University of Hawaii at Mānoa Graduate Studies
about the university graduate programs research highlights admissions degree requirements financial matters international students life in Honolulu
 


 
Contact Information
 

University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Department of Molecular
Biosciences and Bioengineering
1955 East-West Road
Agricultural Science 218
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8384
Fax: (808) 956-9269
Web: www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/
be/graduate.html

Ping-Yi Yang, PhD
Graduate Chair
E-mail: pingyi@hawaii.edu

 
Degrees Offered
 

MS in bioengineering

 
Graduate Faculty
 

List of Faculty

 
University of Hawai'i Directory
 
back to top
BIOlogical ENGINEERING
 

Quick Links:
Application Deadlines
| Admissions Requirements
Program Overview | Degree Requirements | Related Program(s)
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty

 
Application Deadlines
 
Fall Spring
I — March 1
D — May 1
I — August 1
D — September 1
 
I = international applicants
D = U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents
 
 
Admissions Requirements
 

Click here for link to online application or to download paper application. Applicants need to meet:
1) Graduate Division admissions standard and documentation requirements, and
2) program specific admissions criteria and documentation requirements
    (see below).

 
  • undergraduate degree in engineering or equivalent course work
  • graduate program supplemental information form (download form)
  • statement of objectives (download form)
  • three letters of recommendation
  • official TOEFL scores — 500/173/61 or above (Required of most non-native speakers of English. Click here for information on exemptions.)
 

Submission of Program Specific Documentation Requirements
With the exception of TOEFL and GRE scores, all program specific documentation requirements should be sent directly to the graduate program.

If required, official TOEFL and GRE scores should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office. Please note that GRE scores may be required by the graduate program (see above) or by the Graduate Division (more info.)

 
 
Program Overview
 

The base of knowledge in biological science and engineering is being expanded at a rapid rate. Some of the most notable areas where the expertise of bioengineering is needed are the environment, food production, and biological processing of food and chemicals.

The Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering Department The Department of Botany at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) offers a graduate program leading to the MS in biological engineering. The program integrates biological science and engineering for design, fabrication, or operation of systems with a significant biological component. The primary objective of the program is to provide students with training in research methods, problem analysis and solution, and with current knowledge concerning the application of bioengineering. Another objective is to provide students with a sufficiently broad range of research techniques to permit them to initiate their own inquiries. Independent, critical, and imaginative thinking as an overall objective of the program. Seven key program areas form the backbone of the department's graduate research and instruction. They are:

  • aquacultural engineering
  • automation of food and crop processing
  • bioenvironmental engineering
  • bioprocess engineering
  • plant cell culture engineering
  • post-harvest handling
  • resource systems engineering
  • water management and irrigation engineering

Typical research projects include development of plant cell and recombinant microbial processes for the production of high-value products, treatment of waste water using entrapped microbial cells, automated micropropagation of commercially important crops, development of integrated aquaculture systems for reduced environmental pollution, feed processing, natural resource management, production systems planning and management, design of irrigation systems, and modeling and simulation of crop production systems.

Graduates pursue careers in the field of bioengineering or pursue further studies at the doctoral level.

 
 
Degree Requirements
 

All graduate students at UHM need to meet degree requirements set by the Graduate Division and their graduate programs. For general Graduate Division requirements, see Degree Requirements. Below is an overview of the degree requirements for this graduate program.

 

Students may select either Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis).

  • Plan A requires 30 credits (including nine credits of thesis research), a written thesis and defense of the thesis.
  • Plan B requires 30 credits.

Courses
To view a listing of courses offered, visit www.catalog.hawaii.edu/courses/departments/be.htm.

 
 
Related Program(s)
 
chemistry, food science, microbiology, molecular biosciences and bioengineering, ocean and resources engineering
 
 
 

Application Deadlines | Admissions Requirements | Program Overview | Degree Requirements
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty | Related Program(s)

 

© University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Graduate Division

Graduate Admissions Office
2540 Maile Way Spalding 354 Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8544 Fax: (808) 956-4261
Email: admissions@grad.hawaii.edu

 
2008-04-14
 
This Web site is intended solely to provide general information. The UHM Graduate Division makes no representation and accepts no liability for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of information found in this site. Viewers of this site are advised to contact the appropriate offices for the most up-to-date information.