Biological Engineering

The Biological Engineering major is administered through the College of Engineering.

Biological Engineering helps prepare students for careers involving the application of engineering principles to biological  and agricultural production systems, processing systems, and protection of land and water resources. Education in mathematics, physics, and engineering sciences common to all engineering disciplines is provided along with specialized training in biological and agricultural sciences. The curriculum covers all areas of biological engineering, including agricultural engineering (power and machinery design, natural resource engineering, structural design and environmental control) and biological process engineering (food engineering, bioenergy development, and product synthesis using microbiological organisms.

The objectives of the Biological Engineering program include: (1) developing graduates who are able to effectively use basic and engineering sciences to solve problems and communicate effectively; (2) developing graduates who are able to analyze and solve technical problems in agricultural and biological systems and work in teams; (3) developing graduates who recognize the rights of others and who can assume leadership roles in employment and professional and community activities; and (4) developing graduates who assume responsibility for their profession/careers by remaining abreast of technologies and tools of the engineering profession and of major contemporary issues, and understand how the engineering profession relates to societal and ethical issues.

A student can select the Agricultural Engineering option or the Biological and Food Engineering option.

The Agricultural Engineering option provides emphases in one or more of the following three areas:

Engineering for the protection of the environment from non-point pollution, including sedimentation loss, nutrient and chemical run-off, and stormwater management.

Structural design and environmental control with a focus on design of wood structures.

Machinery systems design,  including off-road equipment for agricultural production, construction, forestry, and food processing.

The Biological and Food Engineering option provides specialization in the many engineering aspects associated with the following two areas:

Engineering of microbiological systems for bioenergy, pharmaceuticals, waste management, vitamin and food supplements, and systems to eradicate pathogens for food safety.

Food processing, handling, and storage from the time food is produced until it reaches consumers.

Is Biological Engineering for You?

There are many rewarding careers in Biological Engineering for men and women who:

Desire to combine interests in engineering, biological sciences, agriculture, and the environment;

Want to apply engineering to living, biological systems;

Like to experiment with machinery, structures, processes, or electronic systems;

Enjoy finding engineering solution to critical problems - food production, food safety, and environmental resources; and

Seek challenges in integrating high tech, cost effective designs in a growth industry.

Biological Engineering graduates are in demand and find a variety of career opportunities. Graduates work in private industry, government service, universities, consulting engineering firms, and other areas. In private industry, graduates have found positions in research, design, analysis, development, testing, sales, and management. Many of these jobs are with industries associated with food processing (e.g., Hershey Foods, General Foods, Kellogg's), off-road machinery development (e.g., New Holland, Cummins Engines, John Deere), soil and water protection (e.g., Natural Resources Conservation Service, Environmental Engineering Consulting Firms, regulators), materials handling (e.g., Butler, Chore Time), wood structures (e.g., RigidPly, Timber Tech), and biological processing (e.g., Cargill). Opportunities abound for biological engineers with industry and governmental agencies in the United States, as well as international locations.

For more information on Biological Engineering, contact

        Dr. Paul H. Heinemann
        224 Agricultural Engineering
        University Park, PA 16802
        Phone: 814 865-2633
        E-mail: hzh@psu.edu

Or visit the Biological Engineering Web site:
http://www.abe.psu.edu/PStudents.html