Bioengineering

The Bioengineering (M.S./M.E.) program provides a broad engineering and biotechnology curriculum, while offering a focus on a specific engineering track that best fits students' interests and career choices. This combination gives our bioengineering graduates professional flexibility, a distinct competitive advantage in the ever-changing field of bioengineering.

The bioengineering master's program has six tracks:

Bioinformatics
Biomaterials
Biomechanical Systems and Devices
Cell and Bioprocess Engineering
Environmental Biotechnology
Signals and Systems

Curriculum Overview
The bioengineering master's program has two components: an interdisciplinary core curriculum, including one class outside of students' chosen sub-specialty to increase the breadth of bioengineering knowledge; and courses required by the department for students' chosen track.

Core curriculum (4 credits)
BME-162 CHBE-162 BIO-162	Molecular Biotechnology (1 credit)
OR
BIO-105	Molecular Biology (1 credit)
EE-104	Probability^§ (1 credit)
Breadth requirement^ (1 credit)**
BME-164 CHBE-164 BIO-174	Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
CS-167	Computational Biology
CHBE-167	Metabolic and Cell Engineering
CEE-139 ENV-139	Bioremediation: Natural and Enhanced
CEE-194N	Soft Tissue Biomechanics
EE-105	Control Systems
ME-103	MEMS
Bioengineering Seminar (1 credit)

^§Additional Math selections may be substituted for EE-104 by petition of the admission committee.
^**Course must be selected from outside the student's track.

Bioinformatics
Computational approaches to biomedical problems. Students may focus in computational data analysis, systems biology, data mining, simulation and modeling, visualization, or other areas that incorporate computer science and mathematics in biological research. This track requires some undergraduate computer science as a prerequisite (Comp 15 or the equivalent). Students will work with an advisor to design a coherent program including computer science electives as well as courses in computational biology, math and biotechnology.

Track requirements:
Comp-167 Computational Biology
5 Elective Credits

Sample Program
This program assumes some undergraduate-level experience in Computer Science (or comparable industry expertise programming in C, C++, or Java) and fundamental knowledge of biology and chemistry.

Year 1
Fall	Spring
ES101 – Bioengineering Seminar	ES102 - Bioengineering Seminar
†Comp 135 - Machine Learning	BME 162 – Molecular Biotechnology
EE 104 – Probability	*Comp 167 – Introduction to Computational Biology
Year 2
Fall	Spring
‡ChBE 167 – Metabolic and Cell Engineering	†Comp 160 – Algorithms
†Systems elective: Comp 111 (Operating Systems) or Comp 112 (Networks) or Comp 115 (Database Systems) or a similar course.	†Comp elective: an advanced Comp course in bioinformatics, algorithms, machine learning, or another related topic (recent options include Biological Networks and Systems, Scientific Visualization, Stochastic Search and Genetic Algorithms, Advanced Algorithms, etc.)
†Comp 293/295: Graduate Research/MS Thesis

^*Track requirement
^†Track elective
^‡Breadth elective (fulfills core requirement)

Biomaterials
The interaction of biomaterials with their environment in the context of biomedical applications. Students will be encouraged to focus their studies on one of several bio-medically relevant topics, including tissue engineering, biological delivery, or the interaction of biomaterials with mammalian tissues. The nature of this track will require students to select courses from a number of departments.

Track requirements:
BME-164 Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
BME-165 Principles of Controlled Release and Drug Delivery
4 Elective Credits

Biomechanical Systems and Devices
Application of technology to human biological systems. Areas of study include the mechanics of hard and soft tissues, human biomechanics, dynamics of human-machine interaction, and the design of assistive technology and medical devices. Students develop a foundation with core courses in thermal-fluid processes, mechanics and materials, or dynamic/robotic systems, and specialize in a particular area of study through the appropriate selection of elective courses.

Track requirements:
ME-111 Thermal-Fluid Transport I
ME-112 Thermal-Fluid Transport II
ME-122 Solid Mechanics
ME-125 Manufacturing Processes and Materials Technology
ME-180 Digital Control of Dynamic Systems
ME-181 Advanced Dynamics and Vibration
4 Elective Credits

Cell and Bioprocess Engineering
Bioprocess design and optimization with emphasis on molecular and cellular processes. Our major educational objective for students is the attainment of core knowledge in both upstream and downstream engineering aspects of modern biotechnology. The core subject areas integrate applied biology, chemical reaction engineering and systems analysis. Topics include enzyme and pathway engineering; fermentation and bioreactors; and cellular systems modeling and analysis.

Track requirements:
CHBE-160 Biochemical Engineering
CHBE-161 Biochemical Separations
CHBE-166 Cell and Microbe Cultivation
CHBE-167 Metabolic & Cell Engineering
2 Elective Credits

Sample Program
This program assumes an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering or related discipline.

Year 1
Fall	Spring
ES101 – Bioengineering Seminar	ES102 – Bioengineering Seminar
*ChBE 160 – Biochemical Engineering	BME 162 – Molecular Biotechnology
EE 104 – Probability	†ChBE 168 – Biotechnology Processing Laboratory
Year 2
Fall	Spring
*ChBE 166 – Cell and Microbe Cultivation	*ChBE 161 – Biochemical Separations
*ChBE 167 – Cell and Metabolic Engineering	†BIO 152 – Biochemistry
‡CEE 139 – Bioremediation: Natural and Enhanced

^*Track requirement
^†Track elective
^‡Breadth elective (fulfills core requirement)

Environmental Biotechnology
Development, control, and characterization of biological processes for water and wastewater treatment and environmental restoration. Focus is on biological transformations in complex systems comprising microbial communities. Application and integration of current molecular tools for monitoring and assessing these systems is integrated within the framework of process design and implementation.

Track requirements:
CEE-139 Bioremediation: Natural & Enhanced
CHBE-163 Recombinant DNA Techniques
4 Elective Credits

Signals and Systems
Education of biotechnology engineers in (1) analysis and processing of signals with an emphasis on biomedical image processing and image formation and (2) design, control and synthesis of systems for biotechnology (e.g. development of miniaturized devices, circuits and systems, controller design for bioreactors).

Track requirements:
EE-125 Digital Signal Processing (including semester-long project)
EE-133 Digital Image Processing (including semester-long project)
4 Elective Credits

Apply to the Bioengineering (M.S./M.E.) program

Apply online. The graduate studies online application can be used to apply to any of the graduate or certificate programs in the School of Engineering.

Deadlines
Spring: September 15
Fall: January 15

Find out more about our graduate programs through the
Office of Graduate Study.

Or contact
Kyongbum Lee
Program Director
Science and Technology Center
4 Colby Street
Medford, MA 02155
(617) 627-3900
ChBE@tufts.edu

Bioengineering

Apply to the Bioengineering (M.S./M.E.) program

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