Course Overview
Bio-systems engineering can be defined as a field of engineering which integrates engineering design and science with applied environmental, agricultural and biological sciences. Bio-systems engineering is an advanced evolution of Agricultural Engineering. Professionals in this field are known as Bio-systems Engineers among other titles. Bio-systems engineers design solutions to technical problems that involve a critical biological component. These professionals attempt to solve agricultural problems concerning; the efficiency of farm machinery, pollution and environmental issues, power supplies as well as the storage and processing of agricultural products among other related services. They apply quantitative skills to create products, processes and systems that improve human existence. Working at the interface of engineering and biology, bio-systems engineers are engaged in the most important challenges of our time. With increased population world over, there is need to create efficient agricultural production to sustainably feed the growing population. Bio-systems engineers are crucial in addressing this problem.
Agricultural production causes environmental degradation when cultivation is done on riverbanks, forests, water catchment areas, marginal lands and hilly slopes. To overcome these challenges among many others, efficient production in agriculture would require machinery, structures of various categories, energy to competent manpower to offer solutions within the agricultural sector. Therefore there is need to produce engineers for the agricultural and biological sector with a better focus in agricultural structures engineering, agricultural mechanization, bio-production systems, agricultural processing, and soil, water and environment engineering among related areas. The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering is a five year course which has been developed to produce competent Bio-systems engineers with adequate skills and knowledge to enhance sustainable use of natural resources, harness and manage energy systems and design and manage optimal bio-production & processing systems. In the fourth and fifth year of study, students are required to specialize in any of the following options; Biomechanical and Processing Engineering or Soil, Water and Environmental Engineering. Upon graduation, the programme aims to produce competent engineers towards design and development of farm machinery, design and production of bio-processing machines and structures, soil and water conservation and environmental management, waste management, irrigation and drainage engineering, energy resources management and bio-processing systems design among other areas.
Entry Requirement
For self sponsored students, at least a mean grade of B- in KCSE. For Government sponsored students, the minimum cut point which is announced annually applies. The students should in addition have good performance in the following cluster subjects; Subject 1 MAT A, Subject 2 PHY, Subject 3 CHE, Subject 4 BIO or any GROUP III or any GROUP IV or any GROUP V.
Becoming a Bio-systems engineer
If you are good in maths, love agriculture and machinery and interested in a practical engineering career that can solve problems for agro-industrial development and the consequent environmental problems as well as other issues related to land based industries in horticulture and agriculture in general, then pursuing this course might be a good choice for you. In addition, you should be prepared to develop skills that can help you grow and succeed in this field.
Bio-systems engineers possess excellent analytical skills which enable them design systems that are part of larger agricultural or environmental systems and be able to propose solutions that interact well with other machinery, equipment, workers and the environment at large. They also have good communication and listening skills which enable them listen to and seek out information from clients, workers and other professionals working on a project.
Bio-systems engineers possess excellent maths skills as they use maths formulas such as trigonometry, calculus and other advanced topics to design, analyze and solve problems in their work. These engineers are quite innovative and excellent problem solvers able to work on problems affecting many different aspects of agricultural production, from designing safer equipment for food processing to water erosion to complex machineries in those fields.
Work environment.
Bio-systems engineers work much of the time in offices but also work in the field.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course may find employment in both private and public sectors in various engineering fields and in particular bio-processing systems design, design and production of bio-processing machines, food processing plants, agro-based industries, NGO’s, machinery manufacturers and dealers, construction companies, research institutions, Government ministries, water distribution and sewerage companies, irrigation and drainage engineering, NEMA & other environmental organizations, Consultancy firms among others. Graduates can also start their own consultancy practices.
You may explore these courses
Bachelor of Science in Water and Environmental Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial and Textile Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering & Technology
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering