Ask An Expert Archive

Question: Why should an electrical engineer study biology?

Answer: Great question! I was/am an electrical engineer (PHD) and began the study of biology (specifically bacterial exopolysaccharides) 2 decades ago. From a disciplinary standpoint, one can learn important concepts from disciplines apart from their own, and innovation very often arises at the point of intersection between 2 disparate disciplines. One of the best examples I can think of is the brain computer interface. Electrical engineers worked with biologists, mechanical engineers and medical doctors to interface the human brain with a computer that could process thoughts and control robotic limbs allowing people with spinal injuries to use robotic arms. A person who has a deep understanding of both electrical engineering and brain cellular biology would be especially suited for such research. But this is also about what you want to do in your life. If you like biology and electrical engineering, you may want to explore careers at the intersection. Just some thoughts. Happy to discuss!

Expert: Jeffrey Catchmark

Answered on: August 19, 2022

Question: Can tardigrades be bred and grown to be living space ships?

Answer: Fascinating question! I am not an expert here but if you really mean space travel, I think they would need to survive in space and I guess have some kind of propulsion. These are neat ideas that can lead to practical advancements even if they end up in different fields. For example, could they be equipped with sensors and explore cropland providing information on soul composition and the microorganisms present? Or the oceans? Many years ago NSF added a 'broader impacts' section of their grant application process. This required researchers to explain what impact their research would have on society and the world. The idea was to try to help make sure government investment would ultimately work toward the public good. I was delighted when this happened since we do not want to do research just for the sake of 'trying something neat' (although sometimes this can produce transformational innovation) but rather focus our research on things that are intended to solve important sociotechnological challenges. That said, one may ask, if we were to invest in the development living space ships, what would be the impact on the lives of all humans (including issues of equity and diversity) and the environment? If the we had living space ships, who would benefit and who would not? This is a part of ethical decision making. Just some thoughts. Happy to discuss!

Expert: Jeffrey Catchmark

Answered on: July 20, 2022

Answer: Fascinating question! I am not an expert here but if you really mean space travel, I think they would need to survive in space and I guess have some kind of propulsion. These are neat ideas that can lead to practical advancements even if they end up in different fields. For example, could they be equipped with sensors and explore cropland providing information on soul composition and the microorganisms present? Or the oceans? Many years ago NSF added a 'broader impacts' section of their grant application process. This required researchers to explain what impact their research would have on society and the world. The idea was to try to help make sure government investment would ultimately work toward the public good. I was delighted when this happened since we do not want to do research just for the sake of 'trying something neat' (although sometimes this can produce transformational innovation) but rather focus our research on things that are intended to solve important sociotechnological challenges. That said, one may ask, if we were to invest in the development living space ships, what would be the impact on the lives of all humans (including issues of equity and diversity) and the environment? If the we had living space ships, who would benefit and who would not? This is a part of ethical decision making. Just some thoughts. Happy to discuss!

Expert: Jeffrey Catchmark

Answered on: July 20, 2022

Question: If I am studying cell/molecular biology as an undergraduate, what skills or experiences should I seek out to transition into bio-inspired engineering work (either at an academic institution or startup) - do I need a masters in engineering or will a background in molecular biology suffice to get a foot in the door?

Answer: Great question! The differences between science and engineering often prompt exciting discussions. Some think of engineering as the application of science toward the solution of practical problems. In some cases, a person with a science based degree can fully engage in such problem solving. In many cases, the additional engineering coursework and focus on design really helps prepare one for such activities. I guess the best answer here is - it depends. Some companies will require an engineering degree for certain types of positions. In a start-up, things are a lot more flexible. The first step would be to better define what you mean by bio-inspired engineering work. What do you want to do and what skills do you think are missing? If you want to go to academia, you would likely need a graduate degree. You could obtain an MS or PHD in engineering, but would likely have to make up a lot of engineering related courses depending upon the program. If a few semesters of additional coursework was not desirable, you can pursue an advanced science based degree and focus your research on an applied problem that would provide you with the experience you are looking for. For example, if you are a molecular biologist who has studied the extracellular matrix of pancreatic cells, you may be interested in the engineering of such matrices for bio-inspired tissue scaffolds. Now the scientific question "What is the nature of the extracellular matrix produced by pancreatic cells?" would be replaced with an engineering question "What is the design of a tissue scaffold matrix that would best support pancreatic cell growth and meet other needed specifications like manufacturing process, stability, handling, sterilization, cost, use in the field, etc., etc.?" You may be able to become involved in such a project as a scientist as well as an engineer. This is where the disciplines overlap. Such experience may help you move toward applied problem solving. I hope this helps! Always happy to discuss further.

Expert: Jeffrey Catchmark

Answered on: July 11, 2022

Question: I understand that trees produce oxygen, and also that oxygen is among the various gasses of which our air is composed. Is it scientifically accurate to say that trees produce our air?

Answer: Trees produce one part of the air we breathe - oxygen. Here are a few links that may help. Thanks! https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2015/03/17/power-one-tree-very-air-we-breathe#:~:text=Through%20a%20process%20called%20photosynthesis,and%20released%20by%20the%20tree. https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2491/10-interesting-things-about-air/#:~:text=It's%20a%20mixture%20of%20different,dioxide%2C%20neon%2C%20and%20hydrogen. https://sciencing.com/gases-make-up-air-breath-8450810.html

Expert: Jeffrey Catchmark

Answered on: June 20, 2022

Question: In the biological scientific literature, I have found NO reference to the simple fact in physical science that, a rigid body increases angular velocity. I am looking for scientific references to help me to explain that the rigid structure of the flight feather in birds increases angular velocity. And , I want to explain the biomechanical trigger for the Cambrian Explosion by stating that the arrival of rigid anatomical structures (in previously soft bodied animals) allowed for increased angular velocity that caused an explosion of locomotor activity. I cannot find a single reference in the biological scientific literature stating that, rigidity increases angular velocity.

Answer: I am sorry but I do not have an answer for this question. Best of luck and thank you for reaching out to IBE!

Expert: Jeffrey Catchmark

Answered on: April 14, 2022

Question: a drug that inactivates Protein X in solution. However, it does not inactivate Protein X in cells. What would be a possible explanation for that and how could you test for it?

Answer: There are a number of possible causes, and unfortunately a lot depends on the type of drug and where it acts inside the cell. In an attempt to answer your question, I am therefore making some guesses and assumptions. Your drug inactivates the protein in solution. Aqueous solution, I take it? Clearly, the drug and the protein can get in close contact to allow the drug to inactivate the protein. One of the paths to answer your question would be for you to examine how they interact: Does the protein get cleaved? Does the drug occupy and block a binding site? I guess that the proximity is crucial to allow interaction. In cells, the protein may be shielded or hidden. For example, if it is embedded inside a phospholipid structure, the hydrophilic drug may not reach it. In fact, if you apply the drug to cell culture via the cell culture media, it may not get into the cell at all. Or the cell is able to expel or inactivate the drug before it can damage the protein. How can you test for it? You may try to trace the problem. If you isolate the cells (i.e., remove the drug from the culture medium -- again, I am assuming here), then destroy the cells and test for the presence of the drug, you'll at least know that the cells took up the drug. Beyond this point, it can get rather specialized. Can you trace the drug, for example, with a fluorescent label? Maybe the protein, too? In that case, you can generate a FRET pair. This will certainly answer your question. But even if the drug alone is labeled, imaging with a confocal microscope gives you an idea where the drug accumulates. And finally, depending on drug, protein and cell, you may be able to use mediators: A small amount of ethanol, benzyl alcohol or DMSO in the cell culture medium may disrupt the membrane enough to allow the drug to migrate more freely. I hope that these ideas provide some pointers for you to proceed. Since I neither know the nature of Protein X nor of the drug, I can't be more specific, unfortunately. Good luck with your experiments!

Expert: Mark Haidekker

Answered on: April 19, 2022

Question: I want to know more about microbial fuel cells and if they are a feasible solution to generate electricity that can be use of power residential areas.

Answer: I am sorry but I am not an expert in this area. I would look for a recent review in google scholar and contact someone currently working in this area. Thank you!

Expert: Jeffrey Catchmark

Answered on: April 18, 2022

Question: I would like to know which universities are the best for biological engineering in the US. I have applied to universities like penn state and Purdue and I would like to know how good they actually are in BE. I would also like to know how much is agriculture involved in the study of BE as I am more interested in other area like bioprocessing etc.

Answer: Thank you for this question! There are many great programs in addition to PSU and Purdue: Iowa State, Cornell, Texas A&M, Univ. California Davis, Univ Florida, North Carolina State Univ, Univ Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Univ. of Nebraska Lincoln, Ohio State, Michigan State and others. Typically ABE programs have 3 areas: Agricultural machinery, natural resources engineering and bioprocessing including food as well as other areas like fermentation and biologically derived products. My advice would be to speak to faculty in these programs and explain your interests. See where you fit and where you feel welcome. Ask a lot of questions! Visit if you can. Look at the programs of study and facilities. Enjoy!

Expert: Jeffrey Catchmark

Answered on: February 7, 2022

Question: Is a degree in engineering required to study biological engineering?

Answer: Great question! When you use the word \'study\' I think of either study toward obtaining a degree or research. So yes you can pursue a degree in biological engineering (as a major or minor). You can also conduct research in this area but to do that you would benefit from engineering expertise. It depends upon what exactly you want to do. Many people who work in an area are self taught to some degree. So it really depends on what you want to do, where you are in your education or career, and other items. Thanks!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: December 2, 2021

Question: Would it be redundant to double major in biology? And if I want to be in an engineering major that is focused on sustainability and conserving the Earths natural resources, is biological engineering the best type to major in or is there another that is more focused on addressing environmental issues? I am torn between taking a double major in biology or chemical engineering or just sticking to a biological engineering degree with natural resources option. I know though that my end goal is to work preserving the Earths resources and addressing climate change.

Answer: Any of these academic programs could be a good path to your career goals. They each will have a slightly different perspective on how to address the key challenges in natural resources. My degrees were all in ChE and there typically is not a major thrust in addressing natural resources but more in how we can produce chemicals using as benign of processes as possible. Doing a BE degree and adding a biology double major could be useful, but the goal really ought to be in building skills and competencies. BE will provide a deeper foundation for problem solving than would biology alone. Gaining a second degree would help only a small amount compared with getting a BE degree and taking a few of the advanced biology courses you need to fill out your experiences. Hope this is helpful. Mark Riley

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: November 23, 2021

Question: Good morning, I was wondering what does a biological engineer do in an industry position? Like do they work in a lab? And I read that they applied engineering principles but how do they do that? Thank you

Answer: BE's take on a variety of job roles in industry. This can include lab work, field work, design, or manufacturing. It can be tough to get a really good lab work with just a Bachelor's degree, regardless of the field. Gaining an MS is useful for that but to be able to design your own experiments you generally need to get the PhD. The engineering principles are used to develop solutions to problems needed for the design process. That is, based on, for example, thermodynamics, what may be the best way to compare to solvents to extract a protein from a complex solution. You could get a good answer by running a large number of tests, or by starting with the thermodynamic properties to do a first selection. Hope this helps. Mark Riley

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: November 23, 2021

Question: How can I be a biological engineering

Answer: Good question. You can reach this path in a number of ways including going to an accredited engineering college that has a biological engineering program. Take a look for programs here: The degree includes learning about living systems along with the engineering principles that underlie how they function. This typically takes a four year degree and should include experiential learning like laboratory or field work. BE's take on a variety of job roles in industry. This can include lab work, field work, design, or manufacturing. It can be tough to get a really good lab work with just a Bachelor's degree, regardless of the field. Gaining an MS is useful for that but to be able to design your own experiments you generally need to get the PhD. The engineering principles are used to develop solutions to problems needed for the design process. That is, based on, for example, thermodynamics, what may be the best way to compare to solvents to extract a protein from a complex solution. You could get a good answer by running a large number of tests, or by starting with the thermodynamic properties to do a first selection. Hope this helps. Mark Riley

