Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College · Courses
BE
32 courses with the subject BE, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
BE 100Growing Your Future--First-Year Seminar1
This first-year seminar introduces students to the university in general and to the breadth of the Biological Engineering (BE) and Agricultural and Biorenewable Systems Management (ABSM) programs. Students participate in hands-on lab activities in the program focus areas, including food processing, bioproducts, machinery, agricultural systems, and natural resources. Through these lab activities and a group project, students learn how the profession is critical to providing a growing world population with food, fiber, fuel, and water under increasing environmental constraints. In addition to being introduced to Penn State as an academic community, students also become familiar with the resources, tools, and opportunities available to them. Through lab activities and in-class discussions on research, internship, and international opportunities, students meet and establish relationships with faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students affiliated with the BE and ABSM programs. Cross-listed with: ABSM 100
BE 301Mathematical Modeling of Biological and Physical Systems3
The ability to quantify relationships into mathematical models, and implement the models into the computer to find solutions, is essential for engineering analysis and design. This course provides the student with tools for modeling biological and physical systems. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: identify a process/ system and represent that process/system mathematically; solve the mathematically-represented system using computer-based modeling tools, such as Excel and MATLAB; describe the emphasis areas offered in the Biological Engineering major; and be able to develop a systems model related to each area. The course includes engineering economics, matrix operations, curve fitting, numerical integration and differentiation, linear
BE 302Heat and Mass Transfer in Biological Systems4
This course applies the principles of heat and mass transfer to natural and engineered biological systems, ranging from soil/water ecosystems to animal, plant, and microbial production systems. Heat transfer mechanisms (conduction, convection, and radiation) are covered, as well as analysis techniques for steady state and transient cases. Mass transfer mechanisms (diffusion, dispersion, and convection) are also covered followed by simultaneous heat and mass transfer, including psychrometrics, ventilation, and drying. Applications of heat and mass transfer to agricultural and biological engineering are interwoven throughout the course. These applications may include heat exchangers for hydraulic systems, flow through porous media, soil freezing and thawing, bioreactor design, post-harvest product storage, animal housing, and greenhouses. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BE 301 and [MATH 251 or (MATH 250 and MATH 252)] and (ME 300 or ME 201 or CHE 220 or EMCH 302H) Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: CE 360 or ME 320
The objective of this course is to provide the student with the essential skills necessary to engage in practical agricultural structure analysis and design. Topics include a review of shear, moment and deflection concepts; loading in agricultural structures including earth loads, grain loads and livestock loads; methods for the analysis of determinate and indeterminate beams, trusses and frames; the material properties of wood including impact of species, grain orientation, degree of hydration, etc., on member adequacy. The nano and molecular structure of wood is also discussed and how it impacts material properties. The course is focused on the practical application of basic engineering principles with examples. The course contains a design analysis project where a student team analyzes an industrially designed structure (typically a post-frame building containing a truss roof system), which has been designed for a specific area. The team then redesigns the structure for a different location with different snow and wind loadings as well as intended usage, and optimizes the structure for efficient design of the structural members. The design and analysis may be completed using a common industrial software package. The course will serve as a prerequisite for senior-level structural design courses. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: EMCH 210 or EMCH 213
BE 305Agricultural Measurements and Control Systems3
Principles of measurements, instruments, controls, and data acquisition systems, with emphasis on agricultural applications. B E 305 Agricultural Measurements and Control Systems (3)Engineers and scientists are routinely required to measure or control parameters of physical systems. Frequently, these parameters are quantified electronically. This course prepares the student to solve fundamental engineering instrumentation and control problems with emphasis on agricultural and biological systems. Upon completion of this course, the student will be Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 3717 able to: select and apply electronic devices to solve basic engineering measurement and control problems; apply interference (noise) reduction techniques using sound engineering principles; demonstrate correct use of common electronic measurement tools including multimeters, oscilloscopes and others; demonstrate electrical construction techniques including cable preparation, soldering, crimping, circuit board fabrication, and others; explain simple measurement and control circuits represented by schematics or ladder diagrams; demonstrate the application of dataloggers, microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers, and computer software to collect data and/or control basic processes; explain the function of common circuit components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, op-amps, and transformers in simple circuits. Students are evaluated on homework and lab worksheets, quizzes, an oral presentation, and a final project. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: PHYS 212
BE 306Machine Design for Agricultural and Biological Engineering3
