Departments & Divisions > Agricultural & Bioresource

Biological Engineering (Formerly Agricultural & Bioresource Engineering)


Biological Engineering (formerly Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering) integrates engineering science and design with applied biological sciences for the solution of problems involving plants, animals, and the natural environment. It deals with engineering design to develop processes, machines, and systems that influence, control, or utilize biological materials and organisms for the benefit of society. Graduates are employed in the agricultural and food industries, resource industries such as forestry and mining, land and water management sectors, bio-fuels and bio-materials industries as well as the medical field for both humans and animals.

Biological engineers ensure that we have the necessities of life: safe and plentiful food to eat, pure water to drink, clean fuel and energy sources, and a safe, healthy environment in which to live. More specifically, Biological Engineering is the application of engineering principles to address challenges in the life sciences which includes fields of biology, ecology, and medicine.

Career Opportunities

Careers in Biological Engineering are exciting, dynamic and expanding in response to changing population demands, food and technological advances. Graduates from the U of S gain employment with agricultural firms, mining and forestry companies, oil and gas companies, large international corporations, and government organizations. Careers range from computerized machine design, environmental reclamation and regulation, improving biogas production technology, and added-value processing to designing microgravity plant growth systems. Graduates are eligible to be registered as professional engineers (P. Eng.) and professional agrologists (P. Ag.).