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: November 23, 2021

Question: (500 character limit)Do you have professionals that consult on EMF's in one's home? I heard from an interview on Gaia Tv with Katrine Volynksky that you do. Can I hire someone to help me look at my home and remedy EMFs? Thank you, Sidny This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Answer: Sidny, thanks for your interest in IBE. Do I hear in your question that somebody claimed on TV that we employ contractors for residential inspection? We certainly do not: The Institute for Biological Engineering is a professional society for biological engineers in industry and at universities. Our annual scientific conference is a forum in which scientists are welcome to present their studies, including those on the effects of EMF on living organisms. As scientists, we do not advocate one or the other side. Instead, we try to give our members the opportunity to openly discuss the scientific evidence. I want to note at this point that the question of the effects of EMF on living organisms is not settled. Some high-profile studies in the past turned out to be either insufficiently rigorous or outright fraudulent (see, for example, NOT99-111 at the National Institutes of Health). More recently, the question of effects of electromagnetic fields has been complicated by the large variety of fields that surround us. Are you referring to the 120V/60Hz utility wiring? Are you referring to non-sinusoidal signals in the range of tens of kHz in switch-mode power supplies? Are you referring to low-gigahertz wireless communication signals? While some of these sources may be in your home, many of these signals are emitted by nearby radio stations or cell phone towers. You can shield yourself from those: Look at the door of a microwave oven. There is a metal mesh with holes that are much smaller than the wavelength of the microwave EMF. You could cover walls, floor and ceiling of a room with such a mesh to attenuate most of those EMF and thus create our own "safe room". Let's look at this problem from a different perspective. The magnetic field of an electric wire -- I am assuming a residential circuit with a 15A breaker -- would generate a peak induction of 3 μT (micro-Tesla) at a distance of 1 meter. The Earth's magnetic field is about 10 to 20 times stronger than that. If you consider that you have 60Hz alternating current, the peak induction rate is slightly above 1100 μT per second. A simple refrigerator magnet can easily have a strength of 10,000 μT, and if you move it away from your body to attach it to the refrigerator door (assumed 20cm/s), you experience a rate of several Tesla per second. If you have access to an oscilloscope, perhaps in school, you can conduct another interesting experiment. Set the input to 500mV or 200mV and the time base to 5μs. Hold the probe tip near a laptop or cellphone charger (you do not need to touch any surface). The oscilloscope will pick up strangely-shaped signals of several kHz -- clearly EMF. In your question, you ask for somebody to remedy EMFs. May I assume that you have a foregone conclusion of being exposed to harm from EMF? For this reason, you don't have a cell phone, of course, do you? You don't use an electric stove either, because the high-current wire in there is formed into a coil whose magnetic field is much stronger than that of a straight wire. You don't use compact fluorescent lights or LED lights whose inverters emit the kHz EMF described above, I assume? You stay far, far away from EV charging stations? From cell phone towers? You don't use computers, especially those with backlit screens whose inverters give off some really strong EMF, right? I do not want to frighten you. To the contrary. We are constantly surrounded by EMF from natural and man-made sources. Common sense would tell you that if the risk was as high as sometimes claimed, the evidence of harmful effects would be much more pronounced than it is. If you want to hire a consultant to determine EMF in your home, by all means, if it makes you feel better. However, if you are really interested in the science behind the physiological effects of EMF, you probably want to investigate more (and more diverse) sources beyond Gaia TV.

Expert: Mark Haidekker

Answered on: August 30, 2021

Answer: I don't think that hiring a biological engineer would be the right path for measuring EMF's. You may want to reach out to a certified electrician. It does sound as if you may want to look into IEEE (Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers).

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: November 23, 2021

Question: Mtech in biotechnology or Mtech Agricultural biotechnology has more scope and job opportunities

Answer: In general, I do not get too hung up on degree titles because it is more about the details of the program, i.e., what skills did you learn and what experiences did you have like internships, etc. But in this case the word "Agriculture" could present to an employer an image of what specific skills you have acquired. For example, they may think you have never worked with mammalian cells that would be useful in biomedical applications and think you focused on plants. I think the more important question is what do you want to do. If you want to work on biotechnologies related to agriculture, then the name has an advantage. Also, there is a lot more to securing a job than a degree title. You need to market yourself well, understand potential employers and build relationships with people so they get to know you and what you have to offer. These activities will likely be more important than the degree name. Best of luck!!!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: July 6, 2021

Question: Do you deal with making robotic limbs?

Answer: You are correct that robotic limbs are a good example for biological engineering. Even more closely related are the more sophisticated robotic limbs that integrate sensory or tactile functions and gain the ability to sense when they grip an object and exert a controlled pressure -- really good examples how a biological system inspires engineering design. The answer to your question, "do you deal with making robotic limbs" , depends on what you mean by "you". The Insititute of Biological Engineering is a professional society, meaning, researchers, individuals, or companies engaged in biological engineering can exchange their experience, present innovations at the annual conference, publish in IBE's Journal of Biological Engineering, or network in general. If "you" refers to groups or organizations who actually develop robotic limbs, you would want to check out companies or university departments engaged in this research and development activity.

Expert: Mark Haidekker

Answered on: May 23, 2021

Question: Everything in biological engineering and how can I enter it in master's degree with biotechnology as my first degree

Answer: A good description of Biological Engineering can be found here: https://jbioleng.biomedcentral.com/ Biological engineering is an emerging discipline that encompasses engineering theory and practice connected to and derived from the science of biology, just as mechanical engineering and electrical engineering are rooted in physics and chemical engineering in chemistry. Topical areas include, but are not limited to: Synthetic biology and cellular design Biomolecular, cellular and tissue engineering Bioproduction and metabolic engineering Biosensors Ecological and environmental engineering Biological engineering education and the biodesign process There are many ways to enter the profession but it is most useful to earn a BS degree in engineering (could be biological or chemical or mechanical etc.) and ideally then get research experience through an MS or PhD program. There are good jobs at the BS level but to really start at a good professional point is is ideal to go beyond in your education.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: May 4, 2021

Question: I'm currently studying my 3rd year of a biochemistry and molecular biology, and I've found the machinery of proteins to be fascinating. I have also found that I am much more interested in applying what we have learned to products and solutions rather than plumbing the depths of biology for esoteric knowledge. Have I chosen the wrong major? Have I made a serious blunder if I want to use biology to create useful chemicals, machines, and systems?

Answer: Great questions! First, as a general note, please do not think that your degree will determine your entire career path. I have BS/PHD in Electrical Engineering where I studied semiconductor lasers. I quit that field, studied biological materials myself, specifically polysaccharides, became a full professor in biological engineering and now also work on ethics. Based on your interests, I actually think you may be in the right area, unless you really want to be an engineer. I do know biomedical/biological engineers who work on motor proteins, but their work is fairly fundamental. The practical applications of biomolecular motors is still an area of imagination. This is common - and here is a mile high view: Scientists discover some new phenomena or material and study it for a while. Often times the scientist with an eye to practical application, or an engineer who is really doing scientific work, finds some new application and begins to develop it. Then it becomes a ‘tool’ and more engineers use it. The disciplinary edges are fuzzy. You can be an applied scientist. Or you can switch to engineering and work on applying new science. What may be more important is what you want to do career wise (MS/PHD/industry/academia/etc) and get the relevant experience. Do some undergraduate research to see what you like. If you do want to go into engineering, you may have to take additional classes like advanced math, mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, etc. You can also think of minors. But in my mind if you love biomolecular motors, you may fit well as an applied scientist. I think more science will be needed to find out how to use them practically. Like, can we create surfaces to immobilize/guide the polymerization of microtubules to allow them to be to be used as sorting devices? Or using systems of different motors to power MEMS devices that can be controlled? Or use them to build materials (see: Verma, et. al., Microtubule asters as templates for nanomaterials assembly, December 2012 Journal of Biological Engineering 6(1):23). A lot of exciting work to be done! Happy to discuss more!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: March 19, 2021

Answer: Most likely you have not made a serious blunder. From a biochem / mol bio perspective you can add components of engineering applied to biology. This can be through Biological Engineering MS degree program. That will give you the tools to use the biochem foundation to build stuff at scale (rather than just in the lab). A good description of Biological Engineering can be found here: https://jbioleng.biomedcentral.com/ Biological engineering is an emerging discipline that encompasses engineering theory and practice connected to and derived from the science of biology, just as mechanical engineering and electrical engineering are rooted in physics and chemical engineering in chemistry. Topical areas include, but are not limited to: Synthetic biology and cellular design Biomolecular, cellular and tissue engineering Bioproduction and metabolic engineering Biosensors Ecological and environmental engineering Biological engineering education and the biodesign process

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: May 4, 2021

Question: hello to who ever is reading this i just want to know what requirements and what does a BE does and what Jobs are out there for it and a bunch of other questions I am currently in the army as a food inspection and i want to know what i want to do all i want to do with my education is biology and science so please reach out to me and help me to succeed in my education thank you!

Answer: Biological engineers typical gain a 4-year BS degree through a program that has engineering accreditation. The topics include engineering (statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, etc.), science (math, chemistry, physics), and biology (microbiology, cell or plant physiology, etc.). Areas for employment span food, environment, pharma, and health. While food inspection and food science would not directly use the skills of a biological engineer, developing food safety sensors or food processing systems would. For more info see: https://engineering.unl.edu/bsen/ https://www.abe.iastate.edu/undergraduate-students/advising-center/

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: February 25, 2021

Question: I'm a freshman in college currently studying Computer engineering at the University of Minnesota. I love nature and have always been convinced we need to adapt it to our lives/technology etc. more! Right now I'm in the middle of doing loads of research figuring out how I can find the just right interdisciplinary job of analyzing some macro or micro sized piece of nature and adapting it to electronics/man made materials. Biological engineering, as spoken of on this site, sounds absolutely wonderful and great- I'd especially love working with mechanical engineers and crossing the bridge between Biophysicists and robotics engineers. The problem is i have no idea what to do to get there- I'm not sure what kind of undergrad major path to take or where to go for it. I'd be happy to know just to stick with my major and add a biology minor, but I could also like the idea of being told to go more into ecological sciences or biosystems...?

Answer: Hello, First, I fully understand your situation! I got a PHD in electrical engineering and was an optoelectronics device engineer and realized that I wanted to work on sustainable materials to address pollution issues, so I did a career change nearly 20 years ago. In any case, you mention a number of different disciplines. If you goal is to study 'nature's mechanics' but as an engineer to apply that knowledge to the design of robots or other devices, you could ursue a biological engineering degree or mechanical engineering degree with an emphasis in biological materials. It seems you want to do 'design' which would suggest an engineering degree is what you want. You are pursuing computer engineering now and I do not know the context of that but if you want to also do modeling of biological materials and bio-inspired materials, you could also do that in either BE or ME. The key is to find the right program for you. I would of course talk to many faculty and undergraduate advisors at Minnesota in biological, mechanical, bio or biomedical, and any other relevant program to gain perspective on what is possible. You also should get involved with undergraduate research so you can see what it is like to explore this field - which is often called biomimetics. If you do engage in undergraduate research, do not become discouraged if it starts slow. Things take time. Be patient. Keep reading and talking to people. You will find something that fits. Happy to discuss.

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: February 10, 2021

Answer: It sounds like you may be best served at U Minnesota by the programs in Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering https://bbe.umn.edu/. Biosystems Engin is synonymous with Biological Engineering. There is some variability of names across institutions. Check it out.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: February 23, 2021

Question: Firstly what's the difference between biomedical and biological engineering? Secondly is the subject more about mechanics and engineering than biology?

