Biosystems Engineering Major, BS in Biosystems Engineering

Advisors
Hayes, Tyner, Womac, Yoder

The Herbert College of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Tickle College of Engineering, offers a four-year curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering. The curriculum is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. Overall goals of the program are emphasized in the educational objectives and program outcomes statements listed below. Program details are given in the showcase curricula and the individual course descriptions.

Career opportunities for graduates include the design, development, or management of practices that produce biofuels, minimize soil erosion, and conserve water resources and manage stormwater; biological waste treatment systems; safer machinery systems with lower environmental impact; and improved food and bio-processing systems. Employment opportunities are available in a wide variety of industries, government agencies, research and testing organizations, and educational and non-profit institutions.

The curriculum provides instruction in the analytical and design skills needed to solve engineering problems related to biological and agricultural systems. Comprehensive design of systems and their components is emphasized in the senior year. In addition to the standard biosystems engineering curriculum, a pre-professional concentration is available. The degree program has provisions for elective courses to be taken in specified subject areas. Proper scheduling of courses is very important since prerequisite requirements must be met. Students must consult with their advisors each semester to review their scheduling plan.

Students majoring in biosystems engineering are eligible to participate in the Engineering Cooperative Scholarship Program and other student activities in the Tickle College of Engineering. Biosystems engineering majors interested in the Engineering Cooperative Scholarship Program should consult with their faculty advisor or the head of the Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science Department, 865-974-7266; e-mail bess@utk.edu.

The biosystems engineering program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, provides an exceptional breadth of background in science and engineering, a strong emphasis on design throughout the curriculum, and a focused application of engineering principles to complex biological systems. The program enables its students to perform in a manner that reflects positively on the program and the institution’s reputation.

The Biosystems Engineering Program has Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) that align with the objectives of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. Recent graduates are prepared by the program to:

• Be successful in securing employment in the profession or a position in graduate or professional school,
• Continue developing as professionals, and
• Demonstrate success in their chosen career paths.

Student Outcomes

To achieve the program educational objectives listed above, a series of student outcomes have been adopted. These student outcomes provide specific measures to determine the degree of success in meeting each of the educational objectives. These outcomes are as follows.

• An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
• An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
• An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs.
• An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
• An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
• An ability to communicate effectively.
• The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context.
• A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
• A knowledge of contemporary issues.
• An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
• An understanding of the complexity of biological systems and the ability to apply engineering principles to those systems.

One of the primary tools engineers bring to the solution of many problems is a mastery of mathematics, so mathematical competence is a critical component of an engineering education. In order to graduate with a major in biosystems engineering, students must display this competence by achieving an average GPA of at least 2.0 in the required mathematics courses. Students have the responsibility to work with their academic advisor to assure that they meet this requirement.

In order to provide students with the best advice concerning course selection, general academic success, and career choices, the programs within the Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science require that all undergraduate students meet with their academic advisors every semester before registering for classes.

In keeping with the general Tickle College of Engineering requirement, all Biosystems Engineering undergraduate students are expected to have their own laptop computer. Please see the minimum computer requirements described at http://www.engr.utk.edu/ithelp/computers/.

Requirements for Admission, Readmission, and Transfer to the Program

Because the biosystems engineering program is accredited through the Tickle College of Engineering, students entering, being readmitted to, or transferring into the program must meet the conditions specified in the Tickle College of Engineering requirements found on the main Tickle College of Engineering page under the titles of College Admission Requirements , Readmission , and Transfer Students .

uTrack Requirements (for students entering Fall 2013 or later)

Universal Tracking (uTrack) is an academic monitoring system designed to help students stay on track for timely graduation. In order to remain on track, students must complete the minimum requirements for each tracking semester known as milestones. Milestones include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA. uTrack requirements only affect full-time, degree-seeking students who first entered Fall 2013 or later. uTrack does not apply to transfer students who enter prior to Fall 2015.

Progression Policies and Requirements

Progression of students to departmental upper-division courses is competitive and is based on the space available in the department. Factors considered include overall grade point average, performance in selected lower-division courses, and evidence of satisfactory and orderly progress through the prescribed curriculum.