Bioengineering

The Bioengineering (M.S./M.Eng.) 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.

Click here for additional course information.

^§Additional Math selections may be substituted for EE-104 by petition of the admission committee.

Bioinformatics
The Bioinformatics track looks at 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:

In addition to the four core credit requirements, students in this track must also take:

• 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.

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

Biomaterials
The Biomaterials track involves the study of 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:

In addition to the four core credit requirements, students in this track must also take:

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

Biomechanical Systems and Devices
The Biomechanical Systems and Devices track investigates the 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:

In addition to the four core credit requirements, students in this track must also:

Choose any two from courses below:

• 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

Choose any two (for M.S.) or three (for M.E.) from courses below:

• BME-175 Tissue Engineering Laboratory
• CEE-194N Soft Tissue Biomechanics
• CHBE-114 Advanced Transport Phenomena
• ENP-210 Human Factors of Medical Systems
• ME-103 MEMS
• ME-121 Biomaterials
• ME-129 Finite Element
• ME-152 Biomechanics
• ME-184 Robotics
• ME-118 Advanced Data Acquisition
• ME-265 Viscous Flows

Master's of Engineering students must also enroll in ME-299 (guided project)
Master's of Science students must also enroll in ME-295 and ME-296 (thesis)

Sample Program
This program assumes an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.

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

Cell and Bioprocess Engineering
The Cell and Bioprocess Engineering track looks at 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:

In addition to the four core credit requirements, students in this track must also take:

• 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.

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

Environmental Biotechnology
The Environmental Biotechnology track investigates the 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:

In addition to the four core credit requirements, students in this track must also take:

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

Signals and Systems
The Signal and Systems track educates 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:

In addition to the four core credit requirements, students in this track must also take:

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