Bioengineering

Bioengineering at the University of California offers a comprehensive and innovative curriculum designed to prepare students for leadership roles at the intersection of biology, engineering, and medicine. This interdisciplinary program combines the fundamentals of biological sciences with engineering principles, enabling students to develop advanced solutions for healthcare, biotechnology, and environmental challenges. Students will engage in coursework that covers areas such as biomaterials, biomechanics, systems biology, genetic engineering, and biomedical devices, providing a robust foundation in both theory and practical application. The program emphasizes hands-on laboratory experience, collaborative research projects, and opportunities to work with cutting-edge technologies like tissue engineering, medical imaging, and regenerative medicine. Faculty members are renowned experts in their fields, guiding students through research initiatives that address real-world problems and contribute to technological advancements in medicine and healthcare. The degree prepares graduates for diverse career paths, including biomedical research, medical device development, biotech industry, and further academic pursuits such as graduate studies. UC’s state-of-the-art laboratories, vibrant research community, and strong network of industry partnerships offer students exceptional resources and opportunities to transform innovative ideas into impactful solutions. Graduates from this program are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and ethical understanding necessary to advance the frontiers of biomedical science and engineering, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life worldwide. With a curriculum designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and technical expertise, UC Bioengineering graduates are well-positioned to lead in the rapidly evolving fields of healthcare technology and biomedical innovation.

1. Six Core courses from approved list
2. Three Technical Elective (TE) courses from approved list, one of which must be BENG 295, Bioengineering Design Project
3. Three General Elective (GE) courses from approved list
4. BENG 291, Professional Issues in Bioengineering seminar

All courses must be taken for letter grade (except BENG 291 & BENG 295 which are S/U grading only).
Students must maintain at least a B average in courses taken to fulfill the degree requirements.

• BENG 291, Professional Issues in Bioengineering, is a 2-unit seminar offered in Winter Quarter only.
• BENG 295, Bioengineering Design Project, is an independent industrial training project. Course requirements include a written technical report and oral presentation. This course may be taken for two quarters (4-units each quarter).

Core Courses for M.Eng. Degree (six required)
Engineering Physics

• BENG 221, Mathematical Methods for Bioengineering
• BENG 223, Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, Interfacial Phenomena in Living Systems
• BENG 226, Foundations of Biomechanics
• BENG 227, Transport Phenomena in Living Systems

Life Science

• BENG 230A, Biochemistry
• BENG 230B, Cell and Molecular Biology
• BENG 230C, Cardiovascular Physiology
• BENG 230D, Respiratory and Renal Physiology
• BENG 232, Musculoskeletal Health, Injury, and Disease
• BENG 260, Neurodynamics

Tissue Engineering

• BENG 241A, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: Foundations
• BENG 241B, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: Cell Microenvironment
• BENG 241C, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: Development and Growth
• BENG 242, Polymer Science and Engineering

Imaging

• BENG 247A, Advanced Biophotonics
• BENG 280A, Principles of Biomedical Imaging
• BENG 280B, Comparative Biomedical Imaging

Technical Elective Courses for M.Eng. Degree (three required, one of which must be BENG 295)

• BENG 202/CSE 282, Bioinformatics II: Introduction to Bioinformatics Algorithms
• BENG203/CSE 283, Genomics, Proteomics, and Network Biology
• BENG 209/MAE 209, Continuum Mechanics
• BENG 211, Systems Biology and Bioengineering I: Biological Components
• BENG 212, Systems Biology and Bioengineering II: Network Reconstruction
• BENG 213, Systems Biology and Bioengineering III: Building and Simulating Large-Scale In Silico Models
• BENG 238/MED 238, Molecular Biology of the Cardiovascular System
• BENG 247B, Bioelectronics
• BENG 247C, Bionanotechnology
• BENG 267, Microcirculation in Health and Disease
• BENG 276/CHEM 276/MATH 276, Numerical Analysis in Multi-Scale Biology
• BENG 278/RAD 278, Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• BENG 295, Bioengineering Design Project and Industrial Training
• CSE 202, Algorithm Design and Analysis
• CSE 210, Principles of Software Engineering
• CSE 250A, Artificial Intelligence
• ECE 235, Nanometer-Scale Probes and Devices

General Elective Courses for M.Eng. Degree (three required)

• BENG 225, BioBusiness: Starting, Growing, and Harvesting a Biotech Company
• ECE 254, Detection Theory
• ENG 201, Venture Mechanics
• ENG 202, Enterprise Dynamics
• ENG 203, Applied Innovations
• IR/PS Management: IRCO 420, 421, IRGN 420, 434, 438, 439, 442, 444
• IR/PS International Issues: IRCO 401, IRGN 407, 411, 413, 418
• MAE 290A, Efficient Numerical Methods for Simulation, Optimization, and Control
• Technical Elective courses may be taken for General Elective credit

For other courses that address job-specific interests and professional skills such as economics, management, and business, consult with the Student Affairs Office.

Seminar Course (required)

• BENG 291, Professional Issues in Bioengineering

Requirements

• Please note that successful applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution in the United States or from a recognized university-level academic institution abroad and at least a B average (3.0 GPA) or its equivalent by the time they enroll.
• A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language.The university-wide minimum TOEFL score required for consideration for graduate admission is 550 for the paper based test (PBT), and 80 for the internet based test (iBT). The university-wide minimum IELTS Academic Training exam score required for consideration for graduate admission is Band Score 7.
• GRE General Test is required.
• Minimum of 3 recommendations required.
• Statement of Purpose 200 word limit.
• Resume/CV

Scholarships

• Global Education
• Different Fellowships and Traineeships

The University of California offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Bioengineering, a multidisciplinary field that combines principles of biology, medicine, and engineering to develop innovative solutions for healthcare and biomedical applications. The Bioengineering program at UC emphasizes hands-on experimentation, research, and cutting-edge technology, preparing students to contribute to advancements in medical devices, regenerative medicine, bioprocessing, and synthetic biology. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and collaborate with leading experts in the field, engaging in projects that address real-world problems such as tissue engineering, biomaterials development, and systems biology. The curriculum integrates core concepts from biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Graduate students often participate in pioneering research, pursuing master's or doctoral degrees, and may have opportunities to work in affiliated research centers and industry partnerships. The program fosters an interdisciplinary approach, connecting students with clinical practitioners and industry leaders, which enhances career readiness and innovation capacity. Graduates of UC's Bioengineering program are well-equipped to enter careers in biomedical research, healthcare industries, medical device companies, or proceed to advanced studies and professional healthcare training. The university also promotes entrepreneurial ventures and supports students in translating research into commercial applications, contributing to the development of new therapies, diagnostic tools, and medical technologies. Overall, UC’s Bioengineering program is designed to cultivate skilled, innovative engineers and scientists who will advance the future of medicine and improve health outcomes worldwide.