Undergraduate Program

Biological System Engineers utilize chemistry and biology as the foundation for engineering solutions. However, a career in chemistry and biochemistry and a career in biological systems engineering differ. To better understand the differences between these three careers, here are some things to keep in mind about these disciplines. Chemistry is the study of molecules/substances and chemical reactions. Biochemistry is the study of the organic molecules/substances and reactions that make up living organisms. Biological Systems Engineering uses principles of chemistry to create new and better bioproducts. With this in mind, a Chemist may study how ADP can be converted to ATP by a certain enzyme. Engineers in BSE, however, would develop the industrial scale-up and process engineering of this reaction.

To start, Biology is the study of living organisms. Microbiology is the study of microscopic living organisms. Genetics is the study of reproduction and evolution of living organisms. Biological Systems Engineering uses scientific advacement and uses them to solve problems related to living organisms. While BSE, Biology, Microbiology, and Genetics are related, the difference lies in how scientists and engineers find solutions for problems we face in our world. As an example, a scientist in biology, microbiology, and/or genetics may study how certain bacteria product more acetic acid based on their genes. Engineers with a background in these fields, such as Biological Systems Engineers, would enhance the higher-producting bacteria for more efficient industrial production of acetic acid.

Biomedical Engineering uses biology as it relates specifically to the human body to advance medicine and BSE uses biology to focus on large scale production of biomaterials, drugs, and other biomolecules. Biological System Engineers are likely to assist in these medical applications: drugs and delivery systems, synthetic biomaterial production, and microbiology research. BSE has some overlap with other fields like Medical Research (BSE/Health Professions), Prostehetics (BSE/Mechanical Engineering), Drug Delivery (BSE/Chemical Engineering) and Medical Devices (BSE/Mechanical Engineering/Computer Science).

Chemical Engineers use chemistry as the foundation for engineering solutions while BSE uses biology and chemistry. Chemical Engineers are likely to apply engineering solutions to traditional chemical reaction or petroleum-based reactions while BSE applies these solutions to a wide variety of areas including food processsing, biopharmaceutical production, biomaterials, metabolic engineering, bioenergy production, and animal waste treatment utilization.

Civil Engineers address problems at the site-level (e.g., waste & stormwater, solid waste, air pollution, and hydraulic structures) while Biological Systems Engineers tackle issues using a systems approach (e.g., water quality and natural resource protection through watershed management and Best Management Practices (BMP) design). Both follow similar career paths and work together on similar problems. There are some noted coursework differences between Civil Engineering and BSE. In a Civil Engineering program, you're likely to focus more on transportation, structures, and construction; deforms & geotechnical engineering; and focus electives in water resources or environmental engineering. In our program, you'll learn more about biology and chemistry, heat and mass transport, hydrology, water quality, and watershed management and modeling.

When looking at a career in Biological Systems Engineering and Environmental Science, keep the following thoughts in mind. Environmental Science is the study of the environment, its processes, and its interactions with human systems. Natural Resources is the study of the management and science of fish and wildlife, forestry, rangeland, and water. Water is an interdisciplinary field focused on sustainability, policy, and management of water resources. Biological Systems Engineering uses environmental knowledge to solve problems related to water quality, ecoloy, and watershed management. While BSE intersects with Environmental Science, Natural Resources, and Water, the way an Environmental Scientist may approach a problem may differ from that of an Biological Systems Engineer. For instance, an Environmental Scientist may study how pollution harms fish living in a stream while Engineers in BSE would develop a watershed management plan to prevent unsafe levels of pollution from entering the stream. 

BSE is the only engineering department that requires two years of chemistry, full sequence of biology, and microbiology which makes our program an excellent choice for anyone interested in pursuing a pre-med, pre-dental, or pre-vet career. Our program can help satisfy MCAT requirements with only a few additional credits.