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BS Bioengineering

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Bioengineering Major

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 earn a BS in Bioengineering (BIOE-BS) 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 begin 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 biotechnology, government service, medical device, medical imaging or other medical and non-medical industries. Some BioE graduates may choose to pursue advanced degrees in business, public policy or law, or follow a different career path. More information on the degree and course requirements for the Bioengineering major can be found in the Stanford Bulletin

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are used to evaluate students as well as the department’s undergraduate program. The department expects undergraduate majors in the program to be able to do the following:

  1. Apply the knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering.
  2. Design and conduct experiments, and analyze and interpret data.
  3. Design a system, component or process to meet desired needs.
  4. Function on multidisciplinary teams.
  5. Identify, formulate and solve bioengineering problems.
  6. Understand professional and ethical responsibility.
  7. Communicate effectively.
  8. Understand the impact of bioengineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context.
  9. Demonstrate a working knowledge of contemporary issues.
  10. Apply the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for bioengineering practice.
  11. Transition from engineering concepts and theory to real engineering applications.

If you are a current undergraduate student with questions about declaring Bioengineering as your major, please refer to our BioE Intranet