BSBE in Biological Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Missouri

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biological Engineering at the University of Missouri combines engineering and biological sciences to prepare students to solve challenges related to health, sustainability and environmental stewardship. It is a strong fit for students interested in biomedical engineering, bioprocess engineering or bioenvironmental engineering, with coursework spanning engineering, biology, mathematics, physical sciences and hands-on design.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students build their engineering and scientific foundation through courses such as MATH 1500, CHEM 1400/1401, PHYSCS 2750, and ENGINR 1050: Foundations of Engineering. They also begin developing an understanding of engineering design and problem-solving that prepares them for the biological engineering curriculum.

Second Year: Students move into more specialized biological engineering content through BIOL_EN 2000: Professional Development in Engineering, BIOL_EN 2080: Introduction to Programming for Engineers, and BIOL_EN 2180: Engineering Analysis of Bioprocesses. The programming course uses MATLAB for scientific data analysis and simulation, while bioprocess analysis applies mathematics, chemistry and physics to biological and biomedical processes.

Third Year: Students develop more advanced engineering skills through BIOL_EN 3180: Heat and Mass Transfer in Biological Systems, BIOL_EN 4380: Applied Electronic Instrumentation, and BIOL_EN 3070: Biological Fluid Mechanics or an approved fluid mechanics alternative. Technical electives allow students to explore areas such as biomaterials, biochemical engineering, food processing, water resources and environmental engineering.

Fourth Year: Students bring their engineering knowledge together in BIOL_EN 4980W: Bioengineering Design I – Writing Intensive, the program's capstone design course. Students complete a design project for a biological or biomedical application under faculty direction, while technical electives allow them to deepen their expertise in their chosen area.

Focus areas

Biomedical engineering including pre-medicine, bioprocess engineering, bioenvironmental engineering, biological systems, biomaterials, biomanufacturing, food and agricultural engineering, environmental and water systems

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to apply engineering, scientific and mathematical principles to biological systems, analyze biological and engineering processes, use programming and instrumentation, design solutions, work with experimental data and apply engineering knowledge to health, sustainability and environmental challenges.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. in Biological Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Biological and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The program also prepares students to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, the first step toward professional engineering licensure.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Mizzou Engineering reports an average starting salary of $70,000 for its 2024 Biological Engineering graduates. Graduates work across biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceutical, food and agriculture, government and related sectors, with employers including Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, Nestlé Purina, Medtronic, Bayer U.S., bioMérieux and Elanco Animal Health.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical experience through design work, undergraduate research, programming, engineering laboratories and collaboration across Mizzou's engineering, medical, veterinary and agricultural communities. Undergraduate research can begin as early as the freshman year, with students developing skills in experimental design, data analysis, project management, teamwork and scientific communication; research may also be paid through an Undergraduate Research Fellowship offering a $1,500-per-semester stipend.

The program's practical opportunities include:

MATLAB: BIOL_EN 2080 teaches students to write scientific programs for data analysis and simulation of physical phenomena using MATLAB.
Bioengineering capstone: BIOL_EN 4980W requires students to complete a biological or biomedical engineering design project under faculty direction.
Design and prototyping: The related Bioengineering Design sequence develops projects through design, prototyping and testing, giving students experience in moving engineering concepts toward practical solutions.
Undergraduate research: Students can work alongside faculty on real-world research projects from as early as their freshman year, with opportunities to present findings at events such as Show Me Research Week.
ForagerOne: Mizzou Engineering uses ForagerOne to help students identify faculty research interests, projects and potential research mentors.
Interdisciplinary research: Students can collaborate with researchers and programs connected to the School of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, and College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, including work related to health, agriculture and sustainability.
Research areas: Departmental research includes biological/biomedical imaging, bioprocess and food-process engineering, neuroengineering, regenerative medicine, micro/nano devices, environmental sensing, water studies and sustainability.
Internships and co-ops: Mizzou Engineering provides opportunities for students to gain industry experience through internships and co-ops, supported by Career Services through resume workshops and interview preparation.
Student competitions and organizations: Students can participate in engineering competition teams and student organizations to develop technical, teamwork and leadership skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biological Engineering prepares graduates for engineering careers in biotechnology, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture, environmental work and government agencies. Students can also progress to graduate, medical or veterinary medical school, while the program's ABET accreditation and FE-exam preparation provide a strong foundation for an engineering career and potential professional licensure.

Typical career roles include Biological Engineer, Bioprocess Engineer, Biomedical Engineer and Bioenvironmental Engineer.

Students can build their professional pathway through:

Career preparation: Mizzou Engineering Career Services supports students with resume workshops, interview preparation and assistance in obtaining internships and co-ops.
Employment and salary: Biological Engineering graduates reported an average starting salary of $70,000 for 2024.
Industry connections: Graduates have gone on to organizations including Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, Nestlé Purina, Medtronic, Bayer U.S., Nanova, Zeiss, bioMérieux and Elanco Animal Health, as well as hospitals, government/non-government organizations and national laboratories.
Interdisciplinary partnerships: Students benefit from collaboration with Mizzou's School of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, creating opportunities to apply engineering to health, agriculture and environmental challenges.
Professional accreditation: ABET accreditation provides an established quality framework for the engineering curriculum, while FE preparation supports students interested in progressing toward Professional Engineer licensure.
Graduate outcomes: Mizzou reports that Biological Engineering graduates enter biotechnology, medical, pharmaceutical, food and agricultural companies and government agencies, while others continue into graduate, medical or veterinary medical education.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the University of Missouri's M.S. in Biological Engineering, including its 100% online non-thesis option, or pursue the Ph.D. in Biological Engineering. Qualified senior undergraduates can also use the department's Dual Enrollment pathway to take up to 12 graduate credits that may count toward a master's degree.