Bioengineering is the merging of engineering with biological and medical science in the study of complex living systems (human and non-human). Bioengineering research at Georgia Tech focuses on the development of innovative or improved physical and mathematical concepts and techniques that may be applied to problems in medicine and biology, including the fundamental study of biological phenomena and the development of new medical devices. The research focus areas are broad but include cardiovascular engineering, cell and tissue engineering, biomolecular and bionanotechnology applications, neuroengineering, biomaterials, health systems, systems biology, and medical imaging.

As part of its mission to develop effective solutions to global challenges, Georgia Tech is addressing the environmental issues facing the world's population in the twenty-first century. Top faculty conduct research that will improve the quality of life of people locally and globally. Environmental engineering research focus areas include alternative energy; environmental biotechnology; water quality and treatment; wastewater reclamation and use; hazardous and solid waste engineering; air quality monitoring; environmental sciences; and industrial ecology.

Conventional energy sources - oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear power - are accompanied by problems of air and water pollution, resource depletion, and the greenhouse effect. Photovoltaics, the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity, can potentially meet the rapidly growing demand for electricity with minimal environmental consequence. To address this pressing need, the Department of Energy established Georgia Tech's University Center of Excellence for Photovoltaics Research and Education, one of only two such centers in the United States. Critical parts of the center at Tech's mission include playing a major role in accelerating the development of cost-effective, high-efficiency photovoltaics and improving the fundamental understanding of the science and technology of advanced photovoltaics.