Biological Systems Engineering
Undergraduate Study
For the undergraduate curriculum in biological systems engineering leading to the degree bachelor of science. In 2012, this curriculum will undergo initial accreditation under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Biological Engineering Programs by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21201, telephone (410) 347-7700, http://www.abet.org/.
Curriculum Educational Goal, Objectives, and Learning Outcomes
Goal: To train students to solve problems related to biorenewables production and processing, water quality, environmental impacts of the bioeconomy, food processing, and biosensors, and in so doing to prepare students for professional practice and post-graduate educational opportunities.
Program Educational Objectives: Graduates are prepared to achieve the following career and professional accomplishments:
1. Competence in methods of analysis involving engineering sciences, fundamental physical and biological sciences, mathematics, and computation needed for the practice of biological systems engineering in biorenewable, bioenvironmental, and food-related companies and agencies.
2. Skills necessary to the design process; including the abilities to think creatively, to formulate problem statements, to communicate effectively, to synthesize information, and to evaluate and implement problem solutions.
3. Ability to address issues of ethics, safety, professionalism, cultural diversity, globalization, environmental impact, and social and economic impact in engineering practice.
4. Continuous professional and technical growth, with practical experience, so as to be licensed as a professional engineer or achieve that level of expertise
5. The ability to:
A. be a successful leader of multi-disciplinary teams,
B. efficiently manage multiple simultaneous projects,
C. work collaboratively,
D. implement multi-disciplinary systems-based solutions,
E. apply innovative solutions to problems through the use of new methods or technologies,
F. contribute to the business success of their employer, and
G. build community
Program Educational Outcomes: At graduation, students will have developed and demonstrated:
1. Competence in engineering analysis relevant to the practice of biological systems engineering in biorenewable, bioenvironmental, and food-related companies and agencies.
2. Competence in engineering design, including the ability to think creatively, to formulate problem statements, to communicate effectively, to synthesize information, and to evaluate and implement problem solutions.
3. The capability to consider ethics, safety, professionalism, cultural diversity, globalization, environmental, social, and economic issues in engineering practice.
4. The ability to work successfully in multidisciplinary teams, and to manage complex and/or multiple projects.
Graduate Study
The department offers master of science, master of engineering, and doctor of philosophy degrees with a major in agricultural engineering. Within the agricultural engineering major the student may specialize in advanced machinery engineering, animal production systems engineering, biological and process engineering, occupational safety engineering, or water and environmental stewardship engineering. Details on current research programs available at http://www.abe.iastate.edu/. Departmental graduate student guidelines can be found at www.iastate.edu/grad_students.asp.
Well-qualified juniors and seniors in biological systems engineering who are interested in graduate study may apply for concurrent enrollment in the Graduate College to simultaneously pursue a bachelor of science degree in biological systems engineering and a master of science degree in agricultural engineering. Under concurrent enrollment, students are eligible for assistantships and simultaneously take undergraduate and graduate courses.
For the master of science program, at least 30 credits of acceptable graduate work must be completed with a minimum of 22 credits of course work; corresponding numbers for the master of engineering program are 32 and 27. For the doctor of philosophy degree, at least 72 credits of acceptable graduate work must be completed with a minimum of 42 credits of course work. All Ph.D. students must complete a teaching/extension experience prior to graduation.
A concurrent master of science and master of business administration program is also offered by the department.
The department also offers both master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees in industrial and agricultural technology (see Graduate Majors).
The department also participates in interdepartmental majors in environmental science, sustainable agriculture, biorenewable resources and technology, human and computer interaction, and toxicology (see Index).
Biological Systems Engineering integrates life sciences with engineering to solve problems related to, or using, biological systems. These biological systems may include microbes, plants, animals, humans and/or ecosystems. Biological systems engineers have a worldview shaped by an understanding of fundamental principles of engineering and life-science. They use their understanding of engineering to analyze organisms or ecosystems, and their knowledge of biological systems to inspire and inform their designs. They approach engineering design from a biological systems perspective, appreciating the complexity of biological systems and developing solutions that accommodate and anticipate the adaptability of biological systems.
The department also offers a bachelor of science curriculum in agricultural engineering. See College of Engineering, Curricula. Additionally, the department offers bachelor of science curricula in agricultural systems technology and in industrial technology. See College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Curricula.
