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.
For more information: https://www.seas.upenn.edu/prospective-students/undergrad/majors/bioengineering/
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.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | ||
| BE 1000 | Introduction to Bioengineering | 0.5 |
| ENGR 1050 | Introduction to Scientific Computing | 1 |
| BE 2000 | Introduction to Biomechanics | 1 |
| BE 2200 | Biomaterials | 1 |
| BE 2700 | Bioengineering Laboratory Principles | 1 |
| BE 3010 | Bioengineering Signals and Systems | 1 |
| BE 3060 | Cellular Engineering | 1 |
| BE 3090 | Bioengineering Modeling, Analysis and Design Laboratory I | 1 |
| BE 3100 | Bioengineering Modeling, Analysis and Design Laboratory II | 1 |
| BE 3500 | Introduction to Biotransport Processes | 1 |
| BE 4950 | Senior Design Project | 1 |
| BE 4960 | Senior Design Project | 1 |
| BE Elective (400 or 500 level) | 2 | |
| Engineering Elective | 2 | |
| Math and Natural Science | ||
| MATH 1400 | Calculus, Part I | 1 |
| MATH 1410 | Calculus, Part II | 1 |
| ENM 2400 | Differential Equations and Linear Algebra | 1 |
| or MATH 2400 | Calculus, Part III | |
| ENM 3750 | Biological Data Science I - Fundamentals of Biostatistics | 1 |
| or ENGR 3440 | Answering Questions with Data, for Everyone | |
| PHYS 0140 | Principles of Physics I (without laboratory) | 1 |
| PHYS 0141 | Principles of Physics II (without laboratory) | 1 |
| CHEM 1011 | Introduction to General Chemistry I | 1 |
| CHEM 1101 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | .5 |
| CHEM 1102 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | .5 |
| CHEM 1022 | General Chemistry II | 1 |
| BIOL 1121 | Introduction to Biology - The Molecular Biology of Life | 1 |
| BIOL 1123 | Introductory Molecular Biology Laboratory | .5 |
| BIOL 3310 | Principles of Human Physiology | 1 |
| General Electives 1 | ||
| EAS 2030 | Engineering Ethics | 1 |
| 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 courses | 1 | |
| Select 2 Humanities courses | 2 | |
| Select 1 Social Science or Humanities course | 1 | |
| Select 1 Social Science, Humanities or Technology in Business & Society course | 2 | |
| Free Elective | ||
| Select 3 free elective courses | 3 | |
| Total Course Units | 37 | |
- 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.
On This Page
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
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
or CIS 5210 | 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 | ||
or CIS 5350 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | |
or MTR 5350 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | |
| Fundamentals of Computational Biology | ||
or CIS 5360 | Fundamentals of Computational Biology | |
or GCB 5360 | Fundamentals of Computational Biology | |
| Advanced Computational Biology | ||
| Seminar in Advanced Application of Statistics | ||
| Total Course Units | 4 | |
Biomedical Devices
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
or MEAM 5130 | 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 | ||
or OIDD 4150 | Product Design | |
| Design for Manufacturability | ||
| Introduction to Robotics | ||
| Total Course Units | 4 | |
Cellular/Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
or MSE 4300 | Introduction to Polymers | |
| Stem Cells, Proteomics and Drug Delivery - Soft Matter Fundamentals | ||
| Design for Manufacturability | ||
| Materials for Bioelectronics | ||
or BE 5850 | Materials for Bioelectronics | |
| Structure and Function of Biological Materials | ||
| Total Course Units | 4 | |
Biomedical Imaging and Radiation Physics
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Units | 4 | |
Systems and Synthetic Biology
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Units | 4 | |
Neuroengineering
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
or PSYC 1230 | Cognitive Neuroscience | |
| Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology | ||
or BIOL 2110 | Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology | |
| Neural Systems and Behavior | ||
or BIOL 5110 | 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 Units | 4 | |
Multiscale Biomechanics
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Units | 4 | |
Therapeutics, Drug Delivery & Nanomedicine
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select 2 courses in: | 2 | |
| Independent Project in Bioengineering *** | ||
| Nanoscale Systems Biology | ||
or CBE 5550 | Nanoscale Systems Biology | |
or MEAM 5550 | 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 | ||
or CBE 5550 | Nanoscale Systems Biology | |
or MEAM 5550 | 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 Units | 4 | |
Immune Engineering
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | ||
or BE 5260 | Immunology for Bioengineers | |
or BIOL 4004 | 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) | ||
or BE 5260 | Immunology for Bioengineers | |
or BIOL 4004 | Immunobiology | |
| Immune Engineering | ||
| Quantitative Principles of Drug Design | ||
| Modern Biotechnology for Engineers | ||
| Immune Mechanisms | ||
| Immunopathology | ||
| Vaccines and Immune Therapeutics | ||
or CAMB 6090 | 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).