Bioengineering

2014-15 General Catalog

Baskin School of Engineering
335 Baskin Engineering Building
(831) 459-2158
http://www.soe.ucsc.edu

Faculty


Program Description

The four concentrations of the UCSC bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in bioengineering prepare graduates for productive employment in industry or further education in graduate school. Each concentration is based on different essential underlying science, but all share an emphasis on teaching engineering design using that basis in science.

The biomolecular engineering concentration is designed for students interested in protein engineering, stem cell engineering, and synthetic biology. The emphasis is on designing biomolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins) and cells for particular functions, and the underlying sciences are biochemistry and cell biology.

The bioelectronics concentration is designed for students interested in the interface between organisms and electronic instrumentation or implants. The emphasis is on the interfacing of biological sensors to computer systems, and the underlying sciences are physics and chemistry.

The assistive technology: motor concentration is designed for students interested in helping people with movement disabilities. The emphasis is on designing exoskeletons and robots, and the underlying sciences are physics and anatomy. 

The assistive technology: cognitive/perceptual concentration is designed for students interested in helping people with cognitive or perceptual disabilities. The emphasis is on designing computer systems that help people compensate for disabilities, and the underlying sciences are psychology and computer science. 

In all four concentrations, students participate in a capstone design experience: either a two-quarter, group project intended to prepare students for work in industry or a three-quarter senior thesis intended to prepare students for Ph.D. research. Both options involve working closely with faculty and other researchers at UCSC, analyzing ideas, developing technologies, and discovering new approaches. Application areas include biomolecular sensors and systems, nano-electronic implants, assistive technologies for the elderly and disabled, bioinformatics, microfluidics, nanoscale biotechnology, environmental monitoring, and other areas at the junction between engineering and the life sciences.

More information about bioengineering research and undergraduate research opportunities can be found on the web at ugr.ucsc.edu, beng.soe.ucsc.edu, cbse.ucsc.edu, biomedical.ucsc.edu, marcmbrs.ucsc.edu, surf-it.soe.ucsc.edu, and stemdiv.ucsc.edu/ucleads/.

The program is sponsored by the Departments of Biomolecular Engineering, Computer Engineering , Electrical Engineering, and Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology , with additional participating faculty in the Departments of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Psychology.

The program has course requirements in mathematics, science, and engineering. Students interested in bioengineering as a major should contact the School of Engineering advising office (advising@soe.ucsc.edu) before enrolling in any courses at UCSC. Early advising is particularly important before choosing calculus and physics courses.

Bioengineering students may continue their research and studies at UCSC in any of several graduate programs. Information may be found at http://www.graddiv.ucsc.edu.

Courses for Nonmajors

The following courses are recommended for nonmajors interested in bioengineering. Computer Engineering 80A, Universal Access: Disability, Technology, and Society; Biomolecular Engineering 80G, Bioethics in the 21st Century: Science, Business, and Society; and Biomolecular Engineering 5, Introduction to Biotechnology. Students are also advised to consult the program discussions of the collaborating departments for additional possibilities related to bioengineering.

Declaration of the Major

To be admitted by the end of the 5th quarter, students need to have taken 50 credits from the following list of courses with a GPA of 2.8 or better:

Applied Mathematics and Statistics (AMS) 7/L, AMS 10, AMS 20, Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (BIOL) 20A, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (BIOE) 20B, Biomolecular Engineering (BME) 5, BME 80G, Chemistry and Biochemistry (CHEM) 1A, CHEM 1B/M, CHEM 1C/N, CHEM 108A/L, CHEM 108B/M, Computer Engineering (CMPE) 9, CMPE 12/L, CMPE 13/L, CMPE 80A, CMPE 100/L, Computer Science (CMPS) 12A/L, CMPS 12B/M, Mathematics (MATH) 19A, MATH 19B, MATH 22 or MATH 23A, Physics (PHYS) 5A/L (or 6A/L), PHYS 5B/M (or 6B/M), PHYS 5C/N (or 6C/N), and Psychology (PSYC) 20A.

Students changing majors after the 6th quarter will need to have completed 10 more credits of required courses in the major for each additional quarter past the 6th quarter.

Appeals for major declaration may be filed with the Baskin School of Engineering Office of Undergraduate Affairs by the end of the fifth week of each regular quarter for faculty review. Determinations will be made by the end of the seventh week of the quarter. After the campus major declaration deadline, students submitting an appeal must have a declared alternate major.

Transfer Students

Transfer students need to have completed eight transferable courses from the list used for admission for on-campus students, with a GPA in those courses of 2.8 or better. However, students are recommended to complete at least ten transferable courses prior to transfer, as they may otherwise have difficulty finishing in a timely fashion.

Students may satisfy the bioethics requirement if they have completed a suitable ethics course at their community college.

