Interschool or Intercollege Programs

Bioengineering

N107 William H. Foege Bioengineering
206-685-2000
Website
Faculty Website
bioeng@uw.edu

Bioengineering encompasses a wide range of activities at the intersection of engineering and biomedical science. Such multidisciplinary endeavors yield discoveries and advances that are revolutionizing healthcare. The Department of Bioengineering, jointly in the School of Medicine and College of Engineering, provides an internationally recognized program of education and research. Focus areas include biomaterials and regenerative medicine, molecular and cellular engineering, imaging and image-guided therapy, neural engineering, synthetic biology, and global health.

Undergraduate Program

Bioengineering

N107 William H. Foege Bioengineering
206-685-2000
bioeng@uw.edu

Program of Study: Major: Bioengineering

Program Overview

Bioengineering is the application of engineering principles to the fields of biology, medicine and health care. Students will utilize knowledge from the biological sciences as well as mechanical, chemical, electrical, and computer engineering in order to invent the future of medicine through novel, innovative, and cost-effective solutions.

This program of study leads to the following credentials:

Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering degree
Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering degree: Data Science
Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering degree: Nanoscience and Molecular Engineering

Admission Requirements

Engineering Undeclared Students

See section on College of Engineering Admission for additional details on Direct-to-College admission and placement process for Engineering Undeclared students. The deadline to submit a request for placement in an engineering major occurs annually on July 1.

If the number of Engineering Undeclared students requesting the major exceeds the department capacity for such students, a matching process is implemented. Factors considered include performance in prerequisite courses, quality of overall academic record, content of personal statement, applicable work or extracurricular activities, and other special circumstances as disclosed by the applicant.

Core courses within the department form a seven-quarter curriculum designed to start spring quarter of the sophomore year. Because the curriculum is cohort-based and all students start and proceed at the same pace, Engineering Undeclared students admitted to Bioengineering after their first year are expected to start the curriculum in spring quarter of their second year.

Engineering Undeclared students in good standing with respect to the continuation criteria described below may request placement into an engineering major after completion of minimum requirements as specified below:

ENGR 101
English composition
MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 (or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136)
CHEM 142 (or CHEM 143 or CHEM 145)
PHYS 121 (or PHYS 141)
One course from the list on this website. Students are encouraged to choose a course required for graduation in the majors they are considering.
Minimum 2.0 grade in each course used to satisfy a placement requirement.
Minimum 12 credits as a matriculated UW student. Some departments require more credits. See department websites for details.

Students in good standing who do not meet the placement requirements by July 1 will be placed into a major on a conditional basis pending the completion of all placement requirements and readiness to begin the bioengineering core sequence of courses in the following spring quarter. Additional advising resources will be available to these students. See section on College of Engineering Continuation Policy for Engineering Undeclared Students for additional details.

Current UW Students and Transfer Students

The department follows a cohort model beginning in spring quarter. Transfer students, current UW students without Engineering Undeclared status, and current UW students with Engineering Undeclared status who are eligible to begin the bioengineering core sequence of courses in their first spring quarter may apply. Admission is competitive.

Core courses within the department form a seven-quarter curriculum designed to start in the spring quarter. Because the curriculum is cohort-based and all students start and proceed at the same pace, students admitted to Bioengineering are expected to start the bioengineering curriculum in spring quarter immediately following admission.

Admission is for spring quarter only. Application deadline: January 15
Course requirements: MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 (or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136); CHEM 142, CHEM 152, CHEM 162 (or CHEM 143, CHEM 153; or CHEM 145, CHEM 155, CHEM 165); PHYS 121 (or PHYS 141); 5 credits English composition. All courses completed prior to application deadline.
Additional course requirements: AMATH 301 (or one course from CSE 121, CSE 122, CSE 123, CSE 142, or CSE 160; and BIOEN 217); BIOL 180; CHEM 223 or CHEM 237; PHYS 122 (or PHYS 142) - all completed or in progress at time of application; all completed prior to beginning the Bioengineering curriculum in spring quarter
Grade requirements: Minimum 2.5 grade in CHEM 162 (or CHEM 153 or CHEM 165); minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA in courses required for application
Strongly recommended completed or in progress at time of application: BIOEN 215 or ENGR 115; and MATH 207 (or AMATH 351)

Factors evaluated for admission include performance in prerequisite courses, quality of overall academic record, demonstrated ability to handle a rigorous course load, record of honors, content of personal statement, applicable work or extracurricular activities, and other special circumstances as disclosed by the applicant.

Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering degree

Credential Overview

Completion Requirements

180 credits

General Education Requirements

Basic Skills

Written and Oral Communication (12 credits)
1. English Composition: 5 credits from the University list
2. Writing: 7 credits met by coursework in the major
Reasoning (RSN) (5 credits): met by program requirements
Diversity (DIV) (5 credits): courses may also apply to an Area of Inquiry requirement. Of Special Note: For students admitted to the University prior to autumn quarter 2023, the DIV requirement is 3 credits.

Areas of Inquiry

Arts and Humanities (A&H) and Social Sciences (SSc) (24 credits)
1. A&H (10 credits)
2. SSc (10 credits)
3. Additional credits in A&H or SSc to bring total to 24 credits
Natural Sciences (NSc) (59-70 credits)
1. Mathematics (15-21 credits) complete one of the following:
  1. MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 207 (or AMATH 351), MATH 208 (or AMATH 352)
  2. MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136
2. Sciences (41-44 credits): CHEM 142, CHEM 152, CHEM 162 (or CHEM 143, CHEM 153; or CHEM 145, CHEM 155, CHEM 165) and CHEM 223 (or CHEM 237); PHYS 121, PHYS 122 (or PHYS 141, PHYS 142); BIOL 180, BIOL 200, BIOL 220
3. Statistics (3-5 credits) one course from: STAT 390, IND E 315, STAT 311, or Q SCI 381

Additional Completion Requirements

Major Requirements (75-76 credits)

Engineering Fundamentals (4-5 credits): One of the following options: (1) AMATH 301; (2) CSE 121 and BIOEN 217; (3) CSE 122 and BIOEN 217; (4) CSE 123 and BIOEN 217;(5) CSE 142 and BIOEN 217; (6) CSE 160 and BIOEN 217
Bioengineering Core (37 credits): BIOEN 215 or ENGR 115; BIOEN 315, BIOEN 316, BIOEN 317, BIOEN 325, BIOEN 326, BIOEN 327, BIOEN 335, BIOEN 336, BIOEN 337, BIOEN 345, BIOEN 400
Bioengineering Capstone (7-10 credits): One of the following options: (1) BIOEN 401 plus 9 credits of BIOEN 402; (2) BIOEN 404 and BIOEN 405; students taking BIOEN 404 and BIOEN 405 take three additional engineering elective credits from a departmentally approved list (see 5, below).
Bioengineering Senior Electives (15 credits): from designated 400-level and above BIOEN-prefixed courses. Refer to departmental list.
Approved Engineering Electives (9-12 credits): Chosen from a departmentally approved list or from additional bioengineering senior elective credit. Students who take BIOEN 402 need 9 approved engineering elective credits; students who instead take BIOEN 404 and BIOEN 405 need 12.
Grade Requirements: Minimum 2.0 grade in each BIOEN-prefixed course applied to the major

Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering degree: Data Science

Credential Overview

Bioengineering students who want to specialize in data-science-focused careers will need to take data science courses such as programming, machine learning, data visualization, data management, and societal implications of data science, along with the Bioengineering curriculum. Students who complete all of the required coursework will have the Data Science option listed on their transcript upon graduation. This specialization will ensure that Bioengineering students interested in data science-related careers will acquire knowledge and skills to prepare for this fast-growing field.

Additional Admission Requirements

Option specific admission

By self-selection. Normally occurs winter quarter of the junior year, upon completion of all bioengineering prerequisites and formal admission to bioengineering major. Students declare the Data Science option with a department adviser.

Completion Requirements

180 credits

General Education Requirements

Basic Skills

Written and Oral Communication (12 credits)
1. English Composition: 5 credits from the University list
2. Writing: 7 credits met by coursework in the major
Reasoning (RSN) (5 credits): met by program requirements
Diversity (DIV) (5 credits): courses may also apply to an Area of Inquiry requirement. Of Special Note: For students admitted to the University prior to autumn quarter 2023, the DIV requirement is 3 credits.

Areas of Inquiry

Arts and Humanities (A&H) and Social Sciences (SSc) (24 credits)
1. A&H (10 credits)
2. SSc (10 credits)
3. Additional credits in A&H or SSc to bring total to 24 credits
Natural Sciences (NSc) (59-70 credits)
1. Mathematics (15-21 credits) complete one of the following:
  1. MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 207 (or AMATH 351), MATH 208 (or AMATH 352)
  2. MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136
2. Sciences (41-44 credits): CHEM 142, CHEM 152, CHEM 162 (or CHEM 143, CHEM 153; or CHEM 145, CHEM 155, CHEM 165) and CHEM 223 (or CHEM 237); PHYS 121, PHYS 122 (or PHYS 141, PHYS 142); BIOL 180, BIOL 200, BIOL 220
3. Statistics (3-5 credits) one course from: STAT 390, IND E 315, STAT 311, or Q SCI 381

Additional Completion Requirements

Option Requirements (82-86 credits)

Engineering Fundamentals (4-5 credits): One of the following options: (1) AMATH 301; (2) CSE 121 and BIOEN 217; (3) CSE 122 and BIOEN 217; (4) CSE 123 and BIOEN 217;(5) CSE 142 and BIOEN 217; (6) CSE 160 and BIOEN 217
Bioengineering Core (37 credits): BIOEN 215 or ENGR 115; BIOEN 315, BIOEN 316, BIOEN 317, BIOEN 325, BIOEN 326, BIOEN 327, BIOEN 335, BIOEN 336, BIOEN 337, BIOEN 345, BIOEN 400
Bioengineering Capstone (7 to 10 credits): One of the following options: (1) BIOEN 401 plus 9 credits of BIOEN 402; (2) BIOEN 404 and BIOEN 405
Data Science Courses (minimum 23 credits):

Introduction to Data Science: STAT 180/CSE 180/INFO 180, INFO 201, or INFO 370
Programming: one course from CSE 123, CSE 143, or CSE 163
Machine Learning: CSE 416/STAT 416, STAT 435, or INFO 371
Societal Implications of Data Science: SOC 225, B H 201, B H 311, or B H 444
At least one course each in two of the following data science areas (refer to eScience Institute list):

Data Management
Data Visualization and Communication
Data Science in Bioengineering: BIOEN 420, BIOEN 423, BIOEN 424, BIOEN 436, BIOEN 447, BIOEN 449, BIOEN 451, BIOEN 466, BIOEN 485, BIOEN 488, or BIOEN 492

Electives: Data Science courses on approved list of engineering electives may be used to satisfy requirements 5.a. and 5.b., below. See department for approved list and for appropriate course combinations to satisfy minimum major requirements.

Bioengineering Senior Electives: Designated 400-level and above BIOEN-prefixed courses (15 credits)
Approved Engineering Electives: Chosen from departmentally-approved list of additional bioengineering senior elective credits. Students who take BIOEN 402 need 9 approved engineering elective credits, and students who take BIOEN 404 and BIOEN 405 need 12 credits.

Minimum 2.0 grade in each bioengineering course applied to the major

Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering degree: Nanoscience and Molecular Engineering

Credential Overview

Bioengineering is the application of engineering principles to the fields of biology, medicine and health care. Students will apply knowledge from the biological sciences as well as mechanical, chemical, electrical, and computer engineering in order to invent the future of medicine through novel, innovative, and cost-effective solutions. This option allows students to focus on design at the nanomolecular level.

Additional Admission Requirements

Option specific admission

By self-selection. Normally occurs winter quarter of the junior year, upon completion of all bioengineering prerequisites and formal admission to the bioengineering major. Students declare the NME option with a department adviser.

Completion Requirements

180 credits

General Education Requirements

Basic Skills

Written and Oral Communication (12 credits)
1. English Composition: 5 credits from the University list
2. Writing: 7 credits met by coursework in the major
Reasoning (RSN) (5 credits): met by program requirements
Diversity (DIV) (5 credits): courses may also apply to an Area of Inquiry requirement. Of Special Note: For students admitted to the University prior to autumn quarter 2023, the DIV requirement is 3 credits.

Areas of Inquiry

Arts and Humanities (A&H) and Social Sciences (SSc) (24 credits)
1. A&H (10 credits)
2. SSc (10 credits)
3. Additional credits in A&H or SSc to bring total to 24 credits
Natural Sciences (NSc) (59-70 credits)
1. Mathematics (15-21 credits) complete one of the following:
  1. MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 207 (or AMATH 351), MATH 208 (or AMATH 352)
  2. MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136
2. Sciences (41-44 credits): CHEM 142, CHEM 152, CHEM 162 (or CHEM 143, CHEM 153; or CHEM 145, CHEM 155, CHEM 165) and CHEM 223 (or CHEM 237); PHYS 121, PHYS 122 (or PHYS 141, PHYS 142); BIOL 180, BIOL 200, BIOL 220
3. Statistics (3-5 credits) one course from: STAT 390, IND E 315, STAT 311, or Q SCI 381

Additional Completion Requirements

Option Requirements (77-78 credits)

Engineering Fundamentals (4-5 credits): One of the following options: (1) AMATH 301; (2) CSE 121 and BIOEN 217; (3) CSE 122 and BIOEN 217; (4) CSE 123 and BIOEN 217;(5) CSE 142 and BIOEN 217; (6) CSE 160 and BIOEN 217
Bioengineering Core (37 credits): BIOEN 215 or ENGR 115; BIOEN 315, BIOEN 316, BIOEN 317, BIOEN 325, BIOEN 326, BIOEN 327, BIOEN 335, BIOEN 336, BIOEN 337, BIOEN 345, BIOEN 400
Bioengineering Capstone (10 credits): BIOEN 401, plus 9 credits of BIOEN 402.
Nanoscience and Molecular Engineering Courses (21 credits): NME 220, NME 321, NME 421; minimum 15 credits of designated 400-level and above BIOEN-prefixed nano-molecular engineering courses; refer to departmental list. The senior capstone (10 credits from BIOEN 401 and BIOEN 402) must be in an NME area.
Approved Engineering Electives (5 credits)
Minimum 2.0 grade in each bioengineering course applied to the major

Additional Information

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: Bioengineering students learn to apply engineering synthesis and analysis to biological problems and to glean design principles from nature to solve clinical challenges and create biomedical devices and materials. The department's goal is to prepare students to be leaders and innovators in improving human health and healthcare, most commonly by entering graduate school, medical school, or the growing biomedical industry. The degree program culminates in the year-long senior capstone project, in which students develop their knowledge and skills by doing cutting-edge research in faculty labs working with clinical or industry mentors to generate devices that address medical challenges. The Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. This accreditation means the B.S. degree addresses specific learning outcomes and can be counted toward a Professional Engineer certification for certain industry careers. Associated learning outcomes include an ability to apply principles of engineering, biology, human physiology, chemistry, calculus-based physics, mathematics (through differential equations), and statistics, to solve bio/biomedical engineering problems, including those associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems, to analyze, model, design, and realize bio/biomedical devices, systems, components, or processes, and to make measurements on and interpret data from living systems. Additional learning objectives and other details can be found on the department website.
Instructional and Research Facilities: The department is housed in the Foege North building. Amenities include instructional laboratories, computing laboratories for class instruction and student use, a student work room, a seminar room, and meeting space. Department administration, faculty offices, and many of the faculty research labs are also located in this building. Other laboratories are located in the School of Medicine and South Lake Union research facilities. The department also hosts UWEB (University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials) and collaborates in the UW Center for Neurotechnology, Center for Translational Muscle Research, Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, and other research centers in computational bioengineering, neural engineering, biomaterials and regenerative medicine, molecular and cellular engineering, technology for expanding access to healthcare, bioinstrumentation, medical imaging and image-guided therapy, and systems, synthetic, and quantitative biology.
Honors Options Available: Departmental Honors (see adviser for requirements), Interdisciplinary Honors (see University Honors Program), and College Honors (completion of both Interdisciplinary Honors and Departmental Honors).
Research, Internships, and Service Learning: Many undergraduate bioengineering students participate in internships, including the College of Engineering Co-op Program. The BioEngage industry collaboration program provides networking opportunities to pursue internships and employment. Seniors are welcome to participate in the graduate technology commercialization courses and UW business competitions such as the Holloman Health Innovation Challenge.
Department Scholarships: Contact adviser for more information.
Student Organizations/Associations: Bioengineering students participate in many campus-wide organizations such as the UW chapter of iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine). The department hosts the UW chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), which organizes professional and social events that support student wellness and preparation for medical school, graduate school, and industry. The Bioengineers Without Borders (BWB) organization, which is unique to the UW, generates solutions for global health challenges.

Graduate Programs

Bioengineering

N107 William H. Foege Bioengineering
206-685-2000
bioeng@uw.edu