Why BBE @ UMN?

Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering is a unique major that has similarities with chemical engineering and environmental engineering, but with some big differences: BBE is focused on using bio-based, renewable materials to improve existing products (like clothing, food, and fuel) and natural ecosystems (like rivers, wetlands, and lakes) in a sustainable way, moving our world away from petroleum and unsustainable engineering practices that harm the environment. This major offers three specializations:

• Bioproducts engineers design and develop engineering solutions for sustainable manufacturing and end-use applications of “green” products, including biofuels, bioenergy, biodegradable plastics, building materials, paper, and chemicals.
• Environmental and ecological engineers focus on engineering applications to land and water resources, air and soil quality, land-use management, ecosystem services, ecological restoration, and waste management.
• Food engineers design and develop systems for production, processing, distributing, and storing food and agricultural materials.

With smaller class sizes, students get to know their professors, providing students with more opportunities in undergraduate research, co-ops, and internships across the country. Over 75 percent of our undergraduates have hands-on engineering experience before graduation.

Closely aligned with employer demand, this accredited program offers excellent career opportunities in industry, government agencies, corporations, and consulting firms. BBE graduates have a 95% job placement rate within one year of graduation.