B IOSYSTEMS E NGINEERING
B.S. D EGREE P ROGRAM
Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Shantz Building #38 – Room 403
Tucson, Arizona 85721
Office (520) 621-1607
Fax
(520) 621-3963
http://cals.arizona.edu/abe
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
MISSION, PURPOSE, VISION AND SHARED VALUES ....................................................................................................... 2
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING, OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................... 3
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES............................................................................................................................................ 3
ADVISING REFERRAL LIST ............................................................................................................................................... 4
ENGINEERIN DESIGN PROCESS ...................................................................................................................................... 5
GENERAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................................... 6
CURRICULUM SCHEDULE ............................................................................................................................................... 7
CURRICULUM SCHEDULE - PRE-MED TRACK ................................................................................................................. 8
PREREQUISTE SECQUENCE ........................................................................................................................................... 9
INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES/TRADITIONS & CULTURES PROGRAM PLAN ..................................................................... 10
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS.......................................................................................... 11
TRANSFER CREDIT INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................ 12
ADVANCED STANDING............................................................................................................................................12-13
FINAL DEGREE CHECK REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................................... 13
WRITING PROFICIENCY ................................................................................................................................................ 14
ACCREDITATION........................................................................................................................................................... 14
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION .................................................................................................................................... 14
BE FAQ ...................................................................................................................................................................15-16
DEPARTMENT ADVISORS ............................................................................................................................................. 17
FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT .............................................................................................................................18-19
2
ABE’S Mission
Our mission is to improve the quality of life in the Southwest through excellence in instruction,
research, and extension. To achieve this, ABE will provide technologies and information
systems for safe and secure food, water, energy, and biological products to adapt to a changing
world.
ABE’S Purpose
ABE develops and facilitates use of innovative technologies for generation of food, bioenergy,
and bioproducts, with smart utilization of water, resources, and information, suitable for arid
and semi-arid environments. Our faculty, staff, and students work across interfaces between
science and engineering.
ABE’S Vision
ABE will be a world leader known for developing technologies and systems for the safe
production of food, bioenergy, bioproducts, and biological information for sustainable use of
arid and semi-arid environments. Students, constituents, and professionals will come from
across the world to participate with our programs.
ABE’S Shared Values
Excellence
Faculty, staff, and students will have academic freedom and our research and
educational programs will be of the highest quality.
Openness
We will communicate openly and treat people fairly because we value the opinions and
respect the needs of all.
Ethics
High ethical standards and sound decision-making will be at the heart of our business
and financial practices.
Diversity
Diverse people, ideas, backgrounds and perspectives produce lasting solutions. We will
make it our duty to encourage and help all to be successful.
Cooperation
We will forge partnerships on and off campus in our drive to solve society's complex
problems and improve the quality of life.
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Biosystems Engineering (BE)
The Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering includes tracks in biological engineering and
soil and water resources engineering. The biological engineering emphasis provides background
for developing biotechnology applications based upon a strong knowledge of engineering science
and design applied to biological systems. This emphasis includes the biomedical engineering
focus area, the pre-medicine track, and controlled environment agriculture. The soil and water
resources engineering emphasis is strongly based in soil, water and plant relationships and is
aimed at irrigation engineering, agricultural water management, water quality controls,
environmental management, and precision agriculture.
The Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation
Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410)
347-7700.
Educational Objectives of the B.S. Program in BE
The Educational Objectives of the Biosystems Engineering Program at the University of Arizona
are to produce graduates:
1. Who are effective engineers within natural resources and biotechnology related
industries; and
2. Who have the foundation to perform and lead engineering projects and make significant
contributions; or are
3. Enrolled in an advanced engineering or medical or other professional degree programs
and are successful in those.
4
Advising Referral List
Advising Need
Where to go for help
Academic renewal information ......................................................................................................... General Catalog
Academic renewal petition form .................................................................................. Registrar, 210 Administration
Advanced standing information .................................................................... General Catalog, Program Coordinator
Advisor assignments .................................................................................................................. Program Coordinator
Career information for current majors ................................................................................................ Faculty Advisor
Career information for prospective majors .....................................................Faculty Advisor, Program Coordinator
Catalog interpretation ............................................................................................................... Program Coordinator
Course substitutions (other than Freshman English) ......................................................................... Faculty Advisor
Course substitutions (Freshman English) ...................................................... English Department, 380 Modern Lang
Changes in required curriculum (course substitutions) ....................................................................... Faculty Advisor
Change in department or college .............................................................................................. Program Coordinator
Class standing (ranking) .............................................................................................. Dean’s Office, Engineering 200
Degree check adjustments .................................................................................................................. Faculty Advisor
Degree check procedures .................................................................................................................... Faculty Advisor
Degree requirements......................................................................................................................... General Catalog
Disqualification information .............................................................................................................. General Catalog
Double major ....................................................................................................................................... Faculty Advisor
FE exam information .................................................................................................. Dean’s Office, Engineering 200
Forms (petition, drop/add, change of major, etc.) .................................................................... Program Coordinator
Graduation requirements .................................................................................................................. General Catalog
Honors Program................................................................................................................................... Honors College
Humanities and social science requirement ......................................... SAAR, Program Coordinator, Faculty Advisor
Information on advising services available .........................................................Departmental Program Coordinator
Late registration ........................................................................................................... Registrar, 210 Administration
Letters of recommendation .............................................. Faculty Advisor, Department Head, Program Coordinator
Loans ............................................................................................................ Financial Aid Office, 203 Administration
Loans, short term emergency ..................................................................................... Dean’s Office, Engineering 200
Prerequisites of a course ..................................................................................................... UAccess General Catalog
Probation information ............................................................................................................... Program Coordinator
Registration for more than 19 units .......................................................................................... Program Coordinator
Registration Instructions ............................................................ UAccess Student or Office of the Registrar website
Signature, Department Head ................................................................................................... ABE Department Head
Signature, Dean .......................................................................................................... Dean’s Office, 200 Engineering
Scholarship Information ....................................................................... Office of Financial Aid, Program Coordinator
Technical electives, approved lists ............................................................................................ Program Coordinator
Technical electives, other information ............................................................Program Coordinator, Faculty Advisor
Transfer into Department .......................................................................................................... Program Coordinator
Transfer credit, how it applies toward degree ................................................Program Coordinator, Faculty Advisor
Withdrawal from all classes ............................................................................................. Dean of Students, Old Main
Withdrawal from ABE classes ..................................................................................... UAccess, Program Coordinator
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ENGINEERING DESIGN
Engineering design is the process of devising a product, system, component, or process to meet desired needs. It is
a systematic and often iterative process in which the basic sciences, mathematics, engineering sciences,
economics, and societal values (ethics, aesthetics, environmental impact) are applied to use or convert resources
optimally to solve a problem.
