Bioengineering (BS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of California San Diego

Program Overview

The Bioengineering, B.S. at UC San Diego combines engineering principles with biology, physiology and biomedical sciences to prepare students to develop technologies that improve human health. It suits students interested in areas such as medical devices, biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, biomaterials, healthcare technology, research and further study in engineering or medicine.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students establish their foundation in mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology through courses such as MATH 20A, MATH 20B and MATH 20C, CHEM 6A and CHEM 6B, BILD 1, and PHYS 2A/2B. They also take BENG 1: Introduction to Bioengineering, which introduces engineering problem definition, design, prototyping, testing, ethics and communication.

Year 2:

Students progress into engineering analysis and core bioengineering concepts through courses including BENG 140A, BENG 140B, BENG 100, and MAE 40. Mathematics, physics and engineering coursework strengthen their ability to apply quantitative engineering methods to biological and medical problems.

Year 3:

The curriculum becomes more specialized, with courses such as BENG 110, BENG 112A, BENG 112B, BENG 130, BENG 152 and BENG 172. Students develop deeper knowledge across areas such as bioengineering systems, transport, bioinstrumentation and physiological applications while beginning the senior design sequence with BENG 187A.

Year 4:

Students complete advanced bioengineering and design work through BENG 187B, BENG 187C and BENG 187D, covering design selection, implementation and presentation, alongside laboratory design courses BENG 188A and BENG 188B. Senior projects are completed by student teams and can focus on areas such as biomechanics, nanoscale and molecular bioengineering, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, organ-system bioengineering or bioinstrumentation.

Focus Areas:

Biomechanics, biotransport, bioinstrumentation, bioelectricity, biosystems, biomaterials, systems physiology, integrative physiology, medical devices, biomedical technology, engineering design, healthcare innovation and biomedical research.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to apply mathematics, science and engineering knowledge; design solutions for biomedical problems; communicate effectively; work collaboratively in teams; conduct experiments and analyze data; consider ethical and professional responsibilities; and acquire new knowledge using appropriate learning strategies.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bioengineering, B.S. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering and similarly named engineering programs. This provides an established engineering-accreditation framework for the degree and its educational standards.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

UC San Diego's bioengineering and biomedical undergraduate program was ranked #7 in the nation and #3 among public universities in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Colleges rankings, according to UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering. The department also states that its bioengineering programs have ranked among the nation's top five for more than 20 years.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UC San Diego’s Bioengineering, B.S. places a strong emphasis on hands-on design, laboratory training and faculty-mentored research. Students complete a required multi-quarter Senior Design sequence in teams, while the department provides dedicated instructional laboratories for biotechnology, bioelectronics, tissue culture and device prototyping. Around two-thirds of UC San Diego Bioengineering undergraduates participate in research before graduation, giving students opportunities to apply classroom concepts in active research environments.

Students can build practical experience through these program-specific opportunities:

Senior Design Projects: Every Bioengineering undergraduate completes the BENG 187A–187D Senior Design sequence and BENG 188A/B design courses. Projects are completed by student teams and cover areas such as biomechanics, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, bioinstrumentation, bioinformatics and systems bioengineering.
Bioengineering Instructional Lab: The newly renovated facility in Powell-Focht Bioengineering Hall provides dedicated undergraduate teaching space. Students can work with DNA/RNA sequencing, CRISPR screening, cellular electrical-activity measurement and other modern bioengineering techniques.
Bioelectronics and Innovation Laboratory: This dedicated design space includes 3D printers, electronics assembly and testing stations, soldering areas and power tools for developing and testing bioengineering devices and senior capstone projects.
Instructional Biotech Core Laboratory: Used for courses including BENG 160: Chemical and Molecular Bioengineering Techniques and BENG 162: Biotechnology Laboratory, with dedicated areas for cell and tissue culture, cold storage and laboratory supplies.
Research Opportunities: Students can participate in faculty-led research through BENG 99 and BENG 199, as well as the department's research laboratories. The department reports that approximately two-thirds of its undergraduates participate in research before graduation.
Research Facilities: Bioengineering research resources include the Cell Engineering Research Center (CERC), which supports research involving mammalian cells and stem-cell engineering, with facilities including biological safety cabinets, incubators, microscopes and other laboratory equipment.
Internships: Students can gain professional experience through BENG 196: Bioengineering Internship / Bioengineering Industrial Internship and BENG 197: Engineering Internship. UC San Diego also provides the Academic Internship Program (AIP) and REAL Portal for finding internships, research and other experiential opportunities.
Clinical Experience: BENG 193: Clinical Experience in Bioengineering is offered as a program-specific opportunity for students to gain exposure to clinical applications of bioengineering.
Computational/Digital Skills: The curriculum includes BENG 125: Modeling and Computation in Bioengineering, while MAE 150: Computer-Aided Design develops CAD skills. The department also offers BENG 190: Special Topics in Bioengineering: Intro to Python.
Industry-connected projects: Senior Design projects can involve corporate sponsors or clients working with UC San Diego Bioengineering faculty, giving student teams the opportunity to work on externally supported engineering problems.
Research and Technology Cores: UC San Diego provides access to shared research facilities including Bioengineering/Orthopaedic Surgery MicroComputed Tomography, Biomolecular and Proteomic Mass Spectrometry, and the Cell Engineering Research Center, with instruments and expert training available to students and researchers.
Libraries and research resources: UC San Diego provides extensive library and research resources, while the department's interdisciplinary environment connects bioengineering with medicine, engineering and biological sciences.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bioengineering, B.S. at UC San Diego prepares graduates for professional engineering and design roles in areas such as medical-device development, manufacturing, quality control and prosthetic design, while also providing a foundation for advanced study. UC San Diego specifically identifies pathways into bioengineering industries, medicine and related health sciences, as well as graduate research in areas such as biomechanics, physiology and biomedical imaging.

Typical job roles include: Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Bioengineering Research Associate, Biomedical Design Engineer.

Key opportunities for progression include:

Career services: UC San Diego Career Services provides career coaching, internship and job-search support, application guidance, career fairs and employer networking. Bioengineering also holds an annual Bioengineering Career Fair specifically connecting students with industry members recruiting for internships and career positions.
Internships: Students can receive academic credit through BENG 196, with one quarter of the course counting toward a technical elective. International students may also receive CPT while enrolled in BENG 196.
Employment and salary: UC San Diego's Bioengineering department cites an estimated $92,970 average annual salary for biomedical engineering jobs in U.S. data presented by the department. This is an occupation-level figure rather than a guaranteed salary for UC San Diego graduates.
Industry connections: The department works with industry through its Bioengineering Industrial Relations Office and Bioengineering Industrial Advisory Board, while the annual Bioengineering Career Fair provides direct networking with industry recruiters. Senior Design projects can also involve external corporate sponsors or clients.
Accreditation value: The Bioengineering B.S. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering and similarly named engineering programs. This provides an established quality framework for an engineering education and supports professional engineering preparation.
Graduation outcomes: UC San Diego's stated educational objectives include graduates pursuing professional engineering practice in medical-device development, manufacturing, quality control and prosthetic design, as well as advanced studies and professional education in medicine and health-related fields.

Further Academic Progression:
After the B.S., students can continue into graduate or professional education in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biomechanics, biomedical imaging, physiology and related areas. UC San Diego also offers an integrated five-year B.S./M.S. in Bioengineering, allowing eligible UC San Diego undergraduates to complete the M.S. within one year after the B.S.; other options include the one-year Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) designed for careers in medical and biological engineering industries.