Well-qualified juniors and seniors in agricultural engineering who are interested in graduate study may apply for concurrent enrollment in the Graduate College to simultaneously pursue a bachelor of science degree in biological systems engineering and a master of science degree in agricultural engineering. Refer to Graduate Study for more information.
Curriculum in Biological Systems Engineering
Administered by the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
Leading to the degree bachelor of science.
Total credits required: 127.5 cr. See also Basic Program and Special Programs.
International Perspectives: 3 cr.1
U.S. Diversity: 3 cr.1
Communication Proficiency/Library requirement*:
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| LIB 160 | Library Instruction ** | 0.5 |
| One of the following (minimum grade of C) | 3 | |
| Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences | ||
| Report and Proposal Writing | ||
| Technical Communication | ||
| or SP CM 212 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | |
| * | with a minimum grade of C in each course |
| ** | See Basic Program for credits |
Social Sciences and Humanities: 12 cr. 2
| 3 credits from international perspectives | 3 | |
| 3 credits from U.S. diversity university-approved list | 3 | |
| 6 credits from Social Sciences and Humanities courses | 6 | |
Basic Program: 26.5 cr.4
Complete with 2.00 GPA including transfer courses:
| CHEM 167 | General Chemistry for Engineering Students | 4 |
| or CHEM 177 | General Chemistry I | |
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition * | 3 |
| ENGR 101 | Engineering Orientation | R |
| ENGR 160 | Engineering Problems with Computer Applications Laboratory | 3 |
| LIB 160 | Library Instruction | 0.5 |
| MATH 165 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS 221 | Introduction to Classical Physics I ** | 5 |
| Total Credits | 26.5 | |
| * | see above for grade requirements |
| ** | See Basic Program rule |
Biological, Math and Physical Science: 20 cr.
| BIOL 212 | Principles of Biology II | 3 |
| CHEM 167L | Laboratory in General Chemistry for Engineering | 1 |
| or CHEM 177L | Laboratory in General Chemistry I | |
| MATH 267 | Elementary Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms | 4 |
| PHYS 222 | Introduction to Classical Physics II | 5 |
| MICRO 302 | Biology of Microorganisms | 3 |
| MICRO 302L | Microbiology Laboratory | 1 |
| STAT 305 | Engineering Statistics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
Biological Systems Engineering Core: 26 cr.4
| BSE 316 | Applied Numerical Methods for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 3 |
| A E 363 | Agri-Industrial Applications of Electric Power and Electronics | 4 |
| A E 404 | Instrumentation for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 3 |
| BSE 201 | Preparing for Workplace Seminar | 1 |
| BSE 216 | Fundamentals of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 3 |
| BSE 218 | Project Management Design in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering | 2 |
| BSE 380 | Principles of Biological Systems Engineering | 3 |
| BSE 415 | Agricultural Engineering Design I | 2 |
| BSE 416 | Agricultural Engineering Design II | 2 |
| BSE 480 | Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems | 3 |
| Total Credits | 26 | |
Other Remaining Courses: 23 cr.
| BSE 110 | Experiencing Biological Systems Engineering | 1 |
| CH E 356 | Transport Phenomena I | 3 |
| CH E 357 | Transport Phenomena II | 3 |
| BSE 170 | Engineering Graphics and Introductory Design | 3 |
| E M 274 | Statics of Engineering | 3 |
| E M 324 | Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| E M 327 | Mechanics of Materials Laboratory | 1 |
| M E 231 | Engineering Thermodynamics I | 3 |
| One of the following (minimum grade of C) | 3 | |
| Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences | ||
| Report and Proposal Writing | ||
| Technical Communication | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
| Total Credits | 23 | |
Complete remaining courses from one of the following options:
Biorenewable Resources Engineering Option: 20 cr.
| A E 388 | Sustainable Engineering and International Development | 3 |
| BSE 403 | Modeling and Controls for Agricultural Systems | 3 |
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 331L | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I | 1 |
| CHEM 332 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| Option Electives | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
Bioenvironmental Engineering Option: 20 cr.
