Biological systems engineering combines biology and chemistry to create environmentally friendly solutions. This includes balancing food and other component production with environmental concerns, as well as environmental protection and the development of new approaches to issues such as water quality and soil health. This field of study has its roots in agricultural science, but it places a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility rather than just increasing output. If they offer programs like environmental engineering, biology, or agricultural sciences, colleges and universities may offer this major.
Although some biological systems engineering research has medical applications, it is distinct from bioengineering, which focuses on the development of new treatments and diagnostic tools. Members of this field are more concerned with environmental health than with ways to improve human health. Food production, from field to table, is an important area of biological systems engineering. Crop rotations, food safety, and developing more efficient and environmentally friendly farming methods are among the topics studied by researchers.
Environmental protection for watersheds, wetlands, and other fragile areas may also be of interest. People may work on methods to clean up and preserve natural resources in biological systems engineering. They weigh human needs, such as the desire to provide water to a population, against environmental concerns. Biological systems engineers are interested in water and air quality, as well as topics such as allocating natural resources effectively, efficiently, and appropriately.
Biological systems engineering can include some economic analysis. Researchers frequently find themselves balancing environmental and social concerns in order to find the best solutions to problems such as meeting a community’s food demand. While accountability is a concern, so is the cost of implementing solutions, which could become prohibitively expensive. If a new farming technique protects natural resources but costs so much that food prices double, it may not be feasible to implement, even if it is an excellent solution to environmental concerns.
Fieldwork can be a crucial component of biological systems engineering. Visits to working farms and natural areas are included. Clinical trials on experimental farms and in laboratories may also be required for some research. Educators can divide their time between classroom training and research. A variety of work environments, ranging from sewage treatment plants to conference halls, may be part of the job.