BS Biological Systems Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Programme overview

Biological systems engineering (BSE), an accredited engineering program in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, applies engineering principles to natural systems and machinery design that impact production of food, water, energy, and more. Uniquely positioned at the intersection of engineering and sustainability with multiple flexible study options to match a wide range of interests, students can follow defined tracks in ecological and environmental engineering, food or bioprocess engineering, machinery systems engineering, or customize their classes using the general option.

Faculty: College of Agricultural & Life Sciences | Department: Biological Systems Engineering | Duration: 120 credits | Study mode: full-time | Location: Madison, WI, United States

What you will study

The degree requires 120 credits in total. Courses listed in the requirements include MATH 234 Calculus--Functions of Several Variables; MATH 319 Techniques in Ordinary Differential Equations; STAT 324 Introduction to Statistics for Science and Engineering; CHEM 109 Advanced General Chemistry (Recommended); BSE 349 Quantitative Techniques for Biological Systems; BIOLOGY/BOTANY/ZOOLOGY 151 Introductory Biology.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applies to College of Agricultural & Life Sciences, not specific to this major: Current UW-Madison Students Entry to this professional program requires students to meet the five admission requirements detailed below. Students are admitted as pre-Biological Systems Engineering until they meet the admission criteria listed below. Admission eligibility must be confirmed by the department. Must complete a minimum of 24 degree credits. Must complete a minimum of 17 graded credits of calculus, statistics, chemistry, statics, and physics courses required for a BSE degree. Must have a math and science grade point average (M&SGPA) of at least 2.65 with a minimum grade of C in every course used to calculate the M&SGPA.

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 terms: Fall (Early Action and Regular Decision) and Spring. Transfer entry terms: Fall (Priority and Regular Decision) and Spring.

First-year Fall Early Action: application deadline November 1, materials deadline November 9, decision on or before January 31. Fall Regular Decision: application deadline January 15, materials deadline January 22, decision on or before March 31. Spring Regular Decision: application deadline October 1, materials deadline October 15, decision on or before December 31. First-year fall and spring applications open August 1. Early Action is non-binding.

Transfer Fall Priority: application deadline February 1, materials deadline February 16, decision on or before March 31. Fall Regular: application deadline March 1, materials deadline March 15, decision on or before April 30. Spring Regular: application deadline October 1, materials deadline October 15, decision on or before December 31. Fall transfer applications open December 1; spring transfer applications open August 1.

Apply via the Common Application or the Universities of Wisconsin Application. The application fee is $80 US and is non-refundable; fee waivers are available for applicants with financial hardship. ACT and SAT scores are optional for students applying for admission through the spring 2028 term (application deadline October 1, 2027).

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