A degree in Biosystems Engineering prepares you for careers in biosystem data science and engineering. It also can serve as a springboard for graduate school. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for bioengineers was $100,730 with a faster than average job growth overall (2023).

Although your career possibilities are limitless, here are some example career paths our students follow:

• Bioengineers and biomedical engineers: combine engineering principles with sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software.
• Agricultural engineers: solve problems concerning power supplies, machine efficiency, the use of structures and facilities, pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products. 
• Data scientist: use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data.
• Biological technician: help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.
• Software developers: design and test computer applications or programs.

Sample four-year plans:

Biosystems Engineering 4-Year Plan

Professional registration gives assurance that only those persons who meet fixed educational and experience requirements may practice as registered professional engineers. Regulation is achieved in Arizona by protecting the use of the title “Professional Engineer (PE). Typically to become a Professional Engineer (PE), you first need to become registered as an “Engineer in Training.” This is done through the Arizona Bureau of Technical Registration (AZ BTR) and more information can be found below.

You should become registered to

• Establish your professional standing on the basis of legal requirements and
• Receive authority to practice your profession before the public.

Arizona registration requires that the engineer

• Have at least eight (8) years of appropriate engineering experience and education and
• Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and professional engineers (PE) exam.

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is a graduation requirement for Biosystems Engineering majors, and the FE exam is a course assignment in BE 496A. To schedule your FE exam with NCEES, you must first obtain the approval from the Arizona Bureau of Technical Registration (AZ BTR). Because pre-approval with AZ BTR can take up to 8 weeks and to ensure you do not take an incomplete in BE 496A, BEBS students need to send the required documents to the AZ BTR no later than October 1^st to ensure they can complete the exam during the fall semester of their Senior year. Students must provide proof of FE completion to pass the BE 496A course and to receive their BEBS degree. Students who do not complete the exam requirement must meet with the Academic Program Manager no later than the first week of December to discuss their options for completing their degree requirements.

The FE exam is computer-based and can be taken year-round at National Council for Examiners for Engineering (NCEES) approved Pearson VUE test centers. There are four in Arizona (Tucson, Chandler, Phoenix, and Flagstaff). The one in Tucson is located at the Pearson Professional Center, 5210 E Williams Circle, Suite 810, Merrill Lynch Building, Tucson, AZ 85711. The test consists of 110 questions, and you are given two 3-hour time periods to complete the exam. The FE is offered in seven disciplines: Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer, Environmental, Industrial and Systems, Mechanical, and Other Disciplines. You may choose whichever discipline you want, however, most of our students choose the “Other Disciplines” exam.

For more information about obtaining AZ BTR approval to sit for the exam, go to Arizona BTR application. For information on the FE exam, go to the NCEES site: https://ncees.org/exams/fe-exam/

The BE department recognizes that the exam registration and AZ BTR application fees are expensive. We are fortunate that we have alumni who both value the FE exam AND understand the financial burden that taking the FE exam can impose. Currently, the department can help defray half the cost of the FE exam registration and AZ BTR application fees. Note that once you have completed the application, please upload it to the appropriate Assignment folder in the Biosystems Undergraduate D2L student support site.

All students must take and pass BE 493 Internship for 1 credit hour. Each unit of credit requires 45 hours of work. Internships must be specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.

1. Upload the form into the appropriate BE Undergraduate D2L assignment box, at least one week before the beginning of the semester.
2. Students in other majors, will need to complete the forms with the BE faculty and email to Dava Jondall (davaj@arizona.edu) at least one week before the beginning of the semester.

Credit and grading

• All BE students must take and pass BE 493 Internship for a minimum of 1 credit hour up to a maximum of 4 credit hours. Each unit of credit requires a minimum of 45 hours of work.
• The grades available for internship are limited to S (superior), P (passing), C (average), D (poor), E (failure), I (incomplete), and W (withdraw). Note that S/P grades do not factor into a student’s grade point average.

