Biological Engineering Student Handbook

Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources 
University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI

Updated 06/9/2023

 

Ryan Kurasaki,
Biological Engineering Faculty Advisor
Agriculture Engineering Institute, Room 121
Phone: (808) 956-7259
Fax: (808) 956-3542
Email: rkurasak@hawaii.edu

 

 

Welcome & The Undergraduate Program | Mission and Educational Objectives | Admission & Registration & New Students | Degree Requirements | Useful Websites | Student Academic Support Services | Meet the BE Faculty | BE Course Descriptions

 

 


 

Welcome - The Undergraduate Program

Welcome to the Biological Engineering Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, which is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Biological Engineering (BE) is a field of engineering in which the emphasis is on life and life-sustaining systems. Biological Engineers study the design, production, and operation of engineered systems in which living organisms (plants, animals, aquatic species, cells, etc.) are a major component. Biological Engineers deal with structures, machinery, energy, labor, land, water, wastes, and resource variables related to the efficient creation of products and processes to fill human needs. They approach problems in the context of the whole system to balance society's demand for products from biological resources (e.g., food, fiber, and higher-value products) with environmental integrity and economic success. 

Completing a B.S. in Biological Engineering 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 Hawaiʻi for food and therapeutic applications. Increasing numbers of graduates from BE are meeting demands from growing biotech industries in Hawaiʻi, 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 Hawaiʻi's unique natural biota. Many biological engineers 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. 

The introductory part of the Biological Engineering curriculum is similar to other engineering fields, e.g., calculus, physics, chemistry, and computer programming. However, 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.

 

Mission & 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.

Additionally, students are expected to demonstrate accomplishment of the following outcomes at the time of graduation:

  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. 

 

Admission & Registration – New Students

Admission

New students who apply to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM) as first-year students or transfer students may apply directly to the program by specifying Biological Engineering (BE) as their major on their application form.

Students who have taken courses at another university or community college outside of the University of Hawaiʻi system must arrange to have their official transcripts sent to the UH Mānoa Admissions Office for evaluation of transfer credits. Courses not meeting the university core requirements, but are acceptable academically, will be transferred and counted as elective credits.

Transfer students can check the “Transfer Credit Database” created by the UH Admissions Office to see how your courses transfer to UHM.

Upon entering the program, students will be required to meet with advisors to identify their career objective. Ryan Kurasaki is the main advising contact for all BE students. You may email him at rkurasak@hawaii.edu to schedule an appointment. Additionally, CTAHR (College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources) academic advisors are also available for student support.

Students wishing to transfer from another UHM program into BE must contact the CTAHR Advising Office at ctahradv@hawaii.edu to request a change of major. Students may schedule an appointment with Ryan Kurasaki to discuss transfer into BE. Status as a BE major is not official until all necessary paperwork has been completed and processed. Acceptance into the BE program will be based on a minimum cumulative UHM grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.

 

Registration

Students register for courses online through STAR GPS Registration. STAR GPS Registration is an easy-to-navigate registration system that shows courses students need to graduate in a timely manner and allows students to personalize their academic plan to fit their unique college experience. STAR GPS Registration allows students to do the following:

  • Register for classes that count directly into their degree/requirements so they don’t go off track 
  • A visual calendar of the classes students are choosing and how they fit together
  • Direct integration of students’ class schedule into their Google calendar
  • Easily switch classes using the add/drop options
  • Search for classes at any UH campus
  • View transcript

For help about STAR, students can meet with an academic advisor or visit the HELP website. Registration dates and times are published on the Registration Timetable.

Incoming freshmen students can also register for classes by signing up for a learning community. However, STAR GPS Registration is the best recommended option as there is no learning community specifically for Biological Engineering majors.

 

Degree Requirements

The Biological Engineering program sheet and four year plan can be found at the Bachelor Degree Program Sheets and Sample Four Year Academic Plans website. Please scroll down the page to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Accepted students who have set up their UH username and password may also find their requirements on their STAR GPS Registration page. Log onto your STAR Account by visiting the website.

