How to Visit or Explore Biological Systems Engineering at Nebraska

You can explore the Department of Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in two main ways: plan an in-person campus visit through the "Visit Campus" / "Plan a Visit" entry points on bse.unl.edu, or explore the department online through its academic program pages and Faculty Directory. A campus visit is the better choice if you want to see classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces firsthand before deciding whether to apply; the online route works well if you're still comparing programs or researching faculty and research areas from a distance.

Plan an In-Person Campus Visit

The BSE site presents a campus visit as a way to see the environment that shapes future graduates, engineers, and industry leaders. According to the site, a visit offers a firsthand look at:

• Classrooms where BSE students learn
• Labs where students design and innovate
• Collaborative spaces built for discovery

How to start: Use the "Visit Campus" or "Plan a Visit" links on bse.unl.edu. These are the department's stated entry points for arranging a visit. The site does not publish a detailed step-by-step booking flow, so treat the visit page as your starting point and follow the instructions it provides.

What to expect: The visit is framed around seeing physical learning and research spaces, not just a general campus tour. If your goal is to judge whether the program fits you, prioritize seeing the labs and collaborative spaces tied to your intended major.

Explore Programs Before You Go

The department offers three undergraduate majors, each with a published 4-year plan you can review ahead of a visit:

Each major page includes a "Learn More" link and a "4-Year Plan" you can explore. Reviewing these first lets you ask sharper questions during a visit and check whether the facilities match the work you'd actually do.

Use the Faculty Directory to Assess Research Fit

The site's Faculty Directory is described as a way to learn about "experts driving innovation and discovery." BSE faculty are presented as leaders in research. Use the directory to:

• Identify faculty whose research areas match your interests
• Understand the department's research directions before committing to a visit or application
• Prepare specific questions for faculty or advisors during your visit

This is especially useful if you're weighing graduate study or research-focused undergraduate work, where faculty fit often matters as much as the program itself.

Check Scholarships and Financial Aid

The site notes that scholarships are awarded by departments and by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA), based on criteria including cumulative GPA, ACT/SAT scores, financial need, and a resume of activities and other responses. It also states that not all scholarship opportunities are major-specific. If cost is part of your decision, review the "Scholarships & Financial Aid" page alongside your visit planning. The site does not list specific award amounts or deadlines, so confirm details directly with the department or OSFA.

A Practical Way to Decide

1. Start online: Read the three major pages and their 4-year plans; skim the Faculty Directory.
2. Narrow your interest: Pick the major (and possibly faculty) that fits your goals.
3. Plan a visit: Use "Visit Campus" / "Plan a Visit" to see classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces.
4. Ask targeted questions: Bring what you learned online into the visit.
5. Check funding: Review Scholarships & Financial Aid before applying.

If you can't visit in person, the program pages and Faculty Directory still give you a usable picture of what the department does and who teaches in it. If you can visit, the site's own framing suggests the labs and collaborative spaces are the main reason to go.