Bioengineering Major

Bioengineering is a discipline that applies engineering principles to design and analyze biological systems and to develop biomedical technologies. The bioengineering undergraduate major prepares students for employment in professions that require seamless application of engineering design and problem-solving to biological and biomedical systems. Bioengineers are in high demand in industries such as health care, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, bioinstrumentation, food, and agriculture. The bioengineering undergraduate degree also provides a solid foundation for medical and graduate schools and for careers in allied fields of government and policy. Bioengineering has led to the development of biocompatible implants, functional prostheses, sensitive diagnostics, precision medicines, sustainable agriculture, scalable biomanufacturing, and tools that have accelerated the pace of research and development in biomedicine. Bioengineers thus contribute solutions to key challenges that effect human health and the well-being of society.

The undergraduate major in Bioengineering provides students with both depth and breadth through two areas (tracks) of emphasis: (1) Biotechnology  and (2) Biomedical Imaging and Bioinstrumentation .

Characteristics of the Bioengineering major (for both areas of emphasis) include:

• Significant in-class connection with BioE faculty during the first two years of study who will familiarize each student with the opportunities each emphasis area (track) can provide.
• A common curriculum of lower division courses for both tracks. Selection of emphasis is made in the fourth semester.
• A sequence of classes leading to educational goals aligned with one of two distinct career paths, both of which prepare students for current and future job opportunities in California, nationally, and internationally (e.g., Biotechnology, Biopharma, Bioinstrumentation).
• Foundational preparation for students desiring to pursue advanced degrees at the interface of engineering and biology, as well as medical school.
• The curriculum has been revised using the ABET accreditation criteria as a guide and to better prepare students for career entry.

Bioengineering Program Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, our graduates demonstrate:

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
8. Experience in applying principles of engineering, biology, human physiology, chemistry, calculus-based physics, mathematics (through differential equations) and statistics.
9. Experience in solving bio/biomedical engineering problems, including those associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems.
10. Experience in analyzing, modeling, designing, and realizing bio/biomedical engineering devices, systems, components, or processes.
11. Experience in making measurements on and interpreting data from living systems.

Programs

• Bioengineering, Biomedical Imaging and Bioinstrumentation Emphasis, B.S.
• Bioengineering, Biotechnology Emphasis, B.S.