PCDR
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Biological Engineering Co-op Information for Employers

Adding Value to Your Team

Biological Engineering students at the University of Guelph combine their knowledge of life sciences with engineering principles to design and control biological processes and systems. They work independently and in multi-disciplinary teams, with the aim of enriching our lives and maintaining a sustainable environment. Students learn the foundations and build on the skills necessary to positively impact industrial process design and quality control in the agriculture, environmental, food and pharmaceutical sectors.

University of Guelph Advantage

Guelph’s cutting-edge Biological Engineering program focuses on core engineering skills along with fundamentals in bioreactor design, biomaterial science, biosystems analysis, instrumentation and digital control. Students have the option to specialize their degree through elective courses in the areas of biopressing, biological, and environmental waste management, human factors and food engineering.

In addition to core engineering analysis and design, students can elect to tailor their education through courses focusing on:

  • Processing biological materials
  • Unit operation, analysis and design
  • Bio-instrumentation design
  • Computer applications
  • Interfacing hardware
  • Software for data acquisition, modeling and control

Biomechanics Co-op students are available for 4 or 8 month work terms.

Student Strengths

 Collaboration

Participation in design groups to develop effective problem solving, communication and teamwork skills.

 Knowledge

Fundamental knowledge of engineering concepts, as well as physical, mathematical and biological sciences.

 Application

Strong wet and dry laboratory techniques and computing skills.

 Understanding

Strong independent research skills developed through the design process, management and financial feasibility analysis.

Biological Engineering Work Term Schedule

YEAR
 

FALL

 

WINTER

 

SUMMER

ONEAcademicAcademicOff
TWOAcademicAcademicWork
THREEAcademicWorkWork
FOURAcademicAcademicWork
FIVEWorkAcademic 

Biological Engineering Course Sequencing

Please see the current undergraduate calendar for more information.

Fall

  • General Chemistry I
  • Engineering and Design I
  • Calculus I
  • Engineering Analysis
  • Physics With Applications

Winter

  • Introduction To Programming
  • General Chemistry II
  • Calculus II
  • Engineering Mechanics I
  • Introductory Electricity And Magnetism

Fall

  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Introduction to Biological Engineering 
  • Engineering Systems Analysis
  • Applied Differential Equations
  • Introduction to Co-operative Education
  • Probability and Statistics For Engineers
  • Introduction To Molecular and Cellular Biology

Winter

  • Introduction to Biochemistry
  • Material Science
  • Electric Circuits
  • Introduction to Microbiology
  • Numerical Methods
  • Engineering and Design II

Summer

Work Term One

Fall

  • Heat and Mass Transfer in Biological and Bioenvironmental Systems
  • Science and Technology in A Global Context
  • Thermodynamics
  • Electronic Devices
  • Introduction to Bioprocess Engineering
  • 1 Area of Emphasis or Restricted Elective course

Winter

Work Term Two

Summer

Work Term Three

Fall

  • Unit Operations
  • Engineering Economics
  • 3 Area of Emphasis or Restricted Electives courses 

Winter

  • Engineering and Design III
  • Process Control
  • Biomaterials
  • 2 Area of Emphasis or Restricted Electives courses 

Summer

Work Term Four

Fall

Work Term Five

Winter

  • Biological Engineering Design IV
  • 2 Area of Emphasis or Restricted Electives courses
  • Bioreactor Design 

See Undergraduate Calendar for list of Restricted Electives.