 

Useful Websites for Students Entering into the University of Hawai'i

All information for students covering how to apply, academic calendar, financial aid, catalog, transfer credit search, news database, on-campus activities, housing (dorms), parking, etc.

MyUH Services is a mobile-optimized, one stop shop for UH business tasks, forms, apps and more. It includes one-click access to services customized for students, faculty and staff across our 10-campus system.

STAR for students is the online degree tracking system for UH. You can view your degree requirements, register for classes, search for scholarships, and view your transcripts through STAR.

Browse this website to view all that CTAHR has to offer for Undergrad and Graduate Programs, financial aid/scholarship information, course requirements and information on who we are, Department, Faculty and Staff as well as publications and research projects.

Use this website to make an appointment with our academic advisors. Advisors can assist you with developing a degree plan and making sure you’re taking the appropriate classes for graduation.

This website provides information on the Biological Engineering program.

UH Core requirements and class listings.

This web site shows information on how your credits transfer into UH Mānoa. 

 

Student Academic Support Services

Access to student academic support services is important to ensure your success while a student at the University of Hawaiʻi. Below is a listing of some of these services that can also be found in the University of Hawaiʻi catalog.

  • The Office of Civic and Community Engagement assists UH Manoa students and community organizations find ways to partner together to tackle important issues in the community by matching students’ passions and interests with the needs of community non-profit organizations through service.
  • First Year Programs and ACE ease the transition of new students into the academic and social communities at UH Manoa. First-Year Programs provide the opportunity to develop personal relationships with faculty and other students, enhance active involvement in the educational process, and build connections to UH Manoa. In addition, First-Year Programs familiarize students with the array of resources and programs available at UH Manoa.
  • Honors Program provides opportunities for talented and motivated undergraduates to excel in their academic studies. Students complete a challenging inquiry-based curriculum that encourages learning through independent research and creative expression. They enjoy intimate and personalized educational experiences within the setting of a large research university through small classes, dedicated advising, peer mentorship, and faculty guided projects.
  • International Student Services has the responsibility for meeting University federal compliance with regard to international students.  ISS strives to support international student success through the following endeavors:
    • Advising students on immigration regulations that affect their status in the U.S.
    • Providing programs that help promote cross-cultural adjustment
    • Serving as a resource to the campus and international student communities
    • Advocating for international students and international education
  • Kokua Program (Disability Access Services) is UH Mānoa’s primary campus unit responsible for providing disability access services to students with disabilities toward equal opportunity.
  • Learning Assistance Center provides tutoring, workshops, Supplemental Instruction (SI), and one-on-one appointments in which students learn appropriate study strategies and problem solving skills to achieve their academic goals.
  • Mānoa Advising Center is an advising office for exploratory students who have not yet declared a major. MAC assists exploratory students with their major selection process by presenting options and providing general education advising.
  • Mānoa Transfer Coordination Center is to help students transfer smoothly from a UH community college to UH Manoa and provide advising support throughout the transfer process, including the Ka‘ie‘ie Degree Pathway Program.
  • Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center is a walk-in resource for students interested in law, medicine, and other health fields (dentistry, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, etc.). PAC advisors help students explore and clarify their career goals, plan appropriate course work, find opportunities to gain experience, apply to professional programs, review personal statements and résumés, provide mock interviews, and hold workshops throughout the year.
  • Student Athlete Academic Services is the academic support program for student-athletes at UH Manoa. Working closely with instructional faculty, coaches, and campus resources, academic advisors assist students in formulating and meeting their academic goals while participating in intercollegiate athletics.
  • Student Success Center in Sinclair Library offers students a welcoming and convivial place to study and to learn, and provides them the information and skills they need to be successful in their academic career and beyond. The center provides seating that facilitates collaborative learning, is open long hours, and permits students to bring their own snacks, all in a space that has natural light and air.
  • Student Support Services is a federally funded TRIO program that provides academic advising and planning, special courses, financial aid advice, graduate and professional school advising, tutoring, mentoring, and academic enrichment activities to program students enrolled at UH Manoa. Students are selected to participate based on a combination of income and financial aid eligibility, parents’ level of education, and potential to benefit from program services.
  • Mānoa Writing Center  is a pedagogical space that supports writing and research at UHM. Our primary service is one-to-one writing consultations provided free of charge to all students, faculty, and staff affiliated with the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa. Our writing consultants are trained to help writers working in different disciplines at every stage of the writing process and with various writing projects (i.e., essays, research papers, resumes, letters, creative work).

