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 06/28/2024
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.
- Graduates will practice engineering in professional careers that serve the needs of society in fields such as biotechnology, environmental systems, energy, or agriculture.
- 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:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- 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
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- 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
- 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
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- 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.
Directed research opportunities within the degree program allow students to work closely with faculty members on cutting-edge projects, fostering hands-on learning and innovation. These collaborations not only enhance academic understanding but also prepare students for advanced careers and further studies in their fields of interest. Research opportunities can be found by speaking with cooperating faculty in your major or through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP); see specifically ForagerOne. If you are interested in completing directed research courses (e.g. BE 499), please see a CTAHR advisor for more information.