Degree Requirements

Degree Information

The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering has put together the following resources, including a downloadable degree requirements outline, to help guide you through attaining your degree. Please keep in mind that the degree requirements listed in the UC Davis General Catalog are the most up-to-date and definitive source of information. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your Program Advisor for assistance.

Major

Biological Systems Engineering (EBS): To read more about the major, visit the UC Davis General Catalog.

GEs

Minors

Integrated Degree Program

Integrated BS/MS Degree Program (IDP)

Sample Academic Plans

Biological Systems Engineering (EBS) Major Degree Requirements PDF

Biological Systems Engineering (EBS) Core Curriculum with Tracks

Use OASIS, the Online Advising Student Information System, to develop your three-quarter academic plan

Documents

EBS Major Requirements

Biological Systems Engineering Major Program Overview

Biological Systems Engineering (EBS) majors apply the principles of engineering to the discipline of biology. At its core, engineering is about creating solutions to problems. Biological systems engineers are no different.

Biological systems engineers try to solve real world problems such as developing renewable biofuels and bioenergy, developing sustainable biomaterials and bioproducts, finding a solution to food insecurity, developing sustainable agricultural practices, working towards environmental sustainability, and more. Our three areas of research are Biotechnical Engineering, Agricultural and Natural Resources Engineering, and Food Engineering.

Biological systems engineers are trying to solve some of the most important and difficult challenges humanity faces in order to create a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Students graduating with a B.S. degree in Biological Systems Engineering from UC Davis are prepared to:

Apply life sciences in engineering at the biochemical, cellular, organism, and ecosystem levels
Solve biological systems engineering problems while employed in the private or public sector
Consider the environmental and social consequences of their engineering activities
Communicate effectively with professional colleagues and public constituencies
Act in an ethical manner
Continue their education in a changing professional world

Graduates pursue a wide range of careers in biotechnology, medicine, energy, forest management, government, academia, and others. EBS majors strive to better themselves and the world.

Minors

Degree requirements for our minors can be found in the General Catalog by clicking below

Geographic Information Systems: The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering offers a minor in Geographic Information Systems with an emphasis on spatial analysis. This minor is ideal for students interested in information processing of spatial data related to remote sensing, land information systems, marine cartography, thematic mapping, surface modeling, environmental modeling resources management, public utility planning, emergency response, geomarketing, geotechnics, precision agriculture, archaeology, military exercises, and computer-aided design.

Energy, Science and Technology, Energy Policy and Energy Efficiency:There is an urgent need to develop and commercialize technologies for the sustainable conversion and use of energy. The goal of these minors is to prepare students for careers that require training in energy science and technology, efficiency, and policy. Clean technologies and green technologies including energy are some of the fastest growing markets for new investments. Well-trained individuals in all related fields are needed to provide the level of expertise required to advance technology and policy and to satisfy national and global objectives for greater energy sustainability. The minors are designed to accommodate persons of diverse backgrounds with educational interests in areas that may include engineering, science, policy, economics, planning, and management.

Precision Agriculture: This minor acquaints students with recent developments and their applications to agriculture, in geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), variable rate technologies (VRT), crop and soil sensors, and remote sensing. The minor prepares students for challenging positions in site-specific crop management as we enter the “information age” in agriculture.