Answer: In many respects the term Biological Engineering is more broad than Biomedical Engineering (some practitioners would consider BME to be a subset of BE). BE is an integration of the biology with the engineering similar to how thermo or mechanics is a part of engineering. A meaningful BE project will utilize tools from many of these areas. A key different with a career in biology is that the Biological Engineer will be looking how to manipulate, control, design, impact the living system, rather than studying how it behaves.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: February 23, 2021

Question: By becoming a biological engineer will I be able to explore alternatives that respond to the climate and economic crisis we face?

Answer: Excellent question... and the answer is - YES! Biological engineers work in many, many facets in this world, and most of those have both climate and economic impact. For example, I work in the energy space where a large component of what we do is to consider the long-term impact (like climate change) of alternative vs. fossil fuels. The choices we make on how we generate and use power in our everyday lives will have a significant influence on both climate issues and the global economy. We can also consider the role biological engineers play in other areas of your life - the food industry for example. Think about how the need to grow, process and transport food in vast quantities impacts land, water and energy use. The same could be said for many other careers biological engineers can pursue. How we manage critical resources as biological engineers certainly impacts both the global economy and climate change, and more importantly those choices impact lives. And in the grand scheme of all things, an engineer's first job is to protect the health, safety and welfare of all people - especially during a crisis.

Expert: Ben J. Stuart

Answered on: October 6, 2020

Answer: Yes, biological engineers work in a variety of areas which interface biology, the natural environment, and the built environment. Microbial processes are a great way to address this.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: October 28, 2020

Answer: There certainly are a broad array of topics that you can explore including addressing climate and the costs and benefits of large scale solutions. Many biological engineers develop new processes that capture carbon, for example, and work closely with both new and older industries. Many of the technologies to address the climate also lead to good jobs.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: January 25, 2021

Answer: Yes, these are viable paths of investigations. Many biological engineers look to design solutions to a variety of problems from climate, food, health, environment, etc. Any good solution should also be economically viable. BE is an integration of the biology with the engineering similar to how thermo or mechanics is a part of engineering. A meaningful BE project will utilize tools from many of these areas. A key difference with a career in biology is that the Biological Engineer will be looking how to manipulate, control, design, impact the living system, rather than studying how it behaves.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: February 23, 2021

Question: As a Junior in high school and wanting to become a Biological Engineer since last year what advice would you: give me in getting into a college for my training, 1. Planning as a high School Jr, what must I do. 2. Selecting the 5 best colleges to look into for the field of biological engineering. 3. How to find reputable scholarships to apply for with a C+ Average 4. What companies offer scholarships to minorities in this major of biological engineering and how may I apply. 5. what are the three leading careers(jobs ) that are known for this field of biological engineering.

Answer: Great, glad to hear that you are interested in biological engineering. This is a diverse field with many opportunities. In HS focus on getting your science and math skills well developed. If possible take through calculus as in college you will need 4 semesters of that topic. Also get your physics and chemistry as again you will need multiple semesters of those in college. The biology is important, but not as critical at the high school level since you will have a real variety of directions you can take that in college. Scholarships are available typically through the college you attend. In state schools will be cheaper but may give you less money. At the end of the day the cost is likely lower to stay in state. Careers include jobs as an engineer working in the field of environment, biotechnology, food, renewable energy, health, and research. I hope that this is helpful and that you enjoy pursuing this career.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: January 25, 2021

Question: What are the three best schools for the Biological Engineer BS Degree in or out side of Kentucky?

Answer: Biological Engineering programs often have different names. The Univ. of Kentucky has a Biosystems Engineering program that you should look into. See: https://www.uky.edu/academics/undergraduate/engineering/biosystems-engineering If you want to look at other programs, see: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-biological-agricultural Let us know if you have any other questions. Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: September 6, 2020

Answer: Tough choice - I would suggest you look at Purdue, Nebraska, Iowa State, and UC Davis. Penn State, Kentucky, and Texas A&M also have strong programs.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: January 25, 2021

Question: Hello, I'm a rising senior in high school, so I am in the process of finding good colleges. I was wondering which colleges are highly regarded in this field. Are there a handful that are particularly good? And is a biology degree good enough, or should I look for more specific degrees? Thank you.

Answer: It is great that you are looking for good schools! First, I can only comment on biological engineering, not biology. Biology is a science and in the college of science while biological engineering is an engineering degree and in the college of engineering. They are different. An engineering degree focuses on design and you will have to learn advanced math, mechanics, thermodynamics, materials, etc. A good place to start looking for the best biological engineering programs is here: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-biological-agricultural But ranking is not everything. If you have other constraints like location or how you want to live you may want to visit local schools and see what they have to offer. Talk to professors and undergraduate coordinators. Learn about the people and programs. Talk to students in the programs. Ask a lot of questions! Enjoy - it is fun looking for the right program for you!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: August 11, 2020

Question: Hello, can you tell me a little bit more about any career ideas you would have in the field of bio engineering that are in high demand and some thing hands-on and outdoors? I do not want to be behind a desk all day. I also have an interest in film and video. Do you have any ideas how I can integrate that with bioengineering? Thank you so much!

Answer: Great interests! We need more interdisciplinary students! First, sometimes when students use the term bioengineering they mean biomedical engineering. That may be a bit of a special case, as it is different from the more typical agricultural engineering, natural resources engineering and food and bioprocessing engineering. Your interest in being outdoors does help. I think any of these may have an outdoor component and hands on opportunities. The first thing that crossed my mind is for you to pursue a career in "extension". Extension is specifically related to agriculture and involves education, outreach and research translation. It could be in a variety of specific fields. Your interest in outdoors could lead you to natural resource engineering where one may design watersheds and repair riverways. But agricuktural safety may interface with biomedical engineering. In any case, extension work in education, outreach and research translation requires one to communicate effectively to broad audiences both in person on site and over electronic media. What better way to integrate film and video! Create exciting presentations in diverse media to help teach farmers or bioprocess engineers safety or the latest research advances. I would talk to graduate faculty in many programs and state your interests - they are unique and would spark the interest of many. I would be happy to discuss this more! Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: June 16, 2020

Question: I have a bachelor of engineering in agricultural and environmental engineering, can i go do my masters degree in biological engineering?

Answer: Absolutely! Remember that department and program names vary widely. At Penn State, our department name is Agricultural and Biological Engineering and our major is Biological Engineering. But departments have other names like Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. They may also have different program names. I would focus more on what you want to do. What research would you like to do if you aim to earn a research M.S. You will need to find an advisor whose expertise is related to your desired field of study. But be open minded, as you may find a project different than you wanted, but it could end up being a better opportunity. You also may have geographic considerations. Make a list of universities with related programs and speak to several graduate faculty there to get information and ideas. Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: June 16, 2020

Question: Hi! I am graduating high school this year (2020). I plan to major in Biological Systems Engineering starting in August. I was just wondering what kind of jobs, internships, or volunteer work I could do related to this field just being fresh out of high school?? Also any advice that you could give me about the next 4 years in regards to studying, classes, or any other tips to help me be successful. Thank you for your time!

Answer: Great question! There are several things you can do. First, do not be afraid to contact professionals asking for advice and guidance. I would start with your local university, especially if you are unable to travel. A faculty member there may be delighted to have a summer volunteer in the lab. It would be ideal if the experience was in the specific program area you are interested in, but don’t let that stop you. Working in a biology lab or machinery lab could be just as helpful. While there, make sure you talk to other professors, staff and students. Some professors even allow students to sit in on summer classes. The other thing you can do is reach out to local companies who also may have volunteer or internship opportunities. When you talk to individuals at the University, ask if they have any contacts with local industry. I would also have a resume ready. Include all of your extracurricular activities. Also, prepare for any telephone conversations. Describe your interests in your degree program, and your longer-term career interests such as what field of study you maybe interested in pursuing (i.e., what field of biological systems engineering). A common question could be, why are you interested in pursuing a career in biological systems engineering? What motivated you to pursue this degree? What kind of job would you like to do? Also, a great question to ask professionals is: “what questions should I be asking now to help me be successful in my degree program and subsequent career?” Just some thoughts. Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: May 14, 2020

Question: Hi, I want to know how many years I need to became a biological enginnering. Do I need to do pre- enginnering?

Answer: Once you graduate high school with a strong math and science background, you can complete a bachelors of science degree in biological engineering in four years. You do not need pre-engineering unless you require a little more time to strengthen your math and science skills. It would be nice (but not necessary) to take biology, chemistry and physics while in high school - and take as much higher level math as your school offers (trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, etc.). When you are in your last year of your bachelor's program, you should talk with your advisor about whether you should consider graduate studies to best position you for the career path you most desire. It may add a couple years to your schooling, but the payoff in terms of job opportunities and satisfaction, as well as long-term career potential can very much be worth the extra investment. Best wishes.

Expert: Ben J. Stuart

Answered on: October 28, 2019

Answer: Great question! Please also look at the other questions on the IBE site as there is a lot of information on this. First an engineering degree (Bachelors of Science) is typically 4 years after high school. You do not need to come from a pre-engineering curriculum - just need the basic math and science courses. Calculus, biology and chemistry would help, but you can take these in college. While you are getting your BS undergraduate degree, you should also think about graduate school! I know it is early, but I just want to put this on your radar. You can get an masters degree or even a doctorate. These open new career paths. I would also visit some local universities that have biological engineering degrees (or equivalent) and talk to people there - students and professors! Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: November 18, 2019

Answer: You can get a good job directly out of receiving a BS degree. Pre-engineering often is needed for some institutions based on how they arrange their curriculum. Often students are required to do per-engineering if they enter a program missing one or more pre-requisite requirements like in math, physics, or chemistry. Make sure to get these covered in your high school courses. Jobs are available in a number of sub-areas of BE including biofuels and bioproducts, environmental, biomedical, and food.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: December 6, 2019

Question: Hi, i'm a senior in high school and I'd like to know more about the career opportunities of this career. What kinds of companies employ bioengineers, and what is the workplace environment like? I'm looking at a bachelors degree program at Texas A&M called biological and agricultural engineer; would something like that be enough to get me into a good job, or is a masters or even PhD required? What is a approximate entry level and mid career salary in the field?

