Bachelor of science major in Biotechnology Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Hawaii Pacific University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology Engineering at Hawaiʻi Pacific University combines biology, engineering, bioprocesses, biomaterials, and environmental systems to prepare students to develop practical biotechnology solutions. It is well suited to students interested in pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, medical devices, environmental biotechnology, food and agriculture, with opportunities to explore areas such as tissue engineering, microfluidics, biosensors, nanotechnology, and biomanufacturing.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their foundation in mathematics, natural sciences, computing, and engineering through courses such as MATH 2214 Calculus I, CHEM 2050 General Chemistry I, and ENGE 1000 Introduction to Engineering Systems and Professional Practice. The first year is designed to establish the quantitative and scientific skills needed for later biotechnology engineering study, while introducing students to engineering practice and professional applications.

Year 2: Students begin moving from foundational science into biotechnology-specific engineering through subjects such as ENGT 2100 Fundamentals of Biomaterials, ENGT 2101 Biomaterials Lab, and ENGT 2201 Bioprocesses Lab. They investigate the properties and applications of metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites, while laboratory work introduces microbial growth, cell mass estimation, mass and energy balances, and bioconversion processes.

Year 3: Students develop more advanced technical and design capabilities through courses such as ENGT 3100 Advanced Biomaterials, ENGT 3200 Bioprocesses, and ENGT 3000 Engineering Design Project I. Advanced Biomaterials examines biocompatibility, cell and tissue interactions, toxicity, safety, failure analysis, and performance testing, while Bioprocesses covers cell culture, downstream processing, scale-up, manufacturing, biotechnology applications, and engineering calculations.

Year 4: Students refine their professional direction through advanced biotechnology engineering study and concentration options in areas such as Bioprocessing or Bioenvironmental Technology. The curriculum can lead into applications including biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical and food processing, environmental remediation, waste management, water and air quality, renewable biofuels, and sustainable biotechnology systems.

Focus areas

Bioprocess engineering, bioenvironmental technology, biomaterials, biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical biotechnology, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, microfluidics, biosensors, medical devices, nanotechnology, environmental biotechnology, marine biotechnology, food and agricultural biotechnology, sustainable engineering.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to solve complex biotechnology engineering problems using engineering, science, and mathematics; design solutions while considering public health, safety, environmental, social, economic, and global factors; communicate effectively; work collaboratively in teams; conduct experiments and interpret data; make ethical and professional judgments; and acquire new knowledge to remain current with industry trends and standards.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. in Biotechnology Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. HPU states that the accreditation confirms that the program meets ABET's rigorous standards for engineering education and preparation for professional practice or advanced study. HPU also states that the engineering-degree accreditation is retroactive to 2021.

Reputation (employability rankings)

HPU does not publish a QS or Guardian subject ranking specifically for Biotechnology Engineering on its official program pages. HPU does state that its engineering students have high employability in Hawaiʻi, nationally, and internationally, and identifies biotechnology engineering graduates as prepared for sectors including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture, environmental biotechnology, and food manufacturing.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program has a strong applied component, allowing students to connect biotechnology theory with laboratory experimentation, engineering design, biomaterials analysis, bioprocess development, and real-world sustainability challenges. HPU also provides access to research facilities and biotechnology laboratories, while the program specifically allows students to engage in research with faculty scientists and engineers and pursue internships with academic, industrial, and government partners.

Students gain practical experience through:

Biomaterials laboratory work: ENGT 2101 Biomaterials Lab gives students practical experience evaluating the physical and chemical properties of biomaterials, with particular attention to bioavailability and biocompatibility.
Bioprocess laboratory work: ENGT 2201 Bioprocesses Lab involves laboratory-scale experiments covering microbial growth, cell mass estimation, limiting nutrients, and mass and energy balances in bioconversion processes.
Team-based engineering design: ENGT 3000 Engineering Design Project I has students work in teams to develop a working prototype or systems-based solution to a real-world biotechnology challenge. Projects can address waste management, biomass or biofuel reuse, water, air or soil quality, food contamination, food processing, and manufacturing systems.
Advanced biomaterials projects: ENGT 3100 Advanced Biomaterials uses activity-based learning and team projects focused on biomaterial development, biocompatibility, clinical and industrial applications, failure analysis, and performance testing.
Bioprocess development: ENGT 3200 Bioprocesses introduces cell culture, downstream processing, scale-up, manufacturing, microbial and plant biotechnology, medical biotechnology, material and energy balances, fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, and reactors.
Engineering research: HPU's earlier degree-plan documentation identifies an Engineering Research I, II and III sequence that may be completed through an extension of the design project, an internship, or supervised project work with CNCS faculty.
Research laboratories: HPU's downtown research facilities provide students with advanced instrumentation and laboratory facilities, while the Oceanic Institute at Makapuʻu supports research and development in aquaculture, biotechnology, and coastal resource management.
Biotechnology facilities: The Makapuʻu campus includes more than 100,000 square feet of laboratory and office space, tanks, outdoor ponds, and a learning annex containing research and teaching laboratories supporting biotechnology research and education.
Internships: HPU's current program description states that students may pursue internships with academic, industrial, and government partners, both on and off the island.
Marine biotechnology: Students can connect biotechnology engineering with marine applications and ecosystem restoration, reflecting HPU's location and research infrastructure in Hawaiʻi.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates are prepared to apply engineering principles to biomaterials, bioprocesses, biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical biotechnology, environmental systems, and related biotechnology fields. HPU specifically identifies opportunities across pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, medical devices, environmental biotechnology, food, agriculture, healthcare, and other biotechnology industries.

Typical career roles: Biotechnology Engineer, Bioprocess Engineer, Bioenvironmental Engineer, Biomedical/Medical Device Engineer

Career development support: HPU's engineering programs provide academic advising through dedicated Academic Advisors, with the Engineering Program Coordinator and faculty also supporting students' course selection and progression.
Research opportunities: Students may work with HPU faculty scientists and engineers and use the university's research infrastructure to gain experience relevant to biotechnology and engineering careers.
Industry and government experience: HPU specifically states that Biotechnology Engineering students may pursue internships with academic, industrial, and government partners, both on and off Oʻahu.
Industry sectors: Graduates can target biotechnology-related opportunities in pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, medical devices, environmental biotechnology, food manufacturing, and agriculture.
Accreditation value: ABET accreditation provides a recognized professional quality benchmark for the engineering degree and supports preparation for professional engineering practice or further advanced study. HPU states that its Biotechnology Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Employment statistics: HPU's official Biotechnology Engineering program page currently does not publish a graduate employment rate or program-specific salary figure, so no unsupported employment or salary statistic is included.
Graduation outcomes: HPU expects graduates to engage effectively in engineering practice, develop biomaterials and bioprocesses, solve real-world biomanufacturing challenges, demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility, and continue developing their skills throughout their careers.
Leadership and professional development: Program outcomes emphasize leadership within industry and the community, collaborative teamwork, ethical engineering practice, and continued professional development.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue to master's-level or other advanced study in biotechnology engineering, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, chemical/bioprocess engineering, environmental engineering, materials science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, or related disciplines. HPU's engineering outcomes explicitly identify further advanced study as a pathway, while the interdisciplinary nature of the degree gives students a strong foundation for graduate research and specialized professional education.