The Engineering Design Process
1. Identification of need
2. Definition of problem
3. Search for information
4. Establishment of criteria and constraints for a solution
5. Consideration of alternative solutions
6. Analysis of alternative solutions
7. Selection for the optimum solution
8. Specification of technical characteristics the product system, component, or process
9. Assessment of satisfaction in meeting the stated need
10. Communication of final product to customer
Identification
of need
Communication of final
product to customer
Assessment of
satisfaction in
meeting the stated
need
Specification of technical
characteristics the product
system, component, or
process
Selection for
the
optimum
solution
Definition
of problem
Engineering
Design
Process
Analysis of
alternative
solutions
Search for
information
Establishment
of criteria and
constraints for
a solution
Consideration
of alternative
solutions
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General Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All course work and requirements for this degree must be completed prior to the date the degree is awarded. The
Department recommends that students should review their Student Advisement Reports throughout their academic
career as well as set up meet with the Department Advisor/Program Coordinator to ensure that they are on track for
graduation.
Curriculum:
1. The University of Arizona and the Arizona Board of Regents have sole discretion over all curricula changes.
2. Courses, programs & requirements may be suspended, deleted, restricted, or changed in any manner, at any time.
3. Students must remain currently informed about all policies & other info that bears on completing a degree.
Required Units:
Additional units will be required to complete this degree if a student:
A) is admitted to the UA with deficiencies;
B) changes his/her academic plan(s);
C) fails to meet minimum course/plan requirements;
D) ineffectively plans or fails to execute a course of study that leads directly to degree completion; or
E) is completing more than one baccalaureate degree. Completing a second bachelor's degree at The UofA requires
no fewer than 30 units in addition to the units required for the first degree, and all requirements for the second
degree must be met.
The following requirements must be met for Graduation
Units Required and Cumulative GPA
128 Units are required at a 2.0 GPA
Upper Division Units
A minimum of 42 units of upper-division credit are required for the Biosystems Engineering Degree.
Units in Residence
A minimum of 30 units in residence at the University (excluding correspondence credit and credit by exam) is
required.
Final Units in Residence
A minimum of 18 of the final 30 units taken toward degree requirements must be in residence at the University of
Arizona.
Foundation Composition
Mid-Career Writing Assessment - Complete 2nd semester English Composition with a B grade or higher. Students
who do not earn a grade of B or better in 2nd semester English Composition must also satisfy a college or
department writing requirement. Honors Option: Students must earn a C or higher. Consult your major advisor if
you do not meet the 2nd semester English Composition.
Correspondence and/or Exam Credit
A maximum of 60 units of Correspondence Credit and/or Exam Credit may apply toward graduation.
Completing a second bachelor’s degree at the University requires no fewer than 30 units in addition to the units
required for the first degree, and all requirements for the second degree must be met.
Non Degree Seeking Limit
A maximum of seeking 15 units completed as a non-degree student may be used for fulfilling undergraduate degree
requirements.
Community College Limit
Maximum of 64 units of community college courses work may apply toward U of A graduation. A minimum of 64
units of course work must be completed at a 4-year institution, military institution or as test credit.
PE (Physical Education) Course Limit
No more than 3 units will apply toward a student graduation requirements.
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Curriculum Schedule
Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering
2013-2014
Biosystems engineers integrate mathematics, the biological, physical and engineering sciences with engineering design
principles for producing and processing biological and agricultural products. These principles are applied to the design,
analysis and construction of equipment, systems, and facilities for the efficient utilization of food, fiber and biochemical
products. All programs utilize the latest in computer applications, sensor control systems, and biotechnology
developments in their design objectives.
