Compare the master's - MSc Biosystems Engineering

The MSc programme Biosystems Engineering is for students with an (agricultural) engineering background on bachelor's level who are interested to pursue an MSc degree in a field where the interaction between technology and biology plays an important role. The programme specifically focuses on the interaction between technology and biology related to agricultural production with one main goal: the development of innovative technology for agro-production on a scientific basis.

Compare the programme in Wageningen

MSc Biotechnology shares the technological approach with different courses in mathematics, process engineering and control technology. The difference is that Biotechnology is mainly focused on technology in relation to cells and molecules and not on production systems like the master's programme of Biosystems Engineering is.

MSc Plant Sciences and Animal Sciences are also related master's programmes, however the focus on the above master's programmes are more into the biological processes within plants or animals, whereas the master's programme of Biosystems Engineering focus more on the technology.

MSc Organic Agriculture shares the focus on (re)designing and innovation of systems in agriculture. However, while Biosystems Engineering focuses more on the technological aspects, Organic Agriculture dives deeper in the societal debate and biology of sustainable food production systems.

Another closely related MSc program is Biobased Sciences. Both study programmes have a multi-/interdisciplinary approach. However, Biosystems Engineering has a broader scope in the agricultural context and focuses more on the technological aspects of it. Biobased Sciences, on the other hand, focuses more on the transition from a fossil based society to a circular economy.

Compare the programme in the Netherlands

Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems & Control and Embedded Systems at the TU Delft, TU Eindhoven and University Twente are master's programmes were technology plays an important role, but in Wageningen you always learn to apply your technical knowledge in interaction with a living organism in a widely varying and complex environment.

Innovation Sciences at the University Utrecht and TU Eindhoven and Technology and Operations Management at the University Groningen are more focused on the innovative process and the various aspects of innovation. By Biosystems Engineering, the focus is more on self-developing innovative solutions. 

Life Sciences and Technology at the TU Delft and University Leiden has the focus more on technology in relation with cells and molecules and not directly with plants, animals and potential humans.

Operations Management & Logistics at TU Eindhoven and Operations Research at Maastricht University have common parts with the specialisations Agro-Logistics and Information Technology of the master's Biosystems Engineering, but do not have the focus on the agriculture sector.

Sustainable Energy Technology at TU Delft, TU Eindhoven and University Twente only focus on the development of technology that can provide sustainable energy. Especially in the specialisations Environmental Engineering and Biobased Technology of the MSc Biosystems Engineering you can also focus on this kind of technology.