Biological & Ecological Engineering (M.S., M.Eng, and Ph.D degree programs)
The graduate program in Biological & Ecological Engineering deals with diverse issues in the design and analysis of a wide range of biological and hydrologic systems. Focus areas are in bioprocessing, biosystems analysis and water resource engineering/watershed analysis.
Research topics in Biological and Ecological engineering encompass biofuels production, metabolic engineering, microbial fuel cells, biohydrogen production, agrivoltaics, waste and waste water treatment, modeling and control of biological systems, biofuel systems analysis using techno-economic models and life cycle assessment. Several of the research topics under Water Resources Engineering (see below) are also applicable to BEE.
Difference between M.S. and MEng:
MS and M.Eng programs are very different and are designed for students with different career goals. While MS programs have significant research component (Minimum 30 credits towards Thesis) the M.Eng (non-thesis option) is primarily based on courses and a project (Minimum 6 credits). M.Eng degrees are generally considered as terminal degrees (student does not plan to pursue advanced degrees such as PhD after the completion of the program) as most of the PhD programs require students with significant research experience at master's level. Although the requirements for both MS and M.Eng programs are similar, there are greater number of applicants for MS programs and hence the qualified applicants have higher scores compared to those admitted for M.Eng program. Since the MS program involves significant research, there is a greater likelihood of obtaining GRA positions in a MS program compared to M.Eng program. While M.Eng students are also eligible for both GRA and GTA positions, they are less likely to obtain them in comparison to MS students.