Biological Systems Engineering, B.S.

Biological systems engineering (BSE) is the application of engineering principles to biological and agricultural systems which greatly impact our food, fiber, and renewable energy resources. Since biological systems engineering programs focus heavily on the protection and conservation of natural resources, it is not uncommon for them to be described as sustainable engineering programs.

Within the BSE program a student must enroll in either the General Program area or in one of the following three specialization areas: Machinery Systems Engineering, Natural Resources andEnvironmental Engineering, or Food and Bioprocess Engineering. The specialization in Food and Bioprocess Engineering is split into a Food Engineering track and a Bioprocess Engineering track.

Students who complete all degree requirements are awarded a Bachelor of ScienceBiological Systems Engineering degree. A student who completes one of the three program specializations will have the area of specialization identified on the official transcript. The BSE program, like all undergraduate engineering programs on the UWMadison campus, is accredited by ABET. Accreditation by ABET is an indication of program quality and has major benefits for individuals seeking registration as a licensed professional engineer. A UWMadison BSE graduate may apply for licensure as a registered professional engineer once they have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, obtained four years of qualifying engineering work experience, and have passed the Professional Engineering (PE) exam. To obtain a BSE degree from UWMadison, a student must have taken (but is not required to have passed) the FE exam as part of their Senior Design sequence. Information about the FE exam can be found at Fundamentals of Engineering Exam.

Graduates work in career fields associated with the growth, harvest, transportation, processing and storage of food, feedstuffs, biomass for energy production and forestry products. This includes, but is not limited to, jobs involving the design, construction and management of: bio-energy production facilities, greenhouses, food processing plants, soil management systems and erosion control structures, irrigation and drainage systems, wastewater and solid waste treatment/recycling operations, animal housing facilities, aquaculture enterprises, systems for improved air quality, and equipment for agricultural production, material handling, processing, and packaging. Job opportunities for BSE graduates remain plentiful and show no signs of decreasing given (1) the increase in world population and corresponding increasing need for food, fiber and renewable energy, (2) the measurable shortage of highly trained technical personnel in the United States, and (3) the constantly expanding emphasis on protection and conservation of natural resources.

The UWMadison BSE program is traditionally known for its emphasis on undergraduate education which is reflected in outstanding one-on-one advising and smaller class sizes.

The BSE program requires completion of a minimum of 125 credits to be eligible for graduation. Note that this is higher than the minimum for other CALS programs.

1. The ability to analyze systems, components and processes. This includes: the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering fundamentals; the ability to use the techniques and tools of modern engineering practice; the ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
2. The ability to create a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
3. The ability to formulate and conduct basic investigations such as laboratory experiments, prototype tests, field trials, computer simulations and market analyses.
4. The ability to identify important resources, and to retrieve, interpret, analyze and critique information for use in solving engineering problems and conducting basic investigations.
5. The ability to communicate effectively. This includes: the ability to effectively orally communicate; the ability to write in a clear, concise, grammatically correct and organized manner; the ability to document work activities and properly archive information; the ability to develop appropriate illustrations including hand sketches, computer generated drawings/graphs and pictures.
6. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
7. The ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.
8. The broad education necessary to understand and assess the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
9. Recognition of the need, and the ability to engage in lifelong learning.
10. Knowledge of contemporary issues.

All undergraduate students at UW–Madison must complete the university-wide General Education Requirements, which are designed to convey the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. These requirements provide for breadth across the humanities and arts, social studies, and natural sciences; competence in communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills necessary for success in college and beyond; and investigation of the issues raised by living in a culturally diverse society. This core is intended to provide students with intellectual and practical skills, basic knowledge of human cultures and the physical world, strategies for understanding these topics, and tools intended to contribute to their sense of personal and social responsibility. General Education complements the work students do in their majors and degrees. Together, these requirements help students learn what they need to know not just for making a living, but also for making a life.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Completing the General Education Requirements is an important part of achieving these competencies, and to do so, students choose from many courses in communication, ethnic studies, quantitative reasoning, and breadth of study across disciplines in the natural sciences, humanities, literature, and arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Each school and college may choose to allow General Education courses to count toward other degree and/or major requirements. Students should always check with their advisors to discuss any additional degree requirements and determine if students are required to take specific General Education courses or to complete the requirements in a particular order. Students should review their Degree Audit (DARS) report to see how they are progressing toward fulfilling the General Education requirements. Please refer to.

ADVISING

All students are assigned an advisor when they join the department. Freshmen and other pre-biological systems engineering students work with a professional staff advisor. Once full admission requirements are met, students transition to a faculty advisor in their specialization area. All students are encouraged to outline a degree plan soon after declaring the major. Curriculum checklists for each track have been developed to assist students in this process. Many BSE courses are offered only once each year, which must be considered as part of the planning process. Student plans may vary based on previous coursework, plans for study abroad or certificate interest, co-op semesters, and individual interests. Prospective students should contact the department at [email protected] or 608-262-3310 for more information. 

CAREERS

Solve. Create. Invent. Sustain.

Biological Systems engineers combine their knowledge of life sciences, agriculture, and technology, with engineering problem-solving skills to address many of the most pressing problems facing the world today: providing safe and nutritious food, generating renewable energy, and preserving the natural environment.

If you like hands-on problem solving, you should consider Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) as your major.

Graduates can expect to find biological and agricultural engineering careers in a wide range of agencies and industries solving problems in many different areas. Graduates work in career fields associated with the growth, harvest, transportation, processing and storage of food, feedstuffs, biomass for energy production and forestry products. This includes, but is not limited to, jobs:

• designing and managing bio-energy systems, greenhouses, and food processing plants
• designing animal housing and environmental control systems
• developing irrigation and drainage systems
• protecting soils, and air and water quality
• designing and running wastewater treatment and waste management operations
• designing off-road equipment for agricultural production and material handling.

Job opportunities for BSE graduates remain plentiful and show no signs of decreasing given (1) the increase in world population and corresponding increasing need for food, fiber and renewable energy, (2) the measurable shortage of highly trained technical personnel in the United States, and (3) the constantly expanding emphasis on protection and conservation of natural resources.