| A E 431 | Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Systems | 3 |
| C E 326 | Principles of Environmental Engineering | 3 |
| CHEM 211 | Quantitative and Environmental Analysis | 2 |
| CHEM 211L | Quantitative and Environmental Analysis Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 231 | Elementary Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 231L | Laboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| One of the following | 3 | |
| Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Monitoring Systems | ||
| Environmental Biotechnology | ||
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Design | ||
| Environmental Systems I: Introduction to Environmental Systems | ||
| Option Elective | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
Food Engineering Option: 20 cr.
| A E 451 | Food and Bioprocess Engineering | 3 |
| BSE 469 | Grain Processing and Handling | 3 |
| CHEM 231 | Elementary Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 231L | Laboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry | 1 |
| FS HN 311 | Food Chemistry | 3 |
| FS HN 420 | Food Microbiology | 3 |
| FS HN 471 | Food Processing | 3 |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
Preprofessional and Pre-Graduate Option: 20 cr.
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 331L | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I | 1 |
| CHEM 332 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 332L | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II | 1 |
| BSE 403 | Modeling and Controls for Agricultural Systems | 3 |
| Option Electives | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
Co-op/Internships (Optional)
- These university requirements will add to the minimum credits of the program unless the university-approved courses are also approved by the department to meet other course requirements within the degree program.
U.S. diversity and international perspectives courses may not be taken Pass/Not Pass. - Choose from department approved list.
- See Basic Program for Professional Engineering Curricula for accepted substitutions for curriculum designated courses in the Basic Program.
- 2.00 GPA required including transfer courses.
Curriculum in Industrial Technology
Administered by the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
An undergraduate certificate in occupational safety is available; the requirements appear under Technology Systems Management courses and programs. A minor in Industrial Technology is available; the requirements appear under Technology Systems Management courses and programs.
Students majoring in Industrial Technology choose between two options: Manufacturing or Occupational Safety.
Total Degree Requirement: 128.5 cr.
Only 65 cr. from a two-year institution may apply which may include up to 16 technical cr.; 9 P-NP cr. of free electives; 2.00 minim um GPA.
International Perspective: 3 cr.
U.S. Diversity: 3 cr.
Communications Proficiency (C or better):
| 6 credits of English composition | 6 | |
| 3 credits of Speech fundamentals | 3 | |
Communication/Library: 12.5 cr.
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 302 | Business Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 309 | Report and Proposal Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 314 | Technical Communication | |
| SP CM 212 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| or AGEDS 311 | Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences | |
| LIB 160 | Library Instruction | 0.5 |
| Total Credits | 15.5 | |
Humanities and Social Sciences: 6 cr.
3 cr. from approved humanities list; ECON 101 Principles of Microeconomics.
Ethics: 3 cr.
3 cr. from approved list.
Life Sciences: 6 cr.
| BIOL 101 | Introductory Biology | 3 |
| or BIOL 211 | Principles of Biology I | |
| Plus three credit hours from approved life sciences list. * | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
| * | Occupational Safety Option requires Biol 155 |
Mathematics and Physics: 20-23 cr.
| MATH 142 | Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry | 3 |
| MATH 160 | Survey of Calculus | 4 |
| or MATH 165 | Calculus I | |
| STAT 104 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| CHEM 163 | College Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 163L | Laboratory in College Chemistry | 1 |
| PHYS 111 | General Physics | 4 |
| PHYS 112 | General Physics | 4 |
| Total Credits | 23 | |
Technical Core: 28 cr.
| TSM 110 | Introduction to Technology | 1 |
| TSM 111 | Experiencing Technology | 1 |
| TSM 115 | Solving Technology Problems | 3 |
| TSM 116 | Introduction to Design in Technology | 3 |
| TSM 201 | Preparing for Workplace Seminar | 1 |
| TSM 210 | Fundamentals of Technology | 3 |
| TSM 270 | Principles of Injury Prevention | 3 |
| TSM 310 | Total Quality Improvement | 3 |
| TSM 363 | Electric Power and Electronics for Agriculture and Industry | 4 |
| TSM 397 | Internship in Technology | R |
| TSM 399 | Work Experience in Technology | 2 |
| TSM 415 | Technology Capstone I | 2 |
| TSM 416 | Technology Capstone II | 2 |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
Business Core: 6 cr.
