Biological Systems Engineering, Bachelor of Science College of Engineering
The Biological Systems Engineering Undergraduate Program
Biological Systems Engineering is an engineering major that uses life sciences as its main scientific base. With rapid advances in biology and biotechnology, engineers are needed to work side by side with life scientists to bring laboratory developments into commercial production or field application. Industries in food and fiber production, bioenergy, bioprocessing, biotechnology, food processing, agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, plant and animal production, natural resource management, and waste reduction all need engineers with strong training in biology. In the first two years, the Biological Systems Engineering major requires sequences of courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering science, and humanities, similar to all accredited engineering programs. In addition to these courses, the major also includes courses in the life sciences and the application to engineering.
Biological Systems Engineering graduates take jobs in biotechnology, energy, food, and medical industries, work for federal, state and local agencies, and pursue graduate work. Students can also use the program as a pathway to professional schools in medicine, veterinary medicine, education, law, or business.
The Biological Systems Engineering (BS) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Biological and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
Students are encouraged to adhere carefully to all prerequisite requirements. The instructor is authorized to drop students from a course for which stated prerequisites have not been completed.
Lower Division Required Courses
See the Degree Requirements section.
Upper Division Requirements
If your career objective is a professional degree in the health sciences (e.g., medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, or dentistry), you should consult with advisors from the appropriate school to plan for successful admission and to ensure that you take specific courses that may be required and that you have the necessary experience. Advisors in the Office of Health Professions Advising can also assist students planning to pursue degrees in these areas.
Areas of Specialization
Biological Systems Engineering is a broad major with many possible areas of specialization, with some examples below. Each area of specialization includes recommended electives for planning purposes. Students in the major are NOT required to select or follow an area of specialization. Following the recommended electives for a specialization does not result in specialization or concertation notation on a student’s transcript or diploma.
- Biotechnical Engineering.
- Agricultural & Natural Resources Engineering.
- Food Engineering.
The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Biological Systems Engineering Bachelor of Science is 163.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division Required Courses | ||
| Mathematics | ||
| MAT 021A | Calculus | 4 |
| MAT 021B | Calculus | 4 |
| MAT 021C | Calculus | 4 |
| MAT 021D | Vector Analysis | 4 |
| MAT 022A | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MAT 022B | Differential Equations | 3 |
| Physics | ||
| PHY 009A | Classical Physics | 5 |
| PHY 009B | Classical Physics | 5 |
| PHY 009C | Classical Physics | 5 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHE 002A | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHE 002B | General Chemistry | 5 |
| CHE 008A | Organic Chemistry: Brief Course | 2-4 |
| or CHE 118A | Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences | |
| CHE 008B | Organic Chemistry: Brief Course | 4 |
| or CHE 118B | Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences | |
| Biological Science | ||
| BIS 002A | Introduction to Biology: Essentials of Life on Earth | 5 |
| Engineering | ||
| ENG 017 | Circuits I | 4 |
| or ENG 017V | Circuits I | |
| ENG 035 | Statics | 4 |
| ECS 032A | Introduction to Programming | 4 |
| or ECS 032AV | Introduction to Programming | |
| or ENG 006 | Engineering Problem Solving | |
| Biological Systems Engineering | ||
| EBS 001 | Foundations of Biological Systems Engineering (Fall only) | 4 |
| EBS 075 | Properties of Materials in Biological Systems (Winter only) | 4 |
| Lower Division Composition/Writing; choose one; a grade of C- or better is required: | 4 | |
| Major Works of the Ancient World | ||
| Major Works of the Medieval & Early Modern World | ||
| Major Works of the Modern World | ||
| Major Works of the Contemporary World | ||
| Introduction to Literature | ||
or ENL 003V | Introduction to Literature | |
| Introduction to Native American Literature | ||
| Introduction to Academic Literacies (Recommended) | ||
