electives2 | 6 | |||
| 17 | 16 |
NOTES:
- Entering students will normally be given a placement test in mathematics. Test results will be used in selecting the appropriate starting course which may be at a higher or lower level.
- To be selected from the University Core Curriculum. Of the 18 hours shown as University Core Curriculum electives, 3 must be from visual and performing arts, 3 from social and behavioral sciences, 6 from U.S. history, and 6 from POLS 206 and 207. The required 6 hours from international and cultural diversity may be met by courses satisfying the visual and performing arts, social and behavioral sciences, and the political science and history requirements if they are also on the approved list of international and cultural diversity courses (see University Core Curriculum, item 6).
- Microbiology elective is to be selected from an approved list in consultation with the academic advisor to develop a cohesive career emphasis.
- Mathematics elective is to be selected from the departmental approved list.
- Engineering electives must include at least 6 hours of biological systems engineering and are to be selected from an approved list in consultation with the academic advisor to enhance the chosen career emphasis.
The Systems Safety Engineering specialty is available for students pursuing this degree. See Systems Safety Engineering Specialty Certificate for detailed information.