| ACCT 284 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Farm Business Management | ||
| Agricultural Selling | ||
| International Trade and Finance | ||
| Management of Organizations | ||
| International Management | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Options
Manufacturing Option: 35 cr.
| TSM 216 | Advanced Technical Graphics, Interpretation, and CAD | 3 |
| TSM 240 | Introduction to Manufacturing Processes | 3 |
| TSM 337 | Fluid Power Systems Technology | 3 |
| TSM 340 | Advanced Automated Manufacturing Processes | 3 |
| TSM 370 | Occupational Safety | 3 |
| TSM 440 | Cellular Lean Manufacturing Systems | 3 |
| TSM 443 | Statics and Strength of Materials for Technology | 3 |
| TSM 444 | Facility Planning | 3 |
| TSM 465 | Automation Systems | 3 |
| Plus eight credit hours from tech electives approved list | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 35 | |
Occupational Safety Option: 35 crs.
| TSM 240 | Introduction to Manufacturing Processes | 3 |
| TSM 370 | Occupational Safety | 3 |
| TSM 371 | Occupational Safety Management | 2 |
| TSM 372 | Legal Aspects of Occupational Safety and Health | 2 |
| TSM 376 | Fire Protection and Prevention | 3 |
| TSM 470 | Industrial Hygiene: Physical, Chemical, and Biological Hazards | 3 |
| TSM 471 | Safety Laboratory | 1 |
| TSM 477 | Risk Analysis and Management | 3 |
| I E 271 | Applied Ergonomics and Work Design | 3 |
| H S 105 | First Aid and Emergency Care | 2 |
| Ten credit hours from tech electives approved list | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 35 | |
Electives 3 cr.
No more than 4 cr. of ECON 297 Internship may count toward graduation.
Courses primarily for undergraduate students
BSE 110. Experiencing Biological Systems Engineering.
(0-2) Cr. 1.
S.
Laboratory-based, team-oriented experiences in a spectrum of topics common to the practice of biological systems engineering. Report writing, co-ops, internships, careers, registration planning.
BSE 170. Engineering Graphics and Introductory Design.
(Cross-listed with A E). (2-2) Cr. 3.
Prereq: Satisfactory scores in math placement assessments; credit or enrollment in MATH 142.
Applications of multi-view drawings and dimensioning. Techniques for visualizing, analyzing, and communicating 3-D geometries. Application of the design process including written and oral reports.
BSE 201. Preparing for Workplace Seminar.
(Cross-listed with TSM, A E). (1-0) Cr. 1.
F.S.
Prereq: Sophomore classification in AE, AST, BSE, or I Tec
8 week course. Professionalism in the context of the engineering/technical workplace. Development and demonstration of key workplace competencies: teamwork, initiative, communication, innovation, and customer focus. Resumes; Professional portfolios; Preparation for internship experiences.
BSE 216. Fundamentals of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
(Cross-listed with A E). (2-2) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: A E 110, ENGR 160, credit or enrollment in MATH 166
Application of mathematics and engineering sciences to mass and energy balances in agricultural and biological systems. Emphasis is on solving engineering problems in the areas of heat and mass transfer, air and water vapor systems; animal production systems, grain systems; food systems, hydrologic systems, and bioprocessing.
BSE 218. Project Management Design in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
(Cross-listed with A E). (1-2) Cr. 2.
S.
Prereq: 216
Project management - critical path, Gantt charts, resource allocations, basic project budgeting, and project management software. Engineering design approaches. Open-ended design projects to demonstrate the preceding principles through application of technical concepts taught in prerequisite coursework.
BSE 298. Cooperative Education.
Cr. R.
F.S.SS.
Prereq: Permission of department and Engineering Career Services
First professional work period in the cooperative education program. Students must register for this course before commencing work.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
BSE 316. Applied Numerical Methods for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.
(Cross-listed with A E). (2-2) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: ENGR 160, MATH 266
Computer aided solution of agricultural engineering problems by use of numerical techniques and mathematical models. Systems analysis and optimization applicable to agricultural and biological systems.
BSE 325. Biorenewable Systems.
