Biological Systems Engineering is an engineering major that uses biology as its main scientific base. In the new age of biology and biotechnology, engineers are needed to work side by side with life scientists to bring laboratory developments into commercial production. Industries in plant and animal production, bioenergy, bioprocessing, biotechnology, food processing, aquaculture, agriculture, and forest production all need engineers with strong training in biology. Concern for the use and preservation of environmental resources creates many engineering opportunities as society strives to maintain a balance within the biosphere.
In the freshman and sophomore years, the Biological Systems Engineering major requires sequences of courses standard in all engineering programs, including mathe-matics, physics, chemistry, engineering science, and humanities. In addition, the Biological Systems Engineering major also requires courses in the biological sciences. In the junior and senior years, core courses are taken involving the integration of engineering with biology. |
Biological Systems Engineering Program |
| The Biological Systems Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012; (410) 347-7700. |
Lower Division Required Courses |
| |
UNITS |
| Mathematics 21A-21B-21C-21D |
16 |
| Mathematics 22A-(22AL*)-22B |
6 or 7 |
| Physics 9A-9B-9C |
15 |
| Chemistry 2A-2B |
10 |
| Chemistry 8A or 118A |
2 or 4 |
| Biological Sciences 2A |
4 |
| Biological Systems Engineering 1 |
5 |
| Engineering 6 or Computer Science Engineering 30* |
4 |
| Engineering 17 |
4 |
| Engineering 35 |
3 |
| Biological Systems Engineering 75 |
4 |
| English 3 or University Writing Program 1, or Comparative Literature 1, 2, 3, or 4, or Native American Studies 5 |
4 |
| Communication 1 or 3 |
4 |
| General Education electives |
12 |
| |
|
| Minimum Lower Division Units |
93 |
| * Mathematics 22AL is required concurrently with Mathematics 22A if you opt to take Computer Science Engineering 30 rather than Engineering 6. |
Upper Division Requirements: |
| In the junior and senior years, the Biological Systems Engineering major requires courses that focus on the integration of biology and physical sciences with engineering. Depending on your area of interest, you may select elective courses from seven specializations: |
Agricultural Engineering
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Aquacultural Engineering
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Bioenergy Engineering
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Biomechanics/Premedicine/Preveterinary Medicine
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Biotechnical Engineering
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Ecological Systems Engineering
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Food Engineering
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Forest Engineering
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| You may also develop your own specialization in consultation with your adviser. The upper division requirements are listed following the areas of specialization. |
Areas of Specialization |
| Agricultural Engineering. Students specializing in agricultural engineering integrate analysis and design with applied biology to solve problems in producing, transporting and processing agricultural products leading to food, fiber, energy, pharmaceuticals and other human needs. Agricultural engineers design machinery, processes, and systems for productive plant and animal culture, including managing nutrients and waste while minimizing adverse environmental effects. The recom-mended electives provide students with the fundamental principles of agricultural production and a broad background in engineering. Agricultural engineers are em-ployed as practicing professionals and managers with agricultural producers, equipment manufacturers, food processors, consulting engineering firms, start-up compa-nies and government agencies. |
| Recommended biological science electives: |
| Plant Emphasis |
Plant Biology 111
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Soil Science 100
|
Select one course from Agricultural Management and Rangeland Resources 110A, Entomology 100, Plant Sciences 114, Environmental Horticulture 102
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| Animal Emphasis |
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Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior 101
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Soil Science 100
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Select one course from Avian Sciences 100, Animal Science 143, 144, 146
|
| Recommended engineering electives: |
Biological Systems Engineering 114, 132, 145
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Civil and Environmental Engineering 141, 141L
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Engineering 180
|
| Suggested Advisers: M. Delwiche, J. Fan, K. Giles, M. Grismer, D. Hills, B. Jenkins, D. Slaughter, S. Upadhyaya, W. Wallender, R. Zhang |
| Aquacultural Engineering. Aquacultural engineers design, build, and manage equipment and systems for the production of aquatic plants and animals. Aquacultural engineers must have a solid understanding of biology and processes related to water quality to work with the wide variety of systems used for aquaculture produc-tion. Systems range from sophisticated indoor operations with water treatment and recirculation to low-input earthen ponds. Employment opportunities for aquacultural engineers include engineering consulting companies and government agencies. The aquaculture industry is expanding rapidly in various areas around the world, creat-ing international employment opportunities for aquacultural engineers |
| Recommended biological science electives: |
|
Animal Science 118, 131, 136
|
Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology 120, 121
|
| Recommended engineering electives: |
|
Civil and Environmental Engineering 140, 140L, 141, 141L, 148A, 148B
|
| Suggested adviser: R. Piedrahita |
|
| Bioenergy. Specialization in bioenergy is for students interested in the production of energy from renewable biological resources. The area of bioenergy requires discovery, development and dissemination of new mechanisms and processes for the sustainable production and use of biological materials from plants and microbes. To obtain training in the area, the core engineering and biology courses in the Biological Systems Engineering major are coupled with electives in environmental chemis-try, thermal and power systems, life-cycle analysis, plant molecular biology, and plant production. Biological engineers specializing in bioenergy will be needed in the future to work within industrial, government, and academic settings to expand the current sources of energy available in the U.S. and around the world. |
| Recommended biological science electives: |
|
Biological Sciences 101, 103
|
Microbiology 102
|
Plant Biology 113
|
Plant Sciences 101, 142
|
| Recommended engineering electives: |
| Biological Systems Engineering 132, 160 |
Civil and Environmental Engineering 143, 148A, 149, 150, 153
|
Mechanical Engineering 161, 162, 163
|
| Suggested advisers: J. Fan, B. Hartsough, B. Jenkins, J. VanderGheynst, R. Zhang |
|
| Biomechanics/Pre-Medicine/Pre-Veterinary Medicine. This specialization is for students interested in the biomechanics of humans and animals, with emphasis on the physical, chemical, and biological factors affecting motion and function. Combined training in mechanics, material properties, and ergonomics allows graduates to work in industry on the design, evaluation, and application of medical devices and systems as well as worker health and safety. Some students use the specialization as preparation for medical or veterinary school with the assurance of a marketable degree in engineering in case their post-graduation plans change. The Biomechanics specialization is also excellent preparation for graduate work in biomedical engineering. Students interested in medical or veterinary school should consult with admis-sions advisers from the appropriate school to plan for successful admission, including necessary summer experience. |
| Recommended Biological Science Electives: |
|
Biological Sciences 102
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Neurobiology and Physiology 101
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Exercise Biology 103
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Cell Biology and Human Anatomy 101
|
Recommended Engineering Electives: |
Biological Systems Engineering 128, 175
|
Biomedical Engineering 109, 116, 118, 126
|
| Additional courses for medical or veterinary school application: |
|
Chemistry 2C, 118C (medical)
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Biological Sciences 101
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Microbiology 102, 102L
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Molecular and Cell Biology 150, 150L
|
| Suggested Advisers: M. Delwiche, F. Fathallah, J. VanderGheynst |
| Biotechnical Engineering. This specialization is for students interested in the biotechnology industries. Core engineering courses are combined with training in genet-ics, biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology. Modern laboratory techniques in biochemistry are also included in the specialization to provide hands-on skills. Biotechnology is an area of industrial growth in the U.S. and will increasingly need engineers to transfer laboratory developments to large scale production. Present industrial activities include the production of genetically altered plants, plant materials and food products, production and packaging of biocontrol agents for plant pests and diseases; microbial production of biological products; tissue culture; and bioremediation. |
| Recommended biological science electives: |
|
Biological Sciences 101, 102, 103
|
Microbiology 102
|
Molecular and Cellular Biology 120L
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Plant Biology 113
|
| Recommended engineering electives: |
Biological Systems Engineering 132, 160, 175
|
Chemical Engineering 161B, 161C, 161L
|
Engineering 180
|
| Suggested Advisers: M. Delwiche, J. Fan, K. Giles, M. Grismer, J. VanderGheynst, R. Zhang |
| Ecological Systems Engineering. Specialists in ecological systems engineering are concerned with the design, development, and management of ecosystems. Typical applications include the rehabilitation of disturbed ecosystems, the design of mitigation areas, the incorporation of ecologically sustainable features into land developments, and the design and management of public and private landscapes. An understanding of ecology and the interaction of ecological communities, coupled with knowledge of engineering design and economics, are stressed in this specialization. Employment opportunities include environmental consulting firms, government regulatory agencies, and agencies involved in wildland resource management. |
| Recommended biological science electives: |
|
Entomology 100
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Environmental Science and Policy 100
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Microbiology 120
|
Soil Science 100, 111
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Select one course from Atmospheric Science 133, Plant Biology 121, Environmental Toxicology 101 or 112A
|
| Recommended engineering electives: |
|
Biological Systems Engineering 115, 135, 145
|
Civil and Environmental Engineering 148A or 149
|
Recommended courses:
|
|
Applied Biological Systems Technology 180
|
Environmental and Resource Science 100
|
Landscape Architecture 1 (no technical elective credit will be granted for this course in any engineering major)
|
| Suggested Advisers: K. Giles, M. Grismer, B. Jenkins, R. Piedrahita, R. Plant, J. VanderGheynst, R. Zhang |
| Food Engineering. The food industry is the largest industrial sector of the U. S. economy. Food engineers conceive, design, and operate food processes, equipment, and plants for efficient food production with minimal impact on the environment. Students specializing in food engineering learn to apply engineering principles and concepts to handling, storing, processing, packaging, and distributing food and related products. In addition to engineering principles, the food engineering specializa-tion is intended to provide an understanding of the chemical, biochemical, microbiological, and physical characteristics of foods. In the junior and senior years, students take courses that focus on the integration of biological and food science with engineering. Concepts of food refrigeration, freezing, thermal processing, drying, and other food operations are studied. |
| Recommended biological sciences electives: |
|
Biological Sciences 101, 102, 103; Environmental Science and Policy 110; Environmental Toxicology 101, 131; Food Science and Technology 104L, 119, 120, 128; Plant Sciences 152, 172
|
| Recommended engineering electives: |
Biological Systems Engineering 160, 175; Chemical Engineering 157, 159; Mechanical Engineering 171, 172
|
| Suggested Advisers: J. Krochta, K. McCarthy, M. McCarthy, R. P. Singh, D. Slaughter |
|
Forest Engineering. Forest engineers apply engineering principles to solve problems in managing forest lands. Forestry has evolved from an emphasis on wood production toward multiple use, ecosystem management and consideration of noneconomic objectives such as retaining biodiversity. Forest engineers help to develop the equipment and techniques for reforestation, harvesting, forest residue management, and development of roads and recreation facilities.