Required Curriculum:
First Semester
Second Semester
Freshman Year
Course
Units
Course
Units
ENGR 102 (Intro to engineering) ............................... 3
MATH 129 (Calculus with applications 2) ................ 3
MATH 125 (Calculus with applications 1) .................. 3
CHEM 152 (General Chemistry II) .......................... 4
CHEM 151 (General Chemistry I) ............................. 4
PHYS 141 (Introductory mechanics) ........................ 4
ENGL 101 (First Year Composition 1) ......................... 3
ENGL 102 (First Year Composition 2) ...................... 3
Tier 1 INDV* ............................................................... 3
Tier 1 TRAD * ........................................................... 3
Total ......................................................................... 16
Total ...................................................................... 17
Sophomore Year
ABE 201 (Intro to Biosys Engin) ............................... 2
ABE 205 (Biosys Engin. Analt Skills Workshop) ........ 3
CE 214 (Statics) ........................................................ 3
MATH 254 (Ordinary Differential Eqns) ................... 3
MATH 223 (Vector calculus) .................................... 4
PHYS 241 (Intro. electricity and magnetism) ........... 4
ABE 284 (Biosystems Transport Phen)..................... 3
ECOL 182 L & R or MIC 205 A&L or PSIO 201 .......... 4
MCB 181 R & L or MCB 184 or PLS 240.................... 4
Tier 1 TRAD*……………………… ................................... 3
Total ....................................................................... 16
Total ....................................................................... 17
ABE 221 (Computer aided design) ....................... 3
ABE 447 (Sensors and controls) ........................... 3
CE 218 or AME 331 (Hydr. or Flu. mech.) ............ 3
SIE 265 (Engr. Management I) ............................ 3
SIE 305 (Engr. Probability and Statistics) ............. 3
Total ................................................................... 15
Junior Year
ABE 423 (Dynamics of biological systems) .............. 3
ABE Elective** ......................................................... 3
TECH Elective*** ..................................................... 3
ENGL 308 or ASM 350 .............................................. 3
Tier 1 INDV* ............................................................. 3
Total ....................................................................... 15
Senior Year
ABE 496a (Seminar in Engr. Careers & Prof.) ........... 1
ABE 498b (Biosystems Engineering Design 2).......... 3
ABE 498a (Biosystems Engineering Design 1) .......... 3
ABE 400 Elective*** see note below ....................... 3
ABE Elective** ......................................................... 3
ABE Elective** ......................................................... 3
TECH Elective*** ..................................................... 3
TECH Elective*** ..................................................... 3
AME 324A (Mech of materials)................................ 3
Tier 2 Art / Hum* ..................................................... 3
Tier 2 INDV * ............................................................ 3
ABE 393 (Internship) ................................................ 1
Total ....................................................................... 15
Total ....................................................................... 17
* INDV/TRAD located on page 9.
**ABE Engineering Design Electives: Students need to complete 9 units of upper division courses, see SAR for list
of acceptable courses.
**Technical Electives: Students need to complete 9 units of upper division courses, see SAR for a list of acceptable
courses.
***ABE 484 is not being offered at this time, students need to take an ABE 400 level elective course or take either
AME 431 or AME 432. The course substitution needs to be approved by your Faculty Advisor.
Suggested Design and Technical electives are listed on page 9.
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Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering
2013-2014
This track, in addition to satisfying ABET requirements for engineering accreditation, satisfies the standard
requirements for entry into the pre-health field (medical or dental school). The major deviation from the standard
curriculum is inclusion of organic chemistry (8 units including laboratories) as technical elective units.
Required Curriculum:
First Semester
Second Semester
Freshman Year
Course
Units
Course
Units
ENGR 102 (Intro to engineering) .......................... 3
MATH 129 (Calculus with applications 2) ................ 3
MATH 125 (Calculus with applications 1) ............. 3
CHEM 152 (General Chemistry II)............................ 4
CHEM 151 (General Chemistry I) ........................ 4
PHYS 141 (Introductory mechanics) ........................ 4
ENGL 101 (First Year Composition 1) ................... 3
ENGL 102 (First Year Composition 2) ...................... 3
Tier 1 INDV* ......................................................... 3
Tier 1 TRAD * ........................................................... 3
Total.................................................................... 16
Total ...................................................................... 17
Sophomore Year
ABE 201 (Intro to Biosys Engin) ............................. 2
ABE 205 (Biosys Engin. Analt. Skills Workshop) ....... 3
CE 214 (Statics) ...................................................... 3
MATH 254 (Ordinary Differential Eqns) ................... 3
MATH 223 (Vector calculus) .................................. 4
PHYS 241 (Intro. electricity and magnetism) ........... 4
ABE 284 (Biosystems Transport Phen)................... 3
ECOL 182 L & R or MIC 205 A & L or PSIO 201 ......... 4
MCB 181 R & L or MCB 184 or PLS 240.................. 4
Tier 1 TRAD*……………………… ................................... 3
Total ..................................................................... 16
Total ....................................................................... 17
ABE 221 (Computer aided design) ......................... 3
CE 218 or AME 331 (Hydr. or Flu. mech.) .............. 3
SIE 265 (Engr. Management I) ............................... 3
SIE 305 (Engr. Probability and Statistics) ............... 3
CHEM 241a (Organic Chemistry) ........................... 3
CHEM 243a (Organic Chemistry Lab) ..................... 1
Total ..................................................................... 16
Junior Year
ABE 423 (Dynamics of biological systems) .............. 3
ABE Elective** ......................................................... 3
ENGL 308 or ASM 350 .............................................. 3
CHEM 241b (Organic Chemistry) ............................ 3
CHEM 243b (Organic Chemistry) ............................ 1
TECH Elective*** ..................................................... 3
Total ....................................................................... 16
Note – MCAT normally taken this semester
ABE 496a (Seminar in Engr. Careers & Prof.) ......... 1
ABE 498a (Biosystems Engineering Design 1) ........ 3
ABE 447 (Sensors and controls) ............................. 3
AME 324A (Mech of materials).............................. 3
ABE Elective** ....................................................... 3
Tier 1 INDV* ........................................................... 3
Senior Year
ABE 498b (Biosystems Engineering Design 2).......... 3
ABE 400 Elective*** see note below ....................... 3
ABE Elective** ......................................................... 3
Tier 2 INDV* ............................................................. 3
ABE 393 (Internship) ................................................ 1
Tier 2 Art / Hum* ..................................................... 3
Total ....................................................................... 16
Total ..................................................................... 16
* INDV/TRAD located on page 9.
