Bioengineering: BioSystems (BS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of California San Diego

Program Overview

The B.S. in Bioengineering: BioSystems at the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) is an interdisciplinary engineering program focused on understanding and designing complex biological systems, with applications in physiology, medicine, biomedical methods and medical devices. It is well suited to students who want to combine engineering, biology, computation and medicine, with the curriculum progressing from foundational science and mathematics to biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, biomedical imaging, physiological systems and engineering design.

Curriculum Structure

Freshman Year: Students establish the engineering and scientific foundation through BENG 1: Introduction to Bioengineering, BENG 2: Introductory Computer Programming & MATLAB, general chemistry, calculus and physics. These courses introduce bioengineering while building the mathematics, programming, chemistry, mechanics and electricity knowledge needed for later biomedical applications.

Sophomore Year: Students move into biological and quantitative engineering concepts through BENG 100: Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Bioengineers, BENG 102: Molecular Components of Living Systems and BENG 120: Organic Chemistry Structural & Design Principles. Courses in circuits, linear algebra, differential equations, vector calculus and physics strengthen the analytical tools used to model and understand biological systems.

Junior Year: The program becomes more specialized through BENG 110: Musculoskeletal Biomechanics, BENG 140A/B: Bioengineering Physiology and BENG 141: Biomedical Optics and Imaging, alongside BENG 152: BioSystems Engineering Lab and BENG 186B: Principles of Bioinstrumentation Design. Students also begin their senior design sequence with BENG 187A: Bioengineering Design Project: Planning, applying engineering principles to biological and medical problems.

Senior Year: Students integrate their knowledge through BENG 122A: Biosystems and Control, BENG 125: Modeling & Computation in Bioengineering, BENG 135: Biomedical Signals & Systems and BENG 189: Physiological Systems Engineering. The BENG 187B/C/D sequence takes students through bioengineering design project development, implementation and presentation, providing a substantial capstone-style design experience.

Focus Areas

BioSystems engineering, physiology, medicine, biomechanics, biotechnology, biomedical optics and imaging, bioinstrumentation, biomedical signals and systems, computational engineering, biosystems control, physiological systems engineering, molecular and cellular systems, biomedical devices and engineering design.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates are expected to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics; design solutions that consider public health, safety and welfare; communicate effectively with different audiences; and apply professional engineering principles to real-world problems.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bioengineering: BioSystems B.S. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Reputation (Employability / Official Statistics)

UC San Diego's Department of Bioengineering reports that approximately two-thirds of Bioengineering undergraduates participate in research before graduating, providing substantial exposure to faculty-led research. The BioSystems program is also designed specifically to prepare graduates for research and development careers in physiology and medicine or advanced study in biology, medicine and engineering.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UC San Diego gives BioSystems students substantial practical exposure through laboratory courses, computational work, engineering design and undergraduate research. The program includes a dedicated BioSystems Engineering Laboratory, a multi-stage senior design project and opportunities to work directly with Bioengineering faculty; the department reports that about two-thirds of its undergraduates participate in research before graduation.

Key practical opportunities include:

Programming and MATLAB: BENG 2 – Introductory Computer Programming & MATLAB introduces programming and MATLAB early in the degree, establishing computational skills for later engineering analysis.
BioSystems Engineering Laboratory: BENG 152 – BioSystems Engineering Laboratory provides dedicated laboratory training connected specifically to the BioSystems major.
Bioengineering design project: BENG 187A/B/C/D takes students through planning, development, implementation and presentation of a bioengineering design project, providing structured project-based experience.
Biomedical instrumentation: BENG 186B – Principles of Bioinstrumentation Design develops experience with the design principles behind biomedical instrumentation.
Biomedical imaging: BENG 141 – Biomedical Optics and Imaging provides specialized preparation in optical and imaging approaches used in biomedical applications.
Computational engineering: BENG 133 – Numerical Analysis & Computational Engineering and BENG 125 – Modeling & Computation in Bioengineering develop computational approaches for engineering and biological systems.
Undergraduate research: Students can participate in faculty-led research through BENG 99 and BENG 199, with opportunities for independent study and research under the guidance of Bioengineering faculty.
Research participation: UC San Diego states that approximately two-thirds of Bioengineering undergraduates participate in research before graduation.
Internships and clinical experience: The department's undergraduate offerings include BENG 196 – Bioengineering Industrial Internship, BENG 197 – Engineering Internship and BENG 193 – Clinical Experience in Bioengineering.
Research facilities: Bioengineering students have access to facilities housed in locations including Powell-Focht Bioengineering Hall (PFBH) and the Science and Engineering Research Facility (SERF).

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BioSystems B.S. is designed to prepare graduates for research and development applications across physiology and medicine, as well as advanced study in biology, medicine and engineering. Its combination of biomechanics, physiology, computation, biomedical signals, instrumentation and design can support careers in biomedical engineering, medical technology, research and related engineering fields.

Typical career roles include: Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Device Engineer, Bioinstrumentation Engineer, Biomedical Research Engineer

Students can build toward these opportunities through:

Research experience: Undergraduate research with Bioengineering faculty is strongly encouraged, and approximately two-thirds of UC San Diego Bioengineering undergraduates participate in research before graduation.
Industry internships: The department offers BENG 196 – Bioengineering Industrial Internship and BENG 197 – Engineering Internship, providing formal opportunities to gain industry experience.
Clinical exposure: BENG 193 – Clinical Experience in Bioengineering provides an additional pathway for students interested in connecting engineering with clinical environments.
Senior design: The required Senior Design Project provides closely mentored faculty-supported experience and is described by the department as a capstone experience of the undergraduate majors.
Professional preparation: BENG 191 – Senior Seminar I: Professional Issues in Bioengineering addresses professional issues and is recommended for seniors.
ABET value: ABET accreditation provides external recognition that the program meets established standards for bioengineering and biomedical engineering education.
Research and advanced study: The department explicitly identifies advanced study in biology, medicine and engineering as a progression pathway for BioSystems graduates.
Graduate-level progression: Students can use the BioSystems foundation in physiology, biomedical systems, computation and engineering design to pursue graduate education and research-oriented careers.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can continue into graduate study in areas such as bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biology, medicine and related engineering disciplines. The department specifically states that the BioSystems major prepares students for advanced study in biology, medicine and engineering, while its research opportunities provide a strong foundation for students interested in research-intensive postgraduate education.