2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Biological Systems Engineering connects biology and engineering to solve complex, critical problems in the areas of sustainability, human health, environmental stewardship, and agriculture. The program is invested in our student’s success through our curriculum, dedicated advising, hands-on learning opportunities outside the classroom, supportive faculty and staff, scholarship opportunities, and the community atmosphere. Biological Systems Engineering has relatively small class sizes that promote meaningful student-faculty interaction. Departmental courses include significant "hands-on" components and an emphasis on professional skills such as communication, teamwork, and the creative process of engineering design. The department offers over 14 endowed scholarships to students enrolled in Biological Systems Engineering, and students are also eligible for College of Engineering and other Virginia Tech scholarships.
Our program has 2 major options: Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) and Ecological Engineering (EcoE). Students in each of these specialties are provided with a common foundation of biology and chemistry to expand core skills in math, physics, data science, and engineering design principles. The BSE major has multiple paths that provide flexibility in the areas of biotechnology, pre-health, food, environmental health, and ecological engineering. The EcoE major is a structured curriculum providing the skills and training to solve pressing societal, ecological, and environmental challenges using a holistic, systems approach and integrating nature-based solutions.
The Bachelor of Science in Biological Systems Engineering (BSBSE) degree program is offered through the College of Engineering and is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Biological and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
The BSE program prepares graduates to accomplish the following program educational objectives in their careers within a few years after graduation:
Our graduates will apply their engineering problem solving skillset at the intersection of biology and engineering at scales ranging from molecular to global as engineers, entrepreneurs, or in roles furthering their education.
Our graduates will contribute to addressing societal and ecological needs in ethical, inclusive, and holistic approaches through leadership, collaboration, teamwork, and effective communication.
Our graduates will advance professionally within their careers through mentoring and life-long learning to meet their own aspirations, improve their organizations, and contribute to their communities.
Upon completion of the undergraduate program curriculum in Biological Systems Engineering, students will attain the following outcomes:
When combined with career-enhancing opportunities such as Cooperative Education, internships, undergraduate research and study abroad, this educational program enables graduates to make meaningful impacts on challenges involving natural resources and biological systems. Graduates are employed in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, energy, and food industries as well as government agencies, environmental and ecological consulting firms, and non-profit organizations. Graduates also succeed in professional schools such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine, and as graduate students in a variety of disciplines.
Department Head: D. R. Edwards
Associate Head for Undergraduate Studies: J. A. Czuba
Graduate Program Director: R. S. Senger
H.E. and Elizabeth F. Alphin Professor: Z. M. Easton
Elizabeth and James E Turner Jr Faculty Fellows: L.-A. H. Krometis and C. Zhang
Professors: J. R. Barone, B. L. Benham, Z. M. Easton, D. R. Edwards, W. C. Hession, L.-A. H. Krometis, D.J. Sample, J.S. Wayne, and C. Zhang
Associate Professors: J. Arogo Ogejo, F. Batarseh, J. A. Czuba, R. S. Senger, J. E. Shortridge, V. R. Sridhar, T. M. Thompson, and Z. Wang
Assistant Professors: A. Chandel, Y. Feng, Y. Kang, J. Chen, A. Duraj-Thatte, W. Sun, K. Wong, and R. C. Wright
Academic Advisor: P. Baker
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