Bioengineering Major Program

2022-23 Bioengineering Undergraduate Program Requirements

Understanding and interfacing with complex living systems is at the heart of bioengineering with applications ranging from advancing human health to promoting environmental sustainability. The mission of Stanford's Department of Bioengineering is to create a fusion of engineering and the life sciences that promotes scientific discovery and the development of new biomedical technologies and therapies through research and education.

The Department of Bioengineering is jointly supported by the Schools of Medicine and Engineering. The Bioengineering (BIOE) major enables students to embrace biology as a new engineering paradigm and apply engineering principles to medical problems and biological systems.

Students who obtain a BS in BIOE will obtain a solid background in the basic sciences (chemistry, physics and biology) and mathematics. They will take three engineering fundamentals courses including an introductory bioengineering course and computer programming. Starting in the sophomore year, BioE students will begine to take a series of core classes to gain essential knowledge to pursue a career in bioengineering and will then have the opportunity to pursue elective courses suited to their own interests.

Bioengineering students have a wide variety of options upon graduation. Many will continue on to graduate school or medical school. Others will choose to work in the biotechnology, government service, medical device, medical imaging, or other medical and non-medical industries. Other BioE graduates may choose to pursue advanced degrees in business or law or follow a different career path.

NOTE: Students intending to apply to medical school will need to take additional advanced science courses. While we offer advice regarding pre-medical requirements, it is important to schedule an advising appointment with a pre-medical advisor in Sweet Hall to learn more about how to best prepare for admission to medical schools and the MCAT.

UG Student Services: Gracey Hessinger, 121 Shriram, at graceyh@stanford.edu
UG Director: Karl Deisseroth
Bioengineering Chair: Jennifer Cochran 

For instructions on how to declare the BioE major, jump to the bottom of this page.

Research Experience for Undergraduates

Our Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program offers Stanford students the opportunity to work closely with a faculty member and their research groups on advanced research topics during the Summer Quarter. Applications are due early February. Interested students should check the BioE website for announcements.

BIOE Program Sheet  Excel or PDF

See Explore Degrees for list of BIOE (and all other School of Engineering) program requirements.

Components of BIOE

All BioE students take courses to get a solid foundation to prepare them for the study of bioengineering. Most of the math and science courses are typically taken during freshman and sophomore year; see BioE 4-Year Plans for details.

Mathematics and Science

Course	Title	Units
MATH 19/ 20/21	Calculus (or 10 units AP Calculus or placement via SU exam)	10
Additional Math (minimum 14 units; CME courses strongly recommended). Select one of the following sequences
Recommended: CME 100 & CME 102	Vector Calculus for Engineers      and Ordinary Differential Equations for Engineers	10
or
MATH 51 & MATH 53	Linear Algebra and Differential Calculus of Several Variables      and Ordinary Differential Equations with Linear Algebra	10
Select one of the following:
CME 106 or STATS 110 or STATS 141	Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Engineering (Highly Recommended) Statistical Methods in Engineering and the Physical Sciences Biostatistics	3-4 4-5 4-5
Science (all courses listed; 26 units minimum)
CHEM 31M (formerly 31X)	Chemical Principles (or CHEM 31A and CHEM 31B)	5/10
CHEM 33	Structure and Reactivity	5
BIO 82 or BIO 83	Genetics or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (recommended)	4
BIO 84	Physiology	4
PHYSICS 41 or 41E	Mechanics (or AP equivalent)(PHYS 41E by placement or application only)	4
PHYSICS 43	Electricity and Magnetism (or AP equivalent)	4

 

Technology in Society (TIS)

Course	Title	Units
BIOE 131	Ethics in Bioengineering  (satisfies WIM requirement for major)	3

Engineering Fundamentals (3 courses)

Course	Title	Units
ENGR 80	Introduction to Bioengineering (same as BIOE 80; required)	4
CS 106A	Programming Methodology (or CS 106AB or 106X; required)	5
Fundamentals Elective; see UGHB for options; only one CS class allowed to count toward Fundamentals requirements		3-5

