Miguel F. Acevedo, Regents Professor in the Department of Geography, will join the College of Engineering September 1^st as coordinator of the nascent Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE) program. Acevedo, with a background in both engineering and science, has devoted his career to interdisciplinary research. He will have a joint appointment with the Department of Geography. Dr. Acevedo’s research focuses on ecological, environmental, and geographical modeling; with emphasis on global climate change and variability, sustainability, biocomplexity, human-nature interactions, and biological and environmental sensors. He is charged with securing approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) for the new BEE program and funding the new department. acevedo@unt.edu

Dr. Acevedo obtained B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering (1971 and 1972, respectively) from the University of Texas at Austin and then an M.Eng. in Electrical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of California at Berkeley (1978 and 1980, respectively). Before joining UNT, he was a faculty member of the systems engineering program in the College of Engineering , Universidad de Los Andes (ULA), Venezuela , where he developed courses in ecosystems for engineers and on simulation for the ecological science graduate program of the Institute for Ecological and Environmental Science of the College of Sciences . During his 14 years at UNT, he has been in the Department of Geography and the Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). He has been very active in the graduate Geography and Environmental Science programs and has developed graduate courses in environmental modeling and quantitative methods for environmental scientists and geographers. Acevedo received the UNT Outstanding International Educator of the Year award in 2007 for his contributions to international education.

Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE) program

As the latest program initiative, the College of Engineering is developing a unique, innovative, interdisciplinary program in Biological and Environmental Engineering (BEE) at the B.S. and M.S. levels. The College already has THECB planning authority for this new program. UNT provides an ideal environment for such a program to flourish in collaboration with existing programs in Biology, Geography, Environmental Science, and Philosophy at UNT; Biomedical Sciences and Public Health at the Health Science Center in Fort Worth (UNTHSC); and various other programs in the College of Engineering .

The new BEE program will focus on educating engineers and providing them with a solid background in biological sciences and a keen awareness of, and appreciation for, the environment and ecological balance and human well being. Because biological and environmental engineers integrate the engineering approach with the complexities of natural systems, there is a great need for this type of engineer in today’s workforce.

This BEE program offers opportunities for the entire university. The program will pursue a partnership approach seeking win-win strategies for the College of Engineering , College of Arts and Sciences, and the UNTHSC. This program will create synergy by integrating biological principles in the curriculum while at the same time teaching students how to apply engineering principles and methods to solve complex biological and environmental problems. Biological and environmental systems will be viewed integrally, not separately, by adopting a systems view of how ecological balance and human well being depend on wise human interactions with other living entities and the environment.

We face global challenges that require engineers to understand how the world works and to engage in intercultural situations. Thus, the College’s BEE vision also includes a strong international and global approach; establishment of partnerships and collaboration agreements with universities and institutions abroad; and development of a progressive student, scholar, and exchange program with industrial and governmental groups.

Curriculum plans

Very soon, the program will be defined by conducting market study, committee work, and consultation with many individuals, institutions, and potential employers of UNT BEE graduates. Preliminary plans include an introductory course at the 1000 level offered to all UNT students on how the engineering approach is used to solve intriguing, complex, and important problems in biological systems, the environment, and ecological balance. At the undergraduate level, as part of and in addition to core courses, BEE students will take existing courses from other departments such as biology (cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, ecology), chemistry, physics, geography, mathematics, ethics, and engineering (computer science and engineering, mechanical, and electrical). A series of courses for undergraduate majors will also be developed: biological and environmental modeling, ecological and environmental engineering, biomedical engineering, biomonitoring and biosensing, eco-hydrology, air quality modeling and monitoring, contaminants treatment and remediation, biocomplexity, and human-nature interaction. For the M.S. program, BEE fundamental courses will serve other programs, such as the M.S. in Applied Geography, the M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, the M.A. and Ph.D. program in Environmental Ethics, the UNTHSC programs, and other M.S. engineering programs. In turn, many courses that M.S. BEE students will need are already available in several programs, such as the ones just mentioned.

Research areas

Because existing centers and laboratories at UNT are already engaged in research related to BEE areas, the new program can establish synergistic and collaborative links in several areas:

• Engineering systems biology: biocomplexity, systems, simulation and modeling, visualization and imaging
• Biological and environmental information and knowledge engineering: biological, ecological, and medical informatics; environmental observatories; decision support
• Global change: carbon sequestration, assessment of the effects of climate change and remediation, climate prediction and adaptation to change
• Air quality and human health: air quality modeling, integrating models of land use and transportation, epidemiology and airborne diseases
• Sustainable watershed and reservoir engineering: hydrology, watershed and reservoir modeling and monitoring
• Sustainable ecosystem engineering: urban forestry, sustainable forestry engineering, recycling, reusing, conservation
• Sustainable food production: engineering and modeling applications to greenhouses, aquaculture, precision agriculture, life support for space exploration, efficient irrigation
• Biological and environmental nanotechnology: sensors, biosensors, materials for a biocomplex world

Faculty recruitment

Recruitment of new BEE faculty will emphasize areas that are not currently covered at UNT and that could supplement what we already have. For example, we have a great need for faculty in air quality, atmospheric science, and their interaction with human health. Since BEE is currently planned as an M.S.-level terminal degree, we will have a close partnership with existing Ph.D. programs in Biology, Philosophy, Environmental Science, and the UNTHSC.

Outreach

Strong community outreach is a must for the new BEE program. There are many possibilities for developing indoor and outdoor learning areas at the Research Park . These areas can serve to attract middle and high school students to Research Park and to excite them about engineering programs. The experience of the Elm Fork Education Center program can be of great benefit to start this new outreach activity. Likewise, the BEE program offers additional opportunities for interaction with local governments in the metroplex. Examples are the NSF-funded CI-TEAM and CRI projects in environmental monitoring and modeling that can serve as catalysts to develop this outreach activity. Faculty members of the College of Engineering already participate actively in these projects.