Biological Systems Engineering is the branch of engineering that builds strongly on biology as a scientific base. In the coming age of biology and biotechnology, engineers will be needed to work side by side with life scientists to bring laboratory developments into commercial production. Industries in plant and animal production, tissue culture, bioprocessing, biotechnology, food processing, aquaculture, agriculture, and forest production will all need engineers with strong training in biology. Concern for our environment is opening new 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 usual in all engineering programs, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering science, and humanities. Unlike other majors, the Biological Systems Engineering major also requires fundamental courses in the biological sciences and the integration of engineering with biology.
The Biological Systems Engineering curriculum is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.
| Lower Division Program | ||
| UNITS | QUARTER USUALLY TAKEN | |
| Required Courses | ||
| Mathematics 21A- 21B-21C-21D | 16 | 1-2-3-4 |
| Mathematics 22A | 3 | 5 |
| Mathematics 22B | 3 | 6 |
| Physics 9A-9B-9C | 12 | 3-4-5 |
| Chemistry 2A-2B | 10 | 2-3 |
| Biological Sciences 1A, 1B, 1C | 15 | 4-5-6 |
| Biological Systems Engineering 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Engineering 5 or Computer Science Engineering 30 | 3 or 4 | 2 |
| Engineering 17 | 4 | 6 |
| Engineering 35 | 3 | 4 |
| Biological Systems Engineering 75 | 4 | 5 |
| English 1 or 3, or Comparative Literature 1, 2, 3, or 4, or Native American Studies 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Communication 1 or 3 (or an acceptable substitute as approved by the Undergraduate Study Committee of the College of Engineering) | 4 | 2 |
| General Education electives | 8 | 3, 6 |
| Total Lower Division Units | 93-94 | |
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 six specializations:
You may also develop your own specialization in consultation with your adviser. The upper division requirements are listed following the areas of specialization.
Agricultural Engineering. Students specializing in agricultural engineering integrate engineering analysis and design with applied biology to solve problems in production, transportation and processing of agricultural products. Agricultural engineers design machinery, processes, and systems for managing a productive plant and animal culture, including environment, nutrient, and waste. The recommended electives provide students with the fundamental principles of agricultural production and a broad background in engineering. Agricultural engineers are employed as practicing professionals and managers with large and small agricultural producers, equipment manufacturers, food processors, consulting engineering firms, and government agencies.
Recommended biological science electives:
Recommended engineering electives:
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, especially processes related to water quality, to be able to work with the wide variety of systems used for aquaculture production. Systems range from sophisticated indoor plants with water treatment and recirculation to low-input earthen ponds. The recommended electives include fish biology and production as well as water quality and treatment. Employment opportunities for aquacultural engineers include engineering consulting companies and government agencies. The aquaculture industry is expanding rapidly in various areas around the world, creating international employment opportunities for aquacultural engineers.
Recommended biological science electives:
Biotechnical Engineering. This specialization is for students interested in the developing biotechnology industries. Core engineering courses are combined with training in genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology. Modern laboratory techniques in biochemistry are also included in the specialization to provide hands-on skills. Biotechnology is an emerging 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:
Recommended engineering electives:
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:
Recommended course:
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 to plan and carry out forest operations that can meet these changing requirements. Examples include reforestation, harvesting, forest residue management, and development of roads and recreation facilities.
Following the sophomore year, students are strongly encouraged to attend an eight-week field course sequence at the UC Forestry Camp near Quincy. This is followed by a semester at UC Berkeley, as an intercampus visitor, taking suggested forestry courses. This sequence provides a strong background in 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:
Recommended engineering electives:
*ESPM courses are offered at UC Berkeley campus.
Pre-Medical/Biomedical Engineering. The pre-medical/biomedical specialization is for students planning to attend medical school after graduation or to work in the biomedical industries. Course work in biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and physiology satisfies typical entrance requirements for medical school. Early in their academic programs, pre-medical engineering students should consult with an adviser from the School of Medicine to plan for successful admission, including appropriate summer experience. Biomedical engineering is primarily a field of study at the graduate level, and may have a chemical, mechanical, or electrical emphasis. The core Biological Systems Engineering program--plus additional course work in fluid mechanics, rheology, and dynamics--provides a broad foundation for graduate specialization.
Recommended biological science electives-- Biomedical:
Recommended biological science electives-- Premedical:
Recommended engineering electives:
Recommended for medical school:
| Upper Division Requirements | |
| UNITS | |
| Subject Areas and Courses | |
| Chemistry 8A or 118A | 2-4 |
| Chemistry 8B or 118B (recommended for Aquacultural, Biotechnical, and Pre-Medical/Biomedical Engineering specializations) or Civil and Environmental Engineering 10 (recommended for Agricultural, Ecological, and Forest Engineering specializations) | 4 |
| Engineering 100, 102, 103, 105, 106 | 18 |
| Engineering 104 (recommended for Agricultural, Pre-Medical/Biomedical, Ecological and Forest Engineering specializations) or Chemical Engineering 161A (recommended for Aquacultural and Biotechnical Engineering specializations) | 3-4 |
| Biological Systems Engineering 120 or Biological Systems Engineering 132 | 4 |
| Biological Systems Engineering 125, 130, 165, 170A, 170B, 170BL, 170C, 170CL | 21 |
| Statistics 100 | 4 |
| Engineering electives±--Select a minimum of 7 units (to bring the overall total to at least 180 units) from all upper division College of Engineering courses (exclusive of Applied Science Engineering 137, Engineering 160, and courses numbered 190-197); Applied Biological Systems Technology 163, 180; and Environmental and Resource Sciences 100. A maximum of 2 units of Biological Systems Engineering 199 may be offered in satisfaction of the Engineering electives requirement | 7 |
| Biological science electives±--Select a minimum of 9 units from all upper division courses in the Division of Biological Sciences (excluding courses numbered 190-199); Applied Biological Systems Technology 161, Animal Science 118, 143, 144, 146; Agricultural Systems and Environment 110A; Atmospheric Science 133; Avian Sciences 100; Cell Biology and Human Anatomy 101, 101L; Entomology 100; Environmental Horticulture 102; ESPM 129, 182, 185 (ESPM courses are offered at UC Berkeley campus); Environmental Science and Policy 100; Environmental Toxicology 101, 112A; Plant Biology 174; Soil Science 100; Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology 121. Students may choose other upper division courses with substantial biological content offered in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; consultation with a faculty adviser and approval by petition is required | 9 |
| General Education electives | 16 |
| Total Upper Division Units | 88-91 |
| Minimum Units Required for Major | 181-185 |
±Refer to specialization descriptions for course recommendations.
Master Undergraduate Adviser: M. Delwiche.
UC Davis 1999-2000 Online General Catalog. Posted July 30, 1999.
catalog-comment@ucdavis.edu
Molly Theodossy, Keitha Hunter and Barbara Anderson, Editors
We welcome your comments.