BIOE Core: (27 units) All BIOE students are required to take a common set of depth courses

Physical Biology	Title	Units
BIOE 42	Physical Biology of Cells	4

 

Lab Courses	Title	Units
BIOE 44	Fundamentals for Engineering Biology Lab	4
BIOE 123	Optics and Devices Lab	4

 

Systems Biology & Physiology Courses	Title	Units
BIOE 101	Systems Biology	3
BIOE 103	Systems Physiology and Design	4

 

Senior Project Courses	Title	Units
BIOE 141A	Senior Capstone Design I	4
BIOE 141B	Senior Capstone Design II	4

 

BIOE Depth Electives: Three courses from approved list (minimum of 8 units)
Course	Title	Units
BIOE 122	Biosecurity and Bioterrorism Response (same as PUBLPOL 122)	4-5
BIOE 201C	Diagnostic Devices Lab	3
BIOE 209	Mathematical Models of Biological Systems	3
BIOE 211	Biophysics of Multi-cellular Systems and Amorphous Computing	3
BIOE 212	Introduction to Biomedical Informatics Research Methodology	3
BIOE 214	Representations and Algorithms for Computational Molecular Biology	3-4
BIOE 217	Translational Bioinformatics	4
BIOE 220 or BIOE 51	Introduction to Imaging and Image-based Human Anatomy OR Anatomy for Bioengineers	3-4
BIOE 221	Physics and Engineering of Radionuclide	3
BIOE 222	Multimodality Molecular Imaging in Living Subjects I	4
BIOE 224	Multimodality Molecular Imaging in Living Subjects II	4
BIOE 225	Ultrasound Imaging and Therapeutic Applications	3
BIOE 227	Functional MRI Methods	3
BIOE 231	Protein Engineering	3
BIOE 260	Tissue Engineering	4
BIOE 279	Computational Biology: Structure and Organization of Biomolecules	3
BIOE 281	Biomechanics of Movement	3
BIOE 291	Principles and Practice of Optogenetics for Optical Control of Biological Tissues	3
BIOE 301A	Molecular and Cellular Engineering Lab	2
BIOE 301B	Clinical Needs and Technology
BIOE 301E	Computational Protein Modeling Lab	2
BIOE 301P	Research Data and Computation	2

Honors Option

Students who qualify are encouraged to apply for the BIOE Honors program at the end of their junior year. Students who are accepted spend their senior year exploring a research topic in-depth and writing an honors thesis.  Honors programs allow undergraduates with strong academic records and enthusiasm for independent research to engage in a significant project leading to a degree with departmental honors. This program provides a unique opportunity for qualified BioE majors to conduct independent research at an advanced level with a faculty mentor and submit a final thesis. Students should review program deadlines via the Bioengineering Honors Program

Coterm Deadlines and Contact

Dept	Application Deadlines	Contacts	Website
Bioengineering	December 1, 2022 for  Autumn 2023-2024	Gracey Hessinger graceyh@stanford.edu Katy Bechler kkbechler@stanford.edu	https://bioengineering.stanford.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/co…

Instructions for Declaring Major in Bioengineering (BIOE-BS)

Declaring a BioE major consists of the following steps:

1. Login to Axess and request to major in Bioengineering. Do not choose the Honors option in Axess unless you have already submitted an Honors application to the department.
2. Download or print a copy of your unofficial Stanford transcript from Axess.
3. Download a BioE program sheet. You must choose a program sheet from a year you were enrolled at Stanford. Enter “AP” instead of a grade for any course waived due to AP credit. Please note: when completing the program sheet, include courses you plan to take as well as those you have already taken.
4. Complete the BIOE Declaration webform, found on the Declaration website
5. Meet with your assigned advisor to discuss the program, review your 4-year plan, and have him/her sign your completed program sheet (this meeting can be virtual).
6. Email the completed and signed program sheet to program sheet to BioE Student Services Officer, Gracey Hessinger, graceyh@stanford.edu.

When your major is approved in Axess, you will be notified via e-mail.