Biotechnology Engineering

Program Overview

4 YEAR, FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM AT HPU, STARTING SPRING 2019*

The Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology Engineering degree at HPU involves the design, development, and application of innovative technologies, products and/or environmentally sustainable systems through the efficient use of biological resources. Biotechnology specializations include those related to bioenvironmental engineering and bioprocess engineering.

Bioenvironmental engineering is the application of engineering principles to the natural environment and its ecosystems, for preserving and/or improving environmental quality of life. Bioenvironmental engineering solutions may seek to address topics of concern in soil ecology, environmental protection, environmental toxicology, waste treatment and management, land treatment, air quality, renewable biofuels and ground water hydrology. Bioprocess engineering is the application of engineering principles to the design, construction, integration and/or maintenance of environmentally responsible systems with the use of biological materials for process sustainability and/or improvement.

Bioprocess engineers may be concerned with food manufacturing processes, industrial hygiene, emergency response systems, environmental systems, food, chemical or pharmaceutical processing and packaging systems, and apply innovative solutions that incorporate biomaterials or bioresources such as cells or molecules from plant or animal matter, or by-products, toward environmental and system sustainability.

The HPU Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology Engineering is a 4-year program. HPU Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology Engineering graduates will find employment in bioenvironmental or bioprocess engineering positions, within sectors such as agriculture, environmental, healthcare, food manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries.

Degree Requirements

General Education courses are required throughout the degree, where students select one course from each Category for a total of 12 General Education courses. Three categories comprise courses that are required for the Major (ENGE 1000, CHEM 2050, MATH 2214).

The first 1.5 years of the Program requires Major courses that strengthen student background in Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science and Fundamentals in Engineering, including Introduction to Engineering Systems and Professional Practice, and Linear Circuits.

Year 2 semester 2 and Year 3 focus on developing technical prowess in areas of Biomaterials, Bioprocesses, Cell and Molecular Biology, Bioengineering Thermodynamics, Signals, Environmental Science, Impact and Policy. Students also undertake a one year project course where they work in teams to design and develop a novel Engineering solution to a real-world problem.

Year 4 focuses on specialization by choice of electives in advanced areas, such as Biomanufacturing, Soil Ecology, Air Quality Management, Food Processing and Packaging, Environmental Microbiology, Ground Water Hydrogeology, Waste Treatment and Land Treatment.