Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering—Bioproducts Engineering Four-Year Plan

Revised 04/2023

Bold: only offered in indicated semester
Italic: course prerequisites and corequisites (designated by &)
UD: must be admitted to the major prior to enrollment
◊: Courses required for admission to this major

Note: CSE prefers these math courses: Math 1371, Math 1372, Math 2373, Math 2374. However, these alternative courses will also fulfill the same requirements, respectively: Math 1271, Math 1272, Math 2243, Math 2263. 

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

  • ◊ Math 1371 Calculus I (placement or prereq) [4cr]
  • ◊ Phys 1301W Intro Physics I (&Math 1371) [4cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1065 Chem Principles I Lab (&1061) [1cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1061 Chem Principles I (placement or 1015, &1065) [3cr]
  • Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]
  • BBE 1001 BBE Orientation [1cr ]
  • CSE 1001 First Year Experience [1cr]

Spring Semester

  • ◊ Math 1372 Calculus II (1371) [4cr]
  • ◊ Phys 1302W Intro Physics II (1301W, &Math 1372) [4cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1066 Chem Principles II Lab (&1062) [1cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1062 Chem Principles II (1061, &1066) [3cr]
  • Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

  • ◊ Math 2373 Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (1372) [4cr]
  • Chem 2301 Organic Chem I (1062/66) [3cr]
  • ◊ Biol 1009 General Biology [4cr]
  • ◊ BBE 2001 Mechanics & Structural Design (Math 1372, Phys 1301W) [4cr]
  • BBE 2003 Computer Applications in BBE (Math 1372, &Math 2373 or &Math 2374) [3cr]

Spring Semester

  • ◊ Math 2374 Multivariable Calculus (1372) [4cr]
  • Chem 4501 Intro to Thermodynamics (1062/66, Phys 1302W, &Math 2374) [3cr]
  • BBE 3043 Biological & Environmental Thermo (Biol 1009, Chem 1061/65, Phys 1302W, Math 1372) [3cr]
  • BBE 3033 Material & Energy Balances in Bio Systems (Math 1372, Phys 1302W, Chem 1062/66) [3cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Junior Year

Fall Semester

  • BBE 3013 Engineering Princ of Molecular & Cell Processes (Biol 1009, Math 1372, Chem 2301 or BioC 2011) [3cr]
  • BBE 4001 Chem of Biomass (Chem 2301) [4cr]
  • BBE 3012 Transport in Bio Processes I (2001, 3033, Math 2373, Math 2374, Phys 1302W) [4cr]
  • BBE 3002 Intro to Engineering Design (2003, Chem 1061, Math 2373) [3cr]

Spring Semester

  • BBE 4013 Transport in Bio Processes II (UD, 3043, 3012) [3cr]
  • BBE 4713 Biological Process Engineering (UD, 3033, &4013) [3cr]
  • BBE 4303 Intro to Bio-Based Materials Sci (UD, 2001) [3cr]
  • BBE 4403 BP Engineering Lab I (UD, 4001, Chem 2301) [2cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Senior Year

Fall Semester

  • BBE 4401 BP Separation & Purification Processes (UD, 3012, 3033, 3043, 4013) [3cr]
  • BBE 4402 BP Engineering Lab II (UD, 2003, 4013) [2cr]
  • BBE 4023W Process Control & Instrumentation (UD) [3cr]
  • BBE 4301 Applied Surface & Colloid Science (3043 or Chem 4501) [3cr]
  • Emphasis Elective [3 or 4cr]

Spring Semester

  • BBE 4502W Capstone Design (UD, 3002, &4013) [4cr]
  • Emphasis Elective [3 or 4cr]
  • Technical Elective [3 or 4cr]
  • Technical Elective [3 or 4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Total Credits Needed for Degree: 125

Additional Information

The APAS is the official method for tracking completion of your specific degree requirements. This plan is not a contract and curriculum can change.

Applying to a major: z.umn.edu/csemajorapp

Courses required for admission to this major: Phys 1301W, Phys 1302W, Chem 1061/65, Chem 1062/66, Math 1371, Math 1372, Math 2373 or 2374, Biol 1009, BBE 2001

All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Department Contact Information

Website: bbe.umn.edu | Main Phone: 612-625-5200
Main Office: 203 Kaufert Lab & 213 BioAgEng Building (St. Paul)
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Bo Hu, bhu@umn.edu

Learn how to add study abroad to your degree planning!

What can I do with a major in Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering?

University Degree Requirements

All students must complete the following requirements. Requirements with an (*) will be fulfilled by taking courses at UM-TC required for this major.

Writing Requirements

University Writing:

  • Writ 1301/1401 or equivalent

Writing Intensive (WI):

  • One: Any level*
  • One: Any level*
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (in major)*
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (any dept.)*

Liberal Education

Cores:

  • Biological Sciences w/Lab*
  • Physical Sciences w/Lab*
  • Historical Perspectives
  • Social Sciences
  • Arts/Humanities
  • Literature
  • Mathematical Thinking*

Themes (choose 4 of 5):

  • Race, Power, and Justice in the US (required)
  • Civic Life and Ethics
  • The Environment*
  • Global Perspectives
  • Technology and Society