This course is designed to provide a broad foundation for understanding machine design for engineering students who are interested in machine systems. In addition, this course serves as a foundation for those wishing to develop a more focused understanding of agricultural and general machine systems and is a prerequisite for ABSM and BE 400 level courses. Machine systems are an integral part of many agricultural operations from field production to post-harvest processing, storage, transportation, and bio-based processing. Biomass feedstock logistics and bioenergy production systems are heavily relying on machine systems. Agricultural engineers will likely encounter a wide range of powered and automated equipment in their careers. This course consists of lectures, labs, and open-ended mechanical design projects. Lab activities focus on testing and evaluating of machine performance using machine components, prototype machines and instruments. Lab activities and design projects will be completed in the format of small groups. This course equips the students with skills to: (1) describe operating characteristics of engines and electric motors and properly select models for different applications; (2) design machine elements and mechanical power transmission systems to accomplish a machine task; (3) apply basic physics and engineering principles in a variety of machine- product interaction situations: and (4) practice technical report writing and oral presentation. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: EMCH 212 and (EMCH 210 or EMCH 213)
BE 307 focuses on utilization and engineering of soil-water resources, including rainfall-runoff, soil-water movement, erosion/sediment transport and flow processes. For each topic, the significance, underlying principles and equations will be covered, along with further exploration in a practical and experiential mode with class participants sharing in problem formulation, team problem solving, discussions, lab activities, and explanations/presentations. Students will be exposed to map use, representative soil profiles, cropping-management systems, and watershed-scale settings. Lab activities will sequentially build from one lab period to the next, showing how each stage of soil and water engineering is used to develop a more complete watershed- type project. As appropriate, field trips will be scheduled so as to show course participants the practical settings in which basic soil and
BE 308Engineering Elements of Biochemistry and Microbiology3
Introduction to basic biochemistry and microbiology as well as industrial and environmental applications. B E 308 Engineering Elements of Biochemistry and Microbiology (3) B E 308 provides an introduction to microbiology, biochemistry, and major organic compounds found in living systems such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and vitamins, as a package to engineering students. Energy calculations in microbial bioenergetics will be covered. Examples of industrial and environmental applications that build on the basic principles will be presented. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: CHEM 110
/Maximum of 3 Quarter Scale Tractor Design Project is intended for students in science, engineering, and technology majors who have an interest in product development. Students will collaborate in an interdisciplinary team to design, fabricate, test and/or simulate a quarter scale tractor. Economic and market analysis, fund raising will also be included in the project activities. The class project is designed around the Quarter Scale Tractor international competition organized annually by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Technical contents in this course include machine design and fabrication, lab and field test, economic and market analysis, where the power transmission system is the focus. Team activities also include fund raising, sponsor relations, team and project management, and technical report writing. This course will cover all the aspects of product development including mechanical design and test, manufacturing, electrical and electronic control systems, 3D drawing and simulation, machinery safety, economic analysis, project management, and marketing strategies, etc. The project team will be the whole or part of a student club, which comprised of a captain, secretary, treasurer, and all members. Students taking this course will be managed by this club management team and its faculty advisors. This is a hands- on intensive course with a goal of building a quarter scale tractor to compete with other teams in the competition. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: Third semester standing
BE 391Communication Skills for BE and ABSM Students2
This course is one part of a two-semester experience in discipline-specific communication and leadership skills training. A key facet of this training is contextual approach. To meet the needs of BE and ABSM students, the course emphasizes communication skills that are critical for their professional development, appreciating the technical content of students' work and the industries within which the students will ultimately work. The primary focus for this course is communication skills (oral and written) with a secondary focus on leadership and career skills. Students will be evaluated through various methods, such as writing and speaking projects, professional presentations, written homework and worksheets in class and out, creation of portfolios and reports, and in- class group and individual exercises. This course provides a foundation in General Education, Writing and Speaking (GWS) for students in the Biological Engineering (BE) and Agricultural and Biorenewable Systems Management (ABSM) majors. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: Fifth semester standing or higher Cross-listed with: ABSM 391 General Education: Writing/Speaking (GWS) GenEd Learning Objective: Effective Communication GenEd Learning Objective: Crit and Analytical Think GenEd Learning Objective: Key Literacies
BE 404Engineering Properties of Food and Biological Materials3
Engineering properties play a crucial role during the analysis, design, and synthesis phases of problem solving. The accurate knowledge of properties is essential to the precise determination of the overall system and component responses. Due to the time-dependent and environmentally-sensitive nature of properties of the agricultural, food, and biological materials, the theory and measurement systems are different from those used for conventional engineering materials and their systems. Therefore, the focus of this course is to provide the students with sound bases of the theory and measurement methods that are used to quantify physical, mechanical, thermal, biological, and chemical properties of products and their systems. In addition, the significance and importance of the inherent variation in the property values of agricultural, food, and biological materials is emphasized. Enforced prerequisites at Enrollment: BE 301 and (EMCH 210 or EMCH 213) Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: (CE 360 or ME 320) and (MATH 251 or MATH 252) and (3 credits in STAT or IE 424)