**ABE Engineering Design Electives: Students need to complete 9 units of upper division courses, see SAR for list
of acceptable courses.
**Technical Electives: Students need to complete 9 units of upper division courses, see SAR for a list of acceptable
courses.
***ABE 484 is not being offered at this time, students need to take an ABE 400 level elective course or take either
AME 431 or AME 432. The course substitution needs to be approved by your Faculty Advisor.
For a list of suggested Design and Technical, electives see page 9 of the ABE handbook, or go to the 2013-14
General Catalog: http://aar.webhost.uits.arizona.edu/data/134/UGRD.UENGR.BEBSBE.pdf
9
ABE 201
, MCB 184
240
ECOL 182, PSIO 201
ENGR 265
ABE Design Electives, need 9 units of upper division
Below is a list of suitable suggested electives, check your Student Advisement Report, located in UAccess for a
comprehensive list of acceptable courses.
Likely next offering
 ABE / BME/ CHEE 481A – Engineering of Biological Processes
Fall
 ABE / CHEE 481B – Cellular and Tissue Engineering
Spring
 ABE / AME 489A,B – Micro / nano technology courses
Spring
 ABE /AME 488 - Micro and Nano Transducer Physics and Design
Spring
 ABE / PLS 483 - Controlled Environment Systems
Fall
 ABE 486 – Biomaterial- Tissue Interactions
Spring
 ABE 426 – Watershed Engineering
Fall
 ABE 455 - Soil and Water Resources Engineering
Fall
 ABE 456 - Irrigation Systems Design
Spring
 ABE 458 – Soils, Wetlands & Wastewater Reuse
Spring
 ABE 459 - Design of Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Dispersal Systems
Spring
 ABE / WSM 467 - Advanced Watershed Hydrology
Spring
 ABE 479- Applied Instrumentation for Controlled Environment Agriculture
Spring
 ABE 452 - Globalization, Sustainability and Innovation
Spring
Technical Electives, need 9 units of upper division
Below is a list of suitable suggested electives, check your Student Advisement Report, located in UAccess for a
comprehensive list of acceptable courses.
 ABE / PLS 475A - Physiology of Plant Production
 BME 517 - Measurement & Data Analysis in
under Controlled Environment
Biomedical Engineering
 ABE 497C - Greenhouse Pest Management:
 MSE 461 - Biol. & Synthetic Materials
Methods and Practice
 AME 416 - Material Selection
 CHEM 241a/243a Organic Chemistry 1
 AME 445 - Renewable Energy Systems
 CHEM 241b/243b Organic Chemistry 2
 SWES 440 Biodegradation of Pollts in Soil & GW
 BIOC 460 - Protein and Metabolic Biochemistry
 SWES 330 Introduction to Remote Sensing
 BIOC 461- General Nucleic Acid Biochemistry
 SWES 453 Remote Sensing of the Environ.
 BIOC 473- Recombinant DNA Meth. Appl
 CE 478 - Intro to Hazardous Waste Management
 BME 510 - Biology for Biomedical Engineering
 CE 484 - Fundamentals of Industrial and
 BME 511 - Physiol. For Biomed. Engin.
Environmental Health
10
Individuals & Societies/ Traditions & Cultures Program Plan
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Individuals & Societies/ Traditions & Cultures are the branches of knowledge concerned with the culture and values of
the human race and individual relationships in and to society. These courses assist in meeting the objectives of a
broad education and the objectives of the engineering profession. In the interests of making engineers fully aware of
their social responsibilities and better able to consider related factors in the decision-making processes, INDV/TRAD
course work is required as an integral part of the engineering program.
Students are should review the Student Advisement Report, located in your UAccess Student records, for a list of
acceptable Tier I and Tier II courses.
General Education Tier I
Tier I Individuals & Societies
Overall Requirement: Complete 2 courses in each of the following areas.
Fulfillment of Individuals and Societies requires completion of two distinctly numbered courses.
Only one course may be completed from each of the following options(e.g. ART 150A1-SA & ANTH 150B1):
150A
150B
150C
Tier I Traditions & Cultures
Overall Requirement: Complete 2 courses in each of the following areas.
Fulfillment of Traditions and Cultures requires completion of two distinctly numbered courses.
Only one course may be completed each of the following options (e.g., CLAS 160D2 & SWS 160C1-SA):
160A
160B
160C
160D
General Education Tier II
Overall Requirement: Majors must complete 3 units in Tier II Individual and Societies. Choose one additional Tier II
courses from Tier II Arts or Tier II Humanities to complete the requirement.
Option 1: Tier II Arts complete 3 units
OR Option 2:
Complete 1 unit Tier II Humanities
Prerequisite course work in Tier 1 Traditions and Cultures (TRAD) must be completed prior to taking. If LAT 201 or 202
are used to fulfill Foundation Second Language Proficiency, they cannot be used to fulfill Tier II
Humanities.
AND Complete 1 course Tier II Individual & Societies. Prerequisite course work in Tier 1 Individuals and Societies
(INDV) must be completed prior to taking.
Diversity Emphasis Course
Complete 1 Course
One course must be taken that focuses on Gender, Race, Class, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation or Non-Western Area
Studies. Courses used to fulfill this requirement may also be used to fulfill other requirements.
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Biosystems Engineering Internship Requirements
ABE 393
As of Fall 2008, all entering BE undergraduates are required to perform an internship experience. The primary goal of
an internship is to give students an opportunity to apply lessons learned in the classroom to a real-world experience
set in a professional practice-oriented environment. The intern’s work should be supervised by a professional working
in the student’s field or in a related area. In addition to offering students the opportunity to demonstrate and develop
their technical skills, it allows students to develop professional skills in teamwork, communication, leadership, critical
thinking, and business procedures.
