Students: Programs of Study: Undergraduate Degree Programs

Biological Engineering

• Department: Biological and Agricultural Engineering
• Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering - BSBE
• UGA Bulletin: Major Requirements
• Campus: Athens
• UGA Career Center: Career Choices

Description

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering (B.S.B.E.) degree program provides students with an excellent professional engineering education in complementary biological and engineering sciences so they may develop as experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs capable of implementing new ideas and technologies in the complex biologically-based industries.

The program meets critically important needs for engineering systems in the rapidly advancing field of biotechnology. Recent discoveries in biological sciences are providing new ways to beneficially manipulate biological systems ranging from individual cells to entire ecosystems. Engineering of biological systems can increase the quality, quantity, and cost effectiveness of food and other useful substances. Studies and surveys have identified needs and opportunities for engineering personnel in biomanufacturing, bioprocessing, and biocontrols. Graduates of this program will meet the critical needs of the developing biologically-based industrial and manufacturing sector in the United States.

The four-year professional engineering program provides the student with a balance of basic sciences, humanities, social sciences, engineering sciences, biological sciences, and courses in engineering design and analysis. All students complete biological science courses in biology, organic chemistry, microbiology, and biochemistry with an option to select additional courses in genetics, cell biology, zoology, or botany. Engineering science courses required are static's, fluid mechanics, strength of materials, electrical circuits, heat transfer, and thermodynamics.

Three areas of engineering emphasis are provided: 1) Environmental, 2) Bioprocessing, and 3) Biomedical. These emphasis areas allow the student to tailor course work toward an area of their primary interest. Based on their selected area, students also select from engineering courses in mass transport and rate phenomena, biomaterials, engineering and design of biological processes, biomechanics, environmental engineering, instrumentation for environmental quality and bioprocess monitoring and control. Additional electives are available to enhance the selected area of emphasis. The development of both technical and communication skills is stressed throughout the program. Students are encouraged to participate in professional activities through local and national organizations.

The B.S.B.E. degree program is accredited by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and graduating seniors must complete the Fundamentals of Engineering examination prior to graduation. Successful completion of this exam qualifies the student for Engineer in Training registration which is a prerequisite for the Professional Engineer registration.

The objectives of the B.S.B.E. program are to provide graduates with:

• Educational experiences drawn from biological sciences, engineering sciences and engineering design which motivate and qualify graduates to recognize and solve engineering problems in biological systems.
• Superb technical skills in the areas of computers, information transfer, and communication; innovative and imaginative attitudes; and an appreciation for the management function.
• Learning experiences necessary for the synthesis of knowledge across disciplines in the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences in order to understand the ethical, environmental, and social impacts of decisions.

An appreciation for continued professional development through life-long learning.

Course work in the B.S.B.E. program is selected to assure that graduates develop the desired competencies in a wide range of engineering topics. The engineering design experience is integrated throughout the B.S.B.E. curriculum. All students are required to take a first-year course in Introduction to Engineering Design, a second-year course in Engineering Design Methodology, and a fourth-year capstone course in Engineering Design. The capstone course draws upon previous course work and includes a major engineering design team project which focuses on professional practice in the student's area of emphasis. The engineering design experience is structured to fulfill the above objectives.

Career Opportunities

Employment demand for engineers remains among the most favorable of all the professions. A particularly rapid increase in demand has occurred in the food, agricultural, environmental, and therapeutic drug industries due to the recent development of processes and tools in biotechnology. Biological engineers will be essential to the solution of many process-development needs if the results from the efforts of life scientists are to be successfully transferred to full-scale production. Solving problems in biocatalysis, heat and mass transfer, efficient energy conversion and product recovery in biological processes requires an integration of the engineering and biological science disciplines.

The estimated number of job openings for biological engineers is about 2,500 per year for the next ten years. These positions include industrial fermentation, cell culture process engineering, filtration engineering, environmental consulting and regulation, and others. A B.S. in Biological Engineering will meet the educational qualifications for each of these positions. Graduates will also be highly qualified for employment in more traditional engineering positions.

Special Requirements

All students must earn a grade of C or better in all required mathematics and physics courses and ENGR 1120, 2110, 2120, 2140, 2150, 2170, 3140 and 3150. Competency in a computer programming language, such as C++, is expected and may be satisfied with ENGR 1140.

Scholarships

The following scholarships are available for biological engineering majors in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department: Bruce E. Dixson Scholarship; Georgia Section ASAE Scholarship; Rudie Driftmier Scholarship; Goodloe Yancey Scholarships; B. Derrell McLendon Scholarship; Robert H. Brown Scholarship. In addition, many scholarships are available at the College and University levels.

Cooperative Education

The Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department offers its students an opportunity to integrate academic instruction and real-life applications through a cooperative plan of education. Usually beginning after the freshman year, the plan allows for alternating semesters of full-time, off-campus professional work experience in designated industries, agencies and laboratories arranged by the Department. The student is considered by the University to be in an uninterrupted program of study since the student is enrolled for academic credit while on work-experience semesters. While co-op placement does not imply permanent employment of the student upon graduation, it does provide an extended period for mutual evaluation by the student and the cooperating industry, enhancing the possibility of permanent employment.