University of Minnesota ROCKS!

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On October 19, 2010, TAPPI's David Bell met with the faculty and students of the University of Minnesota Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering (BBE) program. The BBE department just celebrated its 100th year last year in 2009!

"Shri Ramaswamy is the head of the department and gave me an excellent tour of their vast research facilities," Bell said. "In addition to their traditional pulp and paper research they are working on biofuels, biocomposites and biopolymers. I was also impressed with the through-air-drying experimental facility that they have built."

They have a unique curriculum that includes three main specializations: Bioproducts Engineering (formerly called Paper Science and Engineering), Environmental and Ecological Engineering, and Bioprocessing and Food Engineering. In addition they have a non-engineering program called Bioproducts Marketing and Management. This track provides both a technical background in bio-based products and combines it with traditional business school courses. Bioproducts or bio-based products are the materials, chemicals and energy derived from renewable resources such as wood; this includes both conventional bio-based products (i.e., pulp and paper) and emerging bio-based products (i.e., biofuels, biopolymers, bioenergy, etc.)

"We would like to encourage pulp and paper and allied industry members to contact us if you have opportunities for our fast growing student body or need more information," Dr. Ramaswamy said. "Also, we would like you to consider contributing to our scholarships. Please visit the website for information."

Contact Info:
Shri Ramaswamy
Professor and Head, Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota
Ph: 612-624-8797