Biosystems Engineers ensure that we have the necessities of life: healthy food to eat, clean water to drink, renewable fuel and energy sources, and a healthy environment in which to live. Therefore, the mission of the Department of Biosystems Engineering at Auburn University is to develop and disseminate engineering knowledge to solve problems in biological systems, natural resources, and the environment. It meets the resident instruction portion of that mission through the offering of a degree program that leads to a Bachelor of Biosystems Engineering. Options in Bioprocess Engineering, Ecological Engineering, and Forest Engineering are also available under the Biosystems Engineering degree program.
The Biosystems Engineering program is coordinated by the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, the College of Agriculture, and the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. Students should apply for admission to the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and complete the Pre-Biosystems Engineering program.
The Department of Biosystems Engineering also offers a non-engineering degree, Biological and Agricultural Technology Management (BATM) through the College of Agriculture.
The following details the requirements for pre-engineering students to move into a major. These requirements have to be completed by the end of the second year (or four semesters).
- Completion of two (2) calculus courses
- Completion of two (2) sciences with appropriate labs
- Completion of the course COMP1200 Introduction to Programming
- Completion of the courses ENGR1100 Orientation to Engineering and ENGR1110 Introduction to Engineering
- Sophomore standing, the completion of 31 hours
- 2.2 cumulative GPA
For more information contact:
Phone: (334) 844-4310
Email: engssvc@auburn.edu
Biosystems Engineering
The Department of Biosystems Engineering offers the only accredited degree in Biosystems Engineering in Alabama. It is committed to preparing students for productive professional careers in the biosystems industries and related natural resource and environmental systems sectors. Biosystems engineering major students can also specialize in one of the following options below. More information about these options can be found here .
The Biosystems Engineering program curriculum is coordinated by the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. Students should apply for admission to the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and complete the Pre-Biosystems Engineering program.
Bioprocess Engineering Option
The focus of the Bioprocess Engineering option is to produce engineers that seamlessly combine engineering and natural sciences to designing and developing systems, processes, and equipment that convert biological and agricultural materials to value-added products such as food, nutraceuticals, polymers, and pharmaceuticals.
Ecological Engineering Option
The Ecological Engineering option produces graduates that solve environmental problems by combining engineering principles with life sciences to design and manage sustainable systems that are of value and that benefit humans, nature, ecology, and the environment through designs such as wetland and stream restoration, watershed management and redesigning aquaponics/hydroponics engineered systems, and stormwater design and management.
Forest Engineering Option
The Forest Engineering option prepares students for productive professional careers as engineers in forestry and related natural resource and environmental sectors. The option is coordinated by the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and is administered by the Department of Biosystems Engineering. Students can become registered foresters upon completion of a minor in forest resources.
The Biosystems Engineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and is the only Accredited Biosystems Engineering in Alabama.
Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
http://www.abet.org
The Program Educational Objectives for Biosystems Engineering:
The educational objectives listed below descripe what graduates of the biosystems engineering program are expected to attain within a few years (specifically 3 to 5 years) after graduation.
- Utilize systems approach as a result of their biosystems engineering education to identify, develop, communicate, and implement resilient, safe, and practical solutions to current and future societal challenges especially those associated with food, water, energy, environment, and health.
- Advance solutions to professional, societal, and global issues; make progress toward achieving professional registration and other appropriate certifications; collaborate with other professionals, and become leaders in other areas such as management, research, and business.
The Student Outcomes for Biosystems Engineering:
The student outcomes are the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that students in the biosystems engineering undergraduate program acqurire as they progress through the program. Therefore, the student outcomes describe what the students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation.
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
The goal of the Biological and Agricultural Technology Management (BATM) is to produce graduates that use technology to solve problems. With the world population projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, graduates from technology management majors like BATM will be key components in helping to provide citizens with healthy food, clean water, affordable energy, and a healthy environment. They will be managing the complex technologies used in agricultural and biological production and manufacturing systems. BATM graduates are practical problem solvers because of their hands-on training and their broad background in science, technology, and management. Graduates also acquire skills that are transferable to sectors that rely heavily on technology like automotive and manufacturing industries.
Career Examples:
Precision Agriculture Specialist, Production Supervisor, Research Technician, Manufacturing Technology Specialist, Technical Service Representative, Maintenance Technician, Safety Specialist, Sales Manager, Field Representative, Test Technician, Operations Manager, and Customer Support Technician.
Graduates of the BATM program will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, technology, and applied sciences to agriculture and technology problems that require the application of principles and applied procedures or methodologies
- Conduct industry-specific standard tests and measurements; conduct experiments relative to agriculture and technology, and analyze and interpret data
- Identify and develop solutions to applied science and technology problems in the biological and agricultural fields
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- Communicate effectively in technical and non-technical environments
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
- Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in agricultural, business, and technology situations and make informed judgments
- Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of technology solutions in a societal, global, environmental, and societal context through reflection, writing, and e-portfolios
Questions about the Auburn University Biosystems Engineering undergraduate program? Email us!
- Dr. Oladiran Fasina , Department Head
- Jon Davis , Undergraduate Program Coordinator