College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering

Smiling student wearing a blue and tan varsity jacket with a gold university emblem walks outside a modern glass academic building with tall windows and white pillars.

Biological Engineering (BIOE) is the application of sciences, mathematics and biological principles to advance human health and environmental sustainability. Biological Engineering students take mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, agricultural, and engineering courses during their matriculation at North Carolina A&T to satisfy the basic requirements in life sciences and engineering principles for this degree. The BIOE program at N.C. A&T has two concentrations: Bioprocess Engineering and Natural Resources Engineering

The program of study leading to the Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Biological Engineering.

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Biological Engineering (Bioprocess Engineering Track)− The Bioprocess Engineering curriculum focuses on plant and microbial cell biology, and biomanufacturing techniques to produce biofuels (e.g., ethanol and biodiesel), bioproducts (e.g., proteins and biodegradable polymers), biochemicals (e.g., biodetergents and adhesives) and pharmaceuticals (e.g., vaccines and antibiotics). The BIOE program meets all pre-academic requirements for attending medical school. 
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Biological Engineering (Natural Resources Engineering Track) - The Natural Resource curriculum involves soil and water conservation engineering; water resources management which includes drainage, irrigation, natural resources management, or environmental/ecological restoration; water quality, surface and sub-surface hydrology, and land management. Graduates are trained to design and evaluate biological systems to enhance human well-being and environmental health. Our graduates are trained to embrace lifelong learning so that they can continue to be productive long after graduation, to meet the needs of an ever-changing global society.

ABET Program Educational Objectives

The graduates of BS-BIOE program during their early career are expected to:

  1. Apply disciplinary knowledge and skills to conduct engineering practice or pursue post-baccalaureate studies.
  2. Work effectively, inclusively, and ethically in cross-functional teams to improve biological systems.
  3. Be active in professional societies, continuing education through lifelong learning, and progress towards professional registration.
  4. Be competent in creative engineering designs that consider bioeconomy, environmental sustainability, safety, and human health.

Student outcomes are

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Graduation Rates

Year

2018-2019

2019-2020

2020-2021

2021-2022

2022-2023

2023-2024

Enrollment

39

47

49

48

49

56

Graduates

4

7

11

13

8

NA

Learn More

Find out more about what biological engineers do by reading about Biomass and Bioenergy Research or by visiting our Facebook page for the N.C. A&T chapter of the American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Please contact us to request a tour of our facilities and to find out which track in Biological Engineering is the best fit for your career goals.

Dr. Ghasem Shahbazi
Director, Biological Engineering Program
Room 107 Sockwell Hall
336-285-3830 (or) 336-285-3836
ash@ncat.edu