Bioastronautics encompasses biological, behavioral and medical aspects governing humans and other living organisms in a space flight environment; and includes design of payloads, spacecraft habitats, and life support systems. In short, this focus area spans the study and support of life in space.

Courses offered address complementary aspects of space life sciences research and spacecraft habitat design. The curriculum is closely aligned with NASA Programs and Commercial Space Transportation goals, and has strong ties to BioServe Space Technologies, a research center in the Aerospace Department.

Established in 1987, BioServe has designed, built and flown biotechnology payloads on nearly 100 space flight missions since 1991 launched aboard the Space Shuttle, Progress, Soyuz, HTV, Dragon and Cygnus, and residing in the International Space Station and Mir.