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Biological Design, MS

Arizona State University
Tempe , United States
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Program Overview

Biological Design, MS

The Master of Science degree in Biological Design is a flexible training program that equips students with expertise in the intersection of life and machinery. This program allows students to work on use-inspired projects and research with world-class faculty and peers, focusing on solving current and future challenges related to energy, environment, human health, sustainability, and security.


Program Description

Students pursuing the Master of Science degree in Biological Design become experts in the intersection of life and machinery by participating in a flexible training program. The program requires students to 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 students from both traditional and non-traditional engineering backgrounds to have simultaneous access to training and mentoring in both engineering and technology with a biological focus.


At a Glance

  • College/school: Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
  • Location: Tempe
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes

Degree Requirements

  • 30 credit hours and a thesis, or
  • 30 credit hours including the required applied project course (BDE 593)
  • Required Core (3 credit hours)
    • BDE 502 Research Methods in Biological Design (3)
  • Statistics (3 credit hours)
    • 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)
  • Biotechnology (3 credit hours)
    • 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 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)
  • Electives (12 or 15 credit hours)
  • Other Requirements (3 credit hours)
    • BDE 591 Seminar (3)
  • Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours)
    • BDE 593 Applied Project (3)
    • BDE 599 Thesis (6)

Admission Requirements

  • General university admission requirements:
    • All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
  • 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:
    • Graduate admission application and application fee
    • Official transcripts
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Personal statement
    • Proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.


Application Deadlines

  • Fall:
    • Session A/C: In Person, Deadline: 12/31, Type: Priority
  • Spring:
    • Session A/C: In Person, Deadline: 08/01, Type: Priority

Career Opportunities

Opportunities for graduates include placement 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

Additional Information

This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website. The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.


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