Course Information Suite

Utility Menu

• Home

Main Menu

• Class Schedule
  
• Course Catalog
  
• Gened Requirements
  
  
• Programs of Study
  
  • 2014-2015
  • 2013-2014
  • 2012-2013
  • 2011-2012
  • 2010-2011
  • 2009-2010
  • 2008-2009
  • 2007-2008
  • 2006 Fall Spring
  • 2005 Fall Spring
  • 2004 Fall
  • 2001-2003
  • 1999-2001
  • 1997-1999
  • 1995-1997

Bioengineering

Curriculum in Bioengineering

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering

Bioengineering combines the analytical and experimental methods of the engineering profession with the biological and medical sciences to achieve a more detailed understanding of biological phenomena and to develop new techniques and devices.

The curriculum is divided into four components. The largest component, that of the basic mathematics and sciences, dominates the first two years of study. It includes mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and is capped with upper level life science courses. The Bioengineering component imbues a quantitative approach employing engineering analysis and design to problems drawn largely from the life sciences. It concludes with a capstone engineering design or research experience, a capstone life science course, and a biomedical professionalism and ethics course. The track component includes a focused set of courses in which each student develops depth in one area of bioengineering. The fourth component comprises the general education and free elective course work that gives balance to a student's education.

Overview of Curricular Requirements

The curriculum requires 132 hours for graduation and is organized as shown below.

Technical grade point average requirements for graduation and advanced-level course registration apply to students in this curriculum. These rules are summarized at the College of Engineering's undergraduate advising Web site.

Orientation and Professional Development

These courses introduce the opportunities and resources your college, department, and curriculum can offer you as you work to achieve your career goals. They also provide the skills to work effectively and successfully in the engineering profession.

Foundational Mathematics and Science

These courses stress the basic mathematical and scientific principles upon which the engineering discipline is based.

1. MATH 220 - Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.

Bioengineering Technical Core

These courses stress fundamental concepts and basic laboratory techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of bioengineering.

Track Electives

Students must complete 15 hours of study which show coherence, focus, and purpose within a bioengineering context. Students may choose from among the following pre-approved tracks:

• Biomaterials
• Biomechanics
• Biomolecular Engineering
• Computational Biology/Bioengineering
• Electrical Systems

Alternately a student may devise a special track and set of courses which must be approved by the Bioengineering Department.  In either case, overage hours in required courses may be counted toward the 15-hour minimum.

Social Sciences and Humanities

The social sciences and humanities courses, as approved by the College of Engineering, ensure that students have exposure in breadth and depth to areas of intellectual activity that are essential to the general education of any college graduate.

Composition

These courses teach fundamentals of expository writing.

Free Electives

These unrestricted electives give the student the opportunity to explore any intellectual area of unique interest. This freedom plays a critical role in helping students to define research specialties or to complete minors.

Suggested Sequence

The schedule that follows is illustrative, showing the typical sequence in which courses would be taken by a student with no college course credit already earned and who intends to graduate in four years. Each individual's case may vary, but the position of required named courses is generally indicative of the order in which they should be taken.

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

1. MATH 220—Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.
2. RHET 105 may be taken in the first or second semester of the first year as authorized. The alternative is MCB 150.
3. Each student must satisfy the 18-hour social sciences and humanities requirements of the College of Engineering and the campus general education requirements for social sciences and humanities.
4. To be selected from departmentally approved list of technical core elective courses.
5. To be selected from a departmentally approved list of track elective courses if a pre-approved track is chosen. Alternately a student may devise a special track which must be approved by the Bioengineering Department.