UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM

Bachelor of Science 

  The Biological Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Completing a B.S. in Biological Engineering (BE) will prepare you for a variety of careers in traditional as well as emerging biotech fields. Graduates have accepted engineering positions such as designing process equipment and systems for biological production and treatment, or implementing site preparation for construction or bioremediation of environmental contamination. They are prepared to help engineer systems to develop renewable sources of energy, and to improve the value of natural products produced in Hawaii for food and therapeutic applications. Increasing numbers of graduates from BE are meeting demands from growing biotech industries in Hawaii, for example for the production of systems for culturing human tissues for medical replacement and for screening, extracting, and producing antibiotics and other pharmaceutical compounds from Hawaii's unique natural biota. Many Bioengineers are employed with forward thinking institutions like NASA that are interested in engineering self-sustaining habitable environments in space as well as on Earth.

A degree in Biological Engineering prepares students for graduate school, not only in Biological Engineering but also in Medicine, Law, and Business which all value the versatility and analytical rigor of the field. Graduates also fill vital research and regulatory needs of state and federal governments to preserve and enhance the value of our natural resources. 

Program Educational Objectives

The mission of the Biological Engineering Program is to provide students a unique opportunity to study the fundamentals of engineering and biology and the application of engineering to biological systems. To fulfill its mission, the Biological engineering program has two educational objectives which describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years after graduation.

1. Graduates will practice engineering in professional careers that serve the needs of society in fields such as biotechnology, environmental systems, energy, or agriculture.
2. Graduates will contribute to their communities by continuing to engage in professional development, ethical decision making, and thoughtful discourse on contemporary issues.

Student Outcomes

To ensure proper preparation of BE graduates to meet the program's outcomes, the BE program in accordance with ABET requirements, continually evaluates student achievement through the assessment of the following outcomes.

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

 The introductory part of the Biological Engineering curriculum is similar to other engineering fields, e.g., calculus, physics, chemistry, and computer programming. Students in Biological Engineering take additional courses in biological sciences such as biology, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. During the latter part of the program, students take basic engineering courses such as mechanics and thermodynamics as well as Biological Engineering courses with emphasis given to solving practical engineering problems involving biological systems. The Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering is the only undergraduate degree offered by the program. Students benefit from small class size and one-on-one interactions with faculty.