Course Descriptions

Biological Systems Engineering
(BSEN)

(faculty, see Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering)

150. Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering Design. (0-2). Credit 1.

Introduction to the engineering design process using design problems presented by biological and agricultural engineers from industry; problem definition, information search, idea generation and development of design concepts. Prerequisite: Engineering major or approval of department head. Cross-listed with AGEN 150.

265. Investigative Techniques for Biological and Agricultural Engineers. (1-6). Credit 3. II

Use of field and laboratory techniques to reinforce fundamental engineering concepts; applications of techniques for data collection and analysis to problems in biological and agricultural engineering; design of experiments and communication of experimental results. Prerequisites: ENGR 211 and 212 or registration therein.

285. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4.

Selected problems in any phase of biological systems engineering; credit and specific content dependent upon background, interest, ability and needs of student enrolled; individual consultations and reports required. Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore classification.

289. Special Topics in… Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified area of biological systems engineering. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.

354. Engineering Properties of Biological Materials. (2-3). Credit 3. I

Relationships between composition, structure and properties of biological materials; definition and measurement of mechanical, physical, thermal and other material properties; variability of properties; application of properties to engineering analysis and design of biological and agricultural processes and systems. Prerequisites: ENGR 213; ENGR 214 or registration therein.

365. Unit Operations for Biological and Agricultural Engineering. (2-3). Credit 3. II

Theoretical and practical understanding of basic unit operations required to design processes and equipment in the agricultural, biological, environmental, and food industries, with unique constraints presented by biological and agricultural systems considered in design of all units. Prerequisites: AGEN 340; BSEN 366 or registration therein; ENGR 214 or registration therein; junior or senior classification. Cross-listed with AGEN 365.

366. Transport Processes in Biological Systems. (3-0). Credit 3. II

Basic principles governing transport of energy and mass; application of these principles to analysis and design of processes involving biological, environmental and agricultural systems. Prerequisites: AGEN 340; BSEN 354; BSEN 365 or AGEN 365 or registration therein; MATH 308; junior or senior classification.

458. Environmental Control for Biological Systems. (3-0). Credit 3.

Analysis of physical and biological factors affecting living organisms in controlled environment systems; air quality, gas exchange, water use, radiant energy, energetics of living systems; design of environmental control systems for greenhouses, livestock housing and closed environment life support systems. Prerequisites: AGEN 365 or BSEN 365; BSEN 366.

465. Design of Biological Waste Treatment Systems. (3-0). Credit 3. I

Management and treatment of high organic content wastes, with emphasis on agricultural and food processing wastes; engineering design of biological waste treatment processes; regulatory aspects affecting management of agricultural wastes. Prerequisites: AGEN 365 or BSEN 365; junior or senior classification.

471. Introduction to Biochemical Engineering. (3-0). Credit 3. I, II

Fundamentals of microbial and enzyme processes; application of biochemical reaction kinetics, transport phenomena and chemical reactor design principles to design and analysis of enzyme reactors and fermentation systems. Prerequisite: Senior classification in engineering or approval of instructor. Cross-listed with CHEN 471.

474. Unit Operations in Food Processing. (2-2). Credit 3. I

Design of food process engineering systems; basic concepts of rheology and physical properties of foods; fundamentals of heat and mass transfer and process control. Prerequisites: CHEN 205 and 304, or ENGR 214. Cross-listed with CHEN 474.

479. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Design I. (1-2). Credit 2. I

Capstone design project selection from problems posed by biological and agricultural engineers in industrial practice; project to be completed in BSEN 480; completion of project feasibility study and outline; design philosophy, teamwork and communication; economics; product liability and reliability; use of standards and codes; goal setting and time management. Prerequisites: AGEN 365 or BSEN 365; AGEN 370 and 375; senior classification. Cross-listed with AGEN 479.

480. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Design II. (0-6). Credit 3. II

Continuation of engineering design experience through team solution of design problem developed in BSEN 479; preparation of design solution under supervision of biological and agricultural engineering staff and clients; critical evaluation of results by students, staff and industrial consultants. Prerequisites: AGEN 479 or BSEN 479; senior classification. Cross-listed with AGEN 480.

481. Seminar. (1-0). Credit 1. II

Review of current literature dealing with biological systems engineering problems presented by staff members and students. Prerequisite: Senior classification. Cross-listed with AGEN 481.

485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4.

Selected problems in any phase of biological systems engineering; credit and specific content dependent upon background, interest, ability and needs of student enrolled; individual consultations and reports required. Prerequisite: Junior classification.

489. Special Topics in… Credit 1 to 4.

Special topics in an identified area of biological systems engineering. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.