Degree Programs

Overview

Welcome to the undergraduate educational programs of the UCSD Department of Bioengineering. Since 1967, UCSD has offered an undergraduate major in Bioengineering. Over the past forty years, UCSD Bioengineering has established a reputation of innovation and excellence in education.>

Bioengineering is an interdisciplinary field in which the principles and tools of mechanical, materials, electrical, and chemical engineering are applied to biomedical and biological problems. Bioengineering plays an important role in medicine in projects that range from basic research in physiology to advances in biotechnology and the improvement of health care delivery. By its very nature, bioengineering is broad and requires a foundation in engineering and mathematics as well as in the physical, chemical, and biological sciences.

Discontinuation of the Bioengineering: Premedical Major and the Pre-Bioengineering: Premedical Premajor

The UCSD Department of Bioengineering has discontinued and phased out the Bioengineering: Premedical major and the Pre-Bioengineering: Premedical premajor, effective fall 2010.

Nevertheless, all required courses will continue to be offered for admitted continuing students as indicated below:

1. Students who entered the Bioengineering: Premedical major prior to or with the 2009 class will be able to complete the degree requirements to graduate with the BS degree in Bioengineering: Premedical.

2. Students in the Pre-Bioengineering: Premedical premajor who are successful in completing the screening courses and GPA requirement within the specified time limit will be able to transition into the Bioengineering: Premedical major and complete the degree requirements to graduate with the BS degree in Bioengineering: Premedical.

In parallel, modifications will be made in the Bioengineering, Bioengineering: Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Bioinformatics tracks to enhance preparation of graduates who plan to pursue careers in the medical professions, as well as in traditional bioengineering careers.

These changes are being made in response to new directions in the biomedical engineering profession and to permit development of new educational initiatives that will better address the needs of graduates.

Please direct any questions to the Bioengineering Student Affairs Office, PFBH # 141.

The UCSD Department of Bioengineering has an educational Mission and targeted Outcomes for its undergraduate major programs. Three undergraduate majors are offered to freshman and transfer students applying to enter in fall 2011:

• Bioengineering

• Bioengineering: Biotechnology

• Bioengineering: Bioinformatics

At the top, please select "majors" for more details.