Biological Engineering (formerly Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering) integrates engineering science and design with applied biological sciences for the solution of problems involving plants, animals, and the natural environment. It deals with engineering design to develop processes, machines, and systems that influence, control, or utilize biological materials and organisms for the benefit of society. Graduates are employed in the agricultural and food industries, resource industries such as forestry and mining, land and water management sectors, bio-fuels and bio-materials industries as well as the medical field for both humans and animals.

Biological engineers ensure that we have the necessities of life: safe and plentiful food to eat, pure water to drink, clean fuel and energy sources, and a safe, healthy environment in which to live. More specifically, Biological Engineering is the application of engineering principles to address challenges in the life sciences which includes fields of biology, ecology, and medicine.

Students must follow the program of study that was in place at the time of their entrance to the College of Engineering, recognizing that program and course changes may result in modification to the original program of study. It is recommended that students contact the Engineering Student Centre to confirm their program of study on a regular basis.

Themes

Consult with the department for further information on the following themes:

A theme is a predetermined set of courses approved by the department. The set of courses will have a focus and serve an integrative purpose. Students may select courses from more than one theme.

Completion of a theme will not be indicated on the university transcript but can be indicated on a resume or verified for an employer by the department. Students are strongly encouraged to fulfill the elective courses by selecting a "theme".

Biomechanical Systems Engineering: mechanical design that interacts with biological materials and living systems; creating safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable production systems for plants, animals and human. Students study for careers in the following areas:

• Agricultural Machinery Design - Machinery design for agriculture and forestry production systems; instrumentation, monitors and controls; standards and safety. Students go on to careers with many of the major machinery manufacturers worldwide.
• Plant and Animal Production Systems Engineering - production systems for plants and animals; building systems for livestock, horticulture, and storage of agricultural and food products; transportation systems for animals and horticultural products; instrumentation, monitors and controls.
• Biomedical Engineering – the application of engineering principles and design concepts to medicine and biology.The Biomedical Engineering focus has many of the same classes as the Machinery Design and Plant and Animal Production Systems. It is intended as preparation for continued education in the field such as graduate studies in the Division of Biomedical Engineering. Students may also be interested in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Engineering Physics as a pathway to an engineering career associated with the medical field.

Bioprocess Engineering, improving and converting biological materials; value-added processing (drying, binding, separation) of agricultural crops for use as food, feed, fiber, energy, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals; primary processing of waste materials for land application; quality control in processing operations; handling systems for granular and fibrous materials; energy conservation and utilization; computer image analysis; engineering in support of biotechnology. Students study for careers in the following areas:

• Post-harvest Process Engineering – includes design for preprocessing, densification, disinfections, extraction, transportation, or other related activities.
• Food and Bioproducts Engineering – includes design for human food and animal feed production and processing systems, biofuels production, extraction of higher value components and other related activities.
• Biotechnical Engineering – includes design for extraction and processing of higher value components for food products, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and other related activities.
• Waste Management and Utilization – design of waste management, processing and utilization systems for production and processing of agricultural products and other biomass processing industries.

Pre-Medicine/Pre-Vet: prepares students for entry into the College of Medicine, Western College of Veterinary Medicine or graduate work in the Division of Biomedical Engineering. Classes for the first three years are similar to the Bioprocess Engineering with the restriction of 3cu in Biology and 6cu of English for selective electives. Students can meet the requirements of application to the College of Medicine under the “pre- requisite only” category.

• Note: Students wanting to apply to the College of Medicine from the Biological Engineering program under the “Prerequisites Only Requirement” must complete the Bioprocess Engineering theme with restricted elective choices and obtain “a minimum overall average of 78% with no individual prerequisite below 60%” See College of Medicine for more information.

Soil and Water Engineering, land and water management, managing and protecting resources; soil and water conservation; water management for irrigation and drainage; soil remediation and reclamation; utilization of waste materials in plant-soil systems. Students study for careers in the following areas:

• Water Management Engineering – design for management of water for utilization in the production of agricultural crops and plant and animal production systems. Includes management of waters potentially impacted from these activities.
• Irrigation Engineering – design of water utilization systems for agricultural crop production
• Land Management – design of systems for the conservation and preservation of lands disturbed by agricultural activities. (99% of all land disturbance is for agricultural production)
• Soil Reclamation and Remediation - design for reclamation and remediation of soils that interact with plant and animals systems. Includes both the design to mitigate adverse impacts as well as design to correct adverse impacts.