Biological and Biosystems Engineering: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Biological and Biosystems Engineering integrates principles from engineering, biology, and the physical sciences to solve complex challenges in living systems. This interdisciplinary field focuses on designing sustainable technologies and processes that enhance biological productivity, environmental health, and human well-being across agriculture, medicine, and industrial biotechnology.

• Organic Chemistry: Explores the structure, properties, and reactions of carbon-based compounds essential to biological molecules and industrial bioproducts.
• Microbiology: Investigates the growth, function, and applications of microorganisms in bioprocessing, environmental remediation, and medical innovation.
• Biochemistry: Examines the chemical processes within living organisms, focusing on metabolic pathways, enzyme activity, and biomolecular interactions.
• Chemical Engineering: Applies engineering principles to scale up and optimize chemical transformations in biological contexts, from fermentation to bioreactor systems.
• Biological Engineering: Designs systems and processes that harness biological components for applications in food production, biomanufacturing, and healthcare.
• Biochemical Engineering: Focuses on the development and control of processes involving biochemical reactions, particularly in the production of pharmaceuticals and biofuels.
• Process Engineering: Involves the design, analysis, and optimization of systems that transform raw biological materials into valuable products efficiently and sustainably.
• Thermodynamics: Studies energy transfer and conversion in biological and engineered systems, crucial for understanding efficiency and feasibility in bioprocesses.
• Process Control: Applies feedback mechanisms and automation to maintain stability and performance in dynamic biological and industrial systems.
• Reaction Kinetics and Reactor Design: Analyzes the rates of biochemical reactions and designs reactors that maximize yield, selectivity, and safety.
• Electric Circuits: Provides foundational knowledge for integrating electronic systems into biosensors, medical devices, and automated biological monitoring platforms.
• Biosystem Modeling: Uses computational tools to simulate and predict the behavior of biological systems under varying conditions and inputs.
• Bioelectronics and Instrumentation: Develops devices and sensors that interface with biological systems for real-time data acquisition, diagnostics, and control.