Bioengineering, BSE

Bioengineering is a multidisciplinary area where the engineering sciences interface biology, biomedical sciences, and medicine, to advance human health. Bioengineering brings together the creation of new knowledge and understanding of biological systems through engineering analysis and experimentation, with the application of engineering design and practice principles for the development of devices, processes, methods and biotechnologies to improve medical practice and health care delivery.

Curriculum 

BSE Degree Requirements

Below are the requirements for the BSE degree for students entering in Fall 2020 and beyond. This reflects a total of 37 course units. To see how courses can be scheduled out for the full four years, see the BSE sample curriculum.

Engineering
BE 1000Introduction to Bioengineering0.5
ENGR 1050Introduction to Scientific Computing1
BE 2000Introduction to Biomechanics1
BE 2200Biomaterials1
BE 2700Bioengineering Laboratory Principles1
BE 3010Bioengineering Signals and Systems1
BE 3060Cellular Engineering1
BE 3090Bioengineering Modeling, Analysis and Design Laboratory I1
BE 3100Bioengineering Modeling, Analysis and Design Laboratory II1
BE 3500Introduction to Biotransport Processes1
BE 4950Senior Design Project1
BE 4960Senior Design Project1
BE Elective (400 or 500 level)2
Engineering Elective2
Math and Natural Science
MATH 1400Calculus, Part I1
MATH 1410Calculus, Part II1
ENM 2400Differential Equations and Linear Algebra1
or MATH 2400 Calculus, Part III
ENM 3750Biological Data Science I - Fundamentals of Biostatistics1
or ENGR 3440 Answering Questions with Data, for Everyone
PHYS 0140Principles of Physics I (without laboratory)1
PHYS 0141Principles of Physics II (without laboratory)1
CHEM 1011Introduction to General Chemistry I1
CHEM 1101General Chemistry Laboratory I.5
CHEM 1102General Chemistry Laboratory II.5
CHEM 1022General Chemistry II1
BIOL 1121Introduction to Biology - The Molecular Biology of Life1
BIOL 1123Introductory Molecular Biology Laboratory.5
BIOL 3310Principles of Human Physiology1
General Electives 1
EAS 2030Engineering Ethics1
or BIOE 4010 Introduction to Bioethics
or BIOE 4020 Conceptual Foundations of Bioethics
or HSOC 1330 Bioethics
or HSOC 2457 History of Bioethics
or LGST 1000 Ethics and Social Responsibility
or LGST 2200 International Business Ethics
or NURS 3300 Theoretical Foundations of Health Care Ethics
or NURS 5250 Ethical Aspects of Health and Technology
or PHIL 4330 Metaethics
or PHIL 1342 Bioethics
Select 2 Social Science courses1
Select 2 Humanities courses2
Select 1 Social Science or Humanities course1
Select 1 Social Science, Humanities or Technology in Business & Society course2
Free Elective
Select 3 free elective courses3
Total Course Units37
1

Must include a Writing Seminar (a list of approved Writing Seminars can be found in the SEAS Undergraduate Handbook)

Concentrations

Students may select one of nine concentrations:

  • Biomedical Data Science and Computational Medicine
  • Biomedical Devices
  • Biomedical Imaging and Radiation Physics
  • Cellular/Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials
  • Multiscale Biomechanics
  • Neuroengineering
  • Systems and Synthetic Biology
  • Therapeutics, Drug Delivery & Nanomedicine
  • Immune Engineering

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.


Degree Concentrations

Students may select one of nine concentrations.

Concentrations are not required, but are intended to provide students with the option to obtain a more focused education in a particular field of study or sub-topic within a given field. To satisfy the requirements for a concentration, students must select at least 4 courses from any of the categories listed below. At least two courses must be from Bioengineering.

Biomedical Data Science and Computational Medicine

Select 2 courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Biological Data Science II: Data Mining Principles for Epigenomics
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience
Multiscale Modeling of Chemical and Biological Systems
Networked Neuroscience
Select 2 additional courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering
Biological Data Science II: Data Mining Principles for Epigenomics
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience
Multiscale Modeling of Chemical and Biological Systems
Networked Neuroscience
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence
Database and Information Systems
Machine Learning
Big Data Analytics
Molecular Modeling and Simulations
Foundations of Data Science
Statistics for Data Science
Introduction to Bioinformatics
Introduction to Bioinformatics
Introduction to Bioinformatics
Fundamentals of Computational Biology
Fundamentals of Computational Biology
Fundamentals of Computational Biology
Advanced Computational Biology
Seminar in Advanced Application of Statistics
Total Course Units4

Biomedical Devices

Select 2 courses in:2
Medical Devices
Medical Device Development *
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
From Biomedical Science to the Marketplace
Rehab Engineering and Design
Optical Microscopy
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Applied Medical Innovation I *
Applied Medical Innovation II *
Biomicrofluidics
Molecular Diagnostics for Precision Medicine
Biomechatronics
Select 2 additional courses in:2
Medical Devices
Medical Device Development *
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
From Biomedical Science to the Marketplace
Rehab Engineering and Design
Optical Microscopy
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Applied Medical Innovation I *
Applied Medical Innovation II *
Biomicrofluidics
Molecular Diagnostics for Precision Medicine
Biomechatronics
Electrical Circuits and Systems
Feedback Control Design and Analysis
Feedback Control Design and Analysis
Introduction to Micro- and Nano-electromechanical Technologies
Introduction to Mechanical Design *
Machine Design and Manufacturing
Design of Mechatronic Systems
Product Design
Product Design
Design for Manufacturability
Introduction to Robotics
Total Course Units4

