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. 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.

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.