Biosystems Engineering
What is biosystems engineering?
Why biosystems engineering at OSU?
Career paths
Professions in the public or private sector to meet new demands of a growing population faced with limited resources—possible job titles include:
- Design engineer
- Water resources engineer
- Manufacturing engineer
- Field test engineer
- Consultant engineer
- Research/development engineer
- Environmental engineer
- Process engineer
- Project/plant manager
- Medicine, law and regulatory
Fast Fact
Approximately 41% of the total student enrollment in the biosystems engineering major are female, and nearly one-third of the faculty members are female.
Study Options
Bioprocessing and Food Processing
Bioprocessing graduates can work in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and the development of industrial products. Food processing graduates work in product development and testing, food safety and quality, packaging, storage and handling, and system optimization.
Environment and Natural Resources
This option uses engineering and technology for evaluation and improvement of natural resource systems and environmental sustainability. You can go into areas such as hydrology, storm water management, erosion control, and soil and water protection.
Machine Systems and Agricultural Engineering
This option focuses on the analysis and design of machines that interact with biological materials including soil, plants and animals. You may be involved in off-road equipment design, sensors and control systems, design of intelligent machines or precision agriculture.
Pre-Medical
For students considering entry into health professions, the math and science curriculum helps meet entrance requirements for medical schools while also preparing students for a career involving biosystems engineering. This option also is applicable for students interested in graduate study in biomedical or health-related research.
Highlights
Real-World Projects
Each student in the biosystems engineering program will complete the two-semester senior design capstone course. The capstone provides you a team driven, open-ended design experience, and your final projects are evaluated by an external professional advisory panel.
Hands-on from the Start
Freshman and transfer students design a portion of a capstone senior design project.
Award-Winning Student Organizations
The Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering is home multiple student organizations, including Cowboy Motorsports and Cowboy Waterworks.
A Strong Partnership
Biosystems engineering students are part of both the Ferguson College of Agriculture and the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology which enables them to benefit from the strengths of both academic colleges. Students receive communication from both colleges and are able to take advantage of the services, scholarships and award recognition programs available in both.
Nationally Accredited Program
The bachelor of science degree in biosystems engineering is accredited, along with the other engineering programs in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, through the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and its faculty are administered through the Ferguson College of Agriculture.