or UWP 001V | Introduction to Academic Literacies: Online | |
or UWP 001Y | Introduction to Academic Literacies | |
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Engineering Design | ||
or ENG 003Y | Introduction to Engineering Design | |
| Introduction to Public Speaking | ||
or CMN 001V | Introduction to Public Speaking | |
| Interpersonal Communication Competence | ||
or CMN 003V | Interpersonal Communication Competence | |
or CMN 003Y | Interpersonal Communication Competence | |
| Total Units | 86-88 | |
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Division Required Courses | ||
| Engineering | ||
| ENG 100 | Electronic Circuits & Systems | 3 |
| ENG 102 | Dynamics | 4 |
| ENG 104 | Mechanics of Materials | 4 |
| ENG 105 | Thermodynamics | 4 |
| ENG 106 | Engineering Economics (Winter only) | 4 |
| Biological Systems Engineering | ||
| EBS 103/HYD 103N | Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals | 4 |
| or ENG 103 | Fluid Mechanics | |
| EBS 125 | Heat Transfer in Biological Systems (Spring only) | 4 |
| EBS 127 | Mass Transfer & Kinetics in Biological Systems (Fall only) | 4 |
| EBS 130 | Modeling of Dynamic Processes in Biological Systems (Winter only) | 4 |
| EBS 165 | Bioinstrumentation & Control (Fall only) | 4 |
| EBS 170A | Engineering Design & Professional Responsibilities (Fall only) | 3 |
| EBS 170B | Engineering Projects: Design (Winter only) | 2 |
| EBS 170BL | Engineering Projects: Design Laboratory (Winter only) | 1 |
| EBS 170C | Engineering Projects: Design Evaluation (Spring only) | 1 |
| EBS 170CL | Engineering Projects: Design Evaluation (Spring only) | 2 |
| Statistics | ||
| STA 100 | Applied Statistics for Biological Sciences | 4 |
| Biological Systems Engineering Electives | ||
| Choose a minimum of 4 units from all upper division Biological Systems Engineering courses not otherwise required, with the exception of: | 4 | |
EBS 189 series | ||
| Special Study for Advanced Undergraduates | ||
| Engineering Electives | ||
| Choose a minimum of 8 units; all upper division courses offered by the College of Engineering may be taken as engineering electives with the exception of the following: | 8 | |
| Urban Systems & Sustainability | ||
| Ethics in an Age of Technology | ||
| Fluid Mechanics | ||
| Environmental Physics & Society | ||
All courses 190-197, 199; except ENG 190, may be taken for 2 units of engineering elective credit | ||
| Biological Science Electives | ||
| All upper division courses in the College of Biological Sciences may be used as biological science electives; with the exception of: | 9 | |
| Computational Genetics | ||
| Introduction to Motor Learning & the Psychology of Sport & Exercise | ||
| Clinical Exercise Physiology | ||
| Biomechanical Bases of Movement | ||
| Advanced Sport Psychology | ||
| Physiology of Maximal Human Performance | ||
| Neuromuscular & Behavioral Aspects of Motor Control | ||
| Theory & Practice of Exercise Testing | ||
All 190-199 | ||
| May also be taken as biological science electives: | ||
| Water Quality Management for Aquaculture | ||
| Fish Production | ||
| Pig & Poultry Care & Management | ||
| Beef Cattle & Sheep Production | ||
| Dairy Cattle Production | ||
| Biometeorology | ||
| Avian Biology | ||
| Introduction to Biology: Principles of Ecology & Evolution | ||
| Introduction to Biology: Biodiversity & the Tree of Life | ||
| Human Gross Anatomy | ||
| Human Gross Anatomy Laboratory | ||
| General Entomology | ||
ENH 102 | (Discontinued) | |
| Global Environmental Interactions | ||
| General Ecology | ||
| Principles of Environmental Science | ||
| Wetland Ecology | ||
| Principles of Environmental Toxicology | ||
| Environmental Toxicology of Air Pollutants | ||
| Malting & Brewing Science | ||
| Food Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Chemistry & Technology of Milk & Dairy Products | ||
| Food Toxicology | ||
| New Food Product Ideas | ||
| Infectious Diseases of Humans | ||
| Principles of Soil Science | ||
| Physiology of Fishes | ||
Students may choose other upper division courses with substantial biological content offered by the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences; consultation with a faculty advisor and approval by petition is required. | ||
| Upper Division Composition Requirement | 4 | |
Choose one; a grade of C- or better is required: | ||
| Advanced Composition | ||
or UWP 101V | Advanced Composition | |
or UWP 101Y | Advanced Composition | |
| Writing in the Disciplines: Biology | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Engineering | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Food Science & Technology | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines: Environmental Writing | ||
| Writing in the Professions: Business Writing | ||
or UWP 104AV | Writing in the Professions: Business Writing | |