Answer: Thank you for your question! First, Biological Engineering (BE) is a very diverse discipline. Specialty areas include food and bioprocessing including fermentation, natural resources including things like soil, water, air, etc., sustainable materials and energy, agricultural machinery and biomedical engineering. Careers in these different areas offer different work environments. An BE natural resources engineer may spend a lot of time working in the field while a BE bioprocessing engineer may spend a lot of time in a laboratory. If you enter into a BE degree program, you should get to know each area to see what you like. I don't have statistics handy, but the job market for BE students is excellent just based on our department experience. You can find salary information online, but there will be variation based on the area. A bioprocessing engineer may have a slightly higher starting salary in the pharmaceutical area vs food, for example. but I would encourage you to learn what you like doing and weigh that over starting salary. You need to think about the arc of your career. You could be working in an area for decades (although most career paths have a lot of changes - you could end up in an entirely different field!) This brings me to MS/PHD degrees. It is very early for you but when you enter a degree program, ask about graduate school as you identify areas that you like. A graduate degree will certainly increase your salary and provide you the ability to get better jobs and career paths with better jobs in the future. it is a wise investment of your time, and in engineering most students get an assistantship (are paid to go - and do research or teach under that funding). It is a great deal! An MS or PHD is not required, but will just help you get better jobs and a better arc to your career (typically). I would be happy to discuss more. But keep doing what you are doing - keep asking questions. Visit Texas A&M and ask as many questions as you can. Visit labs and request tours. When you enroll in a program, work hard to get good grades and engage in extracurricular activities like clubs and research experiences. Classes and grades are important, but you need other experiences also. Best of luck!!!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: October 23, 2019

Answer: You can get a good job directly out of receiving a BS degree. At times students are required to do pre-engineering if they enter a program missing one or more pre-requisite requirements like in math, physics, or chemistry. Make sure to get these covered in your high school courses. Jobs are available in a number of sub-areas of BE including biofuels and bioproducts, environmental, biomedical, and food. The BAE program at TAMU is outstanding and does a fantastic job of connecting students to jobs. It helps a great deal to get an internship in industry to see what areas you may want to pursue. There always are jobs for engineers in these areas and the growth in opportunities continues to grow. You can get a PhD after gaining a BS in BAE and that will open up more opportunities to do research as a career, but advanced degrees (MS/PhD) are not needed. If you truly want to follow that path an ideal step is to do research while an undergraduate.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: December 6, 2019

Question: am febby ndhlovu from Zambia and I was currently accepted at Evelyn hone college to study BE.Now I would really want to know the possibility of getting deployed after graduating,as it is a new course in Zambia.I would also like to know the industries in Zambia where they need BE so that I would be sure before going ahead with the course

Answer: Hello! I am very sorry but I have no knowledge of your area. I would think that faculty at your college should have some information about potential job opportunities in the region. You could also look for local professional societies in biological and agricultural engineering. I wish I could be of more help!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: October 16, 2019

Answer: I cannot speak to opportunities in Zambia but can explain what we see in the US. Regardless of the institution, it is very helpful to identify a focus area like biofuels and bioproducts, environmental, biomedical, and food through BE. The faculty at your institution can be the best guide about local opportunities. You can get a good job directly out of receiving a BS degree. At times students are required to do pre-engineering if they enter a program missing one or more pre-requisite requirements like in math, physics, or chemistry. Make sure to get these covered in your high school courses. Jobs are available in a number of sub-areas of BE including biofuels and bioproducts, environmental, biomedical, and food through BE. BME programs are more narrowly focused on human health which narrows the job opportunities relative to BE (which is a broader term). It helps a great deal to get an internship in industry to see what areas you may want to pursue. There always are jobs for engineers in these areas and the growth in opportunities continues to grow. You can get a PhD after gaining a BS and that will open up more opportunities to do research as a career, but advanced degrees (MS/PhD) are not needed. If you truly want to follow that path an ideal step is to do research while an undergraduate. For BME it is strongly encouraged to get a PhD as more jobs are available with that credential than compared to at the BS level.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: December 6, 2019

Question: What are some additional requirements for biomedical engineers?

Answer: You can get a good job directly out of receiving a BS degree. At times students are required to do pre-engineering if they enter a program missing one or more pre-requisite requirements like in math, physics, or chemistry. Make sure to get these covered in your high school courses. Jobs are available in a number of sub-areas of BE including biofuels and bioproducts, environmental, biomedical, and food through BE. BME programs are more narrowly focused on human health which narrows the job opportunities relative to BE (which is a broader term). It helps a great deal to get an internship in industry to see what areas you may want to pursue. There always are jobs for engineers in these areas and the growth in opportunities continues to grow. You can get a PhD after gaining a BS and that will open up more opportunities to do research as a career, but advanced degrees (MS/PhD) are not needed. If you truly want to follow that path an ideal step is to do research while an undergraduate. For BME it is strongly encouraged to get a PhD as more jobs are available with that credential than compared to at the BS level.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: December 6, 2019

Question: what would a Bioengineer's responsibility at let's say a food production company such as Kellogs? also are biological engineers mostly populated in one specific area of the USA or are they majorly spread out.

Answer: A BE in a food production company could address a number of topics ranging from design and optimization of equipment (although some of this may be also addressed by Chem Engineers and Mechanical Engineers). A key component of what a BE individual will address is any interface with living systems. This could be addressing food safety issues coming from microbial contamination, evaluating new ways to process feedstock (through microbial or enzymatic processes), designing new food products or preservation methods. There are good jobs available in this path.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: December 6, 2019

Question: What types of communication does a biological engineer rely on heavily, occasionally, and infrequently?

Answer: Thank you for your important question! As in most professions, a BE would have to communicate in a number of ways on a number of levels. One would have to be effective in communicating in writing and orally to a variety of audiences. Writing may involve highly technical papers and reports to documents that must summarize technical information to non-techincal audiences to test procedures that must have a very high level of detail. Engineers in general may write journal papers, magazine articles, progress reports, invention disclosures, patents, and many other types of documents. Email and electronic communication is also important as it is used continuously currently and presents its own issues ranging from brevity that may cause misunderstanding to informality that creates other interpersonal issues. Work related communications should always be professional, honest, thoughtful and clear. Oral presentations would also involve communicating to both technical and non-technical audiences in different formats. One may have a very short time (3-5 min) to deliver a clear message or be allowed extended time (45-60min) to provide a detailed report. Importantly, one must be prepared to address audiences that are very critical. Public audiences may be even more so, and developing composure and the ability to manage situations that involve emotional conflict is important. Engineers may speak at conferences, to reporters, to peers, in public and provide testimony. Communication often requires visual aides like plots of data or tables which should be accurate, detailed and understandable. Of key importance is the responsibility of an engineer to understand his or her influence when communicating. Professionals have a responsibility when communicating to not use their position or technical complexity to distort information. An engineer needs to put ethics first and communication should be free of bias and framing. Conflicts of interest and commitment need to also be communicated and addressed - as simply disclosing conflict of interests do not then allow a person to engage in an unethical act. Disclosure is not permission. Communication is complex! I would be happy to answer additional questions and discuss more!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: September 26, 2019

Question: As a recent graduate, how do I find people to network with for a job?

Answer: Great question! Many ways: 1) Career fairs at your university; 2) Conferences (can try to find a local one in your area); 3) IBE/ASABE/ACS job resources to identify companies; 4) posting your resume on technical job/career sites; 5) speaking to faculty and staff at university centers who work with industry to get contacts and introductions; 6) asking for department alumni contacts; and 7) Most importantly, learning about companies and contacting them directly. This involves finding a contact beyond HR - a technical contact - someone in your area - and introducing yourself. You need to take time to learn about the company and demonstrate that knowledge by suggesting how you could help them with your skills. Its like an 'elevator pitch' for you. Finding a job is a lot of work - especially your first job. Happy to discuss more. Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: September 10, 2019

Question: What is some essential coursework needed for an ABE student who wants to pursue biotechnology and computational engineering? I'm studying at the University of Illinois in Urbana, and I'm not sure if I'm being prepared for what I want to do.

Answer: Great question! But this is also a bit broad since biotechnology is a rather comprehensive term as is computational engineering. Some may feel any use of modeling software in engineering is computational engineering, but here I am assuming you mean computation related to biological engineering. In general I would think any ABE program would prepare you broadly for a field in biotechnology. The key aspects are in the details. For example, if you really mean biomedical technology like biomedical materials for tissue regeneration, then some ABE programs may not cover that at all. Here you could be better off considering a biomedical engineering degree. In this case, you would want to be exposed to micro and molecular biology, genetics, cell biology including mammalian cell biology, etc. Computational engineering in biology also has different areas. if you are interested in modeling bacterial cell growth dynamics in a bioreactor, for example, you may get that in a typical ABE program. However, if you are interested in modeling protein folding or protein-protein interaction that requires quantum and molecular calculations, this may be absent even in many biomedical engineering degree programs. I would try to define in more detail your career plans and speak with both your undergraduate program coordinator and faculty to see how a program could be developed to meet your career interests. Most programs have several electives. You could tailor them to develop a foundation in one or more areas. Even get a minor in some area that would be advantageous to your career goals. I hope this helps and I am happy to answer any other questions you may have! Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: August 19, 2019

Question: Im going to school to be a biological engineer. I really want to develop or work with pharmaceuticals. Can a biological engineer work with pharmaceuticals?

Answer: Absolutely. BE's often work in designing and manufacturing efficient ways to make active ingredients for pharma. Make sure that you gain a good background in organic chemistry and bioprocess engineering.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: August 12, 2019

Question: I want to apply for Masters degree in Biological Engineering, will this course be of help to me as I aim at becoming a professor and consultant in stem cell and nanotechnology. I studied Pharmacy as an undergraduate course. Thank you.

Answer: I think this will depend upon the specific program. Some Biological Engineering programs have integrated what some call Biomedical Engineering. In that case, yes, an academic M.S. in Biological Engineering with a research focus on biomedical applications involving stem cells could support your career goals. In some universities, Biomedical Engineering is a separate department/program. It would be best if you explored this with your target universities to see how the departments and programs are organized. Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: July 16, 2019

Answer: This could help on your path but note that if your undergraduate degree was not in engineering, you likely will need to catch up on a number of engineering foundation courses like statics, dynamics, and thermodynamics. There is a lot of industrial work in nanotech along with that in academia. Applications of stem cells are still primarily research in academia. Best of luck on your path. Regards, Mark Riley

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: August 5, 2019

Question: what are the minimum qualifications to enter into biological engineering?

Answer: Hello, the field of biological engineering is quite broad and the answer depends on what direction you would like to pursue. If you are focusing on the research components of the field, most likely you would need to earn a BS degree and then a PhD degree which has an emphasis on research. Your degrees are most valuable if they are through an engineering program which will teach you broad problem solving skills. There are jobs available with just a BS degree but those will tend to be more on the side of working as a technician (which can be very interesting), but would not have the responsibility of leading a team. Many people get jobs with a BS and work in manufacturing areas such as producing ethanol from corn, for making bioplastics, and for developing environmental solutions. The more education you get the better a job you would be able to achieve and with increasing ability to focus on the topics that you find most interesting. Hope this helps! Mark Riley, PhD University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: May 30, 2019

Answer: Thank you for your question! I will assume that this question is referring to the qualifications for a job in biological engineering. In this case, a degree in biological engineering or related discipline is ideal. However you could have a degree in another discipline of engineering and another degree in biology or biochemistry. Sometimes it's a combination of a degree and practical experience. For example you could have a degree in chemical engineering but have work experience that relates to biology in someway such as microorganism fermentation. It also depends on what field of biological engineering you're interested in. When people think of a biological engineering they sometimes think of things like natural resource engineering, agricultural engineering, mechatronics, food and bio processing, synthetic biology, or even biomedical engineering. So for example if you were interested in agricultural machinery, you may have a degree in mechanical engineering but are interested in applying it to agricultural machinery that is used to harvest or process biomaterials. Finally, some positions that have engineering in the title do indeed desire to have someone fill that position who has at least one engineering degree. In some cases however they may take a non-engineering degree and practical experience as being adequate. So for example you could have a degree in natural resources but practical experience in some facets of that work such as sensor design and be qualified for such a position. It really depends upon the specific situation. Happy to answer any more questions. I hope this helps. Thank you!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: August 5, 2019

Answer: To enter an undergraduate program in biological engineering you should have a good foundation in math through pre-caculus, and in physics, chemistry, and biology. These all serve as the bedrock for the field. I typically encourage students to take Calc 1 at a 4-year institution rather than trying to get that done during high school. It can be a hard transition going from a high school Calc 1 to a college Calc 2. Best of luck. Regards, Mark Riley

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: August 5, 2019

Question: I am an adult of 44 years old and I am interested in starting to pursue a career in biological engineering right from the basic CAN I ACHIEVE THIS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION? IF NOT DO YOU THINK WITH MY AGE I CAN STILL PURSUE BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING THROUGH UNIVERSITY EDUCATION?

