Biosystems Engineering
The MSc in Biosystems Engineering is at the interface of biology and technology with specialisations in automation or environmental technology.
The MSc in Biosystems Engineering will give you either a technical engineering or a biological background.
Students specialising in engineering will at the completion of the study be able to integrate technical knowledge with production and eco-technological progress and to enhance a biological production in a modern society (cand.polyt).
Graduates with the biological background will be able to work as advisors in the technological development of biosystems and eco-technological solutions (cand.scient.techn.).
Common foundation year
The degree is based on the skills you have acquired in your BSc. The two strands (Automation and Environmental technology) have been organised in such a way that the first year is a joint foundation year leading to subsequent specialisations later in the course.
Skills and career opportunities
On completion of the degree students will have acquired skills in automation and environmental technology at the interface of biology and technology. They will be able to research, organise and control development and production and participate in processes relating to the development of automation and environmental technology, or they will be able to advise on new environmental technologies for the development of the best technological, economic and environmental solutions in agriculture.
The degree gives students insight and provides professional qualifications that enable them to undertake jobs primarily within areas such as production, engineering, advisory work, environmental authorities or research.
This degree programme is offered by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in collaboration with the Engineering College of Aarhus and Vitus Bering Denmark and is targeted Bachelor students from academic institutions in Denmark and the rest of the world, who have taken a relevant degree in, for example, engineering.
The course programme leads to an MSc in engineering (cand.polyt) or cand.scient.techn. depending on which background you have. It is both user- and research-oriented and is primarily directed at industry. The course programme gives you the opportunity to specialise in one of two strands:
- Automation
- Environmental technology
The Automation strand is based on a considerable amount of knowledge relating to the treatment and interpretation of sensor data from a biological environment and knowledge of how data can be utilised in the design and production of automation equipment. The strand is problem-solving and produces innovative environments for the agricultural automation equipment market, to the benefit of primary agriculture and export.
The Environmental technology strand focuses on the development of eco-technological solutions in agriculture that ensure the optimal utilisation of nutrients and the continued coexistence of town and country. It focuses on emissions and the measurement of low odour concentrations and how these can be reduced. Holistic solutions are emphasised, and life cycle analysis of energy and nutrient turnover is a core subject. There is the opportunity to specialise in production and utilisation of bioenergy.
Automation modules
|
Module |
ECTS |
Semester |
Obligatory |
|
Agriculture and food production – farm to fork |
10 |
1 |
Automation |
|
Probability theory and statistics |
5 |
1 |
Automation |
|
Data analysis |
5 |
1 |
Automation |
|
System analysis and modelling |
10 |
1 |
Automation |
|
Sensor technology |
5 |
1 |
|
|
Drives and actuators |
5 |
1 |
|
|
Project theme: Sensor and measuring techniques |
10 |
2 |
|
|
Automation in plant production |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Automatic Control |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Project theme: Automation in biological systems |
10 |
3 |
|
|
Automation in animal environment |
5 |
3 |
|
|
Supply chain management |
5 |
3 |
|
|
Optimisation and decision support |
5 |
3 |
|
|
Informatics |
5 |
3 |
|
Environmental technology modules
|
Module |
ECTS |
Semester |
Obligatory |
|
Agricultural chemistry, applied chemistry |
5 |
1 |
|
|
Nutrient Cycling and Environmental Effects |
10 |
1 |
|
|
Measuring Technique for mechanical systems, gases, liquids |
5 |
1 |
|
|
Climate control in livestock housing and greenhouse |
5 |
1 |
|
|
Materials science: the mechanics of solids |
5 |
1 |
|
|
Thermal and fluid dynamics I |
5 |
1 |
|
|
Soil science for engineers |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Emissions and air purification |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Life Cycle Assessment of Foods and Innovative Technologies |
10 |
2 |
|
|
Practical control and instrumentation technology |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Microbiology and fermentation |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Technical chemistry |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Thermal and fluid dynamics II |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Graphical communication |
5 |
2 |
|
|
Mechanical constructions, integrated product development and innovative processes |
10 |
3 |
|
|
Environmental technology to limit emissions from animal manure |
10 |
3 |
|
|
Energy crop produktion |
5 |
3 |
|
|
Biomass conversion to energy and fuel |
10 |
3 |
|
|
Harvest and handling technologies for energy crops and straw |
5 |
3 |
|
|
Biogas technology |
10 |
3 |
|
Course layout
The study plan depends partly on your background and this is assessed and determined for each student. Students with a biological background will generally need to have their technical skills updated and students with a technical background will need some updating in biology. We have made some suggestions to course constructions here.
Language of instruction and teaching methods
You do not need any prior knowledge of the Danish language before you start your studies. At the University of Aarhus the tuition will be in English, unless all the students present speak Danish.
The tuition is undertaken by teachers and scientists from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Aarhus and by teachers from the Engineering College of Aarhus and Vitus Bering Denmark in Horsens. The degree will thus be related to and benefit from the ongoing research and development projects in these places. The educational establishments have some very advanced equipment and laboratories that the degree programme can make use of.
The studies are primarily project-oriented, where the students will solve actual problems in related research projects. The dissertation is carried out either in collaboration with scientists or with commercial entities and will be part of an actual development or research project. This will require creativity and dedication on the part of the students, and it will help them develop a constructive and critical approach towards their own and others’ work and to be able to rationalise their choices.
Entry requirements
The Entry requirement for the course is a BSc in engineering or other discipline as described below.
The automation strand is open to students with a BSc in engineering and machine engineering, machine technology, production, mechanical and integrated design, electronics and data and information technology. Bachelors with a science degree with a suitable content of mathematics, physics, computer science, and information technology or agricultural science will also be accepted subject to an individual assessment.
The environmental technology is open to students with a BSc in engineering and to science and engineering bachelors within machine technology, production, chemistry, chemistry and technology, process technology, environmental technology, and agricultural science.
Applications
Deadline for applications to the Biosystems Engineering degree programme is 1 June 2008.
Application to the MSC in Biosystems Engineering.
Fall semester begins
The degree course commences 25 August 2008.
Further information about the degree programme
If you would like further information about our degree programmes, please apply here.
You are also welcome to contact us:
Chief consultant Gert E. Jørgense
Head of department Morten Dam Rasmussen, telephone: 8999 1509
Chief consultant Gert E. Jørgensen
Head of Research Unit Morten Dam Rasmussen
