Future Students

Academics

You’ve reached this page through an outdated link.

See our new academic offerings site for the most up-to-date information on all the University’s fields of study.

Bioengineering

College of Engineering and Architecture


 

QUICK JUMP
  Bioengineering
  Study Options
  Requirements and Core Courses
  Careers in Bioengineering
  Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
  Scholarships and Financial Aid
  Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
  Contact Information

Bioengineering

Bioengineering examines the intersection of biology and engineering, especially as related to technologies affecting human and animal health and well-being. Bioengineering applies engineering methods and concepts to living systems and utilizes biological methods and concepts to improve engineering practice. This is among the fastest growing disciplines in the nation with many exciting and diverse career options.
• Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science
• Available at: Pullman

Study Options

You can focus your bioengineering degree in several areas:

Biomedical Engineering: Applications of science and engineering in human and animal medicine.

Biomaterials: The design and implementation of engineering materials that interact with biological systems (orthopedic implants, artificial organs, and dental materials, for instance).

Biomechanics: Apply the principles of mechanics to biology, from the cellular level to the whole-body level.

Pre-Medicine: Your major in bioengineering, together with the University's pre-medical advising, can serve as ideal preparation for medical school.

Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering

Students entering bioengineering must have high aptitudes in mathematics and the natural sciences. They must have inquisitive minds and motivation to learn and contribute to societal needs. Bioengineering is a rigorous engineering degree program that incorporates biological sciences into engineering problem solving and design. Successful students in this program will have typically placed among the top 5 percent of their graduating classes and scored 1250 or higher on the SAT.

NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the catalog to graduate.

• Freshman Year:
Introductory Writing
Calculus I and II
Principles of Chemistry I and II
Innovation in Design
World Civilizations I and II
Intro to Bioengineering
Introductory Biology

• Sophomore Year:
Calculus III
Linear Algebra
Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and II
Organic Chemistry I
Bioengineering Professional Preparation and Ethics
Chemical Process Principles
Differential Equations
Arts and Humanities elective
Statics
Bioengineering Analysis
Microeconomics or macroeconomics

• Junior Year:
Electrical Circuits
Intro to Biochemistry
Mechanics of Biomaterials
Thermodynamics
Transport Processes
Intercultural studies course
Statistics for Engineers
Bioinstrumentation
Unified Systems Bioengineering I
Bioengineering elective

• Senior Year:
Technical and Professional Writing
Unified Systems Bioengineering II
Bioengineering Capstone Project I and II
Five bioengineering electives
Tier II humanities or social science course

Careers in Bioengineering

Careers available to graduates span engineering, biomedical, and other biologically based careers. Employers of graduates include medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, biotechnology product manufacturers, government agencies, research laboratories, universities, and product testing laboratories. Graduates with strong engineering interests are employed as design engineers, test engineers, sales engineers, and product development engineers. Many graduates enter advanced study in biomedical engineering or other engineering disciplines or apply for professional schools for human or animal medicine. With advanced degrees, graduates frequently enter research or medical careers.

Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• High aptitude in math and natural sciences, and enjoy applying math and science to solving problems
• Find life sciences intriguing
• Enjoy being innovative
• Seek to enhance quality of life for humans, animals, and other living systems
• Have an interest in a medical profession but want additional attractive career options
• Enjoy working with others to address important issues

Scholarships and Financial Aid

In addition to University-wide scholarships, the College of Engineering and Architecture offers more than 300 scholarships a year to students in their first and second years of study. Incoming freshmen and transfer students have the opportunity to receive scholarship money that continues to graduation if renewal criteria are met.

Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You

• Neuroscience
• Computational Neuroscience
• Chemical engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Materials science and engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Pre-medicine
• Pre-veterinary medicine

Contact Information
Bioengineering Program
Washington State University
Dana Hall, Room 118
P.O. Box 642710
Pullman, WA 99164-2710
Phone: 509-335-4332
Fax: 509-335-4806
bioeng@wsu.edu
 

Strengths of the Program

  • Courses are selected from subjects in several engineering and science fields, offering a strong integration in both areas.
  • WSU’s program benefits from strong ties to veterinary medicine on the Pullman campus and human medicine in Spokane.
  • Gain an edge from caring, knowledgeable faculty who are geared toward student success and are available to advise students.
  • Pursue opportunities to participate in faculty research projects.
  • Learn to work as a team to create new products and technologies.
  • Graduates from the program have many options for professional practice and advanced study.
  • You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.
Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us