Biological & Ecological Engineering - Oregon State

What Biological & Ecological Engineering - Oregon State does

The Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering (BEE) at Oregon State University (founded 1868 as a land-grant research university) is an academic unit within the College of Agricultural Sciences that delivers engineering education integrating biological, ecological, and water resource principles. The department evolved from the former Department of Agricultural Engineering and runs programs that are housed academically in collaboration with the College of Engineering. It offers a BS and Honors BS in Ecological Engineering (the first undergraduate program of its kind nationally and ABET-accredited retroactive to 2010), MS, MEng, and PhD programs in Biological & Ecological Engineering, an Accelerated Masters Platform allowing up to 22 double-counted credits between BS and MEng degrees, an interdisciplinary Water Resources Engineering graduate program (MS and PhD), a 2025-launched Graduate Certificate in Water Resources, a Water Resources Engineering minor, plus a BEE 507/607 seminar series and cross-listed AI/ML elective courses (AI 530, 531, 534, 535). Coursework is delivered on-campus in Corvallis, Oregon, with select courses available online via OSU eCampus; technical modules train students in Python, ArcGIS, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, CAD, and field surveying. Research spans biological engineering (metabolic engineering, bioprocessing, microbial fuel cells, bio-electrolytic hydrogen), agrivoltaics, hydrology and water resources (simulation modeling, remote sensing, GIS, irrigation, groundwater quality), and ecological systems design.

The department operates with approximately 27 faculty and instructors, about 15 staff and research associates, 170 undergraduate and 22 graduate students as of 2025-2026, a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, around 52% female representation (the highest in the College of Engineering), and reports outcomes including >80% post-graduation employment and >75% FE exam pass rates. Revenue mechanics run through Oregon State University's centralized tuition and state appropriation system; the BEE Industry Advisory Board of 6-10 representatives from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Biohabitats, Clean Water Services, Contech Engineered Solutions, Water Ways Consulting, and Oregon Department of Agriculture provides curriculum input and recruits graduates twice yearly, supplemented by the Mentor Collective program that pairs every undergraduate with an industry mentor. The unit is led by Department Head Adam Ward with administrative staff including Office Manager Jennifer Cohen and Head Academic Advisor Khrystal Condon, and is currently hiring an Academic Advising Specialist.

Name

Biological & Ecological Engineering - Oregon State

Legal name

Oregon State University - Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering

Website

https://bee.oregonstate.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1868

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering at Oregon State University delivers ABET-accredited undergraduate and graduate engineering programs integrating ecological, biological, and water resource principles, serving approximately 170 undergraduates, 22 graduate students, and a 27-faculty research community from its Corvallis campus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engineering Education

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Biology & Life Science Enrichment (Biotech, Genetics, Anatomy) (EDAMABAF)

Keywords

• Ecological engineering education
• Water resources engineering
• Biological engineering programs
• Sustainable systems design
• Engineering graduate degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Corvallis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and University Funding: As a public university department within Oregon State University's College of Agricultural Sciences, the department operates primarily through state funding and student tuition. Revenue supports educational programs, research activities, and departmental operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering (BEE) at Oregon State University delivers undergraduate and graduate academic programs that integrate biological and ecological principles into engineering design for sustainable systems. Core offerings include the ABET-accredited BS in Ecological Engineering (the first such undergraduate program nationally), MS/MEng/PhD graduate programs in Biological & Ecological Engineering, an Accelerated Masters Platform, an interdisciplinary Water Resources Engineering graduate program, a Water Resources minor, and a new Graduate Certificate in Water Resources.

