Undergraduate
The BSE program is unique in the College of Engineering – students learn to integrate foundational biology and chemistry into engineering design. Our ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science degree program prepares graduates to succeed as practicing engineers, entrepreneurs, or graduate school. We are invested in our students’ success through dedicated advising, supportive faculty, and a community atmosphere, preparing graduates to make an immediate impact.
Students pursue a degree in Biological Systems Engineering and have the option to further specialize in Ecological Engineering or Biotechnology & Bioprocess Engineering.
B.S. Program
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Biological Systems Engineering (BSE)
The Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) degree provides students with a unique opportunity to blend their passions for biology, chemistry, and engineering in a flexible and comprehensive curriculum. This degree is an excellent fit for students interested in biotechnology, ecological engineering, environmental health, health professions, or food engineering.
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Ecological Engineering (EcoE) Concentration
The Ecological Engineering (EcoE) concentration under the BSE degree combines principles of ecology and engineering, equipping graduates to design, construct, and manage sustainable ecosystems that enhance human well-being and benefit the environment. Ecological engineers tackle critical challenges such as habitat restoration, water quality improvement, and climate change mitigation.
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Biotechnology & Bioprocess Engineering (BioE) Concentration
The Biotechnology & Bioprocess Engineering (BioE) concentration under the BSE degree combines principles of biology and engineering, preparing graduates to create vaccines, medicines, therapeutics, sustainable materials, and food as well as design processes for their scaled-up production. Biotechnology and bioprocess engineers are well-prepared for careers in industry, biotech entrepreneurship, or pursuing graduate or medical school.
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Is BSE the right fit for me? I'm interested in the following subjects.....
Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) builds on chemistry and biology to design practical, scalable solutions for producing bioproducts. While chemistry focuses on molecules and chemical reactions, and biochemistry examines the organic molecules and processes within living organisms, BSE applies this scientific knowledge to specific engineering challenges.
A chemist might study how an enzyme converts ADP to ATP. A BSE engineer would take that reaction and develop the process, equipment, and scale-up needed to produce it efficiently at an industrial level.
Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) applies advances in biology to engineer practical solutions involving living organisms. While biology studies living organisms, microbiology focuses on microscopic life, and genetics examines heredity and evolution, BSE uses insights from all three fields to design systems and technologies that leverage this understanding to solve real-world problems.
For example, a biologist, microbiologist, or geneticist might investigate why certain bacteria produce more acetic acid based on their genes. A Biological Systems Engineer would take that knowledge and optimize those highly productive bacteria—and the processes around them—for efficient industrial-scale acetic acid production.
Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) applies biology to the large-scale production of biomaterials, drugs, and other biologically derived products. While Biomedical Engineering focuses on biology as it relates to the human body and medical treatment, BSE centers on designing and optimizing the processes that make these medical products possible.
Biological Systems Engineers often contribute to areas such as drug and delivery system development, synthetic biomaterial production, and microbiology-based research. Because of this broad foundation, BSE overlaps with several fields, including medical research (BSE/Health Professions), prosthetics (BSE/Mechanical Engineering), drug delivery (BSE/Chemical Engineering), and medical devices (BSE/Mechanical Engineering/Computer Science).
Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) integrates both biology and chemistry to design processes for producing bio-based materials and products. While Chemical Engineering traditionally applies chemistry to chemical and petroleum-based reactions, BSE extends these engineering principles to living systems and biologically driven processes.
BSE professionals work across a wide range of applications—including food processing, biopharmaceutical production, biomaterials, metabolic engineering, bioenergy, and animal waste utilization—where biological and chemical knowledge must be combined to create efficient, scalable solutions.
Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) approaches environmental and resource challenges from a systems perspective, focusing on water quality, watershed management, and natural resource protection. In contrast, Civil Engineering typically works at the site level, addressing issues such as stormwater, solid waste, air pollution, and hydraulic structures.
Although the two fields often collaborate and share similar career paths, their academic emphases differ. Civil Engineering programs concentrate on transportation, structures, construction, geotechnical, water resources, or environmental engineering. In BSE, students dive deeper into biology and chemistry, heat and mass transport, hydrology, water quality, ecosystem processes, and watershed modeling—preparing them to engineer solutions that integrate biological and environmental systems.
Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) applies environmental and biological knowledge to engineer solutions for water quality, ecological health, and watershed management. In contrast, Environmental Science studies the environment and its processes, Natural Resources focuses on managing ecosystems and wildlife, and Water programs emphasize sustainability, policy, and water resource management.
While these fields overlap, their approaches differ. An Environmental Scientist might study how pollution affects fish in a stream. A Biological Systems Engineer would use that scientific insight to design a watershed management plan and implement practices that prevent harmful pollution levels in the first place.
Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) is the only engineering major that requires two years of chemistry, a full biology sequence, and microbiology. This strong life science foundation makes the program an excellent fit for students interested in medical, dental, or veterinary careers. With just a few additional credits, BSE students can also meet the coursework expectations for the MCAT, making it a practical route into professional health programs.
