Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAEG)
Lalit R. Verma
Department Head
203 Engineering Hall
479-575-2351
E-mail: baeg@engr.uark.edu
Web: http://www.beng.uark.edu/
• Professors Gardisser, Griffis, Li, Loewer, VanDevender, Verma
• Associate Professors Carrier, Chaubey, Costello, Huitink, Matlock, Tacker
• Assistant Professors Bajwa, Kavdia, Kim, Osborn, Ye
• Adjunct Professors Ang, Clausen, Deaton, Ingles, Malshe
• Adjunct Associate Professors Beitle, Yang
• Adjunct Assistant Professors Haggard, Howell, Shafirstein, Wimberly
Degrees Conferred:
M.S.B.E. (BENG) in Biological Engineering
M.S.B.M.E. (BENG) in Biomedical Engineering
M.S.En.E. (ENEG) in Environmental Engineering, in collaboration
with Civil Engineering (See Environmental Engineering)
M.S.E. (BENG) in Engineering (See Engineering)
Ph.D. (BENG) in Engineering (See Engineering)
Primary Areas of Faculty Research: Biomedical engineering (bioimaging, modeling, genetic/molecular engineering, computational bioengineering, biodetection, bioharzard and risk assessment, bioremediation, nano-biotechnology); bioresource engineering (precision agriculture, remote sensing, GPS and GIS, sensors and control, renewable energy); ecological engineering (watershed management, water quality remediation, natural resource management, animal housing and waste management); food and bioprocess engineering (monitoring and control, biosensors, biological safety and security, nutraceuticals, biotechnology).
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree: (Minimum 30 hours) In addition to the requirements of the
1. Candidates are required to complete not less than 24 semester hours of course work acceptable to the committee and a minimum of six semester hours of thesis.
2. The minimum acceptable grade on a graduate course is “C.”
3. Prior to acceptance into the program a candidate must, in consultation with the department head, identify a professor who is willing to serve as the major professor. During the first semester, the candidate must, in consultation with the major professor and department head, select a graduate committee. The candidate will, in consultation with the committee, prepare a written graduate program of study that will achieve the candidate’s objectives.
4. Candidates must prepare a paper suitable for submission to a refereed journal from research done for a thesis or BENG 500V.
(BENG) BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
BENG4103H Honors Instrumentation in Biological Engineering (Sp) Theory and advanced applications of analog circuits, digital circuits, and commercial instruments involving biological materials. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: BENG 2103 (or ELEG 2103 or ELEG 3903). (Same as BAEG 4103,BENG 4103)
BENG4103 Instrumentation in Biological Engineering (Sp) Theory and advanced applications of analog circuits, digital circuits, and commercial instruments involving biological materials. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: BENG 2103 or ELEG 2103. (Same as BAEG 4103,BENG 4103H)
BENG4113 Risk Analysis for Biological Systems (Odd years, Fa) Principles of risk assessment including exposure assessment and dose response, and risk management. Methods of risk analysis modeling and simulation with computer software. Applications of risk analysis in animal, food and environmental systems. Prerequisite: MATH 2564 and BIOL 2013.
BENG4123 Biosensors & Bioinstrumentation (Odd years, Sp) Principles of biologically based sensing elements and interfacing techniques. Design and analysis methods of biosensing and transducing components in bioinstrumentation. Applications of biosensors and bioinstrumentation in in bioprocessing, bioenvironmental, biomechanical and biomedical engineering. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: BIOL 2013 and BENG 4103.
BENG4203 Biomedical Engineering Principles (Fa) Engineering principles applied to the design and analysis of systems affecting human health. This is an introductory course focusing on fundamentals of physiological systems and modeling and how this relates to analysis and equipment design. Topics include: brief overview of anatomy and physiology; biomedical sensors, instrumentation and signal processing; physiological modeling, biomechanics, and fluid mechanics. Lecture 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: MEEG 2013, (MEEG 2403 or CHEG 2313), ELEG 2103, (MEEG 3503 or CVEG 3213 or CHEG 2133), MEEG 3013, BIOL 1543 or equivalents
BENG4213 Applications of Biomedical Engineering (Sp) Continuation of BENG 4203. Biomedical engineering fundamentals applied to biomedical engineering problems. Topics include: biomaterials, tissue engineering, biotechnology, radiation imaging, ultrasound, NMR, MRI, biomedical optics and lasers, rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology, and clinical engineering. Lecture 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: BENG 4203
BENG452V Special Topics in Biological Engineering (Irregular) (1-6) Special topics in biological engineering not covered in other courses. May be repeated.
BENG4623 Biological Reactor Systems Design (Even years, Fa) Extension of principles of microbial growth kinetics and transport phenomena to the design of biological reactor systems used in biological engineering. Reactor systems using specialty microbial biomass (activated sludge) for substrate utilization as well as biomass and product formation. Application areas such as bio-remediation, bioprocessing and organic (food/animal) waste treatment. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: BENG 3733.
BENG4703 Food & Bioprocess Engineering (Even years, Sp) Basic engineering principles involved in the design of systems for handling, conditioning, and storage of agricultural materials. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: BENG 3723 or CHEG 3143 or MEEG 4413.
BENG4803 Precision Agriculture (Odd years, Fa) Introduction to precision agriculture, benefits, spatial variability within a field, zone concept, site-specific management. Spatial data collection: sensors, GPS, yield monitoring, remote sensing. Knowledge discovery from data: data processing, neural networks, genetic algorithms, use of GIS. Decision support systems. Variable-rate technology: real-time and map-based systems, variable-rate machinery, smart controls. Evaluation: Yield mapping, economic analysis. Students are expected to have basic computer skills and statistics knowledge. Prerequisite: MATH 1213 and junior standing.
BENG4813 Senior Biological Engineering Design I (Fa) Design concepts for equipment and processes used in biological, food and agricultural industries. Initiation of comprehensive two-semester team-design projects; defining design objectives, developing functional/mechanical criteria, standards, reliability, safety, ethics and professionalism issues. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
BENG4822 Senior Biological Engineering Design II (Sp) Continuation of BENG 4813. Design concepts for equipment and processes used in biological and agricultural industries. Completion of 2-semester team design projects. Construction, testing, and evaluation of prototypes. Written and oral design reports. Discussion of manufacturing methods, safety, ergonomics, analysis/synthesis/design methods as appropriate for particular design projects. Laboratory/design 4 hours per week. Prerequisite: BENG 4813.
BENG4913 Design of Animal Waste Management Systems (Even years, Sp) Engineering principles for the design of systems for the biological treatment and utilization of organic by-products from animals and food processing. Design of best management practices to protect bio-environmental resources by minimizing nonpoint pollution (off-site movement of sediment, nutrients, ammonia gas and other constituents) and by minimizing nuisance odors associated with land applied organic residues. Emphasis on economic utilization of beneficial components of typical wastes using environmentally acceptable processes. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: BENG 2622.
BENG4923
BENG500V Advanced Topics in Biological Engineering (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6) Special problems in fundamental and applied research. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
BENG5103 Advanced Instrumentation in Biological Engineering (Even years, Sp) Applications of advanced instrumentation in biological systems. Emphasis on updated sensing and transducing technologies, data acquisition and analytical instruments. Prerequisite: BENG 4103.
BENG5113 Agricultural Remote Sensing and GIS (Even years, Fa) Introduction to passive and active remote sensing, remote sensing systems, optical radiation models, sensor models, data models, spectral transforms, spatial transforms, correction and calibration, geo-rectification, classification, vegetative indices. Introductin to GIS, spatial interpolation, spatial modeling. Applications in agriculture, variable rate technology, hydrologic modeling, yield monitoring, crop modeling. Prerequisite: GEOL 4413.
BENG5123 Imaging and Rapid Analysis of Biological and Agricultural Materials (Odd years, Fa) Techniques of imaging and non-invasive analyses of biological and agricultural materials. Covering spectral sensing (x-ray, UV, VS, IR), optics, image processing, recognition, on-line monitoring and vision-based controls. Applications to automated food/fruit inspections, defect/contaminant detection, and characterization of food non-food materials in real-time on processing lines. Prerequisite: BENG 4103.
BENG5203 Mathematical Modeling of Physiological Systems (Sp) Application of mathematical techniques to physiological systems. The emphasis will be on cellular physiology and cardiovascular system. Cellular physiology topics include models of cellular metabolism, membrane dynamics, membrane potential, excitability, wave propagation and cellular function regulation. Cardiovascular system topics include models of blood cells, oxygen transport, cardiac output, cardiac regulation, and circulation. Background in biology and physiology highly recommended. Lecture 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: MATH 3404.
BENG5213 Introduction to Bioinformatics (Odd years, Sp) Application of algorithmic techniques to the analysis and solution of biological problems. Topics include an introduction to molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology, biological sequence comparison, and phylogenetics, as well as topics of current interest.
BENG5223 Biomedical Engineering Research Internship (Sp, Su, Fa) Minimum six-week program (possibly up to several months) in a medical research environment working on an original engineering research project. Possible specialty areas include Anaesthesiology, Cardiology, Informatics, Opthalmology, Orthopedic Surgery, and Radiology. Prerequisite: graduate standing and approval of co-ordinator.
