Bioprocessing

Engineering

Concentration

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BIOLOGICAL ENGR - BIOPROCESSING ENGR CON (BS)

Requires BAE 422, MB 351, FS 402, FS 421 and 6 additional hours from the BAE and engineering science electives lists.

What is Bioprocess
Engineering?
Bioprocess Engineers work at the frontiers of biological and engineering sciences to “Bring Engineering To Life” through the conversion of biological materials into other forms needed by mankind.
Application areas commonly associated with bioprocess engineering include the production of biofuels, design and operation of fermentation systems, development of food processing systems, application and testing of product separation technologies, design of instrumentation to monitor and control biological processes, and many more.  Like other engineering disciplines, bioprocess engineers are trained in the application of engineering sciences and problem solving techniques.  What separates them from other engineers is their understanding of how every engineering field relates to living materials.  With the rapid growth of biologically based technologies, bioprocess engineers are uniquely qualified to solve the problems of today and tomorrow.  The demand for bio-process engineers continues to grow.  They provide a bridge between the research lab and the economic, large-scale implementation of biotechnologies and food production systems.

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations bioprocess engineers can become affiliates of include:

• Institute of Biological Engineering
• American Society of Agricultural Engineers 
• Institute of Food Technology 
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• International Society for Pharmaceutical
Engineering

With its agricultural heritage and high  technology industrial base, North Carolina and the U.S. provide a wide range of opportunities for the Bioprocess Engineer. Biotechnology- based applications are poised to leave the research lab and enter commercial production.

Over the next 20 years in North Carolina these industries are expected to generate up to $15 billion in annual sales and employee up to 100,000 North Carolinians.  North Carolina Agribusiness ranks third nationally in terms of net farm income and provides 22.5 percent of the total gross state product.  The U.S. food industry is currently employing 20,000 engineers from all disciplines and exceeds $400 billion in annual sales, and represents over 25% of all nondurable goods produced.  Each of these provides potential career opportunities for the well-trained engineer with the knowledge, interest, skills and commitment to be a part of this diverse and increasingly important field.

Bioprocess engineers are employed in:

U.S. food industry 

International corporations 

Biotechnology companies

Government agencies 

Private consulting firms

Agricultural commodity processors

Students studying in the bioprocess engineering concentration at NC State University will find a hands-on program.  Through numerous laboratory opportunities, students actively work with the concepts being taught.  The program is a joint partnership between the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Food Science (Departments are located in adjacent buildings). The two departments collectively comprise over 195,000 ft of space with 83,000 ft of modern laboratory space.

Students are encouraged to make use of electives to strengthen their abilities in a particular study area. They can choose biological science and engineering electives from various departments throughout the university. This provides program flexibility, allowing it to be tailored to individual student needs. In the student’s last year of study, they are involved in a Senior Design Project that gives real world experience. They are expected to apply the knowledge learned in previous coursework to a project conducted in a team atmosphere. Here they are encouraged to make full use of the department’s facilities:

Computing facilities

Senior Design Room

Study/conference rooms

Biological labs

Bioinstrumentation lab

Instructional metalworking shop 

• Aseptic products and packaging
• Fruit and vegetable processing
• Seafood
• Dairy products and meats
• Center for Marine Sciences and
  Technology, Morehead City, NC.

Department Location

The Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department is housed in D. S. Weaver Laboratories at the corner of Dan Allen Drive and Western Boulevard on the southwest edge of the campus. Our Laboratories are not only the buildings on the NC State Campus but upper class-men will work quite extensively at state research test sites.

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