An internship is defined as a specialized set of duties that provide training and practice in actual service in settings
such as industry, business, research laboratory, community agency, or government office.
Credit and grading
All BE students must take and pass ABE 393 Internship for a minimum of 1 credit hour up to a maximum of 4
credit hours. Each unit of credit requires a minimum of 45 hours of work.
The grades available for internship are limited to S (superior), P (passing), C (average), D (poor), E (failure), I
(incomplete), and W (withdraw). Note that S/P grades do not factor into a student’s grade point average.
It is anticipated that students will register for ABE 393 in the fall of their Senior year and will perform the internship
duties in the summer before that semester. There are no restrictions on a student performing the internship at an
earlier time, perhaps even during the normal school year. Prior to initiation of the internship work, the student must
submit an “Application for Internship” to the faculty course coordinator. The ABE main office (in Shantz 403) has the
necessary information to complete this. Online forms can be found at http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/forms.htm
Required forms:
1) Application for internship – due prior to start of internship
Information required on this form
Student name, year of study (Jr, Sr), current GPA, current credit hours earned.
Proposed location of internship
Name of facility, address, name and contact information for supervisor
Proposed work plan - a brief description of the work to be conducted
2) Assumption of risk and release form – due prior to start of internship
3) Student internship evaluation form – due at the end of internship
4) Supervisor’s internship evaluation form – due at the end of internship
5) Internship report - due at the end of internship
Students perform the internship for a minimum of 45 hours per credit hour. The supervisor will be asked to document
the number of hours performed. Upon return to campus, the student will submit a final report documenting their
activities. The length and content of the report will depend on the number of credit hours. A 1 credit report will
consist of 10-15 pages of text (approximately 5000 words) detailing the goal of the work, primary activities,
engineering design content, and a summary of what was gained. Note, it is University policy that all students
performing an internship be in good academic standing with The University of Arizona and maintain at least a 2.00
grade point average prior to enrolling for internship. It is the responsibility of the student to identify the specific
internship. In many cases, the ABE Department has contacts and information on potential internship hosts. Students
are encouraged to identify their internship at least 3 months prior to initiation.
As per UA policy, students in paid internships need to indicate on their application form and in their report how their
internship work hours and duties exceed the normal job requirements with the sponsoring organization. Students are
responsible for ensuring that their supervisor is able and willing to submit an evaluation on their behalf. This report
can be written or orally presented to the internship coordinator depending on policy of the sponsoring organization.
Students submit their final report prior to the end of the semester for which they have registered for ABE 393.
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Transfer Credit Information and Requirements
Credit earned at other regionally accredited colleges and universities is transferable. Evaluation of transcripts from
post-secondary institutions is a 2-step process. First, the courses are evaluated with respect to the University of
Arizona's policy on the acceptability of transfer credit, http://catalog.arizona.edu/2011-12/policies/acceptcr.htm in
the Office of the Registrar.
During this initial evaluation, University staff determines which courses are accepted and post these credits to your
academic record in UAccess. Students who do not see the Transcripts posted, should make sure that the transcripts
were sent to the University. For faster processing Transcripts can be sent electronically see:
http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/transcripts/transfer.htm
If your transfer courses are showing on your records but you are not receiving credit for a class on your SAR, you will
need to request for a General Education review, please send a review request email ENGREngineeringAdvising@email.arizona.edu. Please use your UA email account and include your name, student ID
number, current major.
If you have an AGEC certification, your General Education requirements are completed. You should also request for
the General Education Review. Please also refer to this link: http://catalog.arizona.edu/2011-12/policies/agec.htm
The BE Advising staff will be able to approve and transfer courses that count toward our BE major and minor. Please
provide a description of the transfer course to Dava Jondall along with the ABE course that is equivalent to the
transfer course taken. The Department Head or major advisor will review and determine if the course is the
equivalent, and if approved instruct Dava Jondall to make the adjustment. The BE Department can’t make changes on
the general education classes, please refer to the following Engineering site on General Education requirements:
http://www.engineering.arizona.edu/current/index.php?ID=92
Advanced Standing Requirements
Students must have been granted Advanced Standing to enroll in 300 and 400 level courses in the College of
Engineering. http://www.engineering.arizona.edu/academics/advanced-standing To qualify for Advanced Standing,
students must meet the following criteria:
1.
Completion of a minimum of 56 credit hours, including all required courses listed in the Freshman and
Sophomore years of the curriculum of the students’ major department. At least 12 units of Engineering
course work must have been completed at the University of Arizona. In addition, all admission
deficiencies must have been removed.
 The following courses are considered/reviewed to determine Advanced Standing Status: ENGL101,
ENG102 or ENG109H, MATH124 (or MATH125, MATH122A/B), MATH129, MATH223, MATH254,
ENGR102, CHEM151, CHEM152, ENGR265, CE 214, CE218, PHYS 241, PHYS241 ABE 205, ABE284
2.
A cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.00 out of a 4.00.
Note: Students who are awarded Advanced Standing will be expected to maintain the major GPA
requirements. Students who do not maintain the GPA requirements may have their Advanced Standing
status revoked.
Students who do not meet the requirements for Advanced Standing, will not be allowed to take upper division course
work without Department Head approval.
13
Advanced Standing Procedures:
1.
2.
3.
4.
When students have met the requirements listed above they should send an email Dava
Jondall davaj@email.arizona.edu to request for an Advanced Standing review.
If the student qualifies for Advanced Standing, Dava Jondall will create the Advanced
Standing Contract.
The Department Head will review and approve all Advanced Standing contracts, when the
contract is ready, the students will review and sign the agreement as well.