Product overview

The Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering (BEE) at Oregon State University offers a comprehensive suite of academic programs centered around Ecological Engineering, Biological Engineering, and Water Resources Engineering. The portfolio includes undergraduate (BS in Ecological Engineering - the first nationally), graduate degrees (MS, MEng, PhD in Biological & Ecological Engineering), an Accelerated Masters Platform, Water Resources Engineering graduate program, and a new Graduate Certificate in Water Resources. The department provides technical skills training through specialized curriculum modules covering Python, ArcGIS, hydraulic modeling (HEC-RAS/HEC-HMS), and CAD software, along with AI/ML course offerings. All programs are conducted in collaboration with the College of Engineering and are accredited by ABET at the undergraduate level.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ecological Engineering (BS) ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science and Honors Bachelor of Science degrees in Ecological Engineering requiring 180 credit hours. Blends engineering and science to design sustainable systems integrating human activities with the natural environment.
• Biological & Ecological Engineering Graduate Program (MS, MEng, PhD) Engineering-based graduate curriculum with strong emphasis on life sciences, covering biological systems modeling, bioconversion, bioseparation, hydrologic analysis, groundwater systems, irrigation, remote sensing, and instrumentation. Leads to M.S., M.Eng., and Ph.D. degrees.
• Accelerated Masters Platform (AMP - BS to MEng) Accelerated program allowing students to transition directly from undergraduate studies into a Master of Engineering degree, with up to 22 credits double-counted toward both degrees.
• Water Resources Engineering (MS, PhD) Interdisciplinary graduate program (M.S. and Ph.D.) advised within the BEE department, covering simulation modeling, remote sensing, GIS applications, regional hydrologic modeling, irrigation management, non-point source pollution management, constructed wetlands, and groundwater quality.
• Graduate Certificate in Water Resources A graduate certificate program in Water Resources providing specialized training in water resources engineering concepts and methodologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• >80% of EcoE students employed soon after graduation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Contech Engineered SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeam Lead and Senior Stormwater Design Engineer Dillon George serves on the BEE Industry Advisory Board, providing input on program planning and student recruitment.
• Water Ways ConsultingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStaff Engineer Deanna Hutchinson, PE, represents Water Ways Consulting on the BEE Industry Advisory Board.
• Oregon Department of AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydrologist Paul Measeles serves on the BEE Industry Advisory Board, representing state agricultural interests.
• BiohabitatscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Resources Engineer Carson Smith represents Biohabitats on the BEE Industry Advisory Board.
• Clean Water ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater Resources Program Manager Jadene Stensland serves on the BEE Industry Advisory Board.
• U.S. Army Corps of EngineerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCivil Engineer Max Wilson-Fey represents the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the BEE Industry Advisory Board.
• OSU College of EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic programs are conducted in collaboration with the College of Engineering, enabling interdisciplinary education.
• NSF CTEMPs.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSF-funded program developing and supporting new methods in environmental monitoring; department is home to this initiative.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Penn State - Agricultural and Biological Engineering: Penn State's ABE department delivers biological, agricultural, and ecological engineering programs with a research portfolio in bioprocessing, water resources, and bioenergy that closely parallels BEE at OSU.
• Michigan State University - Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering: MSU's BAE department offers ABET-accredited programs in biosystems engineering with bioprocessing, bioenergy, and water resources research that closely parallels OSU's BEE department.
• North Carolina State University - Biological and Agricultural Engineering: NC State's BAE department offers ABET-accredited biological engineering programs and research in bioprocessing, environmental engineering, and water resources, serving as another land-grant academic peer.
• Texas A&M University - Biological and Agricultural Engineering: Texas A&M's BAEN department is a land-grant peer with ABET-accredited biological engineering programs and research in bioprocessing, bioenergy, and water resources similar to OSU's BEE portfolio.
• Colorado State University - Ecosystem Science and Sustainability: CSU's Ecosystem Science and Sustainability program overlaps with BEE's ecological engineering focus, with shared emphasis on watershed science, sustainability, and environmental systems education.
• University of Florida - Agricultural and Biological Engineering: UF's ABE department offers ABET-accredited biological engineering and similar water resources, bioenergy, and ecological engineering research, making it a strong land-grant academic peer to BEE.
• Purdue University - Agricultural and Biological Engineering: Purdue's ABE department combines biological engineering with agricultural and environmental engineering, sharing OSU's emphasis on biological systems design, water resources, and ABET-accredited undergraduate programs.
• UC Davis - Biological and Agricultural Engineering: UC Davis BAE combines biological engineering with agricultural and environmental applications, with research in bioprocessing, water resources, and sustainable systems that closely mirrors BEE at OSU.
• Cornell University - Biological and Environmental Engineering: Cornell's Biological and Environmental Engineering department is the closest academic peer, offering a comparable blend of biological engineering, environmental systems, and water resources research at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• University of Illinois - Agricultural and Biological Engineering: UIUC's ABE department combines biological engineering with agricultural and environmental engineering, sharing research themes in bioprocessing, bioenergy, and water systems with BEE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCG4oHlGODI1syjk8uLdBK5w/videos?feature=guide&view=1
• Facebookfacebook.com/BEEOSU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oregon-state-bee

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Biological & Ecological Engineering - Oregon State