B.S./M.S. Dual Degree Program  
Bioengineering

Combined B.S./M.S. Degree

 

Undergraduate

Combined B.S./M.S. Degree

The Department of Bioengineering offers a combined degree program—open to bioengineering majors with an approved grade point average of at least 3.0 in bioengineering, mathematics, physics, biology, and chemistry courses—leading to a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science. Under the combined degree program an undergraduate student begins taking courses required for a master’s degree before completing the requirements for the bachelor’s degree, typically completing the requirements for a Master of Science in Bioengineering within a year of obtaining the bachelor’s degree.

 

Undergraduate students admitted to the 5-year B.S./M.S. degree program are required to enroll in the program between February of their junior year and December of their senior year. Although six years is the maximal timeframe for completing the combined degree, full-time students enrolling in February of their junior year normally complete both degrees within five years. Students who do not complete the combined degree program within six years of entering the University will automatically be transferred to the regular master’s degree program.

 

Candidates are required to file a regular M.S. BIOE program of studies, which must be approved and signed by the advisor. Transfer credit can count toward a master’s degree only if a grade of B or better is earned.

Advance medical and biological frontiers
 
 
Bioengineers create new biomedical technologies that result in smart, efficient, and cost-effective approaches to diagnose and treat human disease.
 
From developing miniaturized and implantable microfluidic devices and imaging technology for disease diagnosis, to researching how to fight "superbugs" that have become immune to antibiotics, our faculty and staff are at the forefront of bioengineering. They'll mentor you as you work side-by-side with them in their labs.
 
Our undergraduate program offers three tracks—Biomolecular, Pre-Med, and Medical Device—that prepare you for a wide array of careers, from law to medicine to biotech. Stay an extra year to earn a combined B.S./M.S. degree or join us for your M.S. in Bioengineering and pursue advanced study in medical devices/bioinstrumentation and molecular and cellular bioengineering.
 
 
New Courses for 2022

BIOE 23. (Spring) Introduction to Bio-Devices 
 
This course covers the fundamentals of electronic circuits, with particular emphasis on connecting biosensors to analog-to-digital inputs of computers. This lab-based course introduces measuring, modeling, and designing electronic circuits. (4 units)
 
BIOE 23L. (Spring) Introduction to Bio-Devices Laboratory 
 
Laboratory for BIOE 23. (1 unit)
 
BIOE 32L. (Winter) Introduction to Biochemical Engineering Laboratory 
 
Laboratory for BIOE 32. (1 unit)
 
This laboratory course introduces the essential principles and lab techniques in biochemical engineering, including chemical and physical characterization of the biochemical building blocks, characterization of macromolecules such as proteins and DNAs, and analysis of enzyme activity and kinetics.
 
By taking this course, students should be able to:
 
Explain the critical and specialized biochemical concepts through simplest and fundamental hands-on techniques
Train in troubleshooting to evaluate and explain experimental results
Practice a meticulous record keeping with accurate and timely entry to lab notebook Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, for the results, analysis, and discussions
Key technical elements/skills to be involved include:
 
Characterization of biochemical building blocks Protein quantification and characterization, including polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and UV spectrometry using various protein types and conformations Enzymatic activity and Michaelis-Menten kinetics Protein purification using a column chromatography DNA quantification and characterization including Real time quantitative PCR, UV spectrometry, and agarose gel electrophoresis using various forms of DNA materials
 
BIOE 138/238. (Winter) Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design I 
 
Small molecule medicines are coming back! In two seminal courses (part I in winter quarter and part II in Spring quarter), students will study the principles of medicinal chemistry in detail, as well as the pharmacology for drug designs. Medicines and their designs in the following categories will be studied in the part I (winter quarter): Human Fluid; drug effecting Acid-Base disorders; neurotransmission (anticholinergics); hormonal systems (growth hormone and androgens); immune system (antihistamines).
 