or UWP 104AY | Writing in the Professions: Business Writing | |
| Writing in the Professions: Science | ||
| Writing in the Professions: Health | ||
or UWP 104FV | Writing in the Professions: Health | |
or UWP 104FY | Writing in the Professions: Health | |
| Writing in the Professions: Technical Writing | ||
The Upper Division Composition Exam administered by the College of Letters & Sciences cannot be used to satisfy the upper division composition requirement for students in the Biological Systems Engineering program. | ||
| Total Units | 77 | |
Total Units: 163-165
Areas of Specialization
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Systems Engineering is a broad major with many possible areas of specialization, with some examples below. Each area of specialization includes recommended electives for planning purposes. Students in the major are NOT required to select or follow an area of specialization. Following the recommended electives for a specialization does not result in specialization or concertation notation on a student’s transcript or diploma. | ||
Biotechnical Engineering
Biotechnology involves the handling and manipulation of living organisms or their components to produce useful products. Students specializing in biotechnical engineering integrate analysis and design with applied biology to solve problems in renewable energy production, bioprocessing, control of biological systems, and production of biomaterials and bioproducts.
Students may focus on the mechanisms and processes for the sustainable production and use of energy from renewable biological sources. Students may also focus on the challenges in scaling up laboratory developments to industrial production, including production, packaging, and application of biocontrol agents for plant pests and diseases; genetically altered plants; plant materials and food products; and microbial production of biological products, tissue culture, and bioremediation. Students may also focus on the development of biosensors to detect microorganisms and specific substances useful in the development of products based on biological processes and materials.
Biotechnical engineers work in the biotech industries on process design and operation, scale-up, and instrumentation, sensing, automation, and control.
Recommended Biological Science Electives
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIS 101 | Genes & Gene Expression | 4 |
| BIS 102 | Structure & Function of Biomolecules | 3 |
| BIS 103 | Bioenergetics & Metabolism | 3 |
| BIT 160 | Principles of Plant Biotechnology | 3 |
| BIT 161A | Genetics & Biotechnology Laboratory | 6 |
| BIT 161B | Plant Genetics & Biotechnology Laboratory | 4 |
| MIC 102 | Introductory Microbiology | 3 |
| MIC 103L | Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| MCB 120L | Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Laboratory | 3 |
| MCB 121 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 3 |
| MCB 126 | Plant Biochemistry | 3 |
| MCB 162 | Human Genetics & Genomics | 3 |
| MCB 182 | Principles of Genomics | 3 |
| MMG 115 | Recombinant DNA Cloning & Analysis | 3 |
| or MIC 115 DISCONTINUED | ||
| PLS 152 | Plant Genetics | 4 |
Recommended Engineering Electives
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIM 109 | Biomaterials | 4 |
| BIM 117 | Modeling Strategies for Biomedical Engineering | 4 |
| BIM 118 | Microelectromechanical Systems | 4 |
| BIM 140 | Protein Engineering | 4 |
| BIM 143 | Biomolecular Systems Engineering: Synthetic Biology | 4 |
| BIM 151 | Computational Tools & Applications in Bioengineering & Biomedicine | 4 |
| BIM 152 | Molecular Control of Biosystems | 4 |
| BIM 161A | Biomolecular Engineering | 4 |
| BIM 162 | Introduction to the Biophysics of Molecules & Cells | 4 |
| EBS 135 | Bioenvironmental Engineering | 4 |
| EBS 161 | Kinetics & Bioreactor Design | 4 |
| ECH 160 | Fundamentals of Biomanufacturing | 3 |
| ECI 148A | (Discontinued) | 4 |
| ECI 149 | (Discontinued) | 4 |
| ECI 150 | (Discontinued) | 4 |
| ECI 153 | Deterministic Optimization & Design | 4 |
| ENG 180 | Engineering Analysis | 4 |
Suggested Advisors
J. de Moura Bell, J. Fan, Y.-L. Hsieh, B. Jenkins, T. Jeoh, J. Mullin, D. Slaughter, G. Sun, R. Zhang
Agricultural & Natural Resources Engineering
With the world population continuing to grow over the next several decades, grand challenges exist in food security and social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Meeting the needs of agriculture and the effective use of natural resources will require continuing innovation. Students specializing in agricultural and natural resources engineering combine analysis and design with applied biology to solve problems in producing, transporting, and processing biological products to provide food, fiber, energy, pharmaceuticals, and other human needs.
Students may focus on automation and control of field operations and engineered systems, robotics, and the biomechanics of humans and animals. They may also focus on engineering issues related to the sustainable use of natural resources, particularly energy and water, but also land and air.
Agricultural and natural resources engineers are employed as practicing professionals and managers with agricultural producers, equipment manufacturers, irrigation districts, food processors, consulting engineering firms, start-up companies, and government agencies. Graduates with interest in biomechanics work in industry on the design, evaluation, and application of human-centered devices and systems, as well as on improving worker health and safety.
Recommended Biological Science Electives
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Emphasis | ||
| AVS 100 | Avian Biology | 3 |
| ANS 112 | Sustainable Animal Agriculture | 3 |
| ANS 143 | Pig & Poultry Care & Management | 4 |
| ANS 144 | Beef Cattle & Sheep Production | 4 |
| ANS 146 | Dairy Cattle Production | 5 |
| NPB 101 | Systemic Physiology | 5 |
| SSC 100 | Principles of Soil Science | 5 |
| Aquaculture Emphasis | ||
| ANS 118 | Fish Production | 4 |
| ANS 131 | Reproduction & Early Development in Aquatic Animals | 4 |
| ABT 163 | Aquaculture Systems Engineering | 3 |
| WFC 120 | Biology & Conservation of Fishes | 3 |
| WFC 121 | Physiology of Fishes | 4 |
| Biomechanics Emphasis | ||
| BIS 102 | Structure & Function of Biomolecules | 3 |
| NPB 101 | Systemic Physiology | 5 |
| CHA 101/EXB 106 | Human Gross Anatomy | 4 |
| Plant Emphasis | ||
| ENT 100 | General Entomology | 4 |
| ENH 102 | (Discontinued) | 4 |
| ESP 100 | General Ecology | 4 |
| ETX 101 | Principles of Environmental Toxicology | 4 |
| HYD 124 | Plant-Water-Soil Relationships | 4 |
| MIC 120 | Microbial Ecology | 3 |
| PLB 111 | Plant Physiology | 3 |
| SSC 100 | Principles of Soil Science | 5 |
| PLS 101 | Agriculture & the Environment | 3 |
| PLS 114 | Biological Applications in Fruit Production | 2 |
Recommended Engineering Electives
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EBS 128 | Biomechanics & Ergonomics | 4 |
| EBS 145 | Irrigation & Drainage Systems | 4 |
| BIM 109 | Biomaterials | 4 |
| BIM 116 | Quantitative Physiology | 5 |
| BIM 126 | Tissue Mechanics | 3 |
| ECI 141 | Engineering Hydraulics | 3 |
| ECI 142 | Engineering Hydrology | 4 |
| ECI 144 | Groundwater Systems Design | 4 |
| ECI 145 | Hydraulic Structure Design | 4 |
| ECI 148A | (Discontinued) | 4 |
| ECI 171 | Soil Mechanics | 4 |
| ENG 111 | Electric Machinery Fundamentals | 4 |
| ENG 121 | Fluid Power Actuators & Systems | 4 |
| ENG 180 | Engineering Analysis | 4 |
Additional Recommended Electives (Do not count towards major requirements)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ABT 150 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| ABT 161 | Water Quality Management for Aquaculture | 3 |
| ABT 163 | Aquaculture Systems Engineering | 3 |
| ABT 165 | Irrigation Practices for an Urban Environment | 3 |
Suggested Advisors
A. Daccache, I. Donis-Gonzalez, M. Earles, F. Fathallah, J. Fernandez-Bayo, T-C. Hung, B. Jenkins, F. Khorsandi, I. Kisekka, K. Kornbluth, P. Larbi, A. Pourreza, D. Slaughter, S. Vougioukas
