Biological and Biosystems

Biological and Biosytems Engineers draw on the biotechnologies found in the food, pharmaceutical, petroleum and textiles industries and combine them with engineering design. Engineers in these areas may develop processes in which microorganisms produce antibiotics more efficiently, or conduct research into how microbes can be used to digest oil spills.

Examples: 

Biological and biosystems engineers deal with structures, machinery, energy, labor, land, water, waste, energy and resource variables related to the efficient creation of products and processes to fill human needs. Biological and biosystems engineers have:

  • Developed new sources of pharmaceuticals like insulin
  • Found new uses for naturally occurring fibers
  • Studied ways to convert grass, woodchips and garbage into automobile fuel
  • Developed sensor systems to detect nutrients in crops
In your community: 

Making medicines, dyes, glue, fertilizer, pesticides and paint from plant and animal products requires an intimate understanding of biology, chemistry and the ways things interact. What you may think of as a traditional practice - such as growing corn, squash and beans together - is actually a form of biosystems engineering.

Aptitude: 

If you like...

  • Being creative
  • Problem solving
  • Inventing new things
  • Working with plants and animals
  • Biology
  • Helping the environment
  • Helping others

...then perhaps you would like Biological and Biosystems Engineering.

Universities: 

If you want to study Biological and Biosystems Engineering, then you could go to the following universities:

We're always looking for more role models. Do you know an Aboriginal Engineer or scientist who should be featured here? Please let us know.