(Cross-listed with AGRON, A E, AN S, BUSAD, ECON, TSM). (3-0) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: ECON 101, CHEM 163 or higher, MATH 140 or higher
Converting biorenewable resources into bioenergy and biobased products. Biorenewable concepts as they relate to drivers of change, feedstock production, processes, products, co-products, economics, and transportation/logistics.
BSE 380. Principles of Biological Systems Engineering.
(3-0) Cr. 3.
S.
Prereq: 216, CH E 357 or ME 436
Unit-operation analysis of biological systems, through the study of mass, energy, and information transport in bioresource production and conversion systems. Quantification and modeling of biomass production, ecological interactions, and bioreactor operations.
BSE 396. Summer Internship.
Cr. R.
Repeatable. SS.
Prereq: Permission of department and Engineering Career Services
Summer professional work period.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
BSE 397. Engineering Internship.
Cr. R.
Repeatable. F.S.
Prereq: Permission of department and Engineering Career Services
One semester maximum per academic year professional work period.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
BSE 398. Cooperative Education.
Cr. R.
F.S.SS.
Prereq: 298, permission of department and Engineering Career Services
Second professional work period in the cooperative education program. Students must register for this course before commencing work.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.
BSE 403. Modeling and Controls for Agricultural Systems.
(Dual-listed with 503). (Cross-listed with A E). (2-2) Cr. 3.
Alt. S., offered 2013.
Prereq: 363, MATH 267
Modeling dynamic systems with ordinary differential equations. Introduction to state variable methods of system analysis. Analysis of mechanical, electrical, and fluid power systems. Analytical and numerical solutions of differential equations. Introduction to classical control theory. Feedback and stability examined in the s domain. Frequency response as an analytical and experimental tool. MATLAB will be used throughout the course for modeling.
BSE 411. Bioprocessing and Bioproducts.
(Dual-listed with 511). (Cross-listed with A E, BIOE, C E). (3-0) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: A E 216 or equivalent, MATH 160 or 165, one of CHEM 167 or higher, BIOL 173 or 211 or higher or BRT 501, senior or graduate classification
Sustainability, cleaner production. Taxonomy, kinetics, metabolism, aerobic and anaerobic fermentation. Biofuels, bioenergy and coproducts. Mass/energy balances, process integration, pretreatment, separation. Membrane reactors, bioelectrolysis, microbial fuel cells, nanotechnology, genetic engineering, mutagenesis.
BSE 415. Agricultural Engineering Design I.
(Cross-listed with A E). (1-2) Cr. 2.
F.S.
Prereq: A E 271 or 272, E M 324
Identification of current design problems in agricultural engineering. Development of alternate solutions using creativity and engineering analysis and synthesis techniques.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
BSE 416. Agricultural Engineering Design II.
(Cross-listed with A E). (1-2) Cr. 2.
F.S.
Prereq: 415
Selection of promising solutions to design problems identified in 415 for development by design teams. Presentation of designs through oral and written reports and prototypes.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
BSE 469. Grain Processing and Handling.
(Cross-listed with A E). (2-3) Cr. 3.
S.
Prereq: A E 216
Cereal grain and oilseed properties, quality measurement, processing, and end-use value. Design of drying systems using computer simulation. Corn wet and dry milling. Soybean oil extraction. Grain handling systems.
BSE 480. Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems.
(Cross-listed with ENSCI). (2-2) Cr. 3.
F.
Prereq: 216; MATH 266; BIOL 211 or 212; M E 231
Systems-level engineering analysis of biological systems. Economic and life-cycle analysis of bioresource production and conversion systems. Global energy and resource issues and the role of biologically derived materials in addressing these issues.
Nonmajor graduate credit.
BSE 496. Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Travel Course.
(Cross-listed with A E). Cr. 1-4.
Repeatable. F.S.SS.
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Limited enrollment. Tour and study of international agricultural and biosystems engineering as applied to biorenewable and food systems. Location and duration of tours will vary. Travel expenses paid by students. Course requires completion of options A, B, and C or option D.
A. Pre-departure
B. Travel (R credit)
C. Post-travel
D. Combination (Pre-departure, Travel, and Post-travel)
BSE 498. Cooperative Education.
Cr. R.
Repeatable. F.S.SS.
Prereq: 398, permission of department and Engineering Career Services
Third and subsequent professional work periods in the cooperative education program. Students must register for this course before commencing work.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.