Students MUST complete their internships prior to the first semester of their senior year. There are no restrictions on a student performing the internship at an earlier time. Prior to initiation of the internship work, the student must submit an “Application for Internship” to the faculty course coordinator.

Students should consult with the academic advisor to discuss the suggested Design and Technical electives for the Biosystems Engineering Degree.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biosystems Engineering (BE) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. It is also reviewed and approved by The University of Arizona Academic Program Review Assessment Process.

Educational Objectives

The Educational Objectives of the Biosystems Engineering B.S. Program at the University of Arizona are to produce graduates who, within the first few years after graduation, are well equipped and:

• Are effective engineers within the natural resources- and biotechnology-related industries; and
• Perform and lead engineering projects and make significant contributions; or
• Are enrolled in an advanced engineering or medical or other professional degree program and are successful in those.

Learning Outcomes

The Biosystems Engineering Learning Outcomes are defined as a combination of knowledge and skills that a Biosystems Engineering (BE) student is expected to attain at the time of graduation. Thus, a Biosystems Engineering B.S. graduate will have, at the time of graduation (based on the 2019-2020 Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs):

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

Enrollment & graduation data

Data is collected each year at fall census.

Climate change and population add to the challenge of food scarcity. Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) uses technology to manipulate a crop’s environment for optimal growth. Greenhouses, aquaculture, hydroponics, and aquaponics are all examples of CEA. The Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC) within the Biosystems Engineering department is well-equipped, with support from CALES and UA mechanisms, to help you focus your studies on innovating controlled environment systems.

Elective examples:

• Aquaponics Engineering
• Controlled Environment Systems
• Applied Instrumentation for Controlled Environment Agriculture

In Biosystems Engineering, you'll tackle the critical role of water resources in Arizona's future prosperity. As you explore the impacts of climate change and urbanization on water availability, you'll learn essential skills in water resource engineering. From understanding how Arizona's warming climate affects water quality to addressing the engineering needs of underserved stakeholders like Native American and Hispanic farmers, urban landowners, and small businesses, you'll be equipped to innovate sustainable solutions. This program prepares you to play a vital role in managing water resources for agriculture, manufacturing, and municipal sectors, ensuring Arizona's continued growth and environmental resilience.

Elective examples:

• Soil and Water Resource Engineering
• Wastewater Treatment Operations and Reuse
• Computer Applications in Hydraulics

Biometry and biosystems informatics focuses on health issues like pathogenic diseases affecting humans, animals, and the environment. Emerging infectious diseases such as avian and swine influenza, SARS, and E. coli are closely linked to animals, food, and ecological systems. To tackle these challenges, solutions must be explored at the ecological level.

The Biosystems Engineering department excels in addressing these issues with innovative tools like smartphone and cloud-based diagnostics, big data analysis, genomic and proteomic identification, lab-on-a-chip biosensors, and nanotechnology-based sensing and therapeutics. Join us to be at the forefront of combating infectious diseases through cutting-edge technology and interdisciplinary research.

Elective examples:

• Metagenomics
• Applied Cyberinfrastructure Concepts
• Cloud Computing

Arizona has great potential to become a large-scale producer of renewable bioenergy and bioproducts from sources like sugar, oil, green waste, and algae. The region already has one full-scale ethanol production facility, and we are working with them to utilize new biomass sources. Arizona could become a model for semi-arid land production of renewable fuels, demonstrating responsible use of water, land, and workforce. Focusing your studies in utilizing residual biomass is a allows you to develop economic and sustainable solutions to global energy challenges.

Medical school acceptance rates for graduates from the pre-health track are exceptionally high as the track satisfies all entrance requirements for the University of Arizona and most medical schools in the United States. The pre-health track provides you with the necessary biological basics and problem solving skills needed to succeed in medical school.

Elective examples:

• Biomaterial-Tissue Interactions
• Metagenomics: From Genes to Ecosystems
• Cell and Tissue Engineering