University Catalog 2024-2025

Biological Engineering (BS): Ecological Engineering Concentration

The BE curriculum is jointly administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering and combines the fields of engineering, biology, chemistry, and agriculture. The Biological Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. BE graduates are qualified to become registered professional engineers by passing the appropriate examinations and upon completing the engineering experience requirements. Specific curriculum requirements are available online.

BAE faculty, in concert with program constituencies, has developed the following undergraduate program objectives. Within the first five years following graduation, NC State's Biological Engineering graduates will:

  • Excel in their careers by applying their engineering knowledge, critical-thinking skills, systematic approach to problem solving, and innovation to improve biological and agricultural systems;
  • Work effectively both independently and as part of professional teams and demonstrate leadership potential in project management;
  • Display professionalism, ethics, equity, and inclusivity in the practice of engineering to safeguard life, health, and public welfare;
  • Communicate effectively in a professional environment; and
  • Be engaged in life-long learning and professional development.

Plan Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 3
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory 1 1
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 1
E 115 Introduction to Computing Environments 1
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 2 4
MA 141 Calculus I 1 4
 Hours14
Spring Semester
CH 221 Organic Chemistry I 3
CH 222 Organic Chemistry I Lab 1
MA 241 Calculus II 1 4
PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1
4
Select one of the following: 3
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Principles of Microeconomics
Fundamentals of Economics
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
BAE 200 Computer Methods in Biological Engineering 2
CE 214
Engineering Mechanics-Statics 2
or Engineering Statics
3
MA 242 Calculus III 4
PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
4
BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 4
 Hours17
Spring Semester
BAE 203 Introduction to AutoCAD Civil 3D for Environmental & Ecological Engineers 2
BAE 204 Introduction to Environmental and Ecological Engineering 2
MAE 208 Engineering Dynamics 2 3
MA 341 Applied Differential Equations I 3
MAE 201 Thermal-Fluid Sciences 3
SSC 200 Soil Science 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
BAE 302 Transport Phenomena 3
BAE 305 Biological Engineering Circuits 4
BAE 371 Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers 3
CE 282 Hydraulics 2 3
PB 360 Ecology 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
BAE 376 Watershed Assessment and Water Quality Protection 3
BAE 401 Sensors and Controls 3
CE 225
Mechanics of Solids 2
or Solid Mechanics
3
ST 370 Probability and Statistics for Engineers 3
 Hours12
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
BAE 325 Introductory Geomatics 3
BAE 451 Engineering Design I 2
BAE 473 Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling 3
BAE 474 Principles and Applications of Ecological Engineering 3
ENG 331
Communication for Engineering and Technology
or Communication for Science and Research
3
Ethics Elective 3
 Hours17
Spring Semester
BAE 452 Engineering Design II 2
Engineering Elective 3
 Hours5
 Total Hours112
1

A grade of C or higher is required.

2

A grade of C- or higher is required.

GEP Courses
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives2
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours16

Ethics Elective

IDS 201Environmental Ethics3
PHI 325Bio-Medical Ethics3
STS 302Contemporary Science, Technology and Human Values3
STS 304Ethical Dimensions of Progress3
STS 322Technological Catastrophes3
STS 323World Population and Food Prospects3
STS 325Bio-Medical Ethics3

Engineering Elective

BAE 322Introduction to Food Process Engineering3
BAE 361Analytical Methods in Engineering Design3
BAE 478Circular Approach to Manure Management3
BAE 481Structures & Environment3
BAE 5743
BAE 578Circular Approach to Manure Management3
BAE 581Open Channel Hydraulics for Natural Systems3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1 3
CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory 1 1
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 1 1
E 115 Introduction to Computing Environments 1
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
MA 141 Calculus I 1 4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CH 221 Organic Chemistry I 3
CH 222 Organic Chemistry I Lab 1
MA 241 Calculus II 1 4
PY 205 Physics for Engineers and Scientists I 3
PY 206 Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1
EC 205 Fundamentals of Economics 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
BAE 200 Computer Methods in Biological Engineering 2
MAE 206
Engineering Statics 2
or Engineering Mechanics-Statics
3
MA 242 Calculus III 4
PY 208 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II 3
PY 209 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory 1
BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 4
 Hours17
Spring Semester
BAE 203 Introduction to AutoCAD Civil 3D for Environmental & Ecological Engineers 2
BAE 204 Introduction to Environmental and Ecological Engineering 2
MAE 208 Engineering Dynamics 2 3
MA 341 Applied Differential Equations I 3
MAE 201 Thermal-Fluid Sciences 3
SSC 200 Soil Science 3
 Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
BAE 302 Transport Phenomena 3
BAE 305 Biological Engineering Circuits 4
BAE 371 Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers 3
CE 282 Hydraulics 2 3
PB 360 Ecology 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
BAE 376 Watershed Assessment and Water Quality Protection 3
ST 370 Probability and Statistics for Engineers 3
MAE 214
Solid Mechanics 2
or Mechanics of Solids
3
BAE 401 Sensors and Controls 3
GEP Humanities 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
BAE 451 Engineering Design I 2
BAE 325 Introductory Geomatics 3
BAE 473 Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling 3
BAE 474 Principles and Applications of Ecological Engineering 3
ENG 331
Communication for Engineering and Technology
or Communication for Science and Research
3
Ethics Elective 3
 Hours17
Spring Semester
BAE 452 Engineering Design II 2
Engineering Elective 3
GEP Social Sciences 3
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
GEP Humanities 3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 2
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours17
 Total Hours128
1

A grade of C or higher is required.

2

A grade of C- or higher is required.

Career Opportunities

BE students learn to solve a wide variety of engineering problems and will have opportunities for specialization though selection of a specific concentration. Scientific and engineering principles are applied: to conserve and manage air, energy, soil and water resources; to manage, protect and restore natural ecosystems; to understand and utilize biological, chemical and physical processes for the production and conversion of biomass to bio energy; to analyze, understand and utilize mechanical properties of biological materials; to design and develop machinery systems for all phases of agricultural and food production; to design and evaluate structures and environmental control systems for housing animals, plant growth, and biological product storage; to develop improved systems for processing and marketing food and agricultural products; and to design sensor-based instrumentation and control systems for biological and agricultural applications.

Graduates of the BE curriculum receive a Bachelor’s of Engineering in Biological Engineering, qualifying them for positions in design, development, and research in industry, government and public institutions. The curriculum also prepares students for post-graduate work leading to advanced degrees. Typical positions filled by recent BE graduates include: stream and wetlands restoration project manager; product design; development and testing engineer; plant engineering and management; engineering analysis and inspection for federal and state agencies; engineering consultant and research engineer. Entry-level salary ranges for BE graduates are similar to those of Civil, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering graduates.

The BAET curriculum provides graduates opportunities in technical analysis, application and evaluation of agricultural production systems and environmental systems. The curriculum’s flexibility enables students to specialize technologically in agriculture, the environment, or business management. Careers include technical jobs in production agriculture, environmental systems, agribusiness sales and service, and agricultural extension.

Career Titles

  • Stream and wetlands restoration project manager
  • Product designer
  • Development and testing engineer
  • Plant engineering and management
  • Engineering analyst and inspector for federal and state agencies
  • Engineering consultant
  • Research engineer

Learn More About Careers

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American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Career Cornerstone Center-Engineering
National Society of Professional Engineers