Degrees: B.S., School of Engineering; B.S., Cook College

Undergraduate Program Director: Christopher Uchrin       (uchrin@envsci.rutgers.edu)

Bioresource engineering utilizes the physical and biological sciences in solving problems related to plants, animals, food, wastes, and our natural environment. Graduates of this program have a unique engineering education enabling them to apply the rapid advances being made in the biological and environmental sciences for the benefit of humanity. This program prepares students for immediate employment as practicing engineers with industrial companies, government agencies, and private consulting firms, or for graduate study. The curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, thus enabling graduates to take examinations leading to a professional engineering license.

The curriculum focuses on maintaining the quality of the natural environment. It involves the application of physical and biological sciences to land use and waste management problems, air and water pollution, and the conservation of our natural resources. The goal of this program is to gain an understanding of the requirements and tolerances of natural, living ecosystems and the engineering expertise needed to solve serious environmental problems facing our society.

Bachelor of Science degrees from the School of Engineering and Cook College are awarded upon completion of the five-year curriculum. A four-year program of study in bioresource engineering is offered by the School of Engineering and is described in that college`s section of this catalog. See also the School of Engineering section for a year-by-year outline of the five-year program.

The five-year bioresource engineering curriculum requires a minimum of 159 credits for graduation.

Please see the Programs of Study Summary on page 272 for information regarding changes in degree requirements.

I. Interdisciplinary/Ethical Analysis (5 credits)

  11:015:101  Perspectives on Agriculture and the Environment (2)

  11:015:400  Junior/Senior Colloquium (3)

Interdisciplinary problem definition, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation also are taught in several of the required upper-level bioresource engineering courses.

II. Introductory Life and Physical Sciences

Specific courses that meet the introductory life and physical sciences requirement are listed under VIII A and B, required courses and options for competence in bioresource engineering.

III. The Arts (6 credits)

See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter. Students are advised to select courses that will simultaneously fulfill the School of Engineering humanities requirement.

IV. Human Diversity (6 credits)

See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter. Students are advised to select courses that will simultaneously fulfill the School of Engineering social sciences requirement.

V. Economic and Political Systems

A. Economic Systems (3 credits)

  01:220:200  Economic Principles and Problems (3)

B. Political Systems (3 credits)

  11:374:279  Politics of Environmental Issues (3) or 01:790:201 American Government (3) or an equivalent course focusing on the structure and function of American governmental institutions

VI. Oral and Written Communication (6 credits)

  01:355:101  Expository Writing (3)

  01:355:201  Research in the Disciplines (3) or 01: 355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)

VII. Experience-Based Education (4 credits)

   11:127:488-489  Bioresource Engineering Design I,II (2,2)

VIII. Competence in Bioresource Engineering (126 credits)

A. REQUIRED COURSES (113)

Quantitative Methods (16)

  01:640:151-152  Calculus for Mathematics and Physical Sciences (4,4)

  01:640:244  Differential Equations for Engineering and Physics (4)

  01:640:251  Multivariable Calculus (4)

Computer Competence (3)

  14:440:127  Introduction to Computers for Engineers (3)

Professional Ethics

Ethical, social, and safety considerations important in engineering practice are included in several of the required upper-level design courses.

Other Required Courses (94)

  01:119:101-102  General Biology (4,4)

  11:127:100  Introduction to Bioresource Engineering (1)

  11:127:290  Biosystems Engineering Measurements (3)

  11:127:413-414  Unit Processes in Bioenvironmental Engineering I,II (3,3)

  11:127:424  Bioenvironmental Unit Processes Laboratory II (1)

  11:127:462  Design of Solid Waste Treatment Systems (3)

  11:127:468  Hazardous Waste Treatment Engineering (3)

  11:127:474  Air Pollution Engineering (3)

  01:160:161-162  General Chemistry (4,4)

  01:160:171  Introduction to Experimentation (1)

  01:160:209  Elementary Organic Chemistry (3)

  01:160:211  Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1)

  14:180:215  Engineering Graphics (1)

  14:180:243  Mechanics of Solids (3)

  14:180:387  Fluid Mechanics (3)

  14:180:389  Fluid Mechanics Laboratory (1)

  14:180:430  Water and Wastewater Engineering (3)

  14:332:373  Elements of Electrical Engineering (3)

  11:375:201  Biological Principles of Environmental Science (3)

  11:375:202  Chemical Principles of Environmental Science (3)

  11:375:203  Physical Principles of Environmental Science (3)

  11:375:303  Numerical Methods in Environmental Science (3)

  11:375:333  Environmental Law I (3)

  11:375:423  Environmental Fate and Transport (3)

  14:440:221-222  Engineering Mechanics (3,3)

  14:650:351  Thermodynamics (3)

  11:704:351  Principles of Applied Ecology (4)

  01:750:123-124  Analytical Physics I (2,2)

  01:750:227  Analytical Physics IIA (3)

  01:750:229  Analytical Physics IIA Laboratory (1)

B. Electives (12)

 11:127:494  Land and Water Resource Engineering (3)

 11:127:495  Environmental Systems Analysis for Engineers (3)

 11:127:496  Planning and Design of Land Treatment Systems (3)

 11:375:302  Elements of Water and Wastewater Treatment (3)

 11:375:334  Environmental Law II (3)

 11:375:408  Treatment Plant and Receiving Water Surveys (4)

 11:375:409  Environmental Statement and Impact (3)

 11:375:411  Pollution Microbiology (3)

 11:375:422  Air Sampling and Analysis (3)

 11:375:430  Hazardous Wastes (3)

 11:375:444  Water Chemistry (3)

 01:447:390  General Microbiology (4) or equivalent

IX. Unspecified Electives (2 credits)