Bioengineering

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Bioengineering prepares students for a variety of careers in the biomedical device industry and for further education in graduate school. The program addresses the bioengineering topics of biomechanics, biotransport, bioinstrumentation, bioelectricity, biosystems, and biomaterials, and the complementary fields of systems and organ physiology. Education in these areas allows application of bioengineering and scientific principles to benefit human health by advancing methods for effective diagnosis and treatment of disease through development of medical devices and technologies.

Freshman Year

• • BENG 1: Introduction to Bioengineering (1 unit)
  • BILD 1: The Cell
  • CHEM 6A: General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 6B: General Chemistry II
  • MAE 8: Matlab Programming for Engineering Analysis
  • MATH 20A: Calculus for Science and Engineering
  • MATH 20B: Calculus for Science and Engineering
  • MATH 20C: Calculus and Analytic Geometry for Science and Engineering OR MATH 31BH: Honors Multivariable Calculus
  • PHYS 2A: Physics-Mechanics
  • PHYS 2B: Physics-Electricity and Magnetism
  • PHYS 2BL: Physics Laboratory-Mechanics and Electrostatics (2 units)
  • HSS: Humanities/Social Science College General Ed. Courses

Sophomore Year

• • BENG 1: Introduction to Bioengineering (if not completed in freshman year - 1 unit)
  • BENG 100: Introduction to Bioengineering Design
  • BENG 109: Bioengineering Statics and Dynamics
  • CHEM 7L: Introductory Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
  • MAE 3: Introduction to Engineering Graphics and Design
  • MAE 140: Linear Circuits
  • MATH 20D: Introduction to Differential Equations
  • MATH 20E: Vector Calculus OR MATH 31CH: Honors Vector Calculus
  • MATH 20F: Linear Algebra OR MATH 31AH: Honors Linear Algebra
  • PHYS 2C: Physics-Fluids, Waves, Thermodynamics, and Optics
  • PHYS 2CL: Physics Laboratory-Electricity and Magnetism, Waves, and Optics (2 units)
  • HSS: Humanities/Social Science College General Ed. Courses

Junior Year

• • BENG 101: Foundations of Biomedical Imaging
  • BENG 103B: Bioengineering Mass Transfer
  • BENG 110: Continuum Mechanics
  • BENG 112A: Biomechanics I
  • BENG 112B: Biomechanics  II
  • BENG 140A: Bioengineering Physiology I
  • BENG 140B: Bioengineering Physiology II
  • BENG 172: Bioengineering Laboratory
  • BENG 186B: Principles of Bioinstrumentation Design
  • BENG 187A: Bioengineering Design Project: Planning (1 unit)
  • BENG 191: Senior Seminar I: Professional Issues in Bioengineering (2 units --- recommended, not required)
  • MAE 170: Experimental Techniques
  • HSS: Humanities/Social Science College General Ed. Courses

Senior Year

• • BENG 122A: Biosystems and Control
  • BENG 125: Modeling and Computation in Bioengineering
  • BENG 130: Molecular Physical Chemistry
  • BENG 186A: Principles of Biomaterials Design
  • BENG 187B: Bioengineering Design Project: Development (1 unit)
  • BENG 187C: Bioengineering Design Project: Implementation (1 unit)
  • BENG 187D: Bioengineering Design Project: Presentation (1 unit)
  • BENG XXXA: Design Elective Course "A" (3 units)
  • BENG XXXB: Design Elective Course "B" (3 units)
  • BENG 191: Senior Seminar I: Professional Issues in Bioengineering (2 units, if not taken in junior year --- recommended, not required)
  • MAE 107: Computational Methods in Engineering
  • MAE 150: Computer-Aided Design
  • TE: Technical Elective Courses (8 units total of which 4 units must be engineering-related)
  • HSS: Humanities/Social Science College General Ed. Courses

Requirements

UC College Preparatory Courses ("a-g" courses)

• Must be completed with a C grade or better.
• Complete at least 11 of the 15 courses before your senior year of high school.
• California residents: courses must be on your high school's UC-approved course list.
• There is no pre-approved course list for schools outside of California.
• International applicants: read the Freshman Admission for International Students webpage for additional information.

Scholarship Requirement (GPA you must earn)

• California residents: You must earn a GPA of 3.0 or better with no grade lower than C.
• Non-California residents: You must earn a GPA of 3.4 or better with no grade lower than C.

GPA is based on “a-g” courses taken during 10th and 11th grades. See Subject Requirement for “a-g” course explanation.

You must submit scores from either:

• ACT Plus Writing OR
• SAT Reasoning Test with critical reading, math and writing; scores must be from same sitting
• 2 SAT Subject Tests closely related to your major are recommended for engineering, biological or physical sciences majors. If taking math subject test, Math Level 2 is required. All tests must be taken by December of your senior year (the year before you plan to enroll).
• Only your highest scores from a single sitting will be considered.
• When you report your ACT or SAT scores to one campus they will be shared with every UC campus to which you've applied.
• Official test scores must be reported no later than January for students applying for the fall term.

Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate

• If you complete Advanced Placement courses, we recommend that you complete the related AP examination to demonstrate subject mastery.
• Similarly, International Baccalaureate scores can be used to showcase academic mastery.
• To receive unit credit toward the baccalaureate degree, you must submit an official copy of your AP or IB scores directly from the testing agency. This can be done in the summer following high school graduation.

Other Entrance Exams

• Entrance exams taken after high school graduation are not considered.

International Students

• If your native language is not English and your secondary/high school education was in a country where English is not the language of instruction, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (academic modules) and have the scores reported to the UC San Diego Office of Admissions. A minimum score of 83 is required for the TOEFL, or a minimum score of 7 is required for the IELTS.

• Attestat/Certificate of (complete) General Secondary Education

Scholarships

• Regents Scholarship
• UCSD Athletic Scholarship
• Merit-based Scholarships

The Bioengineering program at the University of California is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education at the intersection of biology, engineering, and medicine. This interdisciplinary field integrates principles from electrical, mechanical, chemical, and biological engineering to develop innovative solutions for healthcare, medical devices, and biological research. The program aims to prepare students for both research and industry careers by offering coursework that covers areas such as biomaterials, biomechanics, systems biology, tissue engineering, and biomedical instrumentation.

Students acquire a strong foundation in math, physics, chemistry, and biology, complemented by specialized courses in bioinstrumentation, cell and tissue engineering, and computational biology. The program often includes laboratory work, research projects, and internships to promote practical skills and real-world experience. Emphasizing innovation and problem-solving, the curriculum encourages students to work on projects that could lead to new medical technologies or improve existing healthcare solutions.

Graduate pathways in the program typically include a Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering, with opportunities for specializations and advanced research at the Master's and Ph.D. levels. The university collaborates with local hospitals, research institutes, and biotech companies to facilitate research opportunities and internships, fostering a strong connection between academia and industry.

The faculty includes experienced researchers and practitioners who are leaders in their respective areas, providing mentorship and guidance to students. This program prepares graduates for diverse careers such as medical device design, clinical research, biotechnology, regenerative medicine, and further academic study. The program also emphasizes ethical considerations and the societal impacts of biomedical innovations, ensuring that graduates are responsible and well-informed professionals in the field of bioengineering.

Overall, the University of California’s Bioengineering program is committed to excellence in education, cutting-edge research, and societal impact, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to advance health technologies and improve patient outcomes worldwide.