Do not hesitate to discuss your needs with your academic degree advisor who can help refer you to the appropriate resource. 

 

Meet the BE Faculty


Daniel Jenkins, PhD, PE, Professor
Agricultural Science Building
1955 East-West Road Room 415L
Phone: (808) 956-6069
Fax: (808) 956-3542
Email: danielje@hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Biosensors and Instrumentation

 

Samir Khanal, PhD, PE, Professor
Agricultural Science Building
1955 East-West Road Room 415K
Phone: (808) 956-3812
Fax: (808) 956-3542
Email: khanal@hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Bioenergy and Biobased
Products; Waste-to-Energy

 

Charles Kinoshita, PhD, PE, Professor Emeritus
Agricultural Science Building
1955 East-West Road Room 205
Phone: (808) 956-5269
Fax: (808) 956-3542
Email: kinoshitac@ctahr.hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Biosystems Engineering, Phytoremediation

 

Ryan Kurasaki, PE, Junior Specialist
Agricultural Engineering Institute
3131 Maile Way Room 121
Phone: (808) 956-7259
Fax: (808) 956-9269
Email: rkurasak@hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Systems Engineering; Machine Design; Renewable Energy

 

Wei-Wen Winston Su, PhD, Professor
Agricultural Science Building
1955 East-West Road Room 415N
Phone: (808) 956-3531
Fax: (808) 956-3542
Email: wsu@hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Biochemical Engineering, Plant Cell Culture, Molecular Biotechnology

 

Jaw-Kai Wang, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Gilmore Hall
3050 Maile Way Room 110
Phone: (808) 956-8145
Fax: (808) 956-9269
Email: jawkai@hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Bioproduction System Engineering, Aquacultural Engineering

 

I Pai Wu, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Gilmore Hall
3050 Maile Way
Fax: (808) 956-9269
Email: ipaiwu@hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Biosystems Engineering, Irradiation Technology

 

Ping-Yi Yang, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Gilmore Hall
3050 Maile Way Room 105
Phone: (808) 956-8459
Fax: (808) 956-9269
Email: pingyi@hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Bioprocess Technology, Waste Water Engineering

 

Affiliate Faculty

Soojin Jun, PhD, Assistant Professor
Agricultural Science
1955 East-West Road
Room 302F
Phone: (808) 956-8283
Fax: (808) 956-4024

Email: soojin@hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Food Engineering, Biosensors 

 

Ping Sun Leung, PhD, Professor Emeritus
Gilmore Hall
3050 Maile Way Room 123
Phone: (808) 956-8562
Fax: (808) 956-9269
Email: psleung@hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Bioproduction Economics, Biotechnology Business

 

Scott Turn, PhD, Associate Researcher
Pacific Ocean Science & Technology
1680 East-West Road Room 111A
Phone: (808) 956-2346
Fax: (808) 956-2336
Email: sturn@hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Biomass to Bioenergy, Thermochemical Conversion

 

Jian Yu, PhD, Associate Researcher
Pacific Ocean Science & Technology
1680 East-West Road Room 109
Phone: (808) 956-5873
Fax: (808) 956-2336
Email: jianyu@hawaii.edu
Research Interest: Biopolymers, Biofuels, Enzyme Catalysis, Bioprocessing

 

Biological Engineering (BE) Course Descriptions

Viewable online at the UH Manoa Catalog.

 

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