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Bachelor of Engineering in Bioresource Engineering – B.Eng.(Bioresource) (Overview)
Bioresource engineering is the unique branch of engineering that includes biological engineering and bioengineering where professional engineering practice intersects with biological sciences. Bioresource engineers design, improve, and manage biology-based systems to operate in efficient and sustainable ways for the well-being of the environment and society.
The Department of Bioresource Engineering collaborates with other departments and the Faculty of Engineering in providing courses of instruction for a curriculum in Bioresource Engineering. Graduates qualify to apply for registration as professional engineers in any province of Canada. The Professional Agrology option qualifies graduates to apply for registration to the Ordre des agronomes du Québec.
There are three optional streams offered within the Bioresource Engineering Major. Via the appropriate choice of elective course sets, a particular area of study may be emphasized. More information about these streams and the suggested course sets for each can be found on the Department website at www.mcgill.ca/bioeng.
Bioresource Engineering
- Bio-Environmental Engineering Stream
- Bio-process Engineering Stream
- Bio-production Engineering Stream
- Professional Agrology Option
Refer to Bachelor of Engineering (Bioresource) – B.Eng.(Bioresource) for a full list of B.Eng.(Bioresource) programs and streams offered.
Students who specialize in the Bio-Environmental Engineering stream will learn to be responsible stewards of the environment and natural resources. This stream includes the study of soil and water quality management and conservation, organic waste treatment, urban and rural ecology, sustainability engineering, biodiversity preservation, climate change adaptation, and many other related topics.
In the Bio-process Engineering stream, students apply engineering to transform agricultural commodities and biomass into products such as food, fibre, fuel, and biochemicals. Topics include the engineering of foods and food processes, physical properties of biological materials, post-harvest technology, fermentation and bio-processing, the management of organic wastes, biotechnology, the design of machinery for bioprocessing, etc.
Students who follow the Bio-production Engineering stream use science and technology to create systems and machines for the production of crops, livestock, and biomass. Students learn about machine design, robotics, artificial intelligence, geomatics and GIS, remote sensing, buildings and structures, and complex systems.
The Professional Agrology option offers a course selection guided to qualify graduates for registration as professional agrologists with the Ordre des agronomes du Québec.
All required and complementary courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C. One term is spent taking courses from the Faculty of Engineering on the McGill downtown campus.
Students also have the opportunity to pursue a minor. Several possibilities are: Agricultural Production, Environment, Ecological Agriculture, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Construction Engineering and Management, Entrepreneurship, and Environmental Engineering. Details of some of these minors can be found under Faculty of Engineering > Undergraduate > Browse Academic Units & Programs > Minor Programs. To complete a minor, it is necessary to spend at least one extra term beyond the normal requirements of the B.Eng.(Bioresource) program.
See Bachelor of Engineering (Bioresource) – B.Eng.(Bioresource) for a list of B.Eng.(Bioresource) programs offered.
