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Biological Systems Engineering is a discipline based on engineering principles and the conservation and use of our natural resources for a sustainable tomorrow.
Our undergraduate program provides an engineering education based in technology and biology that enables students to create efficient and environmentally sensitive methods of using biological and natural resources.
Our program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, providing major benefits for individuals seeking registration as a licensed professional engineer. BSE courses, curricula, and faculty meet the standards set for professional engineering programs at universities throughout the United States.
The UW-Madison BSE program is known for its emphasis on smaller class sizes and outstanding one-on-one advising. Our program includes opportunities for students to explore their interests in a variety of ways, and offers four options for specialization, explained below.
Areas of Specialization
Food and Bioprocess Engineering
Food and bioprocess engineers develop and manage equipment and systems that process and distribute food and other biologically based materials.
Machinery Systems Engineering
Machinery systems engineers are trained to design machines for production agriculture and construction.
Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering
Natural resources and environmental engineers work with all types of natural resources, including water, soil, plants, and air to create solutions for a better environment.
General Program Option
The General Program Option is for those students who are interested in a combination of the other BSE specialization areas, and/or are interested in a specialization area outside of the options offered. Examples of others specialization areas include aquaculture engineering, forest engineering, and biomaterials engineering.
Advising
Students are assigned an academic advisor when they enter this department. Your advisor will counsel you on the academic requirements of the major and serve as a resource to answer other academic concerns. There are many sources of assistance on campus for both academic and personal concerns, and your advisor can assist you in locating needed assistance and help you in developing your career goals and objectives. It is your responsibility to seek out your advisor.
Student are required to see their advisor each semester before registering for the next semester. A hold is placed on students’ records, and they are not able to register until their course schedule has been approved by their advisor. After their advisor sends their approval to the BSE student coordinator, the hold will be released. Please allow 24 hours for the hold to be released, and holds will not be released on weekends and holidays. If you have seen your advisor but are still unable to register, check to see which semester the hold is for, and who it was placed by, as it may not be from BSE.
Contact Betsy Wood, the student services coordinator at betsy.wood@wisc.edu or (608) 262-3310 if you have questions. It is important that you check your UW email account regularly, as much of the information you will be receiving from the Department, the College, and the Registrar’s Office is transmitted via email.
Student Resources
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Mental and Physical Health Resources
BSE’s Mental and Physical Health Resources contains resources for mental health support, physical health resources, support and rights of victims, and methods of reporting violence, harassment, and discrimination.
We’re here to help, you are not alone.
UW Admissions Information
Forms
- Scholastic Polices and Action Committee (SPAC)
- Request for DARS exception
- ABE Classification Checklist
- Form for students entering the program BEFORE Summer 2015
- Form for students entering the program AFTER Spring 2015
- This form allows you to track your progress toward degree granting classification. When you have met the requirements, send this form to your advisor to be verified and filed with the CALS Undergraduate Program Services Office. For more details, see the student handbook.
- BSE Internship/Cooperative Education Agreement Form (fillable)
- Supervisor’s Evaluation of BSE Student Performance (PDF)
- This form is filled out by a student’s supervisor at the end of their internship or co-op education.
Useful Links
Student Organizations
Library Services
The Biological Systems Engineering Department is committed to providing an inclusive and stimulating education for all students. Please inform the Department Chair, Anita Thompson immediately of any barriers that create problems or limitations in the educational opportunities for you or other students in the department.