BIOE Undergraduate Program

The Bioengineering undergraduate program (initiated in 1996 as biological engineering) provides a solid background in biology (anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology), chemistry, physics and math, in addition to the engineering sciences. Upper-level course work in bioengineering includes analysis and design of processes involving suspension and immobilized microbial cultures and the recovery of therapeutic products from bioreactors, as well as selection courses in mammalian cell culture and tissue engineering, biomedical materials engineering and cellular engineering. All students complete coursework in drug and medical device regulation as well as a capstone-design experience. Bioengineering graduates are prepared to contribute to the rapidly growing bioscience-based industries, and are able to formulate and solve problems relevant to the design of devices and systems to improve human health.

Educational Objectives

The BioE undergraduate program aims to educate students such that:

  • Graduates will be work-ready B.S. engineers who are successful in obtaining employment in the bioprocess and biotechnology industries, in entering graduate studies in bioengineering, chemical, environmental, and biomedical engineering and gaining admission to professional schools including health-professional programs and law programs.
  • Graduates will be able to solve problems at the interface of engineering and biology whether in a manufacturing, research, or clinical environment.
  • Graduates will be motivated to pursue life-long learning efforts in order to fulfill their professional and ethical responsibilities, and they will recognize their responsibility to understand contemporary questions at the interface of biosciences, technology, and society.
  • Graduates will be able to effectively communicate with a diverse set of professionals, able to facilitate meaningful collaboration between bioscientists and other engineers.
  • Graduates will have careers that significantly contribute to society no matter the direction or environment they choose because of their broad education based in science and engineering. 

Program Outcomes

The graduates of the OSU Bioengineering Program must demonstrate that they have:

  • an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
  • an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
  • an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety manufacturability, and sustainability.
  • an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;
  • an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
  • an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
  • an ability to communicate effectively;
  • the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;
  • a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
  • a knowledge of contemporary issues;
  • an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice;
  • general knowledge of and ability to apply molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and physiology, with extended knowledge in at least one of these areas;
  • an ability to apply advanced mathematics, science, and engineering to solve problems at the interface of engineering and biology, including those associated with the interaction between living and nonliving materials and systems;
  • an ability to design experiments, make measurements on and interpret data from living systems;
  • an understanding of issues surrounding difference, power and discrimination in the engineering profession;
  • general knowledge of regulatory issues, including pre-clinical and clinical protocols, proper documentation, and good manufacturing, laboratory, and clinical practices;
  • an awareness of the business forces that impact design and decision making, such as entrepreneurship, financial constraints, profitability, and intellectual property and patent issues.

 

Admission to the BIOE Program

Like all undergraduate programs in the College of Engineering, the BIOE undergraduate program consists of pre-engineering and professional engineering components. Admission to the pre-engineering program (first and second years) requires no separate application beyond that for admission to OSU. Admission to the professional program (beginning of the third year) is competitive. To be eligible, you must have completed 80 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better. Moreover, all required pre-engineering courses have been completed with a "C" or better, with a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or better for the required pre-engineering courses. Please also refer to "admissions requirements" at the College of Engineering website: engr.oregonstate.edu/programs/index.html

Image of a body system model.
Bioengineering includes tasks such as mathematical modeling of body systems.

What can you do with a BIOE degree?

  • become a doctor
  • create new body parts/prosthetics
  • design drugs
  • clean up the environment
  • basic research all the way through full scale production.

In what types of industries do bioengineers work?

  • Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Medical Devices and Diagnostics
  • Food & Beverage Industry
  • Commodities Industry (shampoo, cosmetics, etc.)
  • Petrochemical Industry
  • Manufacture of Paper Products

More information about the program can be found in the School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering Undergraduate Advising Guide (pdf format). You may also review Academic Regulations and Procedures found in the Schedule of Classes and the Oregon State University Bulletin: General Catalog. It is intended to aid students in planning and completing programs leading to a degree. The guide provides information regarding the undergraduate curriculum, professional practice, advising, admissions policies, and other vital information pertaining to the undergraduate program.

CBEE does not currently offer graduate degrees in Bioengineering.