- an understanding of their profession responsibilities and the importance of high ethical standards.
- knowledge and understanding of the mathematics, sciences, engineering sciences and technologies underpinning Biosystems and Food Engineering.
- the ability to communicate effectively with their professional community.
- the ability to design and conduct an experiment and to apply a range of standard and specialised research tools and techniques.
- the ability to design components, systems or processes for applications in Biosystems and Food Engineering.
- the ability to interpret, apply and use scientific, mathematical, and engineering principles, data and models to evaluate and solve problems.
- the ability to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multi-disciplinary settings, together with the capacity to undertake self-directed lifelong learning.
Internships Available
This course is available through the following application route(s)
***Online Webinar***
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The ME Biosystems and Food Engineering provides graduates from an engineering background with the opportunity to achieve engineering and mathematical competencies in the design and application of biological systems, with a clear focus in:
- food process engineering
- wastewater management
- bioenergy
- sustainability
- circular economy
- biorefinery
- algae
Biosystems Engineers are at the forefront of the search for practical solutions to global problems and this specialisation will lead graduates to a wide variety of employment opportunities with companies focusing on the production and processing of food and other feedstocks, environmental protection, waste recycling, sustainable energy, and green technologies.
Hear what our programme director has to say about this programme
Dr Ronald Halim ME Biosystems and Food Engineering - YouTube
- This programme is delivered by a highly research-intensive School with state-of-the-art infrastructure in sustainability.
- This programme also provides 6-8 months’ professional work experience as an embedded element of the programme.
- This programme is accredited by Engineers Ireland, allowing graduates to gain Chartership status.
About This Course
Our graduates can find employment in:
- Bioprocess, food and beverage companies
- Environmental protection and waste recycling companies
- Sustainable energy and green technology companies
- Consultancy firms operating in the above areas
Some of these include Glanbia, Sanofi, Royal Oak Distillery, Diageo/Guinness, Abbott, PM Group, Rowan Engineering Consultants, Green Generation, Maria Lucia Bakes, and Takeda Ireland.
There are also opportunities to pursue PhD research at UCD and internationally in relevant areas in circular bioeconomy.
The Professional Work Experience (PWE) module is incorporated into the two-year Master of Engineering Programme and is designed to integrate a student’s academic and career interests with practical work experience for a 6-8-month period.
The module provides students with the perfect opportunity to gain increased experience and understanding of their chosen field, assess where their strengths and weaknesses lie and maximise their knowledge of the available career possibilities. The practical skills acquired during this placement will give graduates a competitive advantage when applying for positions upon graduation.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN30010 | Bioprocess Engineering Principles | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN30280 | Water and Wastewater Engineering | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40410 | Food Chain Integrity | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
BSEN40590 | Unit Ops for Bioprocess Eng | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
MEEN30100 | Engineering Thermodynamics II | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE: Students MUST take ONE of the following CORE MODULES relating to Professional Work Experience. The long placement @30-credits (BSEN40230) is recommended. However, you may need to take the short placement (BSEN40580) if you have gaps in your learning or other special requirements. |
BSEN40230 | ME Professional Work Experience | 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum) | 30 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE: Students MUST take ONE of the following CORE MODULES relating to Professional Work Experience. The long placement @30-credits (BSEN40230) is recommended. However, you may need to take the short placement (BSEN40580) if you have gaps in your learning or other special requirements. |
BSEN40580 | ME Professional Work Experienc | Summer | 10 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of: AUTUMN OPTIONS: Students must select 5 credits of Option Modules. Students who have completed MEEN30100 in their previous studies MUST select an additional 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN30190 | Agricultural Mechanisation: Hydraulics and components | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of: AUTUMN OPTIONS: Students must select 5 credits of Option Modules. Students who have completed MEEN30100 in their previous studies MUST select an additional 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN30310 | The Bioeconomy; A strategy for sustainable fuel, material and chemical production | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of: AUTUMN OPTIONS: Students must select 5 credits of Option Modules. Students who have completed MEEN30100 in their previous studies MUST select an additional 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN30360 | Life Cycle Assessment | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN30030 | Air Pollution | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN30060 | Quantitative Risk Assessment for Human and Animal Health | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN40250 | Global Cold Chain Safety | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN40350 | Renewable Energy Systems Analysis | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN40400 | LCA Applications | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
BSEN40560 | Biorefinery Process & Tech | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - D) Min 0 of: SPRING OPTIONS WITH SHORT PWE: Spring Trimester Option modules are ONLY relevant to students taking the Short PWE Module BSEN40580 (10 credit). Students must select and complete 4 OPTION MODULES. |
MEEN30040 | Measurement & Instrumentation | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN40710 | ME Biosystems Engineering Thesis | 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) | 25 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN40320 | Waste to Energy Processes & Technologies | Autumn | 10 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MEEN40560 | Research Skills and Techniques | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN30320 | Food Process Engineering | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
BSEN40440 | Food Refrigeration Engineering | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MEEN30140 | Professional Engineering (Finance) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
MEEN40430 | Professional Engineering (Management) | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN30030 | Air Pollution | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN30060 | Quantitative Risk Assessment for Human and Animal Health | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN40250 | Global Cold Chain Safety | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN40350 | Renewable Energy Systems Analysis | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN40400 | LCA Applications | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of: ME OPTION MODULES: Students who have completed MEEN30140 in their previous studies MUST select 5 credits of Option modules. |
BSEN40560 | Biorefinery Process & Tech | Spring | 5 |
This programme is accredited with Engineers Ireland, allowing graduates to gain Chartership status.
Graduate Profile - Yuchen Li, UCD PhD Student
"I chose to pursue the ME Biosystems and Food Engineering in UCD, because the programme places strong emphasis in developing not only specialist knowledge in food technology but also professional and research skills. I was able to deepen my knowledge in agri-food systems and biorefinery, food processing engineering, environmental engineering, and waste management. Moreover, there were a lot of practical sessions integrated in these modules. The professors were very encouraging and prompt in taking care of student needs. I completed 8-month an professional work at experience Teagasc Food Research Centre, where I developed a novel method for agar extraction from seaweed, the results for which were later published in ‘Food Hydrocolloids’, a top journal in food biotechnology. This experience consolidated my decision to pursue a research career. At the end of the ME degree, I secured a scholarship offer from the prestigious China Scholarship Council to continue with a PhD at UCD."
Masters in Biosystems & Food Engineering (T299) Full Time
EU Year 1 - € 9530
nonEU Year 1 - € 29100
EU Year 2 - € 9050 aa
nonEU Year 2 - € 29100 aa
aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2024/25
***Fees are subject to change
EU Year 1 - € 9530
nonEU Year 1 - € 29100
EU Year 2 - € 9050 aa
nonEU Year 2 - € 29100 aa
aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2024/25
***Fees are subject to change
Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships/
- An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ Level 8) with minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in an engineering degree programme
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
- Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/
- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Masters in Biosystems & Food Engineering:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | T299 Masters in Biosystems & Food Engineering Master of Engineering Full-Time Commencing September 2025 Graduate Taught |
* you can change options at the top of the page