Bachelor of Science in Biological Systems Engineering

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for ENGINEERING

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement

• Students who complete the prescribed curriculum and meet the criteria below are guaranteed admission into Virginia Tech and directly into the Biological Systems Engineering Major:

• Earn a transfer associate degree AS in Engineering (or AS/AA&S in Science with Specialization in Engineering)

• Earn a minimum of 3.2 GPA for the associate degree.

• Applicants for this major can be guaranteed for the Spring, Summer, or Fall entry terms.

• Complete all steps of the formal admissions application process by the appropriate deadlines for the intended term of entry. Most applicants pursuing guaranteed admission will apply as they are finishing their associate degree.

Important Links & Dates

• Transfer Initiatives Office: https://advising.vt.edu/transfer-student-advising.html

• Admission Application: Find full application instructions and applicable deadlines at: https://vt.edu/admissions/transfer/checklist.html

• Financial Aid: https://www.finaid.vt.edu

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: March 1 for fall semester at https://studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at https://www.TransferVirginia.org

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Tech within your first year. College Connect available in your account of https://www.TransferVirginia.org

• Students entering VT in the fall semester following this plan will have the next spring or fall semester open for a co-op. Students will need to take one of those semesters off due to sequencing of our courses. If students enter VT in the spring following this plan, they will not have a co-op semester but will complete the requirements in 2.5 years.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• The Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Systems Engineering is accredited by ABET.

• Students can choose between two Fundamental Electives sequences: Watershed Science & Environmental Health or Biotechnology, Food Engineering, & Health Professions

• The Department of Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) was established under the original name Agricultural Engineering in 1920 to provide support for the food and fiber industry.

• Students are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research with faculty at Virginia Tech

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: The completion of an Associate Degree results in all lower-division general education requirements being met when you transfer to Virginia Tech.

• Credit for Prior Learning: AP, IB, and CLEP are evaluated for credits https://www.registrar.vt.edu/Advanced-Standing-Transferable-Credit.html

• Catalog Year: Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at Virginia Tech.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The completion of an Associate Degree concurrent with high school results in up to half the required credits (129) towards a BSE degree, with all general education courses satisfied. Students will be enrolled as a freshman for orientation and engagement purposes.

Is This College Right For Me?

• Virginia Tech's College of Engineering undergraduate programs are ranked 13th in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report

• Located in rural area, with 2600-acre campus, 37,000 on and off campus students, and a 14:1 student-faculty ratio

• Transfer students have both on-campus and off-campus housing options, including a living community on campus just for transfer students (all majors). https://llp.vt.edu/llc/transfer.html

• Virginia Tech is a diverse campus with students from over 40 states and 115 countries.

• Students can attend full-time or part-time.

• Classes are most typically offered Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm. Learn more about our university at https://vt.edu/about/facts-about-virginia-tech.html

Did You Know That…

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at Virginia Tech

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• The BSE program is designed to graduate engineers who apply engineering principles to biological systems in fields/professions such as biotechnology, watershed science, environmental health, and food engineering.

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at https://www.TransferVirginia.org and https://eng.vt.edu/academics/undergraduate-students/explore-engineering....

Program Successes & Highlights

• Virginia Tech's BSE program is ranked #10 in the US for Bachelor's degrees in Biological/Agricultural Engineering by US News World and Report

• The median starting salary of 22/23 BAE graduates was $65,000 (with a median bonus of $2,500)

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• Each year around 400-450 VCCS transfer students apply for admission to a program in the Virginia Tech College of Engineering. Between 60-70% are typically offered admission. The average GPA of transfer students enrolling is 3.5.

• Learn more about applying at https://vt.edu/admissions/transfer.html

Do More With Your Degree!

• Students may complete an accelerated Master's degree in one additional year of enrollment