BS Biosystems Engineering at University of Kentucky

Programme overview

Tackle global challenges in sustainability, agriculture, and environmental health with our Biosystems Engineering bachelor's degree. This interdisciplinary program integrates engineering principles with biological sciences to develop innovative solutions for issues such as water resource management, renewable energy, and sustainable food production.

Faculty: Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment | Duration: 128 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall, Spring, Summer | Location: Lexington, KY, United States

What you will study

The Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering program applies engineering principles to biological systems, focusing on the sustainable use of natural resources, environmental protection, and agricultural innovation. Students study areas such as fluid mechanics, soil and water systems, renewable energy, and bioprocessing, while gaining hands-on experience in data analysis, modeling, and system design.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University/college-level requirements (not programme-specific): official high school transcript with pre-college curriculum; ACT or SAT optional (test-optional admission). Applies to admission to Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Programme-specific requirements: Students apply and enter this program as "Pre-Biosystems Engineering" majors. Students are fully admitted to the program when they complete the pre-major requirements. View specifics in the Academic Catalog. The minimum entry requirements for admission into the Pigman College of Engineering as a first-time freshmen student are both: ACT math score of 25 or higher, or the SAT equivalent of 590 or higher, and an Unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students electing to apply without test scores can view alternative entry criteria in the Undergraduate Catalog under the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering entry. Transfer Students Engineering has established transfer pathways with nearly two dozen partner institutions enabling students to seamlessly transfer into any of our degree programs.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year entry term: Fall 2027 (applications open August 1). Transfer entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer.

UK is test-optional for admission and scholarships through the 2028-29 academic year; most freshman applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

First-year applicants for Fall 2027: Early Action deadline December 1 (recommended for Lewis Honors College and competitive and academic scholarships); Regular Decision deadline February 15. Application fee is $50 for domestic and $60 for international applicants. Apply with the UK application or the Common App.

Transfer applicants: application deadlines are August 1 for Fall (scholarship deadline June 15), November 15 for Spring and April 15 for Summer. The application fee is $50, waived for applications fully submitted on listed Transfer Tuesday dates.

Graduate applicants apply online through The Graduate School application system; deadlines and supplemental materials are set by each programme page. Minimum undergraduate GPA 2.75, minimum graduate GPA 3.0, and 2.5 for graduate certificate applicants (programmes may require more).

Apply through the official page: https://academics.uky.edu/apply

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