Food Engineering
Producing the food we eat every day constitutes the largest industrial sector of the U.S. economy, and this production involves the work of engineers in a wide variety of food industries, both at home and around the world. Students specializing in food engineering design food processes and operate equipment and facilities for production of high quality, safe, and nutritious food with minimal impact of these operations on the environment.
Students learn to apply engineering principles and concepts to handle, store, process, package, and distribute food and related products. In addition to engineering principles, the food engineering specialization provides an understanding of the chemical, biochemical, microbiological, and physical characteristics of food. Students study concepts of food refrigeration, freezing, thermal processing, drying, and other food operations, food digestion, and health and nutrition in food system design.
Food engineers work as practicing engineers, scientists, and managers in the food industry.
Recommended Biological Science Electives
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ANS 112 | Sustainable Animal Agriculture | 3 |
| BIS 101 | Genes & Gene Expression | 4 |
| BIS 102 | Structure & Function of Biomolecules | 3 |
| BIS 103 | Bioenergetics & Metabolism | 3 |
| FST 100A | Food Chemistry | 4 |
| FST 100B | Food Properties | 4 |
| FST 101A | Food Chemistry Laboratory | 3 |
| FST 101B | Food Properties Laboratory | 2 |
| FST 102A | Malting & Brewing Science | 4 |
| FST 104 | Food Microbiology | 3 |
| FST 104L | Food Microbiology Laboratory | 4 |
| FST 107 | Food Sensory Science | 4 |
| FST 117 | Design & Analysis for Sensory Food Science | 4 |
| FST 119 | Chemistry & Technology of Milk & Dairy Products | 4 |
| FST 123 | Introduction to Enzymology | 3 |
| FST 123L | Enzymology Laboratory | 2 |
| FST/ETX 128 | Food Toxicology | 3 |
| MIC 102 | Introductory Microbiology | 3 |
| MIC 103L | Introductory Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| PLS 172 | Biology and Quality of Harvested Crops | 4 |
| PLS 174 | Microbiology & Safety of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables | 3 |
| PLS 196 | (Discontinued) | 3 |
Recommended Engineering Electives
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EBS 135 | Bioenvironmental Engineering | 4 |
| EBS 161 | Kinetics & Bioreactor Design | 4 |
| ECH 160 | Fundamentals of Biomanufacturing | 3 |
| ENG 180 | Engineering Analysis | 4 |
Suggested Advisors
G. Bornhorst, J. de Moura Bell, I. Donis-Gonzalez, T. Jeoh, N. Nitin, Z. Pan, D. Slaughter
Master Undergraduate Advisor
S. Vougioukas
Students graduating with a B.S. degree in Biological Systems Engineering from UC Davis are prepared to:
- Apply life sciences in engineering at the biochemical, cellular, organism, and macro levels.
- Solve biological systems engineering problems while employed in the private or public sector.
- Consider the environmental, economic, and social consequences of their engineering activities.
- Communicate effectively with professional colleagues and public constituencies.
- Act in an ethical manner.
- Continue their education to adapt and thrive in a changing professional world.