The contents of the course are offered at the same level as in pharmacy schools. Students are encouraged to have a strong background in biology, organic chemistry and physiology, but not necessarily about organic synthesis. Students will become familiar with the medicinal terminology and drug names. The course will be beneficial to the students who consider to pursue a career in pharmaceutical industry as well as medical professionals such as MD, PharmD and nurse.
 
The contents of the course are offered at the same level as in pharmacy schools. Students are encouraged to have a strong background in biology, organic chemistry and physiology, but not necessarily about organic synthesis. Students will become familiar with the medicinal terminology and drug names. The course will be beneficial to the students who consider to pursue a career in pharmaceutical industry as well as medical professionals such as MD, PharmD and nurse. (2 units)
 
BIOE 139/239. (Spring) Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design II 
 
This is part II of the seminal courses – Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design. Students will study the principles of medical chemistry in detail, as well as the pharmacology for drug design. Medicines and their design will be studied in the following categories: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Glucocorticoids, Thyroid and Thyroid Drugs, Estrogens and Progestins, Adrenergics. On top of the understanding of the principles of drugs, the sequel will be concluded with the “rules” of drug discovery and clinical therapy. (2 units)
 
BIOE 158/258. (Winter) Soft Biomaterials Characterization 
 
This course will cover the fundamental principles of characterization and biodegradation of soft implantable/injectable biomaterials including polymers, hydrogels, liquid crystalline colloids starting with the linkage of microscopic to macroscopic properties and, emphasis on elasticity, adhesion, diffusion and light scattering. Also listed as BIOE 258. (4 units)
 
BIOE 158L2/258L. (Winter) Soft Biomaterials Characterization Laboratory 
 
Laboratory for BIOE 158. Also listed as BIOE 258L. (1 unit)
 
BIOE 159/259. (Spring) Hard Biomaterials Characterization 
 
This course will cover the fundamental principles of characterization and biodegradation of hard biomaterials including bioceramics and metals starting with the linkage of microscopic to macroscopic properties and, emphasis on corrosion, coatings, (nano/micro)-indentation and accelerated implant analysis. Instruction will be complimented by software-enabled simulation of prototyping and driving forces’ analyses. Also listed as BIOE 259. (4 units)
 
BIOE 159L/259L. (Spring) Hard Biomaterials Characterization Laboratory 
 
Laboratory for BIOE 159. Also listed as BIOE 259L. (1 unit)
 
BIOE 166/216. (Spring) Biosignal and Medical Image Processing 
 
This course covers the principles and methods of signal and image processing and their applications in biomedical engineering. Various signal and image processing tools, including diagnostic decision-making tools will be introduced at a useful, working depth. (2 units)
 
Prerequisite: BIOE 162
 
BIOE 176L. (Winter) Introduction to Biomolecular and cellular engineering II Laboratory 
 
Laboratory for BIOE 176. (1 unit)
 
The laboratory course introduces essential concepts and practical techniques for (1) recombinant antibody production and (2) CRISPR genome editing. Students will experience many technical principles, including synthetic gene design, gene cloning, mammalian cell culture, protein expression and purification, recombinant antibody characterization, CRISPR gene knock-out and knock-in, and single cell analysis by flow cytometry. Each lab session will include hands-on lab experiments in addition to lectures and discussions.
 
By taking this course, students should be able to:
 
Explain core concepts and techniques required for ‘Recombinant Antibody Engineering’ and 'CRISPR Genome Editing'
Train in troubleshooting to evaluate and explain experimental results
Practice a meticulous record keeping with accurate and timely entry to lab notebook
Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, for the results, analysis, and discussions
Key technical elements/skills to be involved include:
 
Recombinant DNA technology for antibody cloning
Screening methods for selecting recombinant clones, involving colony PCR and real-time PCR (or agarose gel electrophoresis)
Mammalian cell culture and recombinant antibody expression by transfection
Purification and characterization of recombinant antibodies, including an affinity column purification and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
Genome editing using CRISPR by knocking out a human gene in a cell line and knocking in a reporter gene
Single cell analysis by flow cytometry