Answer: This is a great question. Age itself certainly does not matter - it is more related to the amount of time you have available. In my experience, professional degrees typically mean a professional Masters degree. If you have a B.S. degree in engineering, you could pursue one of these in BE or a closely related area. If you do not have a BS engineering degree, and want to obtain one, then you would need to see what is available in your area. I do not know of any fully online programs. Most programs have a few classes online, with more online classes for the general education requirements than the junior and senior major classes. Few if any of the major classes are online. So that would mean taking classes at the university. Another possible option is a certificate program. These are usually 4-5 courses and can be undergraduate or graduate. The issue is that often the courses in the certificate program have pre-requisites. So many certificate programs are aimed at students who have many of the basic courses already. There could also be other requirements. But, if you could get a certificate, it could get you started with only perhaps 2 semesters of classes. I realize this is vague, but there is a lot of variation in how programs are set up. You would need to see what is available in your area. Finally, there are non-traditional ways of getting into another field. I was at an IBE conference many years ago and I saw a presentation from a person who had no formal education in BE but had some work background and simply obtained a job in a lab and learned the practical trade and this became his career. It was an unusual situation to be sure, but such career moves are possible. It really depends upon how far you want to go and what education/background you need to achieve your goals. We had a woman get a PHD in our department who was in her 50's and got a great job afterward and is doing well. Happy to discuss more!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: May 16, 2019

Answer: It is feasible to catch up in some areas but more difficult in others. The environmental and food areas are the best opportunity for jobs and for on the job training which could include some community college courses. Heading towards laboratory based jobs would be more difficult without a formal undergraduate education. Regards, Mark Riley

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: June 24, 2019

Question: Dear Sir or Madam, I am a master student majored in bioengineering, who will be graduating soon. My current project is fabricating hydrogel biochip for cellular studies/in vitro models. I am currently looking for a few industry positions, but I am not sure what fields of jobs should I look for because my project involves both manufacturing and tissue engineering. And other people have also suggesting me to go for Ph.D. as well (I already got offers from other schools). So I am wondering if experts from your organization can give me some advice? Such as whether if it is necessary to go for Ph.D., even my final goal is working in the industry? And also if a master student is competitive enough in the market? Thank you for your time and consideration; I am deeply appreciated. Sincerely

Answer: These are great and difficult questions! Here is my short answer: Go for the PHD! I worked in industry for 9 years before joining the university and have been working for 27 years and in all my experience I have never once had someone with a PHD - from academia or industry - tell me that they wished they did not get it. But I have had many students tell me that they wished they would have stayed in school longer especially when they were young so that they could go further in their career. I tell a lot of students when they are making career decisions to not just think about how they are feeling now but to try to consider how they might feel when they are 35 or 40 years old with 25-30+ years to work - what kind of job opportunities would you like then? You need to try to think about the arc of your career and life. If you have a PHD offer, why not give it your best shot? Who knows who you may become. I see a lot of students who cannot imagine themselves as anything else other than what they are now. And I tell them that in the future they could end up as CEOs, political leaders, heads of federal agencies, or who knows what. This is a time in life where you have time and endless potential. You are creating the future you - take time to create a you that you will be happy and proud of. This doesn't mean you have to get a PHD, but if you have the opportunity, why not explore? The opportunity may not arise again. And yes, industry also looks for people with PHDs. In any case, there are many large pharma-biomedical companies interested in materials science and the other things you mention - and manufacturing is key. If you go for a job now I would approach all the major ones like GSK, MERCK, Hoffmann, J&J, CSL, etc. CSL Behring seems to always be looking for great people. You can also look at smaller firms. Find a contact there and build a relationship. Offer to give a seminar on your work, if you can. You can create job opportunities also - you don't have to wait for a listing. Its about demonstrating leadership and initiative. Companies want skilled leaders on all levels - and employees with integrity. Just some thoughts! Happy to discuss. Jeffrey M. Catchmark, Ph.D. Professor Director, Graduate Studies Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Colleges of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Affiliated Faculty The Rock Ethics Institute The Pennsylvania State University 226 Agricultural Engineering Building University Park, PA 16802 814-863-0414 (phone) 814-863-1031 (fax) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (email)

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: May 1, 2019

Question: Can you please tell me is there any job opportunities in sri lanka for biologcal engineers?

Answer: Unfortunately, I am not well-versed as to the current job markets in Sri Lanka. The good news is, the internet can help answer many of those types of questions - you just need to be specific about what you ask. Biological engineers work in such diverse fields that it is impossible for me to believe that there aren't numerous opportunities in Sri Lanka. From medicine and health professions and pharmaceuticals, to food supply and processing, from environmental and energy issues, to water treatment and purification - all of these critical life-sustaining areas (and many more I didn't list) require biological engineers. So, pick your passion... what area of our world do you want to make your contribution to society. I am convinced that a biological engineer can be a part of the solution and that it can be - and is already being done in any country.

Expert: Ben J. Stuart

Answered on: April 11, 2019

Question: I'm a Sri lankan student and I'm intresting to study biological engineering. So can you please tell me what are fields that i have to study for bio engineering and what are the job opportunities i can have as a biological engineer. Thank you.

Answer: Biological engineering is a broad field that uses biological or life sciences as a foundation which then utilizes the tools of engineering design. To prepare you should take as many courses in biology (microbiology, molecular biology, physiology, ecology) to determine what area you would like to focus. Then take math and engineering courses such as thermo, fluid dynamics, materials, and kinetics. Jobs are wide ranging and include areas in environment, food and pharmaceuticals, medicine, and bio-based products. It is important to gain experience in the field while still undergoing your studies that way you know about the field and can see what skills you should build. Hope this is helpful.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: March 24, 2019

Question: Hello,I am Sylvester Owusu from Ghana. I have a first degree in Agricultural Technology. It has been my passion to be a Biological Engineer.I gained admission from a foreign university to read masters in Food Science and Engineering but unfortunately,I could not honour it due to financial problems. I would like to know if I can do masters in Biological Engineering judging from my background as an agricultural technologist? Or will I be permitted to read PhD in Biological Engineering after doing MSc Food Science and Engineering? I would be glad to have your opinion.Thank you.

Answer: Hello Sylvester! Admission into a BE MS program will depend upon the requirements of the program. Most engineering programs require you to have taken classes like advanced calculus, engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, etc. Some technology degrees may not have these requirements. In those cases, a university may grant you a provisional admission where you will be given 1-2 semesters to complete this needed coursework. So, in short, yes, you should be able to obtain an MS in BE (or equivalent program - some have different names). Funding is another matter. Most departments have some assistantships to award on a competitive basis - in addition to grants. If you have a few schools in mind, I would contact faculty at those schools to learn about the program and to introduce yourself. One thing often looked for in graduate applications is undergraduate research experience. Since you were admitted onto another MS program, you should be qualified. Happy to answer additional questions!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: February 18, 2019

Question: Greetings, my name is Antony. I'm a student of Pacific State Medical University at the 3rd year of education, faculty of General Medicine. I participate in student group for development of future scientific facility with BE direction, which PSMU is going to build. Our project is on the initial stage and we are gathering information about all the current and actual info about this field of study. I would be glad, if you answer some questions about: What are the main scientific centers, which have leading role in BE researches and what is their major area of focus in it? (Does your institute have this leading focus?) Is there any opportunity for academic mobility program with your institute to send out representatives of our university for getting familiar with special equipment, methods which is used for researches?

Answer: Hello Tony, Most major universities have one or more of the following departments related to biological engineering: Biological Engineering, Agricultural and Biological Engineering or Biomedical Engineering. Biomedical engineering is a part of biological engineering but the biomedical focus is so comprehensive that it is often its own department. For example, Penn State has a department of agricultural and biological engineering (that delivers an accredited B.S. in biological engineering and a related M.S. and Ph.D.) and a department of biomedical engineering (that delivers an accredited B.S. degree). Facilities vary widely depending upon the specific focus areas in a given department. We just completed a new building and have spaces for building agricultural machinery, biomass processing, fermentation, microbiology, molecular and synthetic biology, biological materials, biological chemistry, electronics, etc. However, Penn State, like so many other universities, also have shared use core facilities that departments can access. These contain special instrumentation like electron microscopes, spectrometers, genome sequencing, biomolecular computational modeling, etc. All of these labs have standard processes and specific areas of research. Happy to answer any additional questions you may have! Jeffrey Catchmark, Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: December 4, 2018

Question: What career paths can you pursue with a biological engineering degree? Can you develop new medications or do diseas research with this degree?

Answer: My definition of engineering is, "manipulation of the laws of science and nature for a desired outcome". Engineers rely upon the discovery undertaken throughout all time in a multitude of scientific fields to develop an understanding of how our natural world works. Once we know how stuff works, we can insert ourselves in the process to optimize the system and environmental variables under our direct control to cause responses that are desirable - or inhibit responses we don't want. Biological engineering (BE) applies this principle to biological systems, so anything you can imagine in the biological world can be a career path for you as a degree recipient in BE. So, specific to your question, pharmaceutical and disease research are fields with fantastic opportunities for biological engineers. Best wishes in selecting a career path that brings you success - and more importantly, significance.

Expert: Ben J. Stuart

Answered on: April 11, 2019

Question: Hello, I am interested in pursuing a master's program for either bioengineering or environmental engineering. I majored in Biology and currently work in the pharmaceutical industry in a chemical technician role but I would like to align my career with more of my strengths. Many of the graduate programs I find are for biomedical engineering. Is bioengineering typically geared towards biomedical? I'm not as interested in biomedical so much but what other careers can one get with a bioengineering masters degree? Thank you for your time. -Mark

Answer: Hello Mark, your question to the IBE Ask an Expert program was forwarded to me. The title of a program follows some general rules but often the specific title is based on local preferences. Bioengineering often does align with biomedical engineering (based on the ABET accreditation approach they are equivalent), but that many not always be the case. Biological engineering is often described as a broad term that includes biomedical, pharma, environmental, and agricultural. The job market then is fairly broad and includes industries that utilize living systems to achieve a goal. While the name of the degree does matter, future jobs align more with the kind of work on which you focus for your research at the MS or PhD levels. If you are seeking a broader experience than health-related engineering, then search on biological engineering programs. Do a search of some recent research publications (J Biological Engineering, Biotech & Bioeng, and others) to see topics of recent research advances and use that as a guide for searches of individual faculty and the academic programs to which they are connected. Hope this is helpful. Regards, Mark Riley, Ph.D. U Nebraska-Lincoln

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: July 9, 2018

Answer: Hello! This is an excellent question and remains a point of confusion for many interested in biological engineering. Certainly biological engineering encompasses biomedical engineering and there are many great programs out there that have this specialization. At Penn State, our biological engineering program does not really encompass this component of the discipline. Our areas, which in general align with many other such programs out there, include 1) food and bioprocess engineering (food safety and engineering, fermentation, downstream processing, bioproduct design and production, etc.); 2) Natural resource engineering (water and soil quality, nutrient management, stormwater design, etc.); and 3) Agricultural machinery (mechatronics, ag production equipment, biomaterials harvesting and processing, precision agriculture, etc.). These are the 3 options in our undergraduate program - but generally align with the expertise of our faculty and thus shape the areas of graduate research. By selecting one of these options, which determines the associated coursework, you can pursue a career in the associated field. Our food and bioprocessing students (both undergrad and grad) end up at food, pharma, chemical and other biotechnology companies. Our NRE students end up in a variety of companies doing environmental design. Our Ag machinery students often go to companies doing mechanical design like CNH, John Deere or others not specifically involved in mechanical design for agricultural equipment. There can be exceptions and specific cases which is why it is good to look at different programs and explore their course offerings and faculty expertise. I hope this helps. I would be happy to discuss further. Best wishes! Jeffrey Catchmark Professor, Penn State University This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 814-863-0414

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: July 18, 2018

Question: Hi , i'm an electrical control Engineer and i like to use my Knowledge in other sciences . is there any Overlap between this two fields and is there any application ?

