Biological Systems Engineering, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida A and M University

Program Overview

Florida A&M University’s B.S. in Biological Systems Engineering combines agricultural, biological, chemical, and engineering sciences to prepare students to solve complex problems involving food, biological systems, natural resources, and sustainable engineering. Students can choose between Bioprocessing and Food Engineering and Natural Resources Conservation Engineering, making the degree suitable for careers in areas such as food and bioprocessing, water resources, environmental systems, agricultural engineering, and sustainable resource management. 

Curriculum Structure

Freshman Year: Students build the scientific and engineering foundation through MAC 2311 Calculus I, CHM 1045 Chemistry I, PHY 2048 General Physics I, and BSC 1010 Biology I. They are also introduced to the discipline through ABE 1002 Biological Engineering Terminology and Definitions, ABE 1010 Introduction to Biological Systems Engineering, and ABE 2001L Introduction to Computer Applications.

Sophomore Year: The curriculum develops students' understanding of biological materials, engineering graphics, hydraulics, electrical engineering, and laboratory methods. Key courses include ABE 3650 Engineering Properties of Biological Materials, ABE 2122 Computer Graphics for Engineers, CWR 3201 Hydraulics, and CWR 3200L/3201L Environmental & Hydraulics Engineering Laboratory.

Junior Year: Students move into more advanced engineering analysis and natural-resource or bioprocess applications. In the Natural Resources Conservation Engineering pathway, courses include ABE 3013 Introduction to Design Analysis, ABE 3614 Bio-Thermodynamics, ABE 3212 Natural Resources Conservation Engineering, and ABE 3212L Natural Resources Conservation Engineering Lab, supported by calculus, soil science, mechanics, and engineering economics.

Senior Year: Students apply their accumulated engineering knowledge through ABE 4042 Senior Design Project I and ABE 4043 Senior Design Project II, while completing advanced technical electives. In the Natural Resources Conservation Engineering option, students also study CWR 4101 Engineering Hydrology and ABE 4224 Non-Point Source Pollution, preparing them for professional work in water, environmental, and natural-resource systems.

Focus Areas

Bioprocessing and food engineering, natural resources conservation engineering, agricultural engineering, biological materials, bio-thermodynamics, food processing, water resources, hydraulics, environmental engineering, soil and water systems, sustainable agriculture, engineering design, climate resilience, biological and natural-resource systems. 

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to solve complex engineering problems using mathematics, science, and engineering principles; design solutions that consider health, safety, environmental, social, and economic factors; communicate effectively; work collaboratively; conduct experiments and interpret data; make ethical engineering decisions; and acquire new technical knowledge throughout their careers. 

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Biological Systems Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. FAMU's stated program objectives include preparing graduates for engineering design, management, consulting, engineering education, graduate or professional study, and engineering careers addressing agricultural, biological, and natural-resource needs. 

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

FAMU does not publish a program-specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for Biological Systems Engineering on the official program page. However, the university identifies the BSE program as preparing graduates for engineering employment, graduate/professional study, and leadership in agricultural, biological, and natural-resource systems; the College of Agriculture and Food Sciences also describes its programs as preparing students to be highly qualified and readily employable professionals.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical engineering experience through laboratory-based courses, computer applications, engineering graphics, design analysis, hydraulics, natural-resource engineering, and senior design projects. The program is also connected to FAMU's research centers and Innovation Park, where Biological Systems Engineering is being expanded alongside research in water resources, climate-smart agriculture, biological control, food systems, and environmental engineering.

Specific opportunities include:

Engineering computer applications: ABE 2001L Introduction to Computer Applications introduces students to computing applications relevant to biological systems engineering.
Engineering graphics: ABE 2122 Computer Graphics for Engineers develops computer-based engineering graphics skills.
Hydraulics laboratory: CWR 3200L/3201L Environmental & Hydraulics Engineering Lab provides hands-on experience with environmental and hydraulic engineering concepts.
Natural-resource engineering laboratory: ABE 3212L Natural Resources Conservation Engineering Lab gives students practical experience connected to conservation engineering.
Senior design: ABE 4042 Senior Design Project I and ABE 4043 Senior Design Project II provide a two-course engineering design experience in the final year.
Water-resources research: The Center for Water Resources involves Biological Systems Engineering faculty and students in research covering nutrient management, geospatial technologies, phytoremediation, soil erosion, and computer simulation modeling.
Engineering simulation tools: Center research uses SWAT, MODFLOW, DSSAT, and LEACHM for soil, water, groundwater, crop-growth, and environmental modeling.
Innovation Park facilities: FAMU's Collins Building in Innovation Park houses the Biological Systems Engineering program alongside the Center for Water Resources, Center for Biological Control, and Center for Climate-Smart Agriculture, providing expanded laboratory, instructional, research, and collaboration space.
Field and agricultural research: FAMU's College of Agriculture and Food Sciences provides research and extension infrastructure, including the Brooksville Agricultural and Environmental Research Station, supporting applied agricultural and environmental research.
Field trips and mentoring: The CAFS Living-Learning Community offers BSE students major-focused field trips, tutoring, study sessions, faculty mentoring opportunities, and networking with alumni and government and industry partners.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biological Systems Engineering prepares graduates for engineering careers that address agricultural, biological, food, water, environmental, and natural-resource challenges. FAMU specifically states that graduates can enter engineering employment, pursue graduate or professional study, work in engineering design and consulting, and contribute to agricultural, biological, and natural-resource systems globally.

Typical career roles include Biological Systems Engineer, Agricultural Engineer, Bioprocess Engineer, Natural Resources Engineer:

Academic and career development: Students benefit from FAMU's College of Agriculture and Food Sciences academic environment, including faculty mentoring, advising, Cooperative Extension activities, and research opportunities.
Employment sectors: FAMU identifies opportunities in applied agricultural engineering sectors including the USDA, timber processing, and food processing industries; the BSE program also targets agricultural, biological, and natural-resource engineering needs.
Research-to-career opportunities: Faculty research spans Agtech, bioenergy, food safety, pathogen detection, nutraceuticals, functional foods, environmental and natural-resources engineering, data science, digital agriculture, water resources, and climate resilience.
Industry and government connections: The Center for Water Resources works with state and federal agencies and the private sector, while the CAFS Living-Learning Community provides networking opportunities with government and industry partners.
Employment statistics and salary: FAMU does not publish a current BSE-specific employment rate or salary figure on the official program page, so no program-specific salary has been estimated.
Accreditation value: ABET accreditation provides a recognized engineering-quality framework and confirms that the BSE curriculum meets ABET's requirements for engineering education.
Leadership preparation: FAMU's program objectives specifically include graduates becoming practitioners in engineering design, management, consulting, and engineering education and taking leadership roles within the profession.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can progress into graduate or professional STEM study, particularly in areas related to biological systems engineering, agricultural engineering, environmental and natural-resource engineering, food and bioprocess engineering, water resources, or related disciplines. FAMU explicitly identifies graduate and professional study as a program objective, making the B.S. suitable as a foundation for advanced engineering and research careers.