GRADUATE STUDIES IN BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
The Department of Biological Engineering at Utah State University offers the following degrees:
MS Biological Engineering
PhD Biological Engineering
Our research concentrates on the cellular and sub-cellular level, exploring the engineering of microbes to create new products and industries that are bio-based, sustainable, and non-exploitive. Our areas of focus are health and medicine, the environment and renewable energy.
Our program is at the forefront of biological engineering. We have state-of-the-art laboratories and a nationally recognized faculty. Our faculty members are experts in the fields of:
- Biophotonics
- Synthetic Biological Engineering
- Synthetic Bio-Manufacturing
- Bio-Nanotechnology
- Tissue and Cellular Engineering
- Biology-Inspired Sensors and Biosensors
- Engineering Ecology
- Biofuels from Algae and Lignocellulose
- Metabolic Engineering
- Bioprocessing
- Downstream Processing
RESEARCH
Our program offers all graduate students hands on laboratory research opportunities. We have active research projects in these areas:
- Discovery and development of cancer fighting anti-metastatic agents from microbes using metabolic engineering and bioprocessing
- Research and development of green fuels such as biodiesel, compressed natural gas, liquid transportation fuels, and jet fuel.
- Biologically engineered sensors made with DNA that can detect toxins and poisons for medical, environmental, and defense applications
- Development of anti-microbial biopolymers and bioplastics compatible with the human body for stents, implants, prosthetics and surgical supplies.
- Genetic engineering of microbes that will use carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (green house gas) to make bioplastics using carbon sequestration.
- Metabolic engineering of naturally occurring microbes for the development of new pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, and probiotics.
- Simulated lungs lined with human airway cells to study the physiology and response to stress from pollutants in the atmosphere
- Biological mathematical modeling to simulate and predict biological systems
Click here for the Biological Engineering research projects page
Click here for the Biological Engineering research laboratories page
Click here for the Biological Engineering research centers page
CAREERS
Employment in the field of biological engineering is projected to grow at greater than 20% per year for the next decade. Biological engineers are needed in industry, academia, medicine, manufacturing, law, marketing, sales, research, and pharmaceutical companies. Click here for the careers page.
FINANCIAL AID
Admission to the graduate program in the Department of Biological Engineering does not guarantee financial support. However, currently over 90% of the Department’s graduate students are supported by research assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, or hourly employment.
Graduate Assistantships, Scholarships and Fellowships
Graduate Research Assistantships (monthly stipends) are available from the grants of major professors. These Assistantships are awarded by the individual faculty member. Graduate Research Assistantships entitle the student to Tuition Awards, governed by the Utah State University Tuition Award policy. Scholarships and Fellowships are available for qualified students.
GRADUATE STUDENT INSURANCE
Utah State University offers subsidized graduate student insurance. Eligible graduate students are responsible for 20% of the yearly premium only.
All International Students and all full-time Graduate Assistants, Graduate Fellows, or Scholarship recipients receiving $10,000 or more from Utah State University are required to purchase Subsidized Student Health Insurance or show proof of qualifying comparable coverage each semester in order to waive this requirement.
The student portion of the subsidized insurance is 20% of the premium for one year, about $237. The Department of Biological Engineering pays the balance of the premium per the Graduate Student Insurance Policy
APPLY TO THE GRADUATE PROGRAM
Apply to the Biological Engineering graduate program through the Utah State University School of Graduate Studies