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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Basic Skills
Areas of Inquiry
Major Requirements (75-76 credits)
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.
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.
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Basic Skills
Areas of Inquiry
Option Requirements (82-86 credits)
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.
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.
180 credits
General Education Requirements
Basic Skills
Areas of Inquiry
Option Requirements (77-78 credits)
Student Outcomes and Opportunities
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.
Total credits: 38
1. Practical Coursework (14 credits): BIOEN 540 and:
OR
2. Professional Coursework (4 credits from): BIOEN 504, 505, 530, 531, 532, ENTRE 540, 545
3. Seminar (2 credits from): BIOEN 554, 511, 509
4. Technical Electives (15 credits): course list maintained by department
5. Foundations of Bioengineering (3 credits): BIOEN 536
The Master of Pharmaceutical Bioengineering program (PharBE) is a part-time online degree program designed to enable working engineers, scientists, researchers and professionals in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and related industries to explore advanced education. This interactive program covers drug discovery and design, pharmaceutics and translational pharmaceutics, clinical drug and device development, molecular and cellular biology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. Using live (synchronous), and pre-recorded (asynchronous) lectures, the program provides a path to acquire new skills, gain an edge in your current job, and receive training to transition to a new career in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
Contact department for requirements.
Total credits: 39
Core coursework (17 credits): PHARBE 500, 502, 503, 505
Electives (10 credits from): PHARBE 510, 511, 521, 522
Departmental seminars (6 credits)
Capstone (6 credits): PHARBE 513
Contact department for requirements.
Contact department for requirements.