BENG5233 Tissue and Cell Engineering (Fa) This course introduces students to biological, engineering and clinical aspects of tissue and cell engineering. The introduction to stem cells and histology are reinforced with a concomitant lab that introduces cell culture techniques and illustrates functional and structural aspects of various biological tissues. Topics include Cell Signalling, Transport and Kinetics, Scaffolds, Surface Interactions, Drug Delivery, and Clinical, Ethical and Regulatory Considerations.
BENG5243 Biomaterials (Sp) A graduate course on molecular structure-property relationships in biomaterials. Special focus is given to polymers, metals, ceramics, composites, and biodegradable materials. The design of artificial biomaterials for biosensors, drug delivery and medical implants is considered. Host response and biocompatibility factors are introduced. Previous course in materials desirable. Prerequisite: CHEM 1123 and PHYS 2074
BENG5253 Bio-Mems (IR) Topics include the fundamental principles of microfluidics, Navier-Stokes Equation, bio/abio interfacing technology, bio/abio hybrid integration of microfabrication technology, and various biomedical and biological problems that can be addressed with microfabrication technology and the engineering challenges associated with it. Lecture 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: MEEG 3503 or CVEG 3213 or CHEG 2133. (Same as MEEG 5253)
BENG5613 Simulation Modeling of Biological Systems (Even years, Fa) Application of computer modeling and simulation of discrete discrete-event and continuous-time systems to solve biological and agricultural engineering problems. Philosophy and ethics of representing complex processes in simplified form. Deterministic and stochastic modeling of complex systems, algorithm development, application limits, and simulation interpretation. Emphasis on calibration, validation and testing of biological systems models for the purposes of system optimization, resource allocation, real-time control and/or conceptual understanding. Prerequisite: AGST 4023 or STAT 4003 or INEG 4333.
BENG5703 Design and Analysis of Experiments for Engineering Research (Irregular) Principles of planning and design of experiments for engineering research. Propagation of experimental error. Improving precision of experiments. Analysis of experimental data for optimal design and control of engineering systems using computer techniques. Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 3 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: INEG 4333.
BENG5713 Food Product and Process Development (Odd years, Fa) Multidisciplinary approaches for developing new food products and processes, in the context of an industry-sponsored project. Group dynamics and interpersonal skills. Factors that influence product and process development. Analysis and modeling applied to food process design. Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 6 hours per week. Corequisite: Lab component. Prerequisite: BENG 4703.
BENG5723 Food Safety Engineering (Even years, Fa) Principles of engineering methods applied to food and safety and sanitation. Discussion of thermal, chemical, electrical pasteurization or sterilization in food processing. Demonstration of monitoring and detecting techniques for food safety, including image analysis, biosensors and modeling. Lecture 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: BENG 4103 and FDSC 4124 (or equivalent).
BENG5733 Advanced Biological Process Engineering (Odd years, Fa) Applications of the principles of bioprocess/biochemical engineering to microbiological and biomedical problems. Topics include applied enzymology, metabolic engineering, molecular genetics and control, and bioinformatics in addition to classical applied enzyme and cell-growth kinetics and advanced bioreactor design. Prerequisite: BENG 3732 or CHEG 5531.
BENG5801 Graduate Seminar (Fa) Reports presented by graduate students on topics dealing with current research in agricultural engineering. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
BENG5903 Water Quality Modeling and Management (Odd years, Sp) Processes and methodologies associated with surface water quality modeling, investigation of management processes based on modeling results. Process from simple steady-state spreadsheet models (to understand aquatic biosystems modeling) to complex GIS-based dynamic models. Develop calibration and validation statistics for model applications. Students will develop a semester project that integrates their skills and knowledge in parameterizing, calibrating, and validating water quality models for environmental applications. Prerequisite: BENG 5613.
BENG5913 Bioremediation and Biodegradation (Odd years, Sp) Environmentally-relevant biotechnology using organisms to remove or metabolize environmental pollutants through microbial degradation and phytoremediation of recalcitrant compounds. Benefits as well as potential costs of environmental applications of biotechnology will be evaluated.
BENG5923
BENG5933 Environmental and Ecological Risk Assessment (Even years, Sp) Process and methodologies associated with human-environmental and ecological risk assessments. Environmental risk assessments based on human receptors as endpoints, addressing predominantly abiotic processes. Ecological risk assessments based on non-human receptors as endpoints. Approach using hazard definition, effects assessment, risk estimation, and risk management. Application of methods to student projects to gain experience in defining and quantifying uncertainty associated with human perturbation, management and restoration of environmental and ecological processes. Prerequisite: BENG 4113.
BENG600V Master’s Thesis (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.
BENG700V Doctoral Dissertation (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-18) Prerequisite: candidacy.