Biological Engineering (BS)
The BE curriculum is jointly administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering and combines the fields of engineering, biology, chemistry, and agriculture. The Biological Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET,听. BE graduates are qualified to become registered professional engineers by passing the appropriate examinations and upon completing the engineering experience requirements. Specific curriculum requirements are available online.
BAE faculty, in concert with program constituencies, has developed the following undergraduate program educational objectives (PEOs). Within the first five years following graduation, NC State's Biological Engineering graduates will:
- Excel in their careers by applying their engineering knowledge, critical-thinking skills, systematic approach to problem solving, and innovation to improve biological and agricultural systems;
- Work effectively both independently and as part of professional teams and demonstrate leadership potential in project management;
- Display professionalism, ethics, equity, and inclusivity in the practice of engineering to safeguard life, health, and public welfare;
- Communicate effectively in a professional environment; and
- Be engaged in life-long learning and professional development.
Plan Requirements
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 颁贬听101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| 贰听101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 | 1 |
| 贰听115 | Introduction to Computing Environments | 1 |
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research 2 | 4 |
| 惭础听141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry I Lab | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | ||
| MA听241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PY听205 &听PY听206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1 | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Fundamentals of Economics | ||
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BAE听200 | Computer Methods in Biological Engineering | 2 |
| CE听214 or MAE听206 | Engineering Mechanics-Statics 2 or Engineering Statics | 3 |
| MA听242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PY听208 &听PY听209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 4 |
| BIO听181 or BIO听183 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity or Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| 听 | Hours | 17 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering Methods | ||
| Introduction to AutoCAD Civil 3D for Environmental & Ecological Engineers and Introduction to Environmental and Ecological Engineering | ||
| CE听215 or MAE听208 | 2 or Engineering Dynamics | 3 |
| MA听341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 |
| MAE听201 | Thermal-Fluid Sciences | 3 |
| Biological Science/Chemistry Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BAE听302 | Transport Phenomena | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Food Process Engineering | ||
| Analytical Methods in Engineering Design | ||
| Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers | ||
| Structures & Environment | ||
| CE听282 or MAE听308 | Hydraulics or Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| BAE听305 | Biological Engineering Circuits | 4 |
| ENG听331 or ENG听333 | Communication for Engineering and Technology or Communication for Science and Research | 3 |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Food Process Engineering | ||
| Analytical Methods in Engineering Design | ||
| Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers | ||
| Structures & Environment | ||
| CE听225 or MAE听214 | Mechanics of Solids or Solid Mechanics | 3 |
| ST听370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| BAE听401 | Sensors and Controls | 3 |
| Advanced Biology Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Food Process Engineering | ||
| Analytical Methods in Engineering Design | ||
| Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers | ||
| Structures & Environment | ||
| BAE听451 | Engineering Design I | 2 |
| Engineering Elective | 3 | |
| Engineering Elective | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Science and Civilization | ||
| Ethical Dimensions of Progress | ||
| 听 | Hours | 14 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BAE听452 | Engineering Design II | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocessing | ||
| Principles and Applications of Ecological Engineering | ||
| Postharvest Engineering | ||
| Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocessing | ||
| 听 | Hours | 5 |
| 听 | Total Hours | 112 |
- 1
A grade of C or higher is required.
- 2
A grade of C- or higher is required.
GEP Courses听
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEP Humanities | 6 | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | ||
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 2 | ||
| GEP Elective | 3 | ||
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 2 | ||
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | |||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | |||
| Total Hours | 16 | ||
Biological Science/Chemistry Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEC听360 | Ecology | 4 | |
| BIO听361 | Developmental Biology | 3 | |
| BIO听414 | Cell Biology | 3 | |
| CH听201 | Chemistry - A Quantitative Science | 3 | |
| CH听202 | Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | 1 | |
| CH听220 | Introductory Organic Chemistry | 3 | |
| CH听221 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 | |
| CH听222 | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 | |
| FS听462 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 | |
| FS听562 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 | |
| GN听311 | Principles of Genetics | 4 | |
| HS听462 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 | |
| HS听562 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 | |
| MB听351 | General Microbiology | 3 | |
| PB听321 | Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology | 3 | |
| PB听360 | Ecology | 4 | |
| SSC听200 | Soil Science | 3 | |
| SSC听332 | Environmental Soil Microbiology | 3 |
Advanced Biology Elective
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEC听360 | Ecology | 4 | |
| BIO听361 | Developmental Biology | 3 | |
| BIO听414 | Cell Biology | 3 | |
| FS听462 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 | |
| FS听562 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 | |
| GN听311 | Principles of Genetics | 4 | |
| HS听462 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 | |
| HS听562 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 | |
| MB听351 | General Microbiology | 3 | |
| PB听321 | Introduction to Whole Plant Physiology | 3 | |
| PB听360 | Ecology | 4 | |
| SSC听332 | Environmental Soil Microbiology | 3 |
Engineering Electives
| Code | Title | Hours | Counts towards |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAE听322 | Introduction to Food Process Engineering | 3 | |
| BAE听361 | Analytical Methods in Engineering Design | 3 | |
| BAE听371 | Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers | 3 | |
| BAE听425 | Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocessing | 3 | |
| BAE听462 | Machinery Design and Applications | 3 | |
| BAE听472 | Irrigation and Drainage | 3 | |
| BAE听473 | Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling | 3 | |
| BAE听474 | Principles and Applications of Ecological Engineering | 3 | |
| BAE听481 | Structures & Environment | 3 | |
| BAE听525 | Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocessing | 3 | |
| BAE听528 | Biomass to Renewable Energy Processes | 3 | |
| BAE听572 | Irrigation and Drainage | 3 | |
| BAE听573 | Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling | 3 | |
| CHE听435 | Process Systems Analysis and Control | 3 | |
| ISE听311 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 | |
| SSC听473 | Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling | 3 | |
| SSC听573 | Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling | 3 | |
| TE听435 | Process Systems Analysis and Control | 3 |
Semester Sequence
To see more about what you will learn in this program, visit the !