Honors in the Major

Bioengineering majors are considered for “Honors in the Major” and “Highest Honors in the Major” based on their GPA and on the results of undergraduate research. Students with a GPA of 3.7 receive “Highest Honors in the Major.” Students with a GPA of 3.3 receive “Honors in the Major.” Students with particularly significant accomplishments in undergraduate research may receive honors or highest honors with a lower GPA. Students who have been found guilty of academic misconduct are not eligible for either honors or highest honors.

Letter Grade Policy

Please refer to the letter grade policy in the School of Engineering section.

Baskin School of Engineering Policies

Please refer to the School of Engineering section of the catalog for additional policies that apply to all Baskin School of Engineering programs.

Materials Fee and Miscellaneous Fees

Please see the section on fees in the School of Engineering section.

Major Requirements

Advising and Elective Approval

Every major must have a bioengineering faculty adviser, assigned by the Baskin School of Engineering undergraduate advising office. With assistance from the adviser, students must formulate a program of proposed course work that meets the major requirements. All electives must be pre-approved by the bioengineering undergraduate director.

Optional Courses for Majors

Biomolecular Engineering 88A, BMES Freshman Design Seminar, is recommended for first-year students interested in learning to think like engineers.  Students considering the assistive technology:motor concentration or desiring an early introduction to the use of mathematics in engineering may wish to take Computer Engineering 8, Robot Automation, in their first quarter.

Courses required for all concentrations (lower-division, 7):

Mathematics 19-B, Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

Biomolecular Engineering 80G, Bioethics in the 21st Century: Science, Business, and Society

Chemistry and Biochemistry 1A, 1B/M General Chemistry

Biology (BIOL) 20A, Cell and Molecular Biology

Biology (BIOE) 20B, Development and Physiology

All concentrations also require physics and computer programming, but the details of  the requirements differ, due to the different needs of the concentrations (see below).

Courses required for all concentrations (upper-division, 4):

Biomolecular Engineering 101/L, Applied Circuits for Bioengineers

Computer Engineering 185, Technical Writing (satisfies the Disciplinary Communication requirement)

Applied Mathematics and Statistics 131, Introduction to Probability Theory

Applied Mathematics and Statistics 132, Classical and Bayesian Inference

Capstone requirement, all concentrations, 2-3 courses

All bioengineering students complete a senior capstone project in bioengineering, either as a group project or as an individual senior thesis doing research in a faculty laboratory. (Satisfies the campus comprehensive requirement.)

Biomolecular Engineering 123A-B, Bioengineering Project; or

Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering 129A-C, Capstone Project; or

Fifteen credits of independent study or senior thesis research, such as by completing three offerings of Biomolecular Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering 193 or 195; and Biomolecular Engineering 123T, Senior Thesis Presentation (2 credits).

Students pursuing the senior thesis option must seek approval of their project one year before graduation, typically spring quarter of the third year. Students spend three or more quarters working on their thesis projects. Thesis students must enroll in 123T, Senior Thesis Presentation, before completing their thesis.

Additional required courses for Biomolecular concentration (16 courses)

Biomolecular Engineering 5, Introduction to Biotechnology

Physics 5A/L or 6A/L, Introduction to Physics I or Introductory Physics I

Physics 5C/N or 6C/N, Introduction to Physics III or Introductory Physics III

Chemistry 1C/N, General Chemistry    

Chemistry 108A/L, Organic Chemistry

One of two three-course sequences in biochemistry or molecular biology. The first sequence is intended for students primarily interested in the design of proteins, while the second is intended for students interested in cellular engineering.

Chemistry 108B/M, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100A-B; or

Biology (BIOL) 100, Biology (BIOL) 101/L, and one of Biology 110L, Cell Biology Laboratory, 115L, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology Laboratory, or 120L, Development Laboratory

Biomolecular Engineering 160/L, Research Programming in the Life Sciences

One of three introductions to programming:

  • Computer Science 12A/L, Introduction to Programming/Laboratory; or Computer Science 5J, Introduction to Programming in Java and 11,  Intermediate Programming; or Computer Engineering 12/L, Computer Systems and Assembly Language/Laboratory and Computer Engineering 13/L, Computer Systems and C Programming/Laboratory

Biomolecular Engineering 110, Bioinformatics Tools

Biology (BIOL) 105, genetics

Biomolecular Engineering 150/L, Molecular Biomechanics/Laboratory

One of Biology 110, Cell Biology; Biology 115, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology; or Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 119, Microbiology.

Design elective from Baskin School of Engineering.

Upper-division elective from Baskin School of Engineering or Division of Physical and Biological Sciences.

Additional required courses for Bioelectronics concentration (16 courses)

Chemistry 1C/N, General Chemistry

Physics 5A/L, 5B/M, and 5C/N, Introduction to Physics I, II, and III

Mathematics 23A-B, Vector Calculus; or Mathematics 22, Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables 

Applied Mathematics and Statistics 10, Mathematical Methods