Following the sophomore year, students are encouraged to attend an eight-week field course, followed by a semester at UC Berkeley taking forestry courses, and forest ecology, planning, and operations. Students complete their engineering programs at UC Davis, taking courses in planning methods, equipment development, and road design. Forest engineers are employed by the US Forest Service and other public agencies, the forest industry, consulting firms, and equipment manufacturers. |
| Recommended biological science electives: |
|
Environmental Science Policy and Management 120* (Soil Characteristics, 4.5 units) or Soil Science 100
|
Environmental Science Policy and Management 182* (Forest Operations Management, 6 units)
|
Environmental Science Policy and Management 185* (Multi-Resource Silviculture, 6 units)
|
| Recommended engineering electives: |
|
Biological Systems Engineering 114, 115
|
Civil and Environmental Engineering 141, 141L, 171, 171L, 179
|
| Recommended Courses: |
|
Applied Biological Systems Technology 180
|
Environmental Science Policy and Management 101A-E* (Forestry Summer Program, 15 units)
|
Environmental and Resource Sciences 185
|
Plant Sciences 144
|
*Environmental Science Policy and Management courses are offered at UC Berkeley campus.
|
|
| Suggested Adviser: B. Hartsough |
|
Upper Division Required Courses |
| |
UNITS |
| Chemistry 8B or 118B (recommended for Aquacultural, Bioenergy, Biotechnical, Food, and Biomechanics/Premedicine/Preveterinary Medicine Engineering specializations) or Civil and Environmental Engineering10 (recommended for Agricultural, Ecological, and Forest Engineering specializations) |
4 or 3 |
| Biological Sciences 2B and 2C or Food Science and Technology 100A, 104, 131, and Biological Sciences 102 (recommended for Food Engineering specialization) |
10 or 14 |
| Engineering 100, 102, 105, 106 |
14 |
| Engineering 104 (recommended for Agricultural, Biomechanics/Premedicine/Preveterinary Medicine, Ecological and Forest Engineering specializations) or Chemical Engineering 161A (recommended for Aquacultural, Biotechnical and Bioenergy Engineering specializations) |
4 or 3 |
| Biological Systems Engineering 103, 125, 130, 165, 170A, 170B, 170BL, 170C, 170CL |
25 |
| Biological Systems Engineering electives—Select one course from all upper-division Biological Systems Engineering courses not otherwise required, with the exception of Biological Systems Engineering courses189-199 |
4 or 3 |
| Statistics 100 |
4 |
| Engineering electives—Select a minimum of 4 units. All upper division courses offered by the College of Engineering may be taken as engineering electives with the exception of the following: Civil and Environmental Engineering 123, Computer Science Engineering 188, Engineering 103, 160, all courses numbered 190-197 and 199 (except Engineering 190, which may be taken for 2 units of engineering elective credit). |
4 |
| Biological science electives—Select a minimum of 5 or 9 units (for a combined lower and upper division total of 24 units of biological sciences). Of the 24 units, at least nine must be upper division. All upper-division courses in the College of Biological Sciences (with the exception of Biological Sciences 132, Evolution and Ecology 175, Exercise Biology 102, 112, 115, 118 through 149L, Microbiology 100 and all courses numbered 190-199) may be used as biological science electives. The following courses may also be taken as biological science electives: Applied Biological Systems Technology 161; Animal Science 118, 143, 144, 146; Agricultural Management and Rangeland Resources 110A; Atmospheric Science 133; Avian Sciences 100; Cell Biology and Human Anatomy 101, 101L; Entomology 100; Environmental Horticulture 102; Environmental Science Policy and Management 120, 182, 185 (offered at UC Berkeley); Environmental Science and Policy 100, 110, 155; Environmental Toxicology 101, 112A, 131; Food Science and Technology 102A, 104L, 119, 120, 121, 128, 159; Infectious Diseases 141; Soil Science 100; Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology 121. Students may choose other upper division courses with substantial biological content offered by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; consultation with a faculty adviser and approval by petition is required) |
5 or 9 |
| General Education electives |
12 |
| Minimum Upper Division Units |
87 |
| * Only 3 units of credit for Civil and Environmental Engineering 10 for students who completed Biological Systems Engineering 1. |
| Minimum Units Required for Major |
180 |
| Master Undergraduate Adviser: R. Piedrahita |
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