The BEE department offers programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The objective of the department's degree programs are to serve at the interface between life sciences and engineering. Biological and Ecological Engineering is the application of engineering and life-science principles and problem- solving techniques to the optimum use and sustainability of biological resources. The curriculum is engineering-based with strong emphasis on the life sciences. Courses focus on biological systems modeling, theoretical and applied aspects of bioconversion and bioseparation processes, regional hydrologic analysis, groundwater systems, irrigation, water resource optimization, remote sensing, image analysis, and instrumentation.

The Biological& Ecological Engineering Department offers the following graduate degrees:

Biological & Ecological Engineering
(M.S., MENG, and Ph.D degree programs)

The graduate program in Biological & Ecological Engineering deals with diverse issues in the design and analysis of a wide range of biological and hydrologic systems. Focus areas are in bioprocessing and water resource engineering/watershed analysis. The bioprocessing program encompasses quality retention in frozen seafood, thermal processing, and preservation and energy conservation in fresh fruit storages.  Research topics in Water Resource Engineering include: constructed wetland treatment systems, crop growth modeling, optimum irrigation management, crop-water requirements, groundwater and subsurface contaminant transport, hydrologic modeling, image processing and artificial intelligence technologies to manage water resources, livestock production odor control, and non-point source water pollution control.

Water Resources Graduate Program

The New Water Resources Program at Oregon State University awards M.S. and Ph.D. degrees and brings together faculty and students from six colleges and multiple departments.  The degrees are designed to allow flexibility in coursework, while insuring an outstanding foundation and specialization in your area of interest.

The Program includes core requirements for all students with additional work concentrated in specific degree programs in Water Resources Engineering, Water Resources Science, or Water Resources Policy and Management. Students will draw from a set of existing OSU courses covering engineering approaches, watershed processes, and/or water resources management and policy.

Ecosystems Informatics Graduate Minor

A Graduate Minor in Ecosystem Informatics is available. The minor entails a series of 4 core classes, colloquia, and an ethics class totaling 18 credit hours. A student only needs to be of graduate student status in order to be eligible for the minor.