Cellular/Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials

Select 2 courses in:2
Self-Assembly of Soft Materials
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Bioengineering III: Biomaterials
Principles of Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering
Principles, Methods, and Applications of Tissue Engineering
Principles of Biological Fabrication
Developmental Engineering of Tissues
Systems Biology of Cell Signaling Behavior
Principles of Controlled Release Systems
Select 2 additional courses in:2
Self-Assembly of Soft Materials
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Bioengineering III: Biomaterials
Principles of Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering
Principles, Methods, and Applications of Tissue Engineering
Principles of Biological Fabrication
Developmental Engineering of Tissues
Systems Biology of Cell Signaling Behavior
Principles of Controlled Release Systems
Introduction to Polymers
Introduction to Polymers
Stem Cells, Proteomics and Drug Delivery - Soft Matter Fundamentals
Design for Manufacturability
Materials for Bioelectronics
Materials for Bioelectronics
Structure and Function of Biological Materials
Total Course Units4

Biomedical Imaging and Radiation Physics

Select 2 courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Optical Microscopy
Biomedical Image Analysis
Fundamental Techniques of Imaging
Techniques of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Physics of Medical / Molecular Imaging
Advanced Biomedical Imaging Applications
Select 2 additional courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Optical Microscopy
Biomedical Image Analysis
Fundamental Techniques of Imaging
Techniques of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Physics of Medical / Molecular Imaging
Advanced Biomedical Imaging Applications
Image-Based Anatomy
Radiation Biology
Modern Optics
Total Course Units4

Systems and Synthetic Biology

Select 2 courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Immune Engineering
Principles of Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering
Principles of Biological Fabrication
Multiscale Modeling of Chemical and Biological Systems
Developmental Engineering of Tissues
Systems Biology of Cell Signaling Behavior
Select 2 additional courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Immune Engineering
Principles of Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering
Principles of Biological Fabrication
Multiscale Modeling of Chemical and Biological Systems
Developmental Engineering of Tissues
Systems Biology of Cell Signaling Behavior
Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
Laboratory in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
Principles of Genome Engineering
Advancements and Applications in Genome Editing and Engineering
Engineering Biotechnology
Stem Cells, Proteomics and Drug Delivery - Soft Matter Fundamentals
Mechanics of Macromolecules
Biological Foundations for Bioengineering and Biotechnology: Genomics and Omics Technologies
Total Course Units4

Neuroengineering

Select 2 courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience
Networked Neuroscience
Select 2 additional courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience
Networked Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
Neural Systems and Behavior
Neural Systems and Behavior
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory *
Cellular Basis of Learning and Memory *
Computational Neuroscience Lab
Neurotechnology: From Concept to Clinic
Electrical Language of Cells
Systems Neuroscience
Total Course Units4

Multiscale Biomechanics

Select 2 courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Biomechanics and Biotransport
Rehab Engineering and Design
Continuum Tissue Mechanics
Biomechatronics
Musculoskeletal Biology and Bioengineering
Select 2 additional courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering
Biomechanics and Biotransport
Rehab Engineering and Design
Continuum Tissue Mechanics
Biomechatronics
Musculoskeletal Biology and Bioengineering
Total Course Units4

Therapeutics, Drug Delivery & Nanomedicine

Select 2 courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Nanoscale Systems Biology
Nanoscale Systems Biology
Nanoscale Systems Biology
Quantitative Principles of Drug Design
Drug Discovery and Development
Principles of Controlled Release Systems
Select 2 additional courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering
Nanoscale Systems Biology
Nanoscale Systems Biology
Nanoscale Systems Biology
Quantitative Principles of Drug Design
Drug Discovery and Development
Principles of Controlled Release Systems
Stem Cells, Proteomics and Drug Delivery - Soft Matter Fundamentals
Drug Delivery Systems: Targeted Therapeutics and Translational Nanomedicine
Total Course Units4

Immune Engineering

Select 2 courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Bioengineering III: Biomaterials
Immunology for Bioengineers (students cannot count both BIOL 4004 and BE 4260/BE 5260 towards concentration)
Immunology for Bioengineers
Immunobiology
Immune Engineering
Quantitative Principles of Drug Design
Select two additional courses in:2
Independent Project in Bioengineering ***
Bioengineering III: Biomaterials
Immunology for Bioengineers (students cannot count both BIOL 4004 and BE 4260/BE 5260 towards concentration)
Immunology for Bioengineers
Immunobiology
Immune Engineering
Quantitative Principles of Drug Design
Modern Biotechnology for Engineers
Immune Mechanisms
Immunopathology
Vaccines and Immune Therapeutics
Vaccines and Immune Therapeutics
Introduction to Vaccine Development

Footnotes 

*

Students may count only one of the asterisked courses per concentration.

**

Students may only “double count” TWO courses for multiple concentrations.

***

Students may only count one Independent Study (BE 4900 or BE 4920).