title: Change is necessary in a biological engineering curriculum.
abstract: Success of a Biological Engineering undergraduate educational program can be measured in a number of ways, but however it is measured, a presently successful program can translate into an unsuccessful program if it cannot adjust to different conditions posed by technical advances, student characteristics, and academic pressures. Described in this paper is a Biological Engineering curriculum that has changed significantly since its transformation from Agricultural Engineering in 1993. As a result, student numbers have continued to climb, specific objectives have emerged, and unique courses have been developed. The Biological Resources Engineering program has evolved into a program that emphasizes breadth, fundamentals, communications skills, diversity, and practical engineering judgment.
authors.affiliation: Biological Resources Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Arthur T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Montas
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shirmohammadi
authors.forename: Fredrick W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Wheaton
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum / Q000639:trends*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000639:trends*; D004738:Engineering / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D013663:Teaching / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends