B.S. in Bioengineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of California Los Angeles

Program Overview

The B.S. in Bioengineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) combines engineering, biology, medicine, mathematics and computational methods to prepare students to solve complex problems in healthcare and biotechnology. The program is a designated capstone major and is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build a strong foundation in mathematics, chemistry, physics and introductory bioengineering through courses such as Bioengineering 10 – Introduction to Bioengineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A – Chemical Structure, and Mathematics 31A – Differential and Integral Calculus.
Year 2: The curriculum introduces core bioengineering concepts, laboratory work, biology and programming. Key courses include Bioengineering 100 – Bioengineering Fundamentals, Bioengineering 167L – Bioengineering Laboratory, and Life Sciences 7C – Physiology and Human Biology, alongside computer science or MATLAB programming.
Year 3: Students move into advanced engineering applications such as Biomedical Transducers, Introduction to Medical Imaging, Machine Learning and Data-Driven Modeling in Bioengineering, Biotransport and Bioreaction Processes, and Principles of Biocompatibility.
Year 4: Students complete the two-part Bioengineering Capstone Design I and II sequence and study System Integration in Biology, Engineering, and Medicine, supported by advanced electives and an engineering ethics course.

Focus Areas: Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Devices, Medical Imaging, Machine Learning and Data-Driven Modeling, Biotransport, Biocompatibility, Biomedical Engineering Systems

Learning Outcomes: Students develop the ability to analyse and solve open-ended bioengineering problems, create and implement engineering designs, work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, communicate technical ideas clearly, and consider professional, ethical, societal, environmental and economic responsibilities.

Professional Alignment: The program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, providing an established quality framework for engineering education.

Reputation: UCLA Bioengineering is supported by a research-intensive department with 45 faculty members, 32 research labs and centres, 288 undergraduates and 203 graduate students, giving students access to a substantial bioengineering research environment.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Bioengineering at UCLA gives students many opportunities to apply what they learn in class through laboratory work, research, programming, and engineering design. Students can gain hands-on experience in dedicated bioengineering laboratories, work with faculty researchers alongside graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and take part in team-based senior projects that address real bioengineering challenges. The program also introduces students to tools such as MATLAB, machine learning, data-driven modeling, biomedical imaging, and engineering design, creating a strong balance between biological science, engineering, and practical problem-solving:

Senior capstone projects: In the two-part senior capstone sequence, students work in teams to identify and address open-ended bioengineering problems, develop designs, provide project updates, and present their completed work.
Bioengineering laboratory: The curriculum includes a dedicated Bioengineering Laboratory course where students develop practical laboratory skills alongside their academic studies.
Programming and digital tools: Students can learn programming through courses using MATLAB and explore machine learning and data-driven modeling approaches for bioengineering applications.
Undergraduate research: Students can join UCLA faculty laboratories and contribute to research alongside graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Research can also be undertaken for academic credit through Bioengineering 199.
Research facilities: UCLA Bioengineering provides access to specialized facilities such as the Biomaterials Processing Facility, Cell and Tissue Culture Facility, Biomedical Modeling Facility, Cells and Tissue Engineering Facility, Surface Engineering Facility, Bacterial Engineering Facility, and Bioengineering Teaching Lab.
Specialized research laboratories: Students can be exposed to research environments including the Biosensor Laboratory, Bioelectronics Lab, Cellular Microfluidics Laboratory, High-Speed Microscopy and Cell Imaging Laboratory, Molecular Bioengineering Laboratory, Microscopy Laboratory, and Biomimetic Research Lab.
Biomedical imaging and computational research: UCLA's research environment covers biomedical imaging, biomedical instrumentation, computational optical imaging, biomedical data science, machine learning, and data-driven modeling.
Engineering design experience: Engineering 96 courses provide hands-on opportunities to design, build, and test engineering projects, including student-led project work.
Medical technology facilities: The Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology includes a wet research laboratory, computer simulation facility, integrated operating room suite, da Vinci surgical robotic system, human patient simulator, and laparoscopic surgical simulators and tools.
Internship preparation: UCLA Engineering's Undergraduate Internship Program provides workshops and resources to help students prepare for and find internship opportunities. Students can also use Handshake to search for internships, jobs, career events, and career-development programs.
Research-focused pathways: Students interested in Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine or Biomedical Devices can combine bioengineering studies with coursework from areas such as materials science, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Bioengineering at UCLA prepares students for careers across biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare, research, and related industries. It also gives students a strong foundation for advanced education, with UCLA reporting that around 45% of its undergraduate bioengineering students continue into graduate degrees in fields such as engineering, medicine, or law.

Typical career directions include Biomedical Engineer, Bioengineering Researcher, Medical Device Engineer, Biotechnology Engineer. Students can develop their career prospects through UCLA's research opportunities, internship resources, professional connections, and alumni network:

Career support: Students can use Handshake to explore internships, jobs, career events, workshops, and other career-development opportunities. UCLA Samueli Engineering also provides an Undergraduate Internship Program with resources and workshops to help students prepare for internships.
Research experience: More than 95% of UCLA Bioengineering undergraduates participate in research before graduation. Students can work in faculty laboratories across engineering, life sciences, and medicine alongside graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
Industry opportunities: UCLA Bioengineering graduates have joined organizations such as Abbott, Amgen, Boston Scientific, Edwards Lifesciences, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, Illumina, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Pfizer, Takeda, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Professional and industry connections: The Bioengineering Society at UCLA connects students with alumni and industry professionals through company information sessions, career-development workshops, and a biotechnology-focused career fair.
Employment prospects: UCLA Bioengineering identifies biotechnology, medical-device, and consulting industries as important employment areas for its graduates and reports graduates working across these sectors.
Salary information: The official UCLA Bioengineering sources reviewed do not provide a current B.S.-specific median starting salary, so no program-specific salary figure is included.
ABET accreditation: The B.S. in Bioengineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This provides long-term external quality recognition of the engineering program and supports continued review of its educational standards.
Graduation outcomes: The program prepares graduates for employment, graduate education, professional schools, and continuing education while developing skills in engineering problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and professional responsibility.
Alumni support: UCLA Bioengineering's Alumni Advisory Board supports student mentoring and career-development advising while helping connect students with alumni, industry, academic, and medical professionals.
Graduate progression: UCLA Bioengineering graduates have continued into companies such as Moderna, Abbott, Microsoft, Genentech, Illumina, and Takeda, as well as academic and medical pathways.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Bioengineering, students can continue into master's or doctoral programs in bioengineering and related engineering or scientific fields. Depending on their goals, graduates can also pursue professional programs such as medicine, law, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, or an MBA.