Researcher demonstrates lab equipment to a group of students

Biological Engineering

Learn how microbes and other living organisms can be harnessed for the benefit of society, gaining skills to join the evolving biomedical, pharmaceutical, materials and environmental engineering fields.

Biological Engineering – B.S. in Biological Engineering

Students in the Biological Engineering program at Montana State learn at the exciting interface of biology, chemistry and industrial systems. Whether discovering how microbes in Yellowstone National Park could be used to recycle plastic or working in a lab to develop new tools for diagnosing diseases like malaria and cancer, Biological Engineering students are afforded a variety of opportunities to develop skills that will serve them in positions in biomedicine, environmental remediation and more.

 

 

Biological Engineering students are able to conduct research with state-of-the-art equipment, such as microscopes and spectrometers, thanks to a $1.5 million National Science Foundation grant intended to support a broad range of research activity by removing financial barriers to equipment that would otherwise be too expensive to purchase with traditional grants.

 

 

 

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Goldwater Scholars
Montana State is the Top 3 in the West, after Stanford and Cal Tech, in recipients of the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for students in math, science and engineering.

An illustration of a beaker.

Center for Biofilm Engineering
Montana State’s Center for Biofilm Engineering has been a world leader in microbial biofilm research since it was established in 1990 as a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center.

An illustration of a geyser mid-eruption.

University of the Yellowstone™
Montana State students make the surrounding Yellowstone ecosystem their classroom, laboratory and playground.

 

 

Career Resources

Within their first year of graduation, more than 96% of Montana State graduates are employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment, and career guidance website Zippia consistently ranks MSU as the #1 school in the state where alumni are most likely to land jobs.

Career Coaching & Professional Skills Studio

Professional career coaches help students with their career exploration, employer networking opportunities and job or internship searches. They also critique resumes and help students practice job interviews. Additionally, the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success offers free workshops for students to develop the professional communication and collaboration skills that are highly sought after by employers.

 

Careers

Biological Engineering students at Montana State go into careers such as:

  • Biofuels
  • Biomedicine
  • Environmental Remediation
  • Food Processing
  • Pharmaceuticals

To explore more career possibilities, the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success has a variety of tools available [BROKEN LINK], including self-assessment and working with career coaches.