B.S. in Bioengineering
Bioengineers use engineering principles to solve problems in the life sciences, human health and medicine, and related industries. At the undergraduate level, the goal of bioengineering education is to instill a fundamental understanding of biology while developing core skills to design technologies relevant to human health and disease.
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recognition as skilled engineers in biotechnology, life sciences, medical technology, and health care industries;
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advanced degrees through graduate studies in bioengineering-related fields, or professional degrees in the health sciences, law, and business; and
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recognition for fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment while demonstrating leadership and effective teamwork within diverse professional and community organizations.
ABET Accreditation
The B.S. in Bioengineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
With ABET accreditation, students, employers and the society we serve can be confident that a program meets the quality standards that produce graduates prepared to enter a global workforce.
What Sets This Degree Apart
Comprehensive Coursework
During the first and second years of the curriculum, fundamental courses in biology, chemistry, computing, mathematics, and physics introduce students to the multidisciplinary principles underlying bioengineering as a field. Throughout the curriculum, core coursework becomes progressively more integrative across the disciplines, and in years three and four, students pursue engineering coursework related to their specific technical interest in bioengineering. The program is distinguished by laboratory courses that provide diverse experiences and hands-on skills as well as a capstone design course in which students practice the rigorous application of engineering fundamentals to biological problems identified by faculty, clinicians, and industrial partners.
Practical Training
Students will complete a capstone design course to prepare them for careers as bioengineers. Graduates will have experience conducting market research, developing a working prototype device or process, and building effective teamwork and technical communication strategies. Bioengineering students will explore entrepreneurship in the field of bioengineering, integrating content related to intellectual property, quality, human factors, FDA regulation, professionalism, and ethics into their study. Through hands-on practice in problem identification and solution analysis for real-world problems, using principles of design, engineering analysis, and customer discovery, students will be prepared to entry industry as bioengineers or graduate programs to further their studies.
Breadth and Depth
The bioengineering undergraduate curriculum prepares students for industry, graduate school, and professional schools. As students progress through the general bioengineering curriculum, they develop competencies in (1) math, statistics, and computation, (2) applied engineering techniques, and (3) advanced topics in bioengineering tailored to their specific interests. Students have the flexibility to explore coursework in areas such as medical imaging, biomaterials, synthetic biology, computational bioengineering, and biomechanics, among others.
Students admitted to the department prior to Fall 2025 will follow the requirements listed in their admit-term academic catalog, which includes selecting a designated track area.
Course Requirements
BIOE Undergraduate Contacts
MADDIE DARLING
Director of Undergraduate Programs
1240C Everitt Laboratory, M/C-278
1406 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
JAKE SPINNATO
Undergraduate Program Coordinator & Academic Advisor
1240B Everitt Laboratory, M/C-278
1406 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
DAVE ROGALSKI
Undergraduate Academic Advisor
1240B Everitt Laboratory, M/C-278
1406 W. Green St.
Urbana, IL 61801
Have a question? Don’t hesitate to reach out! We offer both virtual and in-person advising options.
Email: bioe-ugradprograms@illinois.edu
Phone: (217) 300-8066