Biological Systems Engineering, BS

The B.S. in Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison gives students plenty of opportunities to put engineering concepts into practice. Through design courses, laboratory work, research, internships, and hands-on projects, students learn how to develop, build, test, and improve solutions for real challenges in food, agriculture, environmental systems, energy, and biological engineering. Students can also use department and university facilities, including the BSE Shop, engineering fabrication facilities, UW Makerspace, computer labs, and specialized research laboratories.

Students can build professional experience through internships and cooperative education, work directly with faculty on research, take part in engineering competitions, and gain international experience through study-abroad and international internship opportunities. These experiences help students develop practical engineering skills while also building teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and project-management abilities.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

• Design and prototyping: Students work on engineering design challenges where they develop solutions, create prototypes, test their designs, and evaluate their performance through design-focused courses.

• BSE Shop: Students can gain practical experience with machining, metal fabrication, woodworking, design, and assembly using equipment similar to what they may encounter in professional engineering environments.

• UW Makerspace and fabrication facilities: Students can use College of Engineering fabrication facilities and the UW Makerspace to develop and prototype engineering projects.

• Engineering software and computing: Students have access to engineering software and computing resources. The Heat and Mass Transfer Laboratory also uses parallel computing servers and computational fluid dynamics software for advanced simulations.

• Research laboratories: Undergraduate students can participate in faculty research laboratories and research groups, giving them the opportunity to contribute to ongoing projects and gain experience with real research methods.

• Heat and Mass Transfer Laboratory: Students can work with equipment such as temperature and humidity sensors, heat-flux gauges, ultrasonic and hot-wire anemometers, data loggers, weather stations, and wireless measurement technologies.

• Internships and cooperative education: Students can gain professional experience through for-credit internships and cooperative education placements, including opportunities to work full-time with an organization while developing practical engineering skills.

• Summer research: Students can take part in summer research opportunities with faculty members and gain first-hand experience working on research projects.

• Engineering competitions: Students can participate in hands-on design teams such as the Quarter-Scale Tractor Team and Robotics Student Design Competition, where they design, build, test, and improve engineering systems.

• Industry exposure: The student chapter of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers provides opportunities to connect with professionals, visit companies, explore engineering careers, and participate in design competitions.

• International experience: Students can take part in study-abroad programs and international internships, gaining experience applying engineering knowledge in different cultural and professional environments.

• Community-based projects: Students have opportunities to apply their engineering skills to community projects, including work involving bioreactors for communities in Uganda and projects connected with Habitat for Humanity in Madison.

• Collaborative learning: Teamwork is an important part of the program, with students working together on design activities, engineering projects, competitions, and study groups. The department also provides student spaces where students can work individually or collaborate with classmates.

The B.S. in Biological Systems Engineering prepares students for a wide range of careers where engineering is applied to food, agriculture, environmental systems, renewable energy, machinery, water resources, and biological materials. Graduates can move directly into professional engineering roles or continue into graduate study, while the program's ABET accreditation provides a valuable foundation for students interested in pursuing professional engineering licensure.

Typical career paths include:

• Biological Systems Engineer

• Environmental Engineer

• Agricultural or Machinery Systems Engineer

• Food or Bioprocess Engineer

Career development and professional opportunities:

• Career support: Students can use career resources provided through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering. Career fairs and employer events give students opportunities to meet organizations, explore career options, and find internships or full-time positions.

• Internships and co-op opportunities: Students can gain practical industry experience through for-credit internships and cooperative education. Co-op placements allow students to work full-time with a company, earn a salary, and gain valuable experience in a professional engineering environment.

• Industry connections: The UW–Madison student chapter of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers helps students connect with engineering professionals, visit companies, learn about different career paths, and participate in design competitions.

• Employment outcomes: UW–Madison's 2024–25 First Destination Survey reported that 62.1% of graduates were employed after graduation, while 93% of graduates seeking employment, service, or military opportunities had accepted a position within six months.

• Graduate progression: The same university survey reported that 26.6% of the graduating class continued into graduate school, highlighting the range of opportunities available for students who want to pursue advanced study.

• Professional engineering pathway: The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Graduates are prepared to pursue the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, an important first step toward professional engineering licensure and long-term advancement in engineering careers.

• Research experience: Students can work with faculty research laboratories within Biological Systems Engineering and across UW–Madison. This experience can be particularly valuable for students considering research careers or graduate-level study.

• Career flexibility: Graduates can pursue opportunities across industry, government, research, and consulting. Potential areas include food production, renewable energy, off-road equipment, environmental control systems, irrigation and drainage, animal housing, and engineering consulting.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can continue into graduate programs related to biological systems engineering, environmental engineering, food and bioprocess engineering, machinery systems, renewable energy, sustainability, or other related engineering and biological-science fields. The research, design, analytical, and technical experience gained during the bachelor's degree can provide a strong foundation for master's or doctoral study.