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 颁贬听101 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 | 3 |
| 颁贬听102 | General Chemistry Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| 贰听101 | Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1 | 1 |
| 贰听115 | Introduction to Computing Environments | 1 |
| 贰狈骋听101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| 惭础听141 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Chemistry - A Quantitative Science and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry I Lab | ||
| Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Lab | ||
| MA听241 | Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PY听205 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I 1 | 3 |
| PY听206 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1 | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Economics | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BAE听200 | Computer Methods in Biological Engineering | 2 |
| MAE听206 or CE听214 | Engineering Statics 1 or Engineering Mechanics-Statics | 3 |
| MA听242 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PY听208 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II | 3 |
| PY听209 | Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory | 1 |
| BIO听181 or BIO听183 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity or Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| 听 | Hours | 17 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering Methods | ||
| Introduction to AutoCAD Civil 3D for Environmental & Ecological Engineers and Introduction to Environmental and Ecological Engineering | ||
| MAE听208 | Engineering Dynamics | 3 |
| MA听341 | Applied Differential Equations I | 3 |
| MAE听201 | Thermal-Fluid Sciences | 3 |
| Biological Science/Chemistry Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BAE听302 | Transport Phenomena | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Analytical Methods in Engineering Design | ||
| Introduction to Food Process Engineering | ||
| Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers | ||
| Structures & Environment | ||
| MAE听308 or CE听282 | Fluid Mechanics 1 or Hydraulics | 3 |
| ENG听331 or ENG听333 | Communication for Engineering and Technology or Communication for Science and Research | 3 |
| BAE听305 | Biological Engineering Circuits | 4 |
| 听 | Hours | 16 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Analytical Methods in Engineering Design | ||
| Introduction to Food Process Engineering | ||
| Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers | ||
| Structures & Environment | ||
| MAE听214 or CE听225 | Solid Mechanics 1 or Mechanics of Solids | 3 |
| ST听370 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| BAE听401 | Sensors and Controls | 3 |
| Advanced Biology Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BAE听451 | Engineering Design I | 2 |
| Engineering Electives | 6 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Analytical Methods in Engineering Design | ||
| Introduction to Food Process Engineering | ||
| Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers | ||
| Structures & Environment | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Contemporary Science, Technology and Human Values | ||
| Ethical Dimensions of Progress | ||
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 17 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BAE听452 | Engineering Design II | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocessing | ||
| Principles and Applications of Ecological Engineering | ||
| Postharvest Engineering | ||
| GEP Social Sciences | 3 | |
| GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives | 2 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 17 |
| 听 | Total Hours | 128 |
- 1
A grade of C- or higher is required.
Career Opportunities
BE students learn to solve a wide variety of engineering problems and will have opportunities for specialization though selection of a specific concentration. Scientific and engineering principles are applied: to conserve and manage air, energy, soil and water resources; to manage, protect and restore natural ecosystems; to understand and utilize biological, chemical and physical processes for the production and conversion of biomass to bio energy; to analyze, understand and utilize mechanical properties of biological materials; to design and develop machinery systems for all phases of agricultural and food production; to design and evaluate structures and environmental control systems for housing animals, plant growth, and biological product storage; to develop improved systems for processing and marketing food and agricultural products; and to design sensor-based instrumentation and control systems for biological and agricultural applications.
Graduates of the BE curriculum receive a Bachelor鈥檚 of Engineering in Biological Engineering, qualifying them for positions in design, development, and research in industry, government and public institutions. The curriculum also prepares students for post-graduate work leading to advanced degrees. Typical positions filled by recent BE graduates include: stream and wetlands restoration project manager; product design; development and testing engineer; plant engineering and management; engineering analysis and inspection for federal and state agencies; engineering consultant and research engineer. Entry-level salary ranges for BE graduates are similar to those of Civil, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering graduates.
The BAET curriculum provides graduates opportunities in technical analysis, application and evaluation of agricultural production systems and environmental systems. The curriculum鈥檚 flexibility enables students to specialize technologically in agriculture, the environment, or business management. Careers include technical jobs in production agriculture, environmental systems, agribusiness sales and service, and agricultural extension.
Career Titles
- Stream and Wetlands Restoration Project Manager
- Product Designer
- Development and Testing Engineer
- Plant Engineering and Management
- Engineering Analyst and Inspector for Federal and State Agencies
- Engineering Consultant Research Engineer
Learn More About Careers
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