BE 460W is part one of a two course sequence that provides a culminating design experience for students in the Biological Engineering major. Students will develop skills and techniques for managing and executing engineering design projects in the following fields: agricultural engineering, food and biological processing engineering, and/or natural resource engineering. Projects are sponsored by faculty, industry, or community initiatives and are structured to span two semesters. In the Fall semester, the emphasis is on classroom lectures, preliminary analyses, and project proposal development. In the Spring semester, the emphasis is on hands-on laboratory activities, project execution, and report preparation. Project teams perform all facets of the design process. This includes problem identification, planning of the project, formulation of design specifications, development and evaluation of alternative conceptual designs, development of detailed designs, consideration of safety and design optimization, design implementation, design testing, and analysis and documentation of results. Students improve their writing skills through preparation and refinement of various documents including a design notebook, proposal, statement of work, design specification report, status reports, and a final report. Students also present their results in other formats, including poster and oral presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: (BE 391 or BRS 391 or ENGL 202C) and (11 or more credits of BE) and (Seventh Semester standing or higher) Writing Across the Curriculum
This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for understanding hydraulic and pneumatic systems for power transmission and motion control, including hydrostatic transmissions and electro-hydraulic systems. Applications include mobile and stationary equipment in agricultural production and processing systems. Biological Engineers (and other engineers as well) will likely encounter a wide range of powered and automated equipment in their careers. This course equips the students to: (1) understand the key operating characteristics of most fluid power system components including compressors, pumps, valves, cylinders, and motors, (2) design fluid power circuits, (3) mathematically model the steady state operation of fluid power systems, and (4) have sufficient knowledge to obtain the Hydraulic Specialist Certification offered by the Fluid Power Society. The course includes a hands-on laboratory offering the chance for students to construct circuits, see component cutaways, experience component and system performance demonstrations, and work with electronic control of hydraulic systems. Prerequisite knowledge includes fluid mechanics and familiarity with mechanical power transmission systems. Students may be evaluated based on homework assignments, laboratory reports, a design project, and exams. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: (BE 306 or ME 360) and (CE 360 or ME 320)
BE 462 covers structural properties of wood, design of wood structural elements, design of wood structural systems, and design of post-frame Undergraduate - The Pennsylvania State University 2026-2027 3719 buildings. The course begins by defining the structural loads applicable to wood framed building systems. Them, students are introduced to the unique physical and structural characteristics of solid lumber and other wood products, such as plywood and other panel products and structural composite lumber, including laminated veneer lumber, parallel strand lumber and composite wood I-joists. The engineering principles and specifications for designing wood structural members, including tension members, beams, columns, and beam-columns are presented in detail using the National Design Specification for Wood Design. Design specifications for designing wood structural connections using dowels, such as nails, bolts and lag-screws, are presented. Design procedures for designing selected wood-frame systems, such as floors, trusses, structural diaphragms and shear walls, are also presented. Students are introduced to a computer program which is an invaluable aid for analyzing and designing wood framed structural systems. At the conclusion of the course students will be able to specify structural loads for wood framing systems and analyze and design wood beams, columns, beam-columns, typical wood diaphragms and shear walls, simple wood structural systems, and a range of wood structural connections. The course builds on engineering students' prior knowledge from strength of materials and elementary structural analysis. Students may be evaluated based on homework assignments, exams and a semester project. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BE 303 or AE 308 or CE 340
BE 463Design Principles of Mechatronics for Biosystems3
This course applies the basics of mechatronic systems such as controller, sensor, and actuator theory to agricultural and biological systems. Applications in agricultural and biological systems will be covered throughout the semester such as developing mini-scale peach tree detector, apple harvester, animal body temperature sensing unit, nursery plant identifier, light sensor application for apple maturity evaluation, or similar topics. Students will gain hands-on experience with agricultural robotics and micro-controller programming through design and implementation of an embedded system based on microcontroller. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BE 305 or EE 210 or EE 211 or EE 212
In the coming decades biomass will play an increasing role in satisfying society's energy and material needs, providing a renewable alternative to fossil fuels. This course will cover the fundamental theories and applied technologies used in production and conversion of biomass into transportation fuels, heat, power, electricity, chemicals and other value-added products. Production strategies focus on sustainable cropping systems, harvest, storage, and pretreatment for diverse biomass feedstocks. Conversion technologies covered include ethanol fermentation, biodiesel catalysis, combustion, pyrolysis, gasification, anaerobic digestion, and emerging processes. System analysis will address worker safety and health, environmental impacts, policy, and economics. The course is recommended for students in engineering and science majors with a background in thermodynamics, chemistry, and biochemistry or microbiology. Evaluation may be based on class participation, homework, quizzes, exams, and a team design project. Students may take only one course from BE 464 and ABE 884 for credit.