Answer: Hello! Great question! I am also an electrical engineer (BS and PHD) but have been a biological engineer for well over 15 years. A few thoughts: 1) There is a lot of overlap between EE and BE. Here are a few of countless examples: control systems for fermentation, electronic/optical sensors for measuring biological phenomena (biosensors), electronics devices that interface with biological organisms and tissue (best example: the brain-computer interface), bioinformatics (not just the software - but using concepts from electrical engineering - like signal processing - to analyze or understand biological data or processes), elements of synthetic biology like biological circuits. This is a great time to be both an EE and a BE! 2) When considering entering into the BE space as an EE, it may be good to think about what role you see yourself as having. The more you know about the particular field of BE you are interested in, the more effective you can become. But if you do not know a lot now, you may start by forming collaborations with BEs where you can bring your strengths in EE to a project. While doing that, you can begin to learn more about the biological aspects. It took me years of independent study in addition to working with others to reach the point where I could lead projects that involved biology. I have worked for >15 years on extracellular microbial polysaccharides and other plant derived polysaccharides and now know a lot about them. But it takes time. You may need to decide if you want to act in only a supporting role or if you really want to become a transdisciplinary engineer. That may take longer, but will make you more effective and in time allow you to lead initiatives. Just some thoughts - I am happy to discuss! Jeffrey Catchmark This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: June 6, 2018

Answer: Hello, there area areas of overlap between control and biological engineering. Some examples include control of bioreactors (for a range of topics from environmental applications to food and beverages to pharmaceutical production). Take a look at biological or biomanufacturing positions. Regards, Mark Riley

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: July 9, 2018

Question: Hello! My name is Milyausha. I work in the international school AIS, located in Russia, Tatarstan, Elabuga. My current task is to create a curriculum of biotechnology and implement it to the educational proccess. I'm looking for materials that will suit to my work. I'll be really gratefull to you if you could share some. Maybe, there are some ready curriculums which could be implemented. Our school is ready to cover any expenses. I'm looking forward to your answer.

Answer: Thank you for your IBE related question. Your question is quite comprehensive. The best place to start is to look at comparable programs. Here is a link to ours:

http://abe.psu.edu/majors/be

Here is the handbook: http://abe.psu.edu/documents/be-advising-manual.pdf

This has details on our 3 options and required courses, etc.

I am happy to answer any specific questions you may have.

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: May 7, 2018

Question: Hello, I am a Senior at George Mason University in Virginia studying biomedical engineering. What specific fields and positions do you believe a BS in bioengineering can pursue before a Master's is necessary? I am interested in the biomedical R&D such as medical device design.

Answer: Thank you for your excellent question! There are a number of things to consider. Hopefully these comments will be helpful. I am happy to discuss further. You can submit another question or contact me (contact information below). 1) On degree level. A BS degree is often thought to be a broader, more general, foundational degree that prepares a student for either graduate school or a position in industry/government where additional ‘on the job’ training/mentoring is expected to help the new graduate be successful at their new position. To further develop their skills, a student may pursue a research masters (MS) degree or a professional masters degree. A research masters degree typically requires a research thesis to be completed based on a research project. A professional masters typically only requires coursework. Many of these are online. A student may then pursue a doctorate (PHD) degree and there are direct to PHD programs which formally ‘skip’ the MS although it is understood that students developmentally actually gain an MS along the way. Advanced degrees are designed to increase your knowledge within a specialized area but also help students mature into leaders who can work independently and creatively. On the PHD level in particular, most professors I think would say that the intent is to create ‘scholars’ - that is, develop an individual into one who pursues scholarship broadly through lifelong learning, objectivity, critical and analytical thinking and with a high degree of sensitivity to the implications of their work to our society and world. This is why students with advanced degrees obtain positions with more responsibility. 2) Not all undergraduate student resumes are the same. This begins to answer your question more directly. A student may obtain a biomedical engineering degree, but what else did they do as an undergraduate? Did they participate in undergraduate research? On what topic? Did they participate in internship? Perhaps at a biomedical company? Did they do a capstone project? What was the topic? Did they earn any minors in leadership, business, management, chemistry, or other discipline? Did they achieve high proficiency in another language that would open up international opportunities? If you are a biomedical company who wishes to grow in china, a student who speaks English and a relevant Chinese dialect may be ideal. Or did the student simply take all the classes offered on biomedical devices – perhaps even a graduate course – showing deeper skill in some area. All of these items may help prepare a student for a specific type of position. These variations in how a student developed their degree program also suggest different levels of maturity and leadership. 3) Positions and fields possible before a masters is necessary. With this foundation, I may be able to answer your question more fully. As you can see from the above description, there is no hard line. A student graduating with A BS in bioengineering, a solid internship and undergraduate research project, and a minor in biochemistry or leadership may be as competitive as a student graduating with a BS in bioengineering and a professional MS – depending upon the job. In general, advanced degrees are expected or required for positions that involve research and development (for technical degrees) or higher level management or business development (for advanced non technical degrees like MBAs). The ‘field’ perhaps is less relevant as in almost any field you can have a range of positions. The field could be ‘surgical devices’ and you can have any number of positions: an entry level BS engineer who assists in the prototyping or testing of new devices to the MS engineer why may work with doctors in the detailed design development to an PHD/MD engineer/doctor who invented a new surgical approach. Different ‘positions’, different degrees, different responsibilities – same field. As a new graduate BS engineer you would likely not find yourself in a position that would be responsible for new development or research. With this said, it may be useful for you to think about what your career goals are and how you would like to work when you enter the workforce. Do you see yourself as someone who wants to lead a group that develops new technologies and products? Do you see yourself as an explorer and innovator? Perhaps an Entrepreneur? If this is the case, you may want to get an advanced degree now to jump start your career. Best of luck! Jeffrey Catchmark Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Penn State University This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: January 11, 2018

Question: Regarding the output power/frequency of communication towers/poles, is there any correlation to the equivalent distances from the transmission source that can be applicable to these "zones"?

Answer: Could you be more specific? I am not sure how your question relates to biological engineering. To provide a useful answer, it would be helpful if you could explain what aspects you are looking for. Examples would be: Size of the zones, overlap of zones, required density of towers, or perhaps minimum and maximum radiofrequency field strength? Thank you, Mark Haidekker

Expert: Mark Haidekker

Answered on: November 2, 2017

Question: This is Dr. Gajanan D Nagare, working as a head & professor at Biomedical Engineering, VIT Mumbai. I have done PhD from IITB, India & Post-Doc from University of Alberta, Canada. I am involved in Biomedical research & would like to further enhance skills & knowledge. I am looking for association with IBE. Please let me know the possibilities.

Question: My son wants to pursue a biological engineering degree. I am very interested in identifying schools for him in the Princeton-Philadelphia region where we live, but many schools just offer biomedical engineering as a branch off electrical engineering. Can you identify universities in my area which offer true biological engineering programs? Thanks.

Answer: Thank you so much for reaching out to us. Here are a few to consider in your immediate area:

https://www.princeton.edu/cbe/research/bio/
https://chemicaleng.njit.edu/
http://cbe.rutgers.edu/ (this is biochemical eng so it is different but I thought I would include just in case)

Penn State (My department) is the closest one that is ranked by U.S. News and World Report (#9) and we will likely climb with our new building. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/biological-agricultural-rankings

I would be happy top speak with your son if it would help.

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: September 5, 2017

Question: Hello, I will be a high school senior this upcoming school year, and I am currently trying to decide on an area of study that combines biology, chemistry, and physics. My brother (a current electrical engineering student) suggested a Chemical and Biological Engineering program; how different is this from Biological Engineering, and how would the career options/classes differ?

Answer: Hello, programs with a title of chemical and biological engineering generally have a different history than do programs with the title of biological or biosystems engineering (without the "chemical and"). This leads to a somewhat different path of courses that a student would take but the endpoints are fairly similar. The CBE programs arose from chemical engineering which will have a greater emphasis on applied chemistry and characterization and use of molecules. The BE programs may have arisen from mechanical, civil or agricultural engineering and so the courses have more of an emphasis on mechanical systems. Each program and each university has their own flavor. The CBE programs tend to be more fundamental / basic science whereas the BE programs are more applied / larger scale systems. I am in a program that is the latter and job prospects for our students is outstanding with the greatest number of opportunities in the more applied areas. To understand which is the best fit for you, visit the websites of multiple programs. Don't focus as much on the faculty research (which typically is fun, but does not necessarily connect directly to careers post-graduation) as on the projects that students do and the jobs that they gain upon graduation. Hope this helps. Best regards, Mark Riley, Biological Systems Engineering University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: June 6, 2017

Question: To whom this may concern, I am contacting you to obtain more information about your organization. I am currently a high school student who plans to attend become a biomedical engineer. I am not asking for much information, a short and simple response would be perfect. I have a couple of questions for a small class project: What is the purpose of your Biomedical Engineering group? And What qualities do you look for in a potential member? Thank you for your time, it will be greatly appreciated

Answer: Thank you so much for your question! I am a biological engineer (not specifically a biomedical engineer) but I conduct a lot of research on biologically derived materials for biomedical applications such as wound care and tissue engineering. I work specifically on polysaccharides (like cellulose, starch, chitosan, etc.) and make films, pads, foams, even some adhesives for biomedical applications. Your question of expectations for a group member is excellent! Of course, expectations differ based on level, i.e., undergraduate freshman vs. senior, MS student or PhD student. Some of the most important qualities include: 1) Initiative (student is pushing to make progress, not being pulled along by advisor); 2) Ownership (student views project as his/her project, not the advisors/professors project); 3) Dedication/commitment (good results take time. A student can spend a lot of time making mistakes and getting no results. This is the learning process! But it takes the ability to keep trying); 4) Confidence (good students understand their level of experience, but have confidence in their ability to learn, grow, ask questions - even the 'stupid' ones (that are never stupid), network with others, present their findings or troubles, etc. This is a tough one. Also requires modesty.); 5) Scholarship (the desire to learn by reading, thinking, playing, asking questions, listening carefully, being objective, ability to be mentored, not taking things personally, being sincere – all while having fun, of course!); 6) Focus on process (many students just want to get the degree - they don't understand that its the skills that matter. Are you ready for the next step?); 7) Relationships (can you be a good lab partner, colleague, etc. Can you develop and maintain positive professional relationships – even in times of conflict? With those below you, your peers, and your supervisors? Can you give and take – good relationships are based on reciprocity.); 8) Reflection (do you actively reflect on your self, your own behavior, the activities around you, your goals, what you can contribute, what do you want to do in your life, etc.); 9) Contribution (are you aware that universities are founded on ‘scholarship for the public good’, i.e., as you become a professional and scholar the intent is for you to make a positive contribution to our world. How will you do it? What will it be?); 10) Ethics (being honest and an active moral agent. Are you being truthful when you report data? Are you thinking about the ethics of what you are doing? What is going on around you?). This should have been first on the list! This is a short list but the things that immediately come to mind. I am happy to discuss. Best of luck in your career pursuits!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: January 8, 2017

Question: What things do Biological Engineers develop and how? Do Biological Engineers only work inside laboratories with chemicals, etc. or do we physically get involved in the making of prosthetics, implants, and other devices? Does Biomedical Engineering give you opportunities to study and/or work abroad? What exactly are the aspects or "problems" Biomedical Engineers work with? How do I become a Biological Engineer? Are there governmental spots as a Biological Engineer?

Answer: Biological engineering is quite broad discipline - much broader than biomedical engineering. What you mentioned (lab work with chemicals and developing prosthetics/implants) can be tied to typical biomedical engineering, where biological engineers can also work on drug development and testing, design of industrial-scale bioreactors, environmental monitoring, food production, food safety, biosensors, etc. Both biological and biomedical engineering can give you opportunities to study and work abroad and to work in government (e.g. CDC, FDA, USDA, DoD research labs, etc.). To become a biological engineer, you may want to pursue a 4-year bachelor of science (BS) degree program.

