UC Davis General Catalog, 2006-2008 - General Catalog - UC Davis

214 Engineering: Biological and Agricultural
Ruihong Zhang, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Emeriti Faculty
Norman B. Akesson, M.S., Professor Emeritus
Robert H. Burgy, M.S., Professor Emeritus
William J. Chancellor, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Pictiaw (Paul) Chen, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Robert B. Fridley, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Roger E. Garrett, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
John R. Goss, M.S., Professor Emeritus
S. Milton Henderson, M.S., Sc.D., Professor Emeritus
R. Larry Merson, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
John A. Miles, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Stanton R. Morrison, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
James W. Rumsey, M.S., Senior Lecturer Emeritus
Thomas A. Rumsey, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Verne H. Scott, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Henry E. Studer, M.S., Professor Emeritus
Wesley E. Yates, M.S., Professor Emeritus
Affiliated Faculty
Daniel Downey, Ph.D., Assistant Research Engineer
Dennis R. Heldman, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor
James M. Meyers, Ph.D., Extension Specialist
Zhongli Pan, Ph.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor
Herbert B. Scher, Ph.D., Research Engineer
James F. Thompson, M.S., Extension Specialist
Mission. The Department of Biological and Agricultural
Engineering is dedicated to the advancement of
engineering for biological systems. Specifically, our
goals are to advance the science, teach the principles
and application, and disseminate the knowledge
of engineering needed to efficiently produce,
distribute, and process biological products, such as
food, feed, and fiber, while conserving natural
resources, preserving environmental quality, and
ensuring the health and safety of people.
Objectives. We educate students in the fundamentals
of mathematics, physical and biological sciences,
and engineering, balanced with the
application of principles to practical problems. We
teach students to develop skills for solving engineering
problems in biological systems through use of
appropriate analysis, synthesis, and engineering
design techniques. We prepare students for entry
into engineering practice and graduate education,
as well as engagement in life-long learning. We foster
the ability of our students to collaborate and communicate
effectively, and provide an awareness of
the importance of economics, professional responsibility,
and the environment.
The Biological Systems Engineering
Major Program
Biological Systems Engineering is the branch of engineering
that builds strongly on biology as a scientific
base. In the coming age of biology and biotechnology,
engineers will be needed to work side by side
with life scientists to bring laboratory developments
into commercial production. Industries in plant and
animal production, tissue culture, bioprocessing, biotechnology,
food processing, aquaculture, agriculture,
and forest production will all need engineers
with strong training in biology. Concern for our environment
is opening new engineering opportunities
as society strives to maintain a balance within the
biosphere.
In the freshman and sophomore years, the Biological
Systems Engineering major requires sequences of
courses usual in all engineering programs, including
mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering science,
and humanities. Unlike other majors, the Biological
Systems Engineering major also requires
fundamental courses in the biological sciences and
the integration of engineering with biology.
Biological Systems Engineering
Program
The Biological Systems Engineering program is
accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission
of the Accreditation Board for Engineering
and Technology, Inc.
Lower Division Required Courses
UNITS
Mathematics 21A-21B-21C-21D ............ 16
Mathematics 22A-(22AL*)-22B ......... 6 or 7
Physics 9A-9B-9C................................. 15
Chemistry 2A-2B.................................. 10
Chemistry 8A or 118A .................... 2 or 4
Biological Sciences 1A ........................... 5
Biological Systems Engineering 1............. 5
Engineering 6 or Computer Science
Engineering 30*.................................... 4
Engineering 17...................................... 4
Engineering 35...................................... 3
Biological Systems Engineering 75........... 4
English 3 or University Writing Program 1, or
Comparative Literature 1, 2, 3, or 4, or
Native American Studies 5...................... 4
Communication 1 or 3............................ 4
General Education electives................... 12
Minimum Lower Division Units ..... 94
* Mathematics 22AL is required concurrently
with Mathematics 22A if you opt to take
Computer Science Engineering 30 rather than
Engineering 6.
Upper Division Requirements
In the junior and senior years, the Biological Systems
Engineering major requires courses that focus on the
integration of biology and physical sciences with
engineering. Depending on your area of interest,
you may select elective courses from seven specializations:
Agricultural Engineering
Aquacultural Engineering
Biomechanics/Premedicine/Preveterinary Medicine
Biotechnical Engineering
Ecological Systems Engineering
Food Engineering
Forest Engineering
You may also develop your own specialization in
consultation with your adviser. The upper division
requirements are listed following the areas of specialization.
