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Biological Systems Engineering

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For the undergraduate curriculum in Biological Systems Engineering leading to the degree Bachelor of Science. The Biological Systems Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Biological and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

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-sciences. 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.

Goal: To educate 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.

Student Learning Outcomes: Graduates of the Biological Systems Engineering curriculum should have at the time of graduation:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An ability to 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.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to 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.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Program Educational Objectives: Three to five years after graduation, our graduates will be using the knowledge, skills, and abilities from their biological systems engineering degree to improve the human condition through successful careers in a wide variety of fields. They will be effective leaders, collaborators, and innovators who address environmental, social, technical, and business challenges. They will be engaged in life-long learning and professional development through self-study, continuing education, or graduate/professional school.

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.

A concurrent Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration program is also offered by the department.

The department also offers a Bachelor of Science curriculum in agricultural engineering. See College of Engineering. Additionally, the department offers Bachelor of Science curricula in agricultural systems technology and in industrial technology. See College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The department also participates in interdepartmental majors in environmental science, sustainable agriculture, human computer interaction, and toxicology (see Index).

Curriculum in Biological Systems Engineering

Administered by the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

Leading to the degree Bachelor of Science.

Total credits required:

127.0 cr Ecological Engineering Option
128.0 cr Food & Bioprocess Engineering Option
128.0 cr Open Option.

Any transfer credit courses applied to the degree program require a grade of C or better (but will not be calculated into the ISU cumulative GPA, Basic Program GPA or Core GPA).  See also Basic Program and Special Programs.

International Perspectives: 3 cr.1
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity): 3 cr.1
Communication Proficiency/Library requirement:
ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication (Must have a C or better in this course)3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (Must have a C or better in this course)3
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
Communication Elective: One of the following (Must have a C or better in this course)3
Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences
Proposal and Report Writing
Technical Communication
Advanced Professional Selling
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Business and Professional Speaking
Social Sciences and Humanities: 12 cr. 1,2
3 credits from international perspectives-university approved list3
3 credits from U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)-university approved list3
6 credits from Social Sciences and Humanities courses-department approved list6
Total Credits12
Basic Program: 24 cr.

A minimum GPA of 2.00 required for this set of courses (please note that transfer course grades will not be calculated into  the Basic Program GPA). See Requirement for Entry into Professional Program in College of Engineering Overview section. Within the Biological Systems Engineering Basic Program, students are required to complete CHEM 1670 and CHEM 1670L or the sequence of CHEM 1770, CHEM 1770L, and CHEM 1780. This is a departmental requirement within the College of Engineering Basic Program requirements. The CHEM 1780 course will show as completing the chemistry portion of the Basic Program and the credits will be applied towards a student's classification.

ABE 1600Systematic Problem Solving and Computer Programming 33
CHEM 1670General Chemistry for Engineering Students4
ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication (Must have a C or better in this course)3
Engineering Orientation
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
MATH 1650Calculus I4
MATH 1660Calculus II4
PHYS 2310Introduction to Classical Physics I4
PHYS 2310LIntroduction to Classical Physics I Laboratory1
Total Credits24
Biological, Math and Physical Science: 23 cr.
BIOL 2120Principles of Biology II3
CHEM 1670LLaboratory in General Chemistry for Engineering1
or CHEM 1770L Laboratory in General Chemistry I
Chemistry Sequence I (select from list of lecture with corresponding lab)4
Elementary Organic Chemistry
Laboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry I
Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I
MATH 2670Elementary Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms4
MICRO 3020Biology of Microorganisms3
MICRO 3020LMicrobiology Laboratory1
STAT 3050Engineering Statistics (Chemistry Sequence I)3
Chemistry Sequence II (select from list of lecture with corresponding lab)4
Quantitative and Environmental Analysis
Quantitative and Environmental Analysis Laboratory
Organic Chemistry II
Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II
Food Chemistry
Food Chemistry Laboratory
Total Credits23
Biological Systems Engineering Core: 42 cr.

(A minimum GPA of 2.00 required for this set of courses, including any transfer courses; please note that transfer course grades will not be calculated into the Core GPA).

ABE 2160Fundamentals of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering3
ABE 2180Project Management & Design in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering2
ABE 2730CAD for Process Facilities and Land Use Planning1
ABE 3160Applied Numerical Methods for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering3
ABE 3630Agri-Industrial Applications of Electric Power and Electronics4
ABE 3780Mechanics of Fluids3
ABE 3800Principles of Biological Systems Engineering3
ABE 4040Instrumentation for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering3
ABE 4150Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Design I2
ABE 4160Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Design II2
ABE 4800Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems3
CE 2740Engineering Statics3
EM 3240Mechanics of Materials3
EM 3270Mechanics of Materials Laboratory1
or ABE 3780L Mechanics of Fluids Laboratory
IE 3050Engineering Economic Analysis3
ME 2310Engineering Thermodynamics I3
Total Credits42
Other Remaining Courses: 11 cr.
ABE 1100Experiencing Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering1
ABE 1700Engineering Graphics and Introductory Design3
TSM 2010Preparing for Workplace Seminar1
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (Must have a C or better in this course)3
Communication Elective: One of the following (Must have a C or better in this course)3
Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences
Proposal and Report Writing
Technical Communication
Advanced Professional Selling
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Business and Professional Speaking
Total Credits11

Complete remaining courses from one of the following options:

Ecological Engineering Option: 15 cr.
ABE 4310Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Systems3
ABE 4340Ecosystem Restoration Engineering3
CE 3720Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics3
Ecological Elective 26
Total Credits15
Food & Bioprocess Engineering Option: 16 cr.
ABE 4510Food and Bioprocess Engineering3
ABE 4500Emerging Technologies in Biomanufacturing3
ABE 4690Engineering for Grain Storage, Preservation, Handling, and Processing Systems3
ME 4360Heat Transfer4
Food Elective (select 3 cr from the following):3
Biorenewable Systems
Food Microbiology
Food Processing
Supply Chain Management
Total Credits16
Open Option: 16 cr.
ABE 4510Food and Bioprocess Engineering3
ME 4360Heat Transfer4
Sequence I, II & III Elective 29
Total Credits16
Co-op/Internships (Optional)
  1. 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. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity), International Perspectives and Social Science/Humanities courses may not be taken Pass/Not Pass.
  2. Choose from department approved list.
  3. See Basic Program for Professional Engineering Curricula for accepted substitutions for curriculum designated courses in the Basic Program.

TRANSFER CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

Students graduating with a degree in AE or BSE are required to have a minimum of 18 credits of 3000-level and 4000-level ABE courses taken at Iowa State University (excluding 4900, 4150, and 4160), and must complete the two-semester ABE Capstone sequence (ABE 4150 & 4160) at Iowa State University. The Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering requires a grade of C or better for any transfer credit course that is applied to the degree program.

See also: A 4-year plan of study grid showing course template by semester for Biological Systems Engineering.

Biological Systems Engineering, B.S. - Ecological Engineering Option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGR 1010RABE 11001
ABE 17003ABE 16003
CHEM 16704MATH 16604
CHEM 1670L1PHYS 23104
MATH 16504PHYS 2310L1
ENGL 15003ENGL 25003
LIB 16001 
 16 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ABE 21603ABE 21802
CE 27403TSM 20101
BIOL 21203ABE 27301
CHEM 23103ME 23103
CHEM 2310L1MATH 26704
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) Elective3CHEM 21102
 CHEM 2110L2
 16 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ABE 31603ABE 36304
ABE 37803ABE 38003
MICRO 30203CE 37203
MICRO 3020L1EM 32403
STAT 30503IE 30503
Communication Elective3 
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ABE 41502ABE 41602
ABE 40403ABE 43403
ABE 43103EM 3270 or ABE 3780L1
ABE 48003Ecological Elective 3
Social Science or Humanities Elective3Ecological Elective3
International Perspectives Elective3Social Science or Humanities Elective3
 17 15

Biological Systems Engineering, B.S. Food & Bioprocess Engineering Option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGR 1010RABE 11001
ABE 17003ABE 16003
MATH 16504MATH 16604
CHEM 16704PHYS 23104
CHEM 1670L1PHYS 2310L1
ENGL 15003ENGL 25003
LIB 16001 
 16 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ABE 21603ABE 21802
CE 27403TSM 20101
BIOL 21203ABE 27301
CHEM 23103MATH 26704
CHEM 2310L1MICRO 30203
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) Elective3MICRO 3020L1
 ME 23103
 16 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ABE 31603ABE 36304
ABE 37803ABE 38003
STAT 30503ABE 46903
FSHN 31103EM 32403
FSHN 3110L1IE 30503
Communication Elective3 
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ABE 41502ABE 41602
ABE 40403ABE 45103
ABE 48003EM 3270 or ABE 3780L1
ABE 45003ME 43604
Option Elective3Social Science or Humanities Elective3
International Perspectives Elective3Social Science or Humanities Elective3
 17 16

Biological Systems Engineering, B.S. - Open Option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGR 1010RABE 11001
ABE 17003ABE 16003
CHEM 16704MATH 16604
CHEM 1670L1PHYS 23104
MATH 16504PHYS 2310L1
ENGL 15003ENGL 25003
LIB 16001 
 16 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ABE 21603ABE 21802
CE 27403TSM 20101
BIOL 21203ABE 27301
CHEM 33103CHEM 33203
CHEM 3310L1CHEM 3320L1
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) Elective3MATH 26704
 ME 23103
 16 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ABE 31603ABE 36304
ABE 37803ABE 38003
MICRO 30203EM 32403
MICRO 3020L1IE 30503
STAT 30503Sequence I Elective3
Communication Elective3 
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ABE 41502ABE 41602
ABE 40403ABE 45103
ABE 48003EM 3270 or ABE 3780L1
Sequence II Elective3ME 43604
International Perspectives Elective3Sequence III Elective3
Social Science or Humanities Elective3Social Science or Humanities Elective3
 17 16

The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering has concurrent Bachelor of Science /Master of Science (B.S./M.S.) programs designed especially for departmental seniors who wish to pursue advanced studies. Concurrent B.S./M.S. programs are: agricultural engineering (BS) with agricultural and biosystems engineering (M.S.) and biological systems engineering (B.S.) with agricultural and biosystems engineering (M.S.).

The concurrent B.S./M.S. program allows seniors to:

  • Become eligible for a research assistantship during their senior year.
  • Complete an M.S. degree (with thesis) within 18 months of B.S. graduation.

For more information about our concurrent undergraduate and graduate programs in Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, visit: https://www.abe.iastate.edu/graduate-students/abe-concurrent-degrees/

Graduate Study

The department offers Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees with a major in agricultural and biosystems engineering. Within the agricultural and biosystems 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/.

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.

The department also offers both master of science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in industrial and agricultural technology.