Biological Design, MS
Learn to seamlessly traverse the spectrum between technology and biology to solve current and future challenges relating to energy, environment, human health, sustainability and security. You'll work on use-inspired projects and research with world-class faculty and peers.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
In the Master of Science degree in biological design, you become an expert in the intersection of life and machinery by participating in a flexible training program. You take one program core course (Principles of Biological Design), one course from a suite of biotechnology courses, and one course from a suite of statistics courses.
The flexibility of this program, while maintaining key instructional structure, allows you --- whether you come from a traditional or nontraditional engineering background --- to have simultaneous access to training and mentoring in both engineering and technology with a biological focus. This gives you access to transdisciplinary education and training that you wouldn't have in traditional program settings.
As part of coursework and applied projects or theses, you read literature; identify critical problems related to energy, environment, human health, sustainability and security; and develop solutions to these problems using a synergy of technological and biological solutions, either in teams (course projects) or individually (thesis or applied project). You are mentored by faculty from different colleges and schools at ASU.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (BDE 593)
Required Core (3 credit hours) Statistics (3 credit hours) Biotechnology (3 credit hours) Electives (12 or 15 credit hours) Other Requirements (3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Students select electives in consultation with their advisor. Students who complete the applied project as their culminating experience must complete 15 credit hours of electives, while students completing the thesis option take 12 credit hours of electives. Students must complete three credit hours for each requirement in statistics and in biotechnology from the courses listed. If approved by the academic unit, courses may be substituted with an appropriate alternative. Coursework selected as part of the statistics or biotechnology requirements may not be used as elective coursework on the same plan of study. Students should check with their academic advisor to ensure that the total credit hours of their plan of study are equal to 30.
BDE 502 Research Methods in Biological Design (3)
CHE 598 Topic: Six Sigma Methodology/Engineering Experimentation (3)
IEE 572 Design Engineering Experiments (3)
IEE 578 Regression Analysis (3)
IEE 670 Mathematical Statistics (3)
BME 598 Topic: Bioenergy and Microbial Biotechnology (3)
BME 598 Topic: Cellular and System Modeling (3)
BME 598 Topic: Chimeras and Recombinant Organisms in Medicine (3)
CEE 565 Advanced Environmental Biotechnology (3)
CEE 567 Environmental Health Microbiology (3)
CEE 598 Topic: Bio-inspired Design (3)
CHE 579 Microbial Bioprocess Engineering (3)
CHE 598 Topic: Nanobiotechnology (3)
CHE 598 Topic: Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering (3)
BDE 591 Seminar (3)
BDE 593 Applied Project (3)
BDE 599 Thesis (6)
BDE 591 Seminar is a one credit hour course to be taken once per semester for three semesters. This course may be substituted with the academic unit's approval.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, including physical sciences, biological sciences, or engineering, from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The application process is very competitive, and candidates are strongly encouraged to adhere to all priority deadlines.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency by scoring at least 4 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or a score of 80 if taken before January 21, 2026, in a testing center, 6.5 on the IELTS, 60 on the Pearson Test of English (PTE), or 105 on the Duolingo English test.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/31 | Priority* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 08/01 | Priority* |
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Opportunities for graduates include positions in the broader biotechnology industry, including biopharmaceutical processing, biomanufacturing, sustainable biotechnology, and food and agribusiness industries. Some graduates pursue careers in entrepreneurship (e.g., startup companies), law (e.g., patent law), regulatory affairs and medicine.
Career examples include:
- clinical laboratory technologist
- environmental engineer
- environmental scientist and specialist
- epidemiologist
- health and safety engineer
- microbiologist
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School for Engineering of Matter,Transport & Enrgy
|
USE 138
semtegrad@asu.edu
480-965-2335
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
