• Provide students with a solid foundation in biological engineering through the understanding and application of mathematics, science, and engineering principles.
• Prepare students for a broad range of career opportunities through the use of problem solving and critical thinking methods.
• Help students develop the ability to function effectively in the workplace through teamwork and effective communication of technical/professional information.
• Help students become aware of their moral, ethical, legal, and professional obligations to hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
• Help students develop an appreciation for the necessity for lifelong learning.

Biological engineers primarily design processing systems that render biological raw materials into value-added products. Many biological engineers work on problems of scale-up related to biological processing and therefore need to be conscious of system costs, efficiencies, and environmental impacts. This curriculum provides a unique background so that students may solve engineering problems and produce engineering designs in fields associated with biomedical, bioprocessing, biotechnology, as well as other biologically related fields. The program follows the “process engineering” approach.

During the first five terms the Biological Engineering (BLE) and Chemical Engineering (CHE) programs are essentially the same except that BIO 100 is required for BLE. The required courses cover both the scientific foundations of the subject and the relevant engineering sciences such as thermodynamics, kinetics, fluid mechanics and unit operations. The CHE and BLE programs diverge for the last three terms during which the courses are more discipline specific. A major advantage of this arrangement is that students who are interested in the process engineering approach can transfer freely between BLE and CHE until the second term of the junior year.

The basic curriculum, combined with electives in engineering, the humanities and social sciences, and in the life sciences, and culminating with a two-semester engineering design experience, provides a broad base of knowledge for engineering practice in today’s society. Students may, in consultation with their academic advisor, focus their technical elective courses in bioprocessing, biomechanics or biomaterials. Degrees are awarded upon satisfactory completion of 130 credits at an accumulative grade point average of not less than 2.0 in Chemical and Biological Engineering courses, including technical electives credits. The program in Biological Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700.

Biological engineering students are eligible to enroll in the minor of Biomedical Engineering administered by the College of Engineering at the University of Maine.