Dava Jondall will send the completed contract to the COE Deans office for final approval.
Once Dean approves the UAccess records will be updated and student will be allowed to
enroll in upper division courses.
Students who are on Advanced Standing should expect to see an Advanced Standing fee of $600
added to their Bursar Account.
Final Degree Check Requirements
Engineering Students must submit a request to complete degree requirements the semester prior
to the prospective graduation date.
For example:
 Submit in the fall semester for spring semester graduation,
 Submit in the spring semester for summer or fall graduation
There are several steps to completing the degree check:
1. Students will begin the graduation process by picking up an instructional handout found in
the Academic Affairs Office, room 200 in the Engineering bldg. After completing the survey
listed on the handout, please print the confirmation page for submission to the Academic
Affairs Office. On receipt of the confirmation page, the staff in the Academic Affairs Office
will provide an application for the degree candidacy. Upon completion of the application,
you will be given the final degree check form and an information handout of Frequently
Asked Questions.
2. The Student will then need to set up an appointment with their ABE Faculty advisor to
review their SAR, complete a Course Requirement and Adjustment Form (if needed) and to
confirm that all degree requirements have been met. Students are required to bring a copy
of the most recent SAR to this meeting along with the Final Degree Check form.
3. The student submits the Final Degree Check form along and the Course Requirement
Adjustment approved by the ABE Faculty Advisor form to the ABE Program Coordinator,
Dava Jondall, for processing and final department approval.
Students should not change their classes after meeting with their ABE Faculty advisor. If for some
reason an unexpected schedule change is needed, please send an email to your Faculty advisor
and to Dava Jondall at davaj@email.arizona.edu explaining the reason for the change and request
for an appointment.
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Writing proficiency
As specified by the University General Catalog, all students are required to demonstrate proficiency in writing within
their discipline. This previously amounted to students taking the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Examination, but
this has been removed as a requirement. Students now must receive an adequate grade in their freshman
composition courses and pass the departmental writing proficiency course, ABE 498A, Biosystems Engineering Design
I. Approximately half of the grade in this course is based on report writing.
To demonstrate writing proficiency, BE students must meet the following requirements.
1.
Meet Freshman Composition course requirements (ENGL 101 and ENGL 102) with a grade of “B” or better.
2.
Pass the technical writing course (ENGL 308).
3.
Pass the departmental writing proficiency course (ABE 498A).
If the student does not meet these requirements, they must take remedial action to improve their writing skills.
Discretion in this matter is given to the student advisor.
Accreditation
The Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET is the official agency for accrediting undergraduate engineering
programs. Schools are visited periodically by teams of outstanding engineers selected by ABET. A complete
evaluation is made of curricula, faculty qualifications, laboratory and library facilities, grading standards, and many
other considerations. Thus, when the undergraduate curricula of an engineering college are accredited by ABET, the
student is assured that high standards are maintained.
Professional Registration
A profession is an occupation which
Renders a service based upon advanced, specialized knowledge and skill.
Performs its services to a large degree in the general public interest and has a substantial public
obligation; and
Is bound by a code requiring specific ethical behavior including trustworthiness and maintenance of
confidential client relationships.
Professional registration gives assurance that only those persons who meet fixed educational and experience
requirements may practice as registered professional engineers. Regulation is achieved in Arizona by protecting the
use of the title “Professional Engineer (PE).”
You should become registered to
Establish your professional standing on the basis of legal requirements and
Receive authority to practice your profession before the public.
Arizona registration requires that the engineer
Have at least eight (8) years of appropriate engineering experience and education and
Pass the engineer-in-training and professional engineers exam.
Students are to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (previously called the engineer-in-training) exam during their
last semester at the University of Arizona. This is a requirement of students in ABE 498B which is based upon the
following rationale:
Before they forget the engineering fundamentals tested in this exam,
While it is convenient,
Review sessions and the exam is held are available at the UA, and
So that students will get an “Engineer-In-Training” status certificate (if they pass), a useful addition
to their résumé
The exam is offered in October and April. Applications to take the exam must be submitted at least 60 days before the
exam date. Applications are available from: Arizona Board of Technical Registration; 1645 W. Jefferson, Suite 140;
Phoenix, Arizona 85007 (602) 255-4053
15
BE FAQ
So, all I need to do is follow the curriculum on pages 4 & 5 and I’ll be all set to graduate. Is there anything
I could miss?
Yes, please do see your advisor on a regular basis. The schedule of classes change (semester, year)
pretty often, so it is possible that the elective class you want in your last semester may have moved to
another semester. This is especially true of classes taught outside of the ABE department. We’ll let you
know when BE classes change.
Can I take my classes out of sequence?
Be careful as most ABE classes are taught only once a year (ABE 221 is the only exception and is
offered nearly all semesters). There are a few classes that can be moved around if you are either ahead of
the game or behind. Discuss with your advisor if you plan to make any changes.
What’s the deal with pre-requisites?
Pre-rec’s are classes that you need to have taken before another class. That is, if you haven’t
passed Math 124 or 125, you likely won’t do well in Math 129 and so are you are not allowed to take the
new class.
Important pre-rec sequences to keep in mind:
Math 125 → 129 → 223, 254 – note that Math 223 is not a pre-rec for 254, but 129 is.
Phys 141 → CE 214 → CE 215, CE 218, AME 331, AME 324a
Math 129 is a co-rec with Phys 141 - that means you take them together.
ABE 284 → ABE 484
Note – Don’t skip CE 214, Math 129, or Phys 141, it will cause a backlog and slow you down!
Does it matter whether I take calculus 1 as Math 124 or Math 125?
