A student in a lab examines "bee hotels."

Bioengineering

Bioengineering integrates engineering and life sciences to address issues important to humans and society at large. The Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering prepares graduates for productive employment, advanced study, or professional programs in which they apply the principles and methods of engineering and life sciences to solve problems affecting human health and well-being. Graduates may apply their expertise in human medicine, biotechnology, or related biology-based engineering fields.

With these integrated science and engineering skills, bioengineering graduates are able to make valuable contributions to human health care, bio-based product development, and biotechnology. At Washington State University, bioengineering cooperates with and finds applications in numerous disciplines of engineering, veterinary medicine, and medical sciences. The bioengineering curriculum easily accommodates pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary requirements for those students wishing to apply to professional schools in health care fields.

The total number of majors in bioengineering is restricted at the junior level.

Accreditation

The program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Bioengineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.

Strengths of the Program

  • More than 80% of students participate in undergraduate research or industrial internships
  • Diverse undergraduate program with women representing more than 50% of graduates
  • Senior capstone course integrates entrepreneurship and governmental regulation, enabling you to develop your own biotechnology startups
  • Access to a variety of laboratories on campus for hands-on learning and interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Graduates will be ready to obtain a Professional Engineering license
  • Award-winning, experienced faculty who collaborate with industry partners

Student Spotlights

Preparation for Bioengineering

A strong preparation in mathematics, physics, and chemistry is strongly recommended.

The Voiland School cooperates with the community colleges in Washington to minimize problems associated with transfer. Inquiries are welcome. A strong preparation in mathematics, physics, and chemistry is strongly recommended prior to transfer to minimize the time required at Washington State University to complete the bachelor’s degree requirements. Students who have taken statics, differential equations and circuits at their previous institution, and who take ChE 201 during the summer session, will be able to proceed through the curriculum in a timely manner. In particular, statics is a prerequisite course for students to complete their coursework in two years after transferring to WSU.

The requirements for direct entry into chemical engineering or bioengineering programs upon transfer are the same as listed for certification. Transfer student applications will be handled by the Admissions Office and sent to the school so that students do not need to make a separate application to the school. Questions about transfer course equivalencies can be addressed through the Office of Admissions for general education courses, or by the Voiland School Academic Coordinator, Maria Greaney Curry (mgreaney@wsu.edu), for bioengineering requirements.

Will my credits transfer?

If you are a transfer student, your transfer work will be evaluated by the Admissions Office and applied to your Degree Audit Report (DARs). The Admissions Office evaluates only General Education components (UCORE). Your department will evaluate any courses that may fulfill departmental requirements. Also, you may be able to review your Transfer Course Equivalencies by visiting the WSU Transfer Center. In addition, please visit the Voiland College’s Transfer Information page.

Admission, Requirements, and Schedules of Study

Following admission to WSU, a student may be admitted to the Bioengineering major provided they meet the criteria outlined in the WSU Catalog. Once admitted to the major, a student will maintain good standing in their major by completing the required benchmarks as outlined in the catalog.

WSU Catalog admission criteria, graduation requirements, and schedule of study for:

Students in the Honors Program

Students participating in the honors program will need to work with their advisor to fit the required honors courses into their schedules.

Bioengineering Electives

Students must take 6 credits of bioengineering electives and 12 credits of technical electives for the bioengineering degree.


Questions?

Find answers to your questions about the bioengineering program at WSU.

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