Bioengineering is an interdisciplinary field that applies engineering principles and quantitative methods to the advancement of knowledge at the molecular and cellular levels through the ecosystem level, and to the development of new and novel biologicals, materials, devices, and processes. In practice, bioengineers address issues in the broad areas of bioenvironmental, biomedical and bioprocess technology.

At many universities, life sciences and engineering are more or less parallel cultures, reflected in two almost completely disparate disciplines, where students in one have trouble taking courses in the other. At OSU, bioengineers are trained to work at the interface between these disciplines. Activities in bioengineering are inextricably linked to issues relevant to public health and confidence. Perhaps more than in any other engineering discipline, bioengineers must maintain an awareness of ethical issues in their field, and the patterns of thought that lead to moral judgment and decision-making. Further, the ability to communicate effectively with people from disparate disciplines, both inside and outside of science, is essential to bioengineers.

For more information about the Bioe program, please see the Undergraduate Advising Guide (PDF).