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What They Do

Insider Info

Biosystems engineers design, analyze and create processes that improve the safety, appeal and cost of food products. They're sometimes called agricultural engineers.

They're also involved in creating new products from plants and animals that are used for food, medicine or as environmental resources. So, that means biosystems engineers design equipment used to produce all sorts of products such as pharmaceuticals, food for humans and food for animals. They are even involved in medical research.

Biosystems engineers are also concerned with our water supply. They analyze and devise systems to monitor its quality. These engineers are also involved in enhancing productivity through various means such as controlling greenhouse environments.

Environmental concerns such as creating biodegradable products and packages and working on better waste management can also be a part of a biosystems engineer's job.

Biosystems engineers can work for the government, in the private sector or in universities. Because the work is so diverse, some may be working for food processing companies while others may be working in water research labs.

Biosystems engineers tend to work regular 9-to-5 office hours. However, research deadlines can mean overtime work. "We can work all night sometimes just to get something finished," says Joan Wu. Wu is a biosystems engineer at Washington State University.

Physical requirements aren't too strenuous for biosystems engineers. However, in some disciplines, fieldwork is necessary.

At a Glance

Improve the safety of our food and water

  • You could work for food processing companies or in water research labs
  • Fieldwork may be necessary
  • You'll need a degree in biosystems engineering