What is BSE?

Bioresource Science & Engineering at UW

• Become a problem solver and develop critical skills: You’ll learn to think critically, analyze problems, and come up with creative solutions. You’ll also acquire experience using essential tools like life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impact of products and processes, and techno-economic analysis to assess the economic feasibility of sustainable solutions.
• Join a program recognized for its academic excellence: Our program is accredited by the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission, which means that it meets quality standards set by the engineering profession. Graduation from an accredited program assures employers and graduate schools, among others, that the graduate is well prepared for an engineering career. Many employers, graduate schools, licensing boards, and other groups require graduation from an accredited program as a minimum qualification for consideration.
• Thrive in an inclusive engineering environment: With women and other typically under-represented minorities in STEM making up more than half of our study body, we champion Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) in our program. Learn alongside talented peers from diverse backgrounds and prepare to be a leader in a future-focused engineering discipline.
• Work on cool projects and make a real difference: Discover things like advanced materials (e. papertronics, nanocellulose, graphene, etc.) and sustainable manufacturing, and design innovative waste-to-energy systems to empower diverse communities and improve their quality of life.
• Team up with the best and collaborate across disciplines: Work alongside a diverse team of students and faculty from various backgrounds, where ecologists meet materials scientists and chemical/environmental engineers to develop holistic solutions for complex problems.
• Get hands-on with cutting-edge technology: Our program boasts state-of-the-art pilot scale facilities, like the NatureFormer thermoforming machine from Brückner’s Kieffel, which offers a unique opportunity to gain practical experience using the latest tools to turn your ideas into reality.
• Be part of a winning team: Our students consistently impress the world stage! Past undergraduate projects like Green Grab (2023), PlantSeal (2022), NanoPrint (2019), and BioPots (2018) received prestigious awards at Environmental Innovation Challenges where the best undergrad and grad students at accredited colleges and universities in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia, and Alaska compete. They are testaments to the innovative spirit and impactful work fostered in our program.
• Benefit from the support of a corporate foundation: The foundation includes over 40 member companies committed to offering rewarding internship opportunities and providing scholarships to support bioresource science & engineering students.
• Engage with a dynamic student association: The student chapter of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) promotes the professional, educational, and social development of bioresource science & engineering students by sponsoring students to attend national conferences and by organizing various career resource and networking events.
• Build a Rewarding Career: Bioresource engineering is a rapidly growing field with great job prospects, and graduates from our program are highly sought-after by companies and organizations worldwide, such as Amazon, Boeing, International Paper, Space X, Starbuck, etc.