fbpx Courses | University of Kentucky College of Engineering

Courses

Required Courses

The following courses are required for every biosystems engineering student. 

The engineering problem solving approach will be practiced to analyze engineering problems within biological systems and to demonstrate the application of mathematical and scientific principles to engineering design. Prereq: MA 113; concur with CHE 105, EGR 103, and PHY 231.

Introduction to statistics and statistical inference reasoning. Evaluation of common claims based on statistical constructs, hypothesis tests, margins of error, confidence intervals, and analysis of variation.  Identification of possible statistical obstacles, such as confounding, missing data, and inappropriate randomness. Conceptual statistics will be emphasized. Special attention will be given to include biosystems engineering problems. Prereq: MA 114.

The financial and managerial aspects of biosystems in evaluating design alternatives. Typical topics include concepts of present and future value, techniques of managerial economics and biosystem design analysis in the evaluation of alternatives. Retirement/replacement policies and risk analysis. Prereq: MA 113.

An introduction to the use of digital electronics and integrated circuits in solving biosystems engineering problems. Digital circuits, microprocessor concepts, computer interfacing, transducers, signal conditioning and control applications are discussed. Lecture, two hours; laboratory, two hours per week. Prereq: EE 305 or EE 306.

A course for senior students in biosystems engineering with emphasis on oral communications skills. Students will do literature searches on topics related to the biosystems engineering profession and present oral and written reports. Prereq: Senior standing in biosystems engineering and COM 199.

A design course for seniors in biosystems engineering requiring students to solve open-ended problems. Students will use previously learned engineering principles to produce actual designs which will be built and analyzed in BAE 403. Prereq: Engineering standing in biosystems engineering or consent of instructor.

Student design teams evaluate and enhance design solutions, fabricate prototypes, execute performance tests, analyze results and develop final design specifications. Oral and written reports are required. Prereq: BAE 402.

Core Courses

Every biosystems engineering student must take three of the four core courses listed below.

A study of the operational characteristics and design features associated with production and processing equipment for food and fiber products and an introduction to conceptualization, analysis and design of these systems. Lecture, two hours; laboratory, two hours per week. Prereq: ME 330 or CE 341, EM 302; prereq or concur: EM 31.

This course teaches load estimate for light timber and concrete structures and introduces the design of heating, cooling and ventilation systems in these structures. Prereq: CE 341 or ME 330; BIO 148 and 152; prereq or concur: EM 313.

The hydrologic cycle is studied and design procedures are developed for flood control structures, water table management, wetlands, irrigation and erosion control systems. Prereq: CE 341 or ME 330; BIO 148 and BIO 152.

Design principles and equipment selection for the most common processing operations are studied for the manufacturing and preservation of biological materials. Topics will include the design of fluid flow systems, transient heat transfer, heat exchangers, psychometrics and refrigeration. Prereq: BIO 148 and BIO 152; prereq or concur with ME 325.

Service Courses for Non-Engineering Majors

General use of surveying equipment, development of topographic maps, layout of engineering systems, earthwork computations and introduction to boundary surveys for agriculture students. This course is not available for credit to persons who have received credit in another introductory surveying course. Lecture, one hour; laboratory, three hours per week. Prereq: A course in trigonometry, enrollment in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and/or consent of instructor.

Principles of selection and application of farm tractors and engines. Operation and principles of internal combustion engines including carburetion, fuel injection, ignition and lubrication. Power transmission application and efficiency are considered. Lecture, two hours per week; laboratory, two hours per week.

Wood and metal work, including blueprint reading, oxyacetylene and arc welding, power woodworking tools, soldering and pipe work. Lecture, one hour; laboratory, four hours. Prereq: Major in agricultural education or consent from instructor.

The functional requirements and principles of operation of systems for the handling and processing of food and agricultural products. Lecture, three hours; laboratory, two hours per week. Prereq: Junior standing and completion of mathematics requirement in food science curriculum.

An introduction to the impact and relationship of the atmosphere on living organisms. Emphasis on the practical application of meteorology to everyday problems within the biosphere. Weather analysis, interpretation, psychometrics of the atmosphere and the impact of weather and climate on animals, plants and man are discussed. Lecture, two hours; laboratory, two hours per week. Prereq: BIO 150 and STA 291 or consent of instructor.

The utilization of hydraulic principles in the design, assimilation, installation and operation of residential and commercial irrigation systems in applications which emphasize water conservation, nutrient management and environmental protection. Lecture, two hours; laboratory, two hours per week. Prereq: Consent of instructor.

The course provides a comprehensive overview of major safety and health hazards in agricultural production and an overview of the basic approaches for the prevention and control of agricultural injuries and illnesses. The course is oriented toward upper class and graduate students. Prereq: AEN 220, AEN 252 and junior standing or consent of instructor.

Residency credit for dissertation research after the qualifying examination. Students may register for this course in the semester of the qualifying examination. A minimum of two semesters are required as well as continuous enrollment (fall and spring) until the dissertation is completed and defended.