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Biological Systems Engineering

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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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, http://www.abet.org/

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. Diversity: 3 cr.1
Communication Proficiency/Library requirement:
ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication (Must have a C or better in this course)3
ENGL 250Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition (Must have a C or better in this course)3
LIB 160Introduction 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. 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 167 and CHEM 167L or the sequence of CHEM 177, CHEM 177L, and CHEM 178. This is a departmental requirement within the College of Engineering Basic Program requirements. The CHEM 178 course will show as completing the chemistry portion of the Basic Program and the credits will be applied towards a student's classification.

A B E 160Systematic Problem Solving and Computer Programming 33
CHEM 167General Chemistry for Engineering Students4
ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication (Must have a C or better in this course)3
ENGR 101Engineering OrientationR
LIB 160Introduction to College Level Research1
MATH 165Calculus I4
MATH 166Calculus II4
PHYS 231Introduction to Classical Physics I4
PHYS 231LIntroduction to Classical Physics I Laboratory1
Total Credits24
Biological, Math and Physical Science: 23 cr.
BIOL 212Principles of Biology II3
CHEM 167LLaboratory in General Chemistry for Engineering1
or CHEM 177L 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 267Elementary Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms4
MICRO 302Biology of Microorganisms3
MICRO 302LMicrobiology Laboratory1
STAT 305Engineering 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).

A B E 216Fundamentals of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering3
A B E 218Project Management & Design in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering2
A B E 273CAD for Process Facilities and Land Use Planning1
A B E 316Applied Numerical Methods for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering3
A B E 363Agri-Industrial Applications of Electric Power and Electronics4
A B E 378Mechanics of Fluids3
A B E 380Principles of Biological Systems Engineering3
A B E 404Instrumentation for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering3
A B E 415Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Design I2
A B E 416Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Design II2
A B E 480Engineering Analysis of Biological Systems3
C E 274Engineering Statics3
E M 324Mechanics of Materials3
E M 327Mechanics of Materials Laboratory1
or A B E 378L Mechanics of Fluids Laboratory
I E 305Engineering Economic Analysis3
M E 231Engineering Thermodynamics I3
Total Credits42
Other Remaining Courses: 11 cr.
A B E 110Experiencing Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering1
A B E 170Engineering Graphics and Introductory Design3
A B E 201Preparing for Workplace Seminar1
ENGL 250Written, 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.
A B E 431Design and Evaluation of Soil and Water Conservation Systems3
A B E 434XEcosystem Restoration Engineering3
C E 372Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics3
Ecological Elective 26
Total Credits15
Food & Bioprocess Engineering Option: 16 cr.
A B E 451Food and Bioprocess Engineering3
A B E 450XEmerging Technologies in Biomanufacturing3
A B E 469Engineering for Grain Storage, Preservation, Handling, and Processing Systems3
M E 436Heat 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.
A B E 451Food and Bioprocess Engineering3
M E 436Heat 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. 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 A E or BSE are required to have a minimum of 18 credits of 300-level and 400-level ABE courses taken at Iowa State University (excluding 490, 415, and 416), and must complete the two-semester ABE Capstone sequence (ABE 415 & 416) 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 engr option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGR 101RA B E 1101
A B E 1703A B E 1603
CHEM 1674MATH 1664
CHEM 167L1PHYS 2314
MATH 1654PHYS 231L1
ENGL 1503ENGL 2503
LIB 1601 
 16 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A B E 2163A B E 2182
C E 2743A B E 2011
BIOL 2123A B E 2731
CHEM 2313M E 2313
CHEM 231L1MATH 2674
US Diversity Elective3CHEM 2112
 CHEM 211L2
 16 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A B E 3163A B E 3634
A B E 3783A B E 3803
MICRO 3023C E 3723
MICRO 302L1E M 3243
STAT 3053I E 3053
Communication Elective3 
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A B E 4152A B E 4162
A B E 4043A B E 434X3
A B E 4313E M 327 or A B E 378L1
A B E 4803Ecological 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 101RA B E 1101
A B E 1703A B E 1603
MATH 1654MATH 1664
CHEM 1674PHYS 2314
CHEM 167L1PHYS 231L1
ENGL 1503ENGL 2503
LIB 1601 
 16 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A B E 2163A B E 2182
C E 2743A B E 2011
BIOL 2123A B E 2731
CHEM 2313MATH 2674
CHEM 231L1MICRO 3023
US Diversity Elective3MICRO 302L1
 M E 2313
 16 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A B E 3163A B E 3634
A B E 3783A B E 3803
STAT 3053A B E 4693
FS HN 3113E M 3243
FS HN 311L1I E 3053
Communication Elective3 
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A B E 4152A B E 4162
A B E 4043A B E 4513
A B E 4803E M 327 or A B E 378L1
A B E 450X Emerging Technologies in Biomanufacturing3M E 4364
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 101RA B E 1101
A B E 1703A B E 1603
CHEM 1674MATH 1664
CHEM 167L1PHYS 2314
MATH 1654PHYS 231L1
ENGL 1503ENGL 2503
LIB 1601 
 16 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A B E 2163A B E 2182
C E 2743A B E 2011
BIOL 2123A B E 2731
CHEM 3313CHEM 3323
CHEM 331L1CHEM 332L1
US Diversity Elective3MATH 2674
 M E 2313
 16 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A B E 3163A B E 3634
A B E 3783A B E 3803
MICRO 3023E M 3243
MICRO 302L1I E 3053
STAT 3053Sequence I Elective3
Communication Elective3 
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
A B E 4152A B E 4162
A B E 4043A B E 4513
A B E 4803E M 327 or A B E 378L1
Sequence II Elective3M E 4364
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 (BS/MS) programs designed especially for departmental seniors who wish to pursue advanced studies. Concurrent BS/MS programs are: agricultural engineering (BS) with agricultural and biosystems engineering (MS) and biological systems engineering (BS) with agricultural and biosystems engineering (MS).

The concurrent BS/MS program allows seniors to:

  • Become eligible for a research assistantship during their senior year
  • Complete an MS degree (with thesis) within 18 months of BS 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.