The math placement exam (usually taken in the summer during orientation) results will put you a
path for 124 or 125. Math 124 is a more intensive process requiring 5 units of credit. Whichever math
course you place into is the one to take. The next step (Math 129) will be the same regardless of which
calculus 1 course you take.
Does it matter whether I take the CE or AME classes for solid mechanics or fluids?
Technically, no, makes no difference. However, the AME classes are all 300-level (upper division)
and so if you need upper division units, then take one or more of the AME classes. Students interested in
water or environmental areas are best served by the CE classes. If you plan to do a minor in AME, you need
the AME courses.
Why would I need upper division classes?
Good question, I’m glad you asked that. To graduate, you need a minimum of 42 upper division
credit hours. Our curriculum, especially if you take 8 units of organic chem. as technical electives, puts one
close on the edge of not meeting the 42 unit requirement. If you do take orgo (lucky you), then you’ll need
at least one additional class at the upper division level. You can get this from the AME courses or from Gen
Eds. If you have transfer credits that come in at a different level, you need to count the credits directly to
make sure you have 42.
16
What was that about a minor?
You do not need to pick up a minor (other programs on campus require minors); however, there
are a few minors which are easy to do with the standard BE curriculum:
AME – requires that you take all AME options (as above) + 1 AME course which could be
one of your electives
Math – need one additional Math course.
Other minors certainly are feasible. The above are just some of the more commonly used. A minor does
provide a minor boost to your resume especially if you want to diversify your background.
UAccess will not allow me to enroll for 300-level classes, what do I need to do to register?
Please see the Advanced Standing requirements, to be able to register for upper division (300 level
and above) classes, you need to have advanced standing.
I want to take classes at another school (Mesa CC) since I’ll be back home in Phoenix for the summer.
How do I know what to take?
See the AZ transfer guide (http://az.transfer.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Admin_CEG). This describes
the course articulation across all AZ schools. It will give you the info on which class from MCC (or any other
school in AZ) would transfer seamlessly to the UA and would satisfy the classes from the BE curriculum.
What is this and do I need to take ABE 393 (Internship), for 1 credit?
ABE 393 is a requirement for ALL BE students who start in the Fall of 2008 or later. If you started
before that, the requirement does not apply. The internship requirements are described below. The key
here is that it needs to be volunteer work (that’s the UA’s requirement). Many, many activities can satisfy
this. Typically the students who don’t want to do internships are the ones who need it most.
I heard students in the Sr seminar (ABE 496a) talk about needing to take some exam or whatever.
What’s up with that?
Likely you are referring to the FE (fundamentals of engineering) exam. It is a requirement for
students in the 496a class to REGISTER for the exam during the fall semester. The exam is then taken in the
following spring. It is a requirement for ABE 498b (Spring) that students TAKE the exam. Don’t need to
pass, just need to show up and take the exam. Do your best, but there is no pressure.
Why do I need to take this?
The FE exam is the first step towards professional registration. It is a measure of your
understanding of the foundational components of engineering. The course covers many of the 200 and 300
level classes you have taken. Even if you don’t plan on becoming a PE (professional engineer) it is beneficial
for you to have an intimate understanding of the process. The ABE department uses FE exam statistics (not
individual student performance) as a measure of our success in training.
I am ready to graduate next semester, what do I need to do?
Engineering Students must submit a request to complete degree requirements the semester prior to the
prospective graduation date. See Final Degree Check requirements.
17
Faculty Advisors
My interest area
Advisors for this area
Biological engineering
Dr. Joel Cuello
Dr. Donald C Slack
Dr. Jeong-Yeol Yoon
Controlled environment agriculture
Dr. Murat Kacira
Dr. Gene Giacomelli
Dr. Joel Cuello
Pre-health (Pre-med, Pre-dent, etc.)
Dr. Donald C Slack
Dr. Jeong Yeol-Yoon
Dr. Joel Cuello
Water resources and environment
Dr. Donald C Slack
Dr. Kitt Farrell-Poe
Dr. Peter Livingston
Dr. Pete Waller
Dr. Muluneh Yitayew
Freshman, sophomore, transfer student and/or new majors should meet with Dava Jondall, Program
Coordinator general academic advice. If needed the Program Coordinator will arrange for meeting with a
Faculty Advisor to review issues.
If you have not been assigned a major faculty Advisor after your sophomore year or after your first
semester in the major please contact Dava Jondall davaj@email.arizona.edu.
Reminder the Department recommends that you meet with your assigned major faculty advisor throughout
your academic career. In the event you can’t meet with your specific advisor, any of the on campus ABE
faculty or Department Program Coordinator will be able to help address most critical issues that arise.
18
Department Faculty
AN, LINGLING, Assistant Professor, Biometry, Ph.D., 2008, Purdue University. Dynamic clustering
of periodic gene expression.
ANDRADE-SANCHEZ, PEDRO, Assistant Professor/Specialist, Ph.D., 2004, University of California
Davis. Precision agriculture.
BILLHEIMER, DEAN D., Associate Professor, Biometry, Ph.D., 1995, University of Washington.
Statistical Methods for Biological Monitoring Data: State-Space Models for Relative Abundance of
Species.
CUELLO, JOEL L., Professor, Ph.D., 1994, The Pennsylvania State University. Bioreactor design and
scale up, algae production systems, controlled-environment systems, cell and organ cultures
regulations.
FARRELL-POE, KATHRYN, Department Head, Specialist and Professor, Ph.D., 1990, Purdue
University. Water quality, on-farm composting.
GIACOMELLI, GENE A., Professor, Ph.D., 1983, Rutgers University, Horticultural Engineering.
Director of Controlled Environment Agriculture Program (CEAC). Horticultural engineering, energy
conversions engineering, bioresource engineering, greenhouse engineering design, hydroponic
crop production.
