UGA Specific Information for Biological Engineering

Engineering is about creating new solutions to existing or future problems. Engineers are problem solvers who employ science, math, analysis and synthesis to design unique and practical solutions to everyday problems. They must accomplish this often under the constraints of time, budgets, and safety and health issues. Engineers also must be concerned about the environmental, political and social impact their answers will create.

The biological engineering discipline applies concepts and methods of biology (and secondarily of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science) to solve real-world problems related to the life sciences. Biological engineering uses primarily the rapidly developing body of knowledge known as molecular biology to study and advance applications of living organisms. 



Class of 2023 Career Outcomes for Biological Engineering*

** Includes Self-Employed


Campus Resources


Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations

Possible Career Paths for Biological Engineering

  • Biomedical Engineer: Bridge the medical engineering disciplines by providing an overall enhancement of healthcare. Design and build innovative designs (artificial limbs and organs, new-generation imaging machines, advanced prosthetics, and more) and improve processes for genomic testing, or making and administering drugs.  

    Key focus areas include: biomedical electronics, biomechatronics, bioinstrumentation, biomaterials, biomechanics, bionics, cellular, tissue, and genetic engineering, clinical engineering, medical imaging, orthopaedic bioengineering, rehabilitation engineering, systems physiology, bionanotechnology, neural engineering 

  • Biological Engineer: Apply engineering practice to problems and opportunities presented by living things and the natural environment. Areas include environmental protection and remediation, food/feed production, medicine and plant-based pharmaceuticals and packing materials.

  • Tissue Engineer: Develops functional 3D tissues, combining scaffolds, cells, and/or bioactive molecules. Develop, recover, and repair damaged tissues or entire organs. 

  • Research and Development Engineer: Support the new product development critical to the survival and growth of medical device companies, in the industry. In academia, a PhD is usually required for faculty positions that involve research in an academic settings or, in industry medical device companies, a PhD may also be required for higher-level research positions. 

  • Product Development Engineer: Design and develop manufactured products, including medical devices, and combine artistic talent with market research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design. 

  • Field Service Engineer: Create, install, and repair technology-related equipment and support a variety of systems, including biomedical equipment. Perform repairs and installs on-site at the customer's place of business. 

  • Quality Control Engineer: Test processes and products and determine whether they meet the set standards for functionality, reliability, and durability. Create strategic plans to enhance business processes and boost production input. Ensure the quality of services and products produced by the organization. 

  • Technical Sales Specialist: Use technical expertise and in-depth scientific knowledge of the technology to help prospective customers solve business problems, execute creative sales campaigns, and promote company products.  

  • Process Design Engineer: Specialize in directing and implementing capital projects for companies and create processes to meet budgets and project goals. Oversee continuous improvement efforts for companies, usually working full-time in an office setting. 

  • Process Safety Engineer: Assess the safety of processes and identify potential risk factors to make sure operations are safe. Analyze equipment for safety aspects and design machinery that allows for safe and efficient operation. Contribute to safety measures and regulations related to equipment. 

  • Nanosystems Engineer: Design, develop, or supervise the production of materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition, applying principles of nanoscale physics and electrical, chemical, or biological engineering. 

  • Engineers in Natural Resources/Environmental Systems: Determine crop water requirements, design irrigation systems; agricultural hydrology principles (controlling drainage, soil erosion, effects of sediment on stream quality); water control structures (reservoirs, floodways, channels). 

  • Engineers in Power Systems & Machinery Design: Design advanced equipment (food processing, crop spraying, agricultural commodity/waste transport, turn and landscape maintenance) that makes it more efficient and less damaging of natural resources. 

  • Engineers in Structures & Environment: Design animal housing, storage structures, greenhouses with ventilation systems, temperature and humidity controls, structural strength appropriate for climate and purpose; systems for storing, reusing, recovering, and transporting waste products. 

  • Food and Bioprocess Engineers: Versatile career path that applies to virtually all other engineering specialty areas (ex. Geographic information systems, global positioning systems, machine instrumentation and controls, electromagnetics, “bioinformatics”). 

  • Engineers in Forest Engineering: Solve natural resource and environment problems in forest production systems and related manufacturing industries. 

  • Engineers in Energy Systems: Identify and develop viable energy sources – biomass, methane, vegetable oil, etc.; develop energy conservation strategies to reduce costs and protect the environment. 

  • Engineers in Aquacultural Engineering: Design farm systems for raising fish and shellfish; specialize in water quality, biotechnology, machinery, natural resources, feeding and ventilation systems, sanitization 

  • Engineers in Nursery & Greenhouse Engineering: Design equipment for transplantation, control systems for temperature, humidity, and ventilation; plant biology issues (hydroponics, tissue culture, seedling propagation methods). 

Other Job Titles: Biomedical Equipment Technician, Research Assistant/Specialist/Professional, Medical Assistant, Product Development Associate, Mechanical Engineer, Quality Assurance Tech, Laboratory Technician 


Additional Career Research Resources

O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.  

My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.  

Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.  

Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.  

Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.  

UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.  

Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance. 

Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.  

Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.


Employment Websites


Professional Associations/Resources


Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2023 Biological Engineering majors

The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Employer Position Title(s)
Analytical Environmental Services, Inc. Laboratory Analyst
Boehringer Ingelheim Active Ingredient Technician
Capgemini Associate Consultant
Georgia Army National Guard Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Specialist
Georgia Environmental Protection Division Environmental Engineer
Invoy Bioengineer and Health Analyst
RayBiotech Research Technician
Takeda Production Engineer
Takeda Engineer I, Manufacturing Science
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inside Sales Representative
Xylem Associate Application Engineer
Xylem Associate Application Engineer
* denotes no responses received.

*Source: Areas above marked with an Asterisk (*) have been created utilizing data taken from the UGA Career Outcomes Survey. The "Employers Hiring...," "Job Titles of...," "Career Outcomes for...," and "Graduate/Professional Schools and Programs..." information listed above represent UGA Class of 2023 Graduates. The lists are not exhaustive and therefore do not represent all potential career options. Click here for more detailed Career Outcomes information regarding this major.

Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2023 Biological Engineering majors

The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.

Graduate School Program(s)
Georgia Institute of Technology Biomedical Engineering, MS
Heidelberg University Biomedical Engineering, MS
North Carolina State University Biomedical Engineering, MS
The Johns Hopkins University Biomedical Engineering, MS
Tulane University Biomedical Engineering, PhD
University of Georgia Biological Engineering, MS
University of Georgia Biological Engineering, MS
University of Georgia Biomedical Engineering, MS
University of Georgia Biomedical Engineering, PhD
University of Georgia Biomedical Engineering, PhD
University of Georgia Biomedical Engineering, PhD
University of Georgia Program and Degree Not Specified
University of Georgia Business Administration, MBA
University of Georgia Unspecified Master's Program, MS
University of Georgia Pharmacy, Degree Not Specified
* denotes no responses received.