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4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
University of Colorado BoulderThe Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder brings together engineering, biology and chemistry to help students develop solutions for areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, tissue engineering, personalized medicine and sustainable biofuels. It is a great option for students who enjoy both engineering and life sciences and want to use their knowledge to solve real-world challenges in healthcare, industry and the environment.
Curriculum Structure
Year One: Students begin by building a strong foundation in engineering, mathematics, chemistry and biology. Courses such as CHEN 1310 Introduction to Engineering Computing, CHEN 1201 General Chemistry for Engineers 1 and BIEN 2810 Biology for Engineers introduce students to engineering computing, chemical principles and biological systems, while mathematics and physics courses strengthen their problem-solving skills.
Year Two: Students start exploring biological engineering in greater depth and learn how engineering principles can be applied to biological processes. BIEN 3800 Fundamentals of Biotechnology introduces topics such as recombinant DNA, genome editing, DNA synthesis and sequencing, while courses such as BIEN 4805 Biomaterials, BIEN 4820 Biochemical Separations and BIEN 4830 Biokinetics and Reactor Design cover materials, separation processes and biological reaction systems.
Year Three: Students develop a deeper understanding of how engineering can be used to analyze and design biological systems and products. Courses such as CHEN 3010 Applied Data Analysis, CHEN 3210 Chemical Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer and BCHM 4611 Principles of Biochemistry strengthen their skills in data analysis, engineering processes and the biochemical principles behind living systems, while technical electives allow students to explore areas that match their interests.
Year Four: In the final year, students bring their knowledge together through advanced design, laboratory and research experiences. BIEN 4520 Biological Process and Product Design provides a team-based capstone experience, followed by BIEN 4530 Biological Engineering Design Project, while students can also complete BIEN 4810 Biological Engineering Laboratory or pursue a Biological Engineering Senior Thesis. Electives can include Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Tissue Engineering and Biofabrication, Metabolic Engineering, Protein and Enzyme Engineering and Immunoengineering.
Focus areas
Biological engineering, biotechnology, tissue engineering, biomaterials, pharmaceutical biotechnology, metabolic engineering, protein and enzyme engineering, immunoengineering, biochemical processing, bioseparations, biokinetics, reactor design, sustainable biofuels and biological product development.
Learning outcomes
Students learn to identify and solve complex engineering problems while applying engineering principles to biological systems. They develop knowledge of biotechnology, biomaterials, biochemical processing, biological reactions and biological product design, along with practical laboratory, analytical, computing and research skills.
Professional alignment (accreditation)
The program prepares students for professional opportunities in biological engineering, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, tissue engineering and related fields, while also providing a strong foundation for graduate study and medical school. CU Boulder also offers a pre-med pathway within the degree, with the curriculum including many of the courses commonly required for medical school preparation.
Reputation (employability rankings)
CU Boulder provides students with strong opportunities to gain research experience, with more than 50% of undergraduate students in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering conducting laboratory research. The university reports that its undergraduate chemical engineering program was ranked No. 11 among public universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report in 2025, while CU Boulder was ranked No. 46 among public universities nationally in 2026.
CU Boulder also reports a $100,730 median annual salary for bioengineers and biomedical engineers, based on 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Employers associated with chemical and biological engineering graduates include Terumo BCT, Eli Lilly & Company, SomaLogic, Chevron, CordenPharma Colorado and ExxonMobil.
The B.S. in Biological Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder gives students plenty of opportunities to move beyond the classroom and apply engineering and biological concepts to real problems. Students can take part in faculty research, independent projects and team-based design work, while gaining experience with laboratory methods, data analysis and biological engineering processes. More than 50% of undergraduate students in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering participate in laboratory research, giving students valuable experience in a research-focused environment.
Students can develop practical skills through opportunities such as:
Team-based capstone projects: In BIEN 4520 Biological Process and Product Design, students work in teams to apply concepts such as thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, bioseparations and reactor engineering to biological engineering design challenges.
Real-world design projects: Capstone projects have included designing a 50-liter bioreactor and optimizing a bioreactor seed train, developing processes for monoclonal antibody production and creating a shelf-stable vaccine platform.
Undergraduate research: Students can join faculty research laboratories through paid positions, academic credit, independent study or volunteer opportunities. Projects can involve experimental work, numerical analysis, data analysis and scientific presentations.
Senior thesis: Students interested in research can complete BIEN 4010 and BIEN 4020 Biological Engineering Senior Thesis, working on supervised research over two semesters and producing a thesis, research poster and oral presentations.
Research opportunities: Students can apply for programs such as the Discovery Learning Apprenticeship Program (DLA), Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), BURST, Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) and NIST PREP.
Biotechnology facilities: The Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building provides a major interdisciplinary environment for engineering and life-science research and supports work connected with the BioFrontiers Institute.
Gallogly Discovery Learning Center: The center provides modern learning and research laboratories where students, faculty and industry partners can collaborate on research projects, including work related to biotechnology.
Industry-connected research: Students can benefit from research centers and partnerships that connect biological engineering research with industry and public research organizations, helping them see how their academic knowledge can be applied outside the university.
Professional development: Students can use the Engineering Career Hub and mentoring opportunities to explore careers, research positions and professional development options.
Facilities and research resources: University of Colorado Boulder — Chemical and Biological Engineering facilities and research resources.
The B.S. in Biological Engineering prepares students for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, tissue engineering, biomaterials, medical technologies and sustainable industries. It also provides a strong foundation for students who want to enter the workforce after graduation or continue into graduate or professional studies, with CU Boulder reporting a $100,730 median annual salary for bioengineers and biomedical engineers.
Typical career options include biological engineer, biotechnology engineer, biomedical engineer and pharmaceutical engineer, along with opportunities in areas such as drug development, tissue engineering, medical devices, diagnostics and sustainable biofuels.
Students can build their career and prepare for future opportunities through:
Career support: The Engineering Career Hub helps students with career planning, resume and cover-letter preparation, interview skills, internships and full-time job searches. Students can also use Handshake to explore jobs and internships, attend career fairs and connect with employers.
Research experience: More than 50% of undergraduate students in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering participate in laboratory research. Students can take part in paid research, independent study, volunteer research and programs such as DLA, UROP, BURST and REUs.
Industry employers: Employers associated with chemical and biological engineering graduates include Terumo BCT, Eli Lilly & Company, SomaLogic, Chevron, CordenPharma Colorado and ExxonMobil.
Industry connections: The department organizes career fairs, company information sessions and mock interviews, giving students opportunities to meet potential employers. Students can also gain professional experience through the department's co-op program.
Employment and salary: CU Boulder reports a $100,730 median annual salary for bioengineers and biomedical engineers, based on 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Employment in this field is projected to grow by 7% from 2023 to 2033.
Graduation outcomes: The department reports that around 10–20% of students continue to medical or graduate school, while others enter industry after completing their degree.
Professional preparation: The engineering foundation of the degree can support long-term careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, tissue engineering, biomaterials, medical devices and sustainable technologies. Students can also prepare for the FE Exam during their final year as part of the department's recommended career planning.
Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor's degree, students can continue into graduate study in areas such as biological engineering or chemical engineering. CU Boulder also offers a Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's (BAM) pathway, which allows eligible undergraduate students to begin graduate coursework while completing their bachelor's degree and finish a master's degree in less time. Students interested in healthcare can also follow the program's pre-med pathway and apply to medical school.
CU Boulder uses holistic first-year admission. Academic performance, course rigor, GPA and core coursework are primary factors.
Competitive applicants to the College of Engineering & Applied Science had a weighted high school GPA of 3.96–4.44, an SAT total score of 1370–1500, or an ACT composite score of 31–35. US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Profile Assessment: Engineering applicants are generally assessed on the strength of their preparation in advanced Mathematics and laboratory sciences, particularly Physics and Chemistry. Calculus, technical projects, robotics, engineering competitions, research and evidence of practical problem-solving can strengthen the application. Universities may also look for creativity, teamwork and the ability to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.Biological EngineerBiomedical EngineerBiotechnology EngineerTissue EngineerPharmaceutical EngineerBiofuels EngineerMedical Technology EngineerResearch and Development EngineerBioprocess EngineerBiomanufacturing EngineerBiomaterials Engineer
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