KAÇIRA, MURAT, Associate Professor, Ph.D., 2000, Ohio State University. Food, agricultural, and
biological engineering.
Livingston, Peter Professor of Professional Practice, PE, Ph.D., 2013, The University of Arizona,
Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering.
MARTIN, ED, Specialist & Professor, Ph.D., 1992, Michigan State University. Water resources,
irrigation management.
POE, STEPHEN E., Professor, 1987, Purdue University. System mechanization, livestock waste
management, ventilation housing, and computer software development.
SIEMENS, MARK, Associate Professor, Ph. D., 1996, University of Arizona. Specialty crops
mechanization, agricultural machine design and testing; tillage.
SLACK, DONALD C., Professor, PE, Ph.D., 1975, University of Kentucky. Irrigation scheduling, water
resources, infiltration, porous media flow, soil and water conservation engineering.
WALLER, PETER, Associate Professor, Ph.D., 1990, University of California at Davis. Water quality
engineering, irrigation engineering, drainage engineering.
YITAYEW, MULUNEH, Professor, Director of Graduate Studies, Ph.D., 1982, U of Arizona. Irrigation
engineering, hydraulics, water resources engineering.
YOON, JEONG-YEOL, Associate Professor, Ph.D., 2004, University of California. Los Angeles.
Biosensors, water safety, lab-on-a-chip, protein nanoarray, immunoassay, biomaterials.
19
Faculty continued
BARTON, JENNIFER K., Biomedical Engineering, Professor, Ph.D., 1998, The University of Texas at Austin. Biomedical optics.
CLEMMENS, ALBERT J., Adjunct Associate Professor, Ph.D., 1990, Arizona State University. Research Hydraulic Engineer and
Research Leader, USDA-ARS, Water Conservation Laboratory. Irrigation engineering, canal hydraulics, automatic controls.
DIDAN, KAMEL, Research Associate Professor, Ph.D., 1999, The University of Arizona. Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis.
FITZSIMMONS, KEVIN, Professor, Ph.D., 1999, University of Arizona. Wildlife and Fisheries Science, primary appointment in Soil,
Water and Environmental Science.
FREITAS, ROBERT, Associate in Extension, M.S., 1991, University of Arizona. Water quality, animal waste management.
HOENIG, STUART A., Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., 1960, University of California, Berkeley. Professor Emeritus, Electro-mechanical
systems.
HUNSAKER, DOUGLAS, Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., University of Arizona. Research Hydraulic Engineer, USDA-ARS, Water
Conservation Laboratory. Irrigation Engineering, Irrigation Management
KUBOTA, CHIERI, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Tokyo, primary appointment in Plant Sciences.
LARSON, DENNIS L., Emeritus Professor, PE, Ph.D., 1971, Purdue University. System analysis, energy engineering.
MATLOCK, GERALD W., Professor Emeritus, Ph.D., 1965, P.E., University of Arizona. Water Resources and Irrigation.
NEARING, MARK, Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., 1986, Purdue University. Soil and Water resources engineering; erosion prediction
technology. Research Hydraulic Engineer, USDA - Southwest Watershed Research Center, Tucson, AZ.
NICHOLS, MARY, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Ph.D., 1999, New Mexico State University. Semi-arid erosion and sedimentation
process. Research Hydraulic Engineer, USDA - Southwest Watershed Research Center, Tucson, AZ.
OGDEN, KIMBERLY L., Professor, Ph.D., 1991, University of Colorado, primary appointment in Chemical and Environmental
Engineering.
PEPPER, IAN, Professor, Ph.D., 1975, The Ohio State University. Soil Microbiology, primary appointment in Soil, Water and
Environmental Science.
PIEGORSCH, WALTER W., Professor, Ph.D., 1984, Cornell University. Statistics, primary appointment in Mathematics. Chair,
Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Statistics, University of Arizona.
RASMUSSEN, WILLIAM , Retired Associate Professor, Agric & Biosystems Engr; Retired Adjunct Associate Professor, Renewable
Natural Resources; BS, 1964, MS, 1966, University of Idaho; PHD, 1973, University of Arizona
RENARD, KENNETH G., Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., 1972, P.E., University of Arizona. Research Hydraulic Engineer, USDA-ARS,
Southwest Watershed Research Center. Erosion control and sedimentation.
REPLOGLE, JOHN A., Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., P.E., 1964, University of Illinois, Research Hydraulic Engineer, USDA-ARS Water
Conservation Laboratory. Flow measurement, irrigation engineering, irrigation system control.
ROTH, ROBERT L., Professor, Ph.D., 1983, University of Arizona. Resident Director, University of Arizona, Maricopa Agricultural
Center. Field research in irrigation and fertilizer management.
STONE, JEFFRY, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Ph.D., 1990, U of Arizona. Research Hydraulic Engineer, USDA-ARS, Southwest
Watershed Research Center. Decision support systems, watershed management, hydrology.
TAMIMI, AKRUM H., Adjunct Assistant Professor, Ph.D., 1995, University of Arizona. Irrigation engineering, water resources,
computer modeling.
WIERSMA, FRANK, Emeritus Professor. P.E., Ph.D., Oklahoma State University. Farm structures and animal housing in arid climates
ZIMMT, WERNER S., Adjunct Professor, Ph.D., 1947, University of Chicago, Ph.D., 1951, University of Chicago. Chemistry and
Physics of Coating, Polymer Science, Application of Polymers, Atmospheric Chemistry.
The Department works closely with the USDA Arid Lands Agricultural Research Center in Maricopa, Arizona and with the Southwest Watershed
Research Center in Tucson. Scientists and engineers from both organizations serve on student advisory committees.