Biological Engineering

The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering offers a four-year undergraduate program, designated as the BE program. The curriculum includes concentrations in agricultural, bioprocess, biomedical and environmental engineering, emphasizing basic science and engineering courses that provide a sound background for application of engineering to biological and agricultural problems.

Students learn to deal with a wide variety of problems, with opportunities for specialization. Scientific and engineering principles are applied to analysis and manipulation of mechanical properties of biological materials; conservation and management of soil and water resources; design of electrical, electronic, sensor, and instrumentation systems for biological and agricultural applications; development of power and machinery systems for all phases of agricultural production; design of structures and environmental control systems for housing animals, plants, and stored products; design and evaluation of biomedical devices for human and animal applications; and development of improved systems for processing and marketing food and other agricultural products.

The curriculum unites the fields of engineering, biology, and agriculture and is jointly administered by the College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and has as its educational goals:

• To educate students for successful careers in engineering, as related to one of the specialized program focus areas: Agricultural, Bioprocessing and Environmental. Emphasis is placed upon mastering the fundamentals of engineering and biology, the ability to solve engineering problems, and understanding the creative process of engineering design.
• To instill in the students a sense of confidence in their ability to grasp and apply engineering principles, procedures, and time management skills needed to solve complex, real-world problems especially as related to the fields of man-machine systems, agricultural water management, and food systems unit operations, thus, improving their self-confidence and critical thinking skills as they progress in developing their ability to perform as competent engineers.
• To impart a sense of professional responsibility and work ethic in performing engineering tasks at a high level of expertise and accept the ethical responsibility to be accountable for the social and environmental impact of engineering practices.
• To establish an educational environment in which students participate in inter-disciplinary activities which will broaden their engineering education, help them develop professional interaction skills, and more effectively prepare students to work in today's integrated team environments.
• To offer a curriculum that provides students an opportunity to become broadly educated engineers and life-long learners, with a solid background in the basic sciences and mathematics; an understanding and appreciation for the arts, humanities, and social sciences; an ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and for various purposes; and, a desire to seek out further educational opportunities.
• To expose students to advances in engineering practice and research and to prepare them for opportunities in graduate engineering education and to become registered as a professional engineer.
• To recruit students with high potential who will contribute to the future economic and social well-being of North Carolina.

Graduates of the BE curriculum receive a BS in Biological Engineering, qualifying them for positions in design, development, research in public institutions and industry, or post-graduate work leading to advanced degrees. Some positions filled by recent BE graduates include product design and development, plant engineering and management, engineering analysis for federal and state agencies, and research. Starting salary ranges for the BE graduates are roughly the same as those of Civil, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering graduates.

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