Engineering principles of fluid flow, thermal processes and other topics will be applied to the design of systems for the food and biological process industry. Due to the focus on unit operations and material and energy balances, the examples used will be applicable to bioreactor production, food processing, pharmaceutical manufacture, etc. At the end of this course, students will be able to do the following: use and convert units and dimensions applicable to food processing; apply laws of conservation of mass and energy to unit operations; evaluate time and temperature profiles for food pasteurization and sterilization; design an aseptic processing system; describe operation of mechanical refrigeration systems; calculate freezing times; design a continuous air blast freezing system; compute the energy requirements in single and multiple effect evaporators; and use the psychrometric chart in relation t drying processes. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BE 302
BE 466 is part two of a two course sequence that provides a culminating design experience for students in the Biological Engineering major. Students will develop skills and techniques for managing and executing engineering design projects in the following fields: agricultural engineering, food and biological processing engineering, and/or natural resource engineering. Projects are sponsored by faculty, industry, or community initiatives and are structured to span two semesters. In the Fall semester, the emphasis is on classroom lectures, preliminary analyses, and project proposal development. In the Spring semester, the emphasis is on hands-on laboratory activities, project execution, and report preparation. Project teams perform all facets of the design process. This includes problem identification, planning of the project, formulation of design specifications, development and evaluation of alternative conceptual designs, development of detailed designs, consideration of safety and design optimization, design implementation, design testing, and analysis and documentation of results. Students improve their writing skills through preparation and refinement of various documents including a design notebook, proposal, statement of work, design specification report, status reports, and a final report. Students also present their results in other formats, including poster and oral presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BE 460W Writing Across the Curriculum
BE 467Design of Stormwater and Erosion Control Facilities3
This course equips students with the ability to design sediment and stormwater impoundments and erosion control structures used in agriculture and the development of the agricultural-urban interface. Predictive hydrology is presented along with an introduction to a hydrology-based model used in the land-development industry. Basins are presented as fundamental structures used to attenuate stormwater peaks as well as holding ponds to facilitate gravitational sediment removal from stormwater runoff. Various sediment traps are also included. Flood routing is developed so students understand and can design for flood peak attenuation. Low Impact Development (LID) practices such as green roofs, bioretention areas and vegetated filter strips are presented as infiltration-based alternatives to traditional stormwater management. Open channel design procedures including maximum permissible velocity and tractive force are reviewed. The course includes two design projects. Students are assigned a land parcel and the proposed development. Students are expected to develop an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan and a Post-Construction Stormwater Management Plan. Both projects are expected to be developed in compliance with state regulatory standards and to include LID practices as appropriate. In addition to the design projects, students may be evaluated on lab reports, in-class activities, and a mid-term exam. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BE 307 or CE 461
o Microbiological engineering is the application of basic engineering principles and designs in biochemical and biological processes. The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of conversions of raw agricultural materials into value-added products via microbial fermentation. This course presents all steps in this type of bioprocessing such as mutagenesis, genetic modification for microbial manipulation, enzyme and microbial kinetics, aeration, agitation for bioreactor design, and scale-up strategies, as well as various recovery methods for downstream processing. Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: BE 308 or (MICRB 201 and BMB 211) Enforced Concurrent at Enrollment: BE 302
BIO/ENV Selection 3 General Education Course † General Education Course 1.5 General Education Course (GHW) † (GHW) † 15.5 Total Credits 129 * Course requires a grade of C or better for the major ‡ Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education # Course is an Entrance to Major requirement † Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement MATH 250 followed by MATH 252 is an alternate option in place of MATH 251 University Requirements and General Education Notes: Credits US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures). 3 W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum 4 requirement. General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge 3 Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number 15 used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
BE 487Simulation Modeling for Water Resources Management3
This course will provide hands-on experience of several commonly available simulation models for natural resources engineers for investigating water resources related issues. The models will serve as a base from which students can investigate the effects of different management design scenarios on watershed system responses. The course introduces general modeling concepts of data processing, model development, model calibration/validation and uncertainty analysis.
/Maximum of 6 Independent study directed by a faculty supervisor that culminates in the production of a Biological Engineering honors thesis Enforced Prerequisite At Enrollment: 5th semester standing or higher in Schreyer Honors College and permission of BE honors advisor
/Maximum of 18 Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