Expert: Jeong-Yeol Yoon

Answered on: September 13, 2016

Question: I have just finished my freshman year in mechanical engineering, and I am seriously considering changing my major this Fall, as I am very interested in pursuing biomedical/bioengineering engineering, particularly neural systems engineering or cardiovascular bioengineering. Unfortunately my university does not have an undergraduate degree in biomedical/bioengineering, but it does have an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering with a biomedical focus. Would this major be helpful in pursuing my future goals ? Thank you

Answer: Varun: The areas you are interested in are really exciting, and they are cutting-edge research fields. It is unfortunate that your university does not offer a bioengineering degree, but even then, it would not be a guarantee that specialized courses in neural systems or cardiovascular bioengineering would be offered. If you plan to stay at your university, Chemical Engineering with a biomedical focus is probably as close as you get. I wish I could tell you more, but I do not know your institution, therefore I can't assess the biomedical courses that are offered. In any case, you might really want to look into additional options, first and foremost undergraduate research -- either at your own institution or via REU at other institutions --, but also at topics courses that you agree on with those professors that are involved in this field. Both one-on-one topics courses and (even more so!) undergraduate research will give you significant experience in your fields of interest and make your CV more competitive. Good luck!

Expert: Mark Haidekker

Answered on: July 5, 2016

Question: (Do you know any school giving the training for the dual degree of medicine and genetic engineer ?

Answer: I am sorry but I do not know of any which have a formal "dual degree". I have asked some colleagues and none have heard of such a program. Given your interest in engineering and medicine I would seek guidance from faculty in biomedical engineering who can help you identify a program which suits your career goals, i.e., do you want to focus on genetic engineering with application to medicine, or are you more interested in the medical side where new engineering techniques are used more clinically for patient treatment (as just one perspective). You may also want to identify researchers working at or affiiated with hospitals to see how engineers work in clinically focused environments. If your goal beyond the 4-year degree is to pursue an MD, then it would really benefit you to speak to some doctors at hospitals known for research like Johns Hopkins or perhaps a hospital close to you. The vast majority of professionals are very approachable for guidance. Do not be afraid to reach out to many! Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: June 26, 2016

Question: What universities offer degrees in Biological Engineering undergraduate degrees? I am especially interested in Genetic engineering.

Answer: Hello, there is a good list of biological systems engineering programs here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_systems_engineering It is rare to find a degree called genetic engineering. It is more common for individuals to major in molecular biology or biological sciences. If you are seeking a true engineering design path, then a program called biological engineering or biological systems engineering would provide what you are seeking. I hope that this is helpful. Regards, Mark Riley Univ of Nebraska

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: March 27, 2016

Answer: Thank you for your question! Genetic engineering is fascinating and an important area in biological engineering. Many universities offer a biological engineering degree. You can check this web page which lists these programs: http://www.findengineeringschools.org/Search/Majors/agricultural.htm The advantage of learning genetic engineering within the context of an engineering degree is that you will be exposed to the practical side of genetic engineering, i.e., how you can use this technology to solve socially/industrially relevant problems. Like engineering bacteria which are better suited for making biofuels. Of course, the sky is the limit! Microorganisms can produce a vast array of products useful for many industries including food, materials for healthcare, pharmaceuticals, etc. A very exciting field! Please let us know if you have additional questions. Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: March 30, 2016

Question: What are some benefits and drawbacks of this career? What do you think that the future of this career is? Why is this job important? Where are some different places that you work at? What makes biomedical engineering better than another field such as mechanical engineering or others?

Answer: The future career directions are very strong especially for the broader biological engineering. Taking that approach encompasses biomedical but also connects to bioprocessing and environmental applications. Being able to address how living systems of all sorts interface with the built environment is a strong growth path for development of new technologies and solutions to our most complex problems.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: November 21, 2015

Answer: The future career directions are very strong especially for the broader biological engineering. Taking that approach encompasses biomedical but also connects to bioprocessing and environmental applications. Being able to address how living systems of all sorts interface with the built environment is a strong growth path for development of new technologies and solutions to our most complex problems.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: November 21, 2015

Question: I am really interested in learning as much as i can about Bioengineering before college so I can have a head start and be able to flesh out many of the ideas that I have. One thing I was really wondering was how can I get a cell sample from a dissection. So if I were to dissect a fish and I wanted to compare brain cells of a fish versus the brain cells of a frog. How would I go about doing that? Also what would be the optimal magnification of a microscope for cellular observation. I'd really like to see all the intricacies of the cell in the best quality I can.

Answer: Glad to hear of your interest in learning more about animal physiology. Working with any kind of tissue like this is very challenging due to the compressive mechanical properties, that is, that the tissue is squishy. A good place to start in developing a plan is the ending and then work backwards. If you are comparing tissue under a microscope you will need strong illumination and magnification of 400x (counting both a 10x eyepiece and a 40x objective) to be able to see cells clearly. You also should use a stain to increase contrast. There are numerous stains available but many are hard to obtain http://www.crscientific.com/microscope-stain.html. You might want to try iodine as a safe and readily available compound. Note that many of the compounds mentioned on the site above are hazardous and should not be used without a well prepared biosafety laboratory. Experiment with different staining techniques and dilutions of iodine with water. To get a good image you likely will be using transmitted light (through the sample). This requires that you have a thin slice of your sample otherwise light will be blocked and you won't' see much. Slicing tissue is not easy and requires that you end up with a sample that is no more than several layers of cells thick (100-200 um). A good way to accomplish slicing is to first freeze your tissue sample - it is much easier to slice semi-frozen material than that at room temperature. Try a very sharp knife or razor blade and place the samples on a microscope slide with a cover slip. Try different approaches and slicing techniques along with staining times and dilutions. As with any lab work, use careful technique and appropriate safety gear. If you are not familiar with compounds or methods, read up on the internet to learn about necessary precautions. Make good notes on your technique and record your observations. Above all, have fun with the experiment.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: November 24, 2015

Question: What courses would you recommend to take in school in order to go into the Genetic Engineering field? I already have an AAS degree in Engineering, but had to take time off from school due to obstacles out of my control; however now I'm looking to get back on track and don't want to waste more time taking unnecessary classes before attaining this life-long goal. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Percy Franco

Answer: If you have an engineering degree but with little chemistry or biology, then I would recommend the following (I note that you may have already had some of these courses). Inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and genetics. It is useful if you can focus on one area of genetics like, microbial genetics, plant genetics, or animal genetics for higher level information. Taking a course in systems biology will bring together all of these pieces and have a design oriented perspective.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: November 10, 2015

Question: My name is Yonas Kidane. I have master's Degree in Biological Engineering from Utah State University. My master's thesis was on catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass. I have been applying for a job since May, 2015 but so far I am not able to find. I have been mainly looking the openings in IBE career center, LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster and Glass door, but it didn't work well. My question is on how I could be effective in my job search as a Biological Engineer.

Answer: Hi Yonas. Congratulations on completing your masters in BE. USU is a very good school and I am sure you have been prepared well for your career. Finding a job is a difficult task; starting a career is even more so. Do not get discouraged. Many recent graduates have spent 3, 6, 9 or even 12 months finding the right position. That is why we recommend students start looking 3-6 months before they graduate. It appears you are doing the right things and looking in the right places, but maybe you could do a little more research on your own. Finding a job is a full-time job in itself. Plan to spend 6-8 hours every day doing research on companies in your chosen area of specialty. Perform internet searches for companies working in your area. Find out what they do (exactly) and figure out how your skills could integrate with their technology. Then send a well-written letter introducing yourself, identifying exactly how what you do would benefit their company. This should not be a form letter that applies in general to all companies - be VERY SPECIFIC in describing how you will advance the company's interests. Then do it again with another company. You may also want to look for technical conferences that you can attend to network with the attendees and sponsors. Try to find one that attracts a large number of industries such as BIO - the Biotechnology Industry Organization or BioCycle (unfortunately their conference was this past week). Look for others focused on your target industry. You may have to spend a few dollars in travel and registration but placing yourself in front of the right people and presenting yourself as a capable and professional engineer will go a long way. I hope this was helpful.

Expert: Ben J. Stuart

Answered on: October 22, 2015

Question: Hello! My name is Madhuri Dinakar and i recently graduated in the field of biotechnology. I want do apply for masters for the 2016 fall semester. I want to pursue a career in biomimetics but have seen that there are very limited masters programs in biomimetics alone. I would like to know whether doing bioengineering is a good option to get into biomimetics. Also from what I have read and heard it seems as though bioengineering deals with solving biological problems using engineering principles and that specifically in the medical field. Since biomimetics deals with the opposite that being solving engineering problems by getting inspired from nature, does it make sense to do a masters in bioengineering? One more question is if bioengineering only deals with medical field. How are the job prospects after master completion in the US? Thanking you, Madhuri

Question: I am an undergraduate student attending the University of Arkansas. As of now I am enrolled as a biological engineering major, and honestly the rigorous calculus courses are quite frightening. Should I continue along this path or branch out to maybe a different major like say genetics? Genetic engineering is my passion, and I've looked forward to it ever since I was introduced to it my sophomore year of highschool. Also are there many available internships that I could possibly take advantage of in the future? I'd love to assist a professional, and learn everything I possibly can!Thank you for your time!

Answer: I am delighted that you are pursuing a BE degree! Advanced math courses can be difficult for everyone. In some institutions they are considered 'weed out' classes. I myself did not do well in differential equations even though I loved he topic. In spite of a truly dismal grade, my PHD focused on the solution of novel nonlinear systems of differential equations. I actually did quite well. The reason I mention this is that some students feel their inability to get good grades in math mean that they are not skilled in math and math related concepts. In an similar line of reasoning some students feel it may also mean that they would not be good engineers. Don't believe this. Math is challenging because it requires a lot of extra effort and independent work. Don't give up too quickly! That said, some universities allow math classes taught at community colleges or branch campuses to be transferred to their degree program. I know students who were getting very low grades in math at the main campus and then took the class at a branch campus or community college and did really well. They transferred the credits and ended up getting their engineering degree. However, it could be that you are indeed more interested in science than engineering. There is nothing wrong with that and other degree programs in molecular biology, biochemistry, etc. may be great options for you. Think about what kind of career you want. Do you want to be more of a researcher or do you like to solve problems? Do you want to work in industry? Do you want to go to graduate school (I recommend this!)? It is a lot to consider. In terms of internships there are many possibilities. Each university has Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programs, co-op experiences, formal internship programs, etc. You need to see what they have available. However, don't be limited by those options. Speak to your professors about opportunities in their labs. Get a list of the department advisory board and alumni and contact those working in your area of interest. The best opportunities are often made by you! Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: October 4, 2015

Question: I have just graduated in the field of biotechnology (B.E) from PES Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India. I have a strong interest in biomimetics and want to pursue a career in this field. I will be applying for Masters for the 2016 batch. I would like to know whether biological engineering is the right field if I want to get into biomimetics. Also having done a degree in biotechnology, is biological engineering too broad a field for Masters? I would also appreciate if you could suggest some universities in Europe and America. Thank you

Answer: Congratulations on your graduation! I share your interest in biomimetics - it is a really exciting area! I may be a bit biased here but I think biological engineering is the ideal discpline to purse study in this area. Biological engineering involves the application of biology to engineering. This is a big part - perhaps the main part - of practical biomimetics. For example, a while ago I had a project to try to engineer a new fiber composite with improved strength to weight ratio by implementing an architecture similar to cuttlefish bone. Cuttlefish bone is amazing. Its elastic modulus is almost constant over a factor of ~3 in density due to the cellular architecture of the bone. In any case, I don't think biological engineering is 'too broad' for a masters degree. Many of the main engineering degrees are broad (civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical...). The coursework associated with your graduate degree is important (and biological engineering uniquely fits a biomimetics theme) but your MS or PHD is really about your research. It would be hard to do an MS in 'biomimetics' as it is broad - you would need to focus. You can do an MS (to follow my previous example) in "improved cellulose nanofiber composites implementing a cellular cuttlefish bone architecture" - just as an example. The biomimetics is the basis of the specific project. You may want to think of areas which interest you to narrow down your research focus. I don't know about schools in Europe, but in the US you can find a great list here: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-biological-agricultural/data I thought Penn State was #10 but it is not shown on that list. We will be on the list soon though I think. We are getting a beautiful new building to help us keep up with our expanding programs. It is quite exciting! I hope you find a great program to enable your biomimetics work. Please consider attending the IBE conference to learn more about others doing work in this field or to present your work. We all would love to see you there!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: June 25, 2015

