Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Bioengineering: Biotechnology

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of California San Diego

Program Overview

The B.S. in Bioengineering: Biotechnology at UC San Diego combines a strong engineering foundation with biotechnology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and biochemical process applications, preparing students for careers in biotechnology as well as further study in graduate or medical fields. It is particularly suited to students who want to apply engineering and physicochemical principles to molecules, cells, tissues, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other technologies that can improve human health.

Curriculum Structure

Freshman Year: Students begin by establishing the scientific and engineering foundation needed for biotechnology through courses such as BENG 1: Introduction to Bioengineering, CHEM 6A: General Chemistry I, and MATH 20A: Calculus for Science and Engineering. They also progress through general chemistry, physics, calculus, and the General Chemistry Laboratory, giving them the mathematical, chemical, and physical-science preparation required for later bioengineering study.

Sophomore Year: The curriculum moves further into biological systems, engineering analysis, and computational skills through courses including BILD 1: The Cell, BENG 100: Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Bioengineers, and MAE 08: MATLAB Programming for Engineering Analysis. Students also study organic chemistry, linear algebra, differential equations, vector calculus, and physics, building the quantitative and computational skills needed for biotechnology applications.

Junior Year: Students begin concentrating on biotechnology-specific engineering concepts through BENG 103B: Bioengineering Mass Transfer, BENG 130: Biotechnology Thermodynamics and Kinetics, and BENG 160: Chemical and Molecular Bioengineering Techniques. The year also introduces Biomaterials Laboratory for BTEC, Biomolecular Engineering, Genetics, Dynamic Simulation in Bioengineering, and the planning stage of the Bioengineering Design Project, connecting theory with laboratory and design work.

Senior Year: Advanced study focuses on the engineering of biological processes and technologies through BENG 161A: Bioreactor Engineering, BENG 161B: Biochemical Engineering, and BENG 162: Biotechnology Laboratory. Students also study Cell and Tissue Engineering and complete the three-stage Bioengineering Design Project: Development, Implementation, and Presentation, alongside design and technical electives that allow them to strengthen their specialist interests.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry and metabolism, biotechnology thermodynamics and kinetics, biotransport, biosystems, bioreactor engineering, biochemical engineering, bioseparations, biomolecular engineering, tissue engineering, cellular physiology, biomaterials, chemical and molecular bioengineering, genetics, engineering design

Learning Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to apply engineering principles to biotechnology problems, conduct and interpret experiments, analyze data, work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, communicate with different audiences, make ethically informed engineering decisions, and pursue new technical knowledge. The program specifically prepares students for advanced study in areas such as cell and tissue engineering, biomolecular engineering, and genetic engineering, as well as professional practice involving bioprocess engineering, biomaterials, therapeutics, and diagnostic design.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Bioengineering: Biotechnology is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. UC San Diego also holds institutional accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), providing an additional institutional quality framework.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

UC San Diego's Bioengineering Department has ranked among the top five biomedical/bioengineering programs in the United States for more than 20 years, according to the university's prospective-student information citing U.S. News & World Report. UC San Diego's incoming-freshman information currently identifies the department as 4th in the nation for biomedical/bioengineering in the U.S. News & World Report Best Engineering Schools ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical experience through dedicated biotechnology laboratories, computational work, faculty-led research, and a required senior design sequence. The curriculum includes Biomaterials Laboratory for BTEC, Biotechnology Laboratory, MATLAB-based engineering analysis, and a multi-stage design project, while UC San Diego reports that approximately two-thirds of Bioengineering undergraduates participate in research before graduation. Students can also pursue independent research through BENG 99 and BENG 199 and access internship opportunities offered through the department.

Key opportunities and facilities include:

MATLAB: Students complete MAE 08: MATLAB Programming for Engineering Analysis, giving the biotechnology curriculum a specific computational component.
Biotechnology Laboratory: BENG 162: Biotechnology Laboratory provides dedicated practical biotechnology training in the senior year.
Biomaterials Laboratory for BTEC: BENG 158 provides program-specific laboratory experience in biomaterials.
Senior Design Project: Students progress through BENG 187A, BENG 187B, BENG 187C, and BENG 187D, covering planning, development, implementation, and presentation. The department describes the Senior Design Project as a required, closely mentored capstone experience.
Undergraduate Research: Students can work with Bioengineering faculty through research opportunities and independent-study courses BENG 99 and BENG 199.
Internships: UC San Diego offers BENG 196: Bioengineering Internship and BENG 197: Engineering Internship, with Bioengineering Industrial Internship also listed in the department's course offerings.
Cell Engineering Research Center (CERC): The department operates the CERC, a research facility supporting mammalian cell engineering and equipped with biological safety cabinets, incubators, microscopes, autoclaves, freezers, and other laboratory resources.
Research laboratories: Relevant research areas include Genomics and Systems Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology and Stem Cell Engineering, Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Biology and Bioengineering, Systems Biology and Genetic Circuits, and Computational Genomics and Stem Cell Biology.
Computational facilities: The department has an instructional computer/open lab with computers running Windows and Linux and access to specialized software used in Bioengineering courses.
Zweifach Library: Powell-Focht Bioengineering Hall includes the Zweifach Library, providing a dedicated departmental study and reference space.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can enter biotechnology and bioengineering roles involving bioprocesses, biomaterials, therapeutics, diagnostics, biochemical engineering, and related research and development. The department also explicitly identifies advanced study in cell and tissue engineering, biomolecular engineering, and genetic engineering, as well as professional education in medicine, health, and related medical sciences, as progression routes.

Typical career directions include: Bioprocess Engineer, Biochemical Engineer, Biotechnology Engineer, Biomaterials Engineer, Therapeutics Engineer, Diagnostics Engineer, Biotech Research Engineer, Biomanufacturing Engineer

The program is supported by UC San Diego's wider academic, research, and industry ecosystem:

Career and industry access: Bioengineering's Industry Central connects industry with undergraduate students for design projects, internships, and career positions across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, manufacturing, quality, operations, and related fields. Companies can also sponsor senior-design projects and recruit students for internships and full-time roles.
Industry internship opportunities: The Whitaker Center for Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Department co-sponsor an undergraduate and graduate careers and internship program, while industry partners can host company visits and participate in research collaborations.
Life-sciences ecosystem: UC San Diego states that more than 200 life-sciences companies are located within a 10-mile radius of the university, ranging from startups to large corporations, creating a strong surrounding biotechnology and pharmaceutical environment.
Research and innovation: Students can engage with an interdisciplinary environment connecting Bioengineering with Medicine, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the Institute for Engineering in Medicine, and other research organizations.
Employment statistics and salary: UC San Diego's official Bioengineering pages reviewed for this program do not publish a program-specific graduate employment rate or median starting salary, so no unsupported salary or employment figure is included here.
Graduation outcomes: In 2024–2025, the Bioengineering: Biotechnology major had 55 degrees conferred, while the department's stated educational objectives include professional engineering practice, advanced graduate study, medical or health education, and continued professional development.
Accreditation value: ABET accreditation provides an established professional quality framework for the engineering education delivered through the Biotechnology B.S., supporting preparation for professional engineering practice and further technical study.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue into graduate study in areas such as cell and tissue engineering, biomolecular engineering, genetic engineering, biotechnology, bioengineering, or related medical and health sciences. UC San Diego also offers a Five-Year BS/MS Program for its Bioengineering majors, allowing eligible undergraduate students to complete the M.S. degree within one year after the B.S.; students complete 12 graduate-level units during their senior year that can count toward the M.S. requirements.