Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering

Learn How to Make a Difference in Human Health

As an undergraduate in bioengineering, you will learn the foundations of engineering and health sciences that will help you understand and successfully address the nation's leading health problems.

Our multidisciplinary training in bioengineering makes our graduates competitive for positions in biomedical, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries, academia, and government. Mason bioengineers have been placed in some of the nation's top medical schools and graduate schools.

The Bachelor of Science Bioengineering program focuses on four pillars: Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Biomedical Imaging and Devices, Computational Biomedical Engineering, and Neurotechnology and Computational Neuroscience.

The curriculum provides a strong background in the engineering and biological fundamentals of bioengineering as well as breadth courses in Biomechanics, Biomaterials, Bioinstrumentation, Imaging, Computational Modeling, and Neuroengineering.

After completing this foundation, students choose a concentration in one of the above four pillars or in Health Care Informatics or Prehealth (Premed), to focus on one area in three courses. Each student also takes an industry-focused course taught by experts in the commercialization of biomedical technologies. Students can also take a clinically-focused course taught by MDs. The senior year curriculum provides a senior design project and access to university-wide technical electives.

Many students include a summer clinical immersion option preceding senior design where they spend 6 weeks in a hospital identifying clinical needs that motivate their senior design project. The Mason Bioengineering BS program provides students with a complete and in-depth education in Bioengineering that leads to attractive industry positions or further graduate study.

Concentrations

The concentrations in the BS Bioengineering program are:

• Bioengineering Healthcare Informatics (BHI)
• Bioengineering Prehealth (BMPH)
• Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (BNM)
• Biomedical Imaging and Devices (BMID)
• Computational Biomedical Engineering (CBME)
• Neurotechnology and Computational Neuroscience (NTCN)

Minor in Bioengineering

The minor in bioengineering is available to both engineering and non-engineering majors. It provides considerable opportunities in a highly cross-disciplinary field involving the application of engineering concepts and tools to solve problems in biomedicine.

The minor prepares students to gain and reinforce their knowledge of biology and engineering fundamentals, as well as to develop and apply skills to clinically relevant challenges.

Bioengineering, BS Accelerated MS

Fall 2019 Mason’s Bioengineering department started offering an accelerated master’s for highly qualified Mason Bioengineering students. The Bachelor’s Accelerated Master’s (BAM) follows the course work of the regular master’s with the ability for undergraduate students to count up to 12 credits of graduate courses for both their BS and MS degree. Students can also take an additional 6 credits of reserve graduate courses that can count towards their MS degree. BAM students will be able to finish the MS degree in 1 year depending on the course load. Students interested in the BAM are encouraged to speak to the academic advisor near the end of their sophomore year.

Students in the Bioengineering, BS also have the option of obtaining an accelerated master's in several fields, which are:

• Bioengineering, BS/Biostatistics, Accelerated MS
• Bioengineering, BS/Data Analytics Engineering, Accelerated MS
• Bioengineering, BS/Operations Research, Accelerated MS
• Bioengineering, BS/Systems Engineering, Accelerated MS

Options for Undergraduate Students

Studying Abroad

Our study abroad classes in bioengineering enhance students’ education with rich cultural experiences and challenging courses. Students should consider:

• Taking Bioengineering World Health (BENG 417). This 3-credit course is a combination of lectures in the fall and a three-week trip to Guatemala during winter break and counts as a technical elective.
• Our exchange program with Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. The program offers a unique opportunity to spend a semester or whole year abroad while seamlessly integrating with their bioengineering curriculum.

Honors Program

The Department of Bioengineering offers an Honors Program that creates a community of outstanding scholars in bioengineering who share a commitment to learning, service, and leadership. The program is based on the bioengineering curriculum and is distinct from the University Honors Curriculum.

Curriculum

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of the Bioengineering bachelor’s program are expected within 3-5 years of graduation to:

• Contribute to the development or application of health-related products or processes that are a benefit to society.
• Continue their formal education by making demonstrable progress toward an advanced degree or professional development milestone.
• Communicate and perform effectively as members and/or leaders of multidisciplinary teams.