Areas of Specialization
Agricultural Engineering. Students specializing
in agricultural engineering integrate engineering
analysis and design with applied biology to solve
problems in producing, transporting and processing
agricultural products. Agricultural engineers design
machinery, processes, and systems for managing a
productive plant and animal culture, including environment,
nutrient, and waste. The recommended
electives provide students with the fundamental principles
of agricultural production and a broad background
in engineering. Agricultural engineers are
employed as practicing professionals and managers
with large and small agricultural producers, equipment
manufacturers, food processors, consulting
engineering firms, and government agencies.
Recommended biological science electives:
Plant Emphasis
Plant Biology 111
Soil Science 100
Select one course from Agricultural
Management and Rangeland Resources
110A, Entomology 100, Plant Biology 174,
Environmental Horticulture 102
Animal Emphasis
Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior 101
Soil Science 100
Select one course from Avian Sciences 100,
Animal Science 143, 144, 146
Recommended engineering electives:
Biological Systems Engineering 114, 132,
145
Civil and Environmental Engineering 141,
141L
Engineering 180
Suggested Advisers: M. Delwiche, K. Giles, M. Grismer,
D. Hills, B. Jenkins, D. Slaughter, S.
Upadhyaya, W. Wallender, R. Zhang
Aquacultural Engineering. Aquacultural engineers
design, build, and manage equipment and
systems for the production of aquatic plants and animals.
Aquacultural engineers must have a solid
understanding of biology, especially processes
related to water quality, to be able to work with the
wide variety of systems used for aquaculture production.
Systems range from sophisticated indoor plants
with water treatment and recirculation to low-input
earthen ponds. Employment opportunities for aquacultural
engineers include engineering consulting
companies and government agencies. The aquaculture
industry is expanding rapidly in various areas
around the world, creating international employment
opportunities for aquacultural engineers.
Recommended biological science electives:
Applied Biological Systems Technology 161
Animal Science 118
Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology 121
Recommended engineering electives:
Applied Biological Systems Technology 163
Civil and Environmental Engineering 140,
140L, 141, 141L, 148A, 148B
Suggested adviser: R. Piedrahita
Biomechanics/Pre-Medicine/Pre-Veterinary
Medicine. This specialization is for students
interested in the biomechanics of humans and animals,
with emphasis on the physical, chemical, and
biological factors affecting motion and function.
Combined training in mechanics, material properties,
and ergonomics allows graduates to work in
industry on the design, evaluation, and application
of medical devices as well as worker health and
safety. Some students use the specialization as preparation
for medical or veterinary school with the
assurance of a marketable degree in engineering in
case their post-graduation plans change. The Biomechanics
specialization is also excellent preparation
for graduate work in biomedical engineering. Students
interested in medical or veterinary school
should consult with admissions advisers from the
appropriate school to plan for successful admission,
including necessary summer experience.
Recommended Biological Science Electives:
Biological Sciences 102
Neurobiology and Physiology 101
Exercise Biology 103
Recommended Engineering Electives:
Biological Systems Engineering 128
Biological Systems Engineering 175
Biomedical Engineering 109
Biomedical Engineering 126
Additional courses for medical or veterinary school
application:
Chemistry 2C, 118C (medical)
Biological Sciences 101
Microbiology 102, 102L
Molecular and Cell Biology 150, 150L
Suggested Advisers: M. Delwiche, F. Fathallah, J.
VanderGheynst
Biotechnical Engineering. This specialization is
for students interested in the biotechnology industries.
Core engineering courses are combined with
training in genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and
molecular biology. Modern laboratory techniques in
biochemistry are also included in the specialization
to provide hands-on skills. Biotechnology is an area
of industrial growth in the U.S. and will increasingly
need engineers to transfer laboratory developments
to large scale production. Present industrial activities
include the production of genetically altered plants,
plant materials and food products, production and
packaging of biocontrol agents for plant pests and
diseases; microbial production of biological products;
tissue culture; and bioremediation.
Recommended biological science electives:
Biological Sciences 101, 102, 103
Quarter Offered: I=Fall, II=Winter, III=Spring, IV=Summer; 2007-2008 offering in parentheses
General Education (GE) credit: ArtHum=Arts and Humanities; SciEng=Science and Engineering; SocSci=Social Sciences; Div=Social-Cultural Diversity; Wrt=Writing Experience