Graduates of biosystems engineering degree programs can use their expertise in many areas. They may be part of a team that pioneers a scientific breakthrough in biotechnology or work to preserve and protect the earth and its resources. The systems they design for the life support of plants and animals may include structures, machines, processes, management models, energy systems or controlled environments. Specific applications include environmental quality and monitoring; land, water, mineral, wetland and air resources; bioreactors for bacterial/pharmaceutical applications; plant tissue culture and micropropagation; irrigation, drainage and environmental control for agricultural production; biological waste processing and management for minimal environmental impact; non-point source pollution; environmental regulatory activities; reclamation, restoration and remediation of environmental damages; and production, storage and handling of agricultural products.

If you plan on entering this field, you should be good in science and mathematics. It also helps to have an interest in biological or environmental quality and/or agricultural applications.

The Clemson Program

Clemson offers the Bachelor of Science degree in biosystems engineering with a focus in one of three concentration areas -- biotechnology, natural resources or agriculture. The applied biotechnology concentration (ABT) is one of the newest fields and offers challenging career opportunities that are expanding as this discipline evolves. The natural resources & environment concentration (NR&E) is a good career choice if you're interested in using engineering to protect our natural resources and environment. The agricultural engineering concentration (AE) relates to production of food and natural fibers and to the design and manufacturing of products for food and fiber production industries. See Admisison and Financial Aid information.

Staying on Top

In addition to classroom study, you can further sharpen your skills and broaden your exposure in the discipline by participating in several professional societies open to students. If your concentration is the biotechnology area, you may wish to join the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE) student chapter or affiliate with the Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE). Those with agricultural or natural resource interests may want to join the S.C. Student Branch of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE). Many other professional and special interest clubs are available, such as the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), Students for Environmental Awareness, Society of Women Engineers and the National Society for Black Engineers.

We also encourage our students to take full advantage of additional opportunities at Clemson such as the Cooperative Education Program, which allows students to alternate semesters of study with work in a business or industry; internships, which also offer hands-on work experience; study-abroad programs such as EPIC, the Engineering Program for International Careers; and Calhoun College, the University's Honors Program, which offers students even more possibilities for scholarship and research.

The Proof is in the Product

One of the best indicators of a program's success is the success of its alumni. The list of Clemson's graduates in the biosystems engineering program is a long and impressive one and includes consulting, power, environmental, biomedical, equipment design and agricultural engineers; safety consultants, regulatory personnel, area Extension agents and veterinarians. The list of companies and agencies employing our alumni includes Omega Environmental Services, Woolpert LLP, McGill & Schnabel, Biokinetics, Dames and Moore, Boehringer Mannheim GMBH, Exxon, Firestone, General Electric, John Deere, CH2M Hill, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fluor Daniel, Duke Power Company, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, Bowater Inc., Kraft Food Service, Michelin Tire Corporation, W.P. Law and Sonoco Products Company.

Significant numbers of graduates have continued their education by gaining admission to graduate programs at some of the nation's most prestigious universities including Stanford, Oregon State, Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, N.C. State, Tennessee and Clemson. Some have moved on to medical programs.