Question: I am a Chemical Engineering major at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. I have been meeting with my adviser to schedule out the next few years of my study, currently an undergraduate, and I have decided to take the Biological Engineering track. I want to pursue a Master's in Chemical Engineering, but I was also looking at Pharmaceutical Engineering. If I decide to stay with the Biological Engineering track, would this mean that I would not be as qualified to work in the automotive field? I am asking this because not only do I want to educate myself as much as I can through my degree, but I also want to ensure that the track I am taking will allow me to find a job once I am done with school. Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon! Kind regards, Greta Mulbauer

Answer: Thank you for your great question! It is a complex one as both Chemical Engineering and Biological Engineering are very broad (and in fact overlap). You have an interest in the automotive industry, which is also a very broad. There are many areas where Biological Engineering would intersect with work in the automotive industry. There is interest in using sustainable materials or materials with environmentally friendly life cycles. Bioplastics, natural fiber reinforced composites, or hybrid materials which contain greener additives or manufacturing processes will continue to be important. Biological Engineering focuses on biological processes, biologically derived materials, and the application of biology to engineering. Thinking broadly, a chemical engineering degree may have more overlap with the diverse work done in the automotive industry (thinking of metals, metal finishing, conventional petroleum derived plastics and their molding, etc., as just some examples). But a biological engineer could bring a new perspective to such as industry and perhaps make you uniquely marketable. Your focus on the job market is wise, but getting a job is more than a degree, and it typically takes a path you don't expect. I would think about what you really love to do and make yourself most marketable within that area so you can get a job you would really love to do. For example, a chemical or mechanical engineer with metals processing background may have a 'higher volume' of employment opportunities in the automotive industry but if you don't like that area of work, it may not be a great career for you. Besides, although you like the idea of working in the automotive industry, you may find other opportunities which you didn't know of which would be much more enjoyable to you. Find what you like to do and focus on it to do well. Think about internships. Talk to as many professors as you can in Chemical Engineering and Biological Engineering to see what they do and how it applies to work in industry. Look for opportunities to meet with people from industry through job fairs and seminars. And keep an open mind as to how you can take advantage of opportunities. If you have more questions I am happy to discuss! Best of luck!

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: June 25, 2015

Answer: I am originally from Riverview, Mich and got my BS degree in ChE from U-M. The biological engineering area can serve you well for training into a number of areas including biofuels and bioproducts, pharmaceuticals, and in some cases environmental engineering. These sub-focus areas depend very much on the elective courses that you may choose to take. This would not be a good fit for the automotive industry (they would mainly hire mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and industrial engineers). However, there may be some interest in addressing manufacturing facility sustainability - see the new green roof on the top of the Rouge Plant making the new Ford F-150.

Getting an MS will help you professionally to get positions in the pharma industry. Note that it is much more beneficial to get an MS based on research than one based just on classes.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: August 14, 2015

Question: What kind of education and exams are required for bioengineering and what is the eligibility criteria for further education in biomechatronics?

Answer: Biomechatronics is multidisciplinary area. You can learn biomechatronics in either biomedical engineering (BME), biological engineering (BE), electrical engineering (EE), or mechanical engineering (ME) program. Dedicated biomechatronics education program (and formal exam) in either undergraduate or graduate program is rare, as far as I know. If your focus is the actual design and fabrication of devices (especially robots), you can pursue ME program. If your focus is physical sensors, actuators, and control algorithm, perhaps EE is the best option. If your focus is the use of biosensors, I would suggest BE. Robotic fish, drones, etc. for environmental/ecological monitoring can be best studied in BE. If your focus is to study human physiology from such devices/robots, BME would be the best.

Expert: Jeong-Yeol Yoon

Answered on: May 1, 2015

Answer: Generally one needs at least a B.S. degree to be competitive in the job market (which is quite strong right now in the U.S.). Biomechatronics is a specialization that is not common in U.S. programs and so I am not much familiar with the job opportunities. Take a look at position advertisements in this area on a search engine like monster.com Looking at current job advertisements will help you see what background is must desirable to employers.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: August 13, 2015

Question: What type of environment do you mainly work in?

Answer: Since your question is fairly broad, I'll try to answer it from the perspective of a typical tenure-track/tenured faculty. If the thrust of your question is different, feel free to post questions that address the details you are most interested in. As a graduate student and as a postdoc, most of your work is in the lab, although this is a good time to gain experience in writing manuscripts and perhaps even contributing to grant proposals. As a faculty member, you continue to be engaged in research, but the focus shifts from performing actual experiments to planning and executing larger-scale research programs. This means that you will spend less time in the actual lab -- students (like you in your present stage of your career) will help you with these tasks. Instead, as a faculty member, you will spend much more time writing: Publications, reports, and -- most importantly for an academic career -- grant applications. You will mentor students and teach them how to successfully conduct experiments and to interpret the results. You will also integrate the individual studies into the larger picture of your research program. This means, in response to your question of the work environment, that you will spend much more time in your office and at the desk than you do now. As a faculty member, you will also become engaged in classroom or lab teaching. The time you spend in the classroom is actually short compared to class preparation and grading, so once again, you'll find yourself in your office for a good part of the time. The work environment also includes the colleagues and administrators in your department or college. In regular meetings, you will discuss goals and achievements of the department/college and plans to move it forward. Often, young faculty are mentored by more senior faculty to ensure your success. You may also discuss collaborations and work with others who complement your expertise, which allows you to pursue broader interdisciplinary research questions. I hope this caught the gist of your question.

Expert: Mark Haidekker

Answered on: August 14, 2015

Question: I am interested in obtaining an expert opinion regarding ionic silver in water based solutions (50ppm concentration)for use as an antimicrobial, employing direct food contact and the possible adverse effects of residual nanosilver on humans.

Answer: To whom it may concern: I am sorry this response is so late - I just happened to see this post today. I am not an expert in this area but there does seem to be a big difference between ionic silver and nano particulate silver. Ionic silver has been used in clothing as an antimicrobial agent for 10-15+ years in the military and is in consumer products now also. There is a lot of concern over silver nanoparticles. In any case, please see the following articles. They may help. best of luck! Patricia F. M. Nogueira, Iêda Maria M. Paino, and Valtencir Zucolotto. 2013. Nanosilver: Properties, applications and impacts on health and environment. Vigilância Sanitária em Debate: Sociedade 1, (4): 59-71 Hartemann, Philippe, Peter Hoet, Ana Proykova, Teresa Fernandes, Anders Baun, Wim De Jong, Juliane Filser, et al. 2015. Nanosilver: Safety, health and environmental effects and role in antimicrobial resistance. Materials Today 18, (3): 122-123 Invision international health solutions, inc.; ionic silver complex designed for use in humans receives U.S. patent. 2006. Healthcare Mergers, Acquisition & Ventures Week

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: June 25, 2015

Question: My name is Kristin. I am considering Biological Engineering as my major. Please answer these following questions:

1. How many hours a week on average do Biological Engineers work?
2. Is there any cases where these Engineers have to take their work home with them (like to analyze information ect)?
3. Are there any jobs similar to Biological Engineering (other than the other engineering fields) that I may consider if I do not wish to consider this as my major?

Answer: Thank you for your interest in Biological Engineering (BE)! Once you have graduated and are working as a professional BE, jobs are often ~40 hours a week, but this is not a hard rule. Many employers allow flexible hours to accommodate a person’s particular situation, and it depends upon the specific job. For example, a laboratory job requiring the use of specific equipment may require the majority of the work hours to be in the typical ~9-5 slot. However, computer work or work with customers could have very flexible hours. My feeling is that it is best to discover what you love to do, then work to make it fit with your life’s situation. Computer programmers may be able to work at home most of the time, but if you don’t like that kind of work, it may be hard to feel energized by it. You also may be able to negotiate a part-time position. You would need to discuss that with potential employers during interviews, etc.

In terms of other similar jobs apart from engineering, there are many options! Jobs which focus on other disciplines such as biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, plant science, crop and soil science, bioproducts, natural resources, as well as those which accept or prefer non-engineering technical degrees such as (these are 2 examples from Penn State, but most institutions have similar programs) Agricultural Systems Management and Biorenewable Systems. Some of these are based on the sciences (vs. engineering) or even management and business where the technical part is only one component and in many cases a minor one.

This seems complex but perhaps another way to think about it, again, is to consider what you love to do. If you like interacting with lots of different people on a daily basis, perhaps a lab job is not for you. A business/management degree which relates to biological engineering (pharmaceuticals, bioproducts, health care, etc.) where you could be involved with technical sales, working with customers, etc., may be the best thing for you. If you like the lab and designing experiments or dealing with developing specifications for products, etc., then engineering may be the best option. I would advise you to spend some time becoming familiar with all the programs in your institution which are available to you in the colleges of engineering, science, agriculture, business, etc. You may be surprised how many options there are!

In terms of specific companies and jobs, there are so many. Some industries include: food production, agricultural machinery, bioprocessing machinery, pharmaceuticals, health care, and chemicals just to name a few. Any mid to large sized company would have technical and non-technical positions. What they are often looking for beyond a great academic record include a number of ‘soft skills’ like leadership, energy, enthusiasm, initiative, ability to work in teams and independently, create a positive and productive culture, objectivity, willingness to accept positive constructive criticism and a desire to improve and grow personally and professionally. A lot to show on a resume and interview! If you have such skills a company will want to invest in you, including helping you with your work schedule.

Here are some good sites to look at: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/usda/careers/biosystemsengineer.html http://www.cbe.iastate.edu/careers/careers-in-chemical-and-biological-engineering/

Best of luck!

Jeffrey Catchmark, Associate Professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Penn State University

Expert: Jeff Catchmark

Answered on: January 26, 2015

Answer: 1. The work hours will not be different from other engineering disciplines. I would say 40 hours per week. 2. Unlike IT or software engineers, I do not think biological engineers can work in their home. This discipline is experiment-heavy. 3. I suggest Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering.

Expert: Jeong-Yeol Yoon

Answered on: January 27, 2015

Answer: Biological Engineering (BE) is a diverse major with many potential career options. This also is often called Biosystems Engineering or Bioengineering (although this last term has a stronger connotation of biomedical components). I have seen graduates from BE programs go on to careers in areas of the environment, biotech, food, pharmaceuticals, biomedical, and agriculture.

Most individuals do work more than 40 hours per week but this depends very much on the industry in which they work. It would not be uncommon to take work home at times to write reports, review the literature, or analyze data.

There are other entry points into BE jobs other than BE majors. Some students follow an environmental engineering path, or chemical engineering, or agricultural engineering. The BE major differs from these others in that there is a greater emphasis on the biological sciences and this is integrated more into the upper level courses.

In general working in the BE field is hard, requires much education, and takes long hours. This is typical of all engineering majors. However, the BE job market is very strong with numerous opportunities and with very good rates of pay. Individuals who enter this area typically are driven by a desire to have their work have a positive impact on the world (people, environment, animals), they want to develop unique and helpful technologies, and they have perseverance. The last trait (to my mind) is more important than any other characteristic like skills in math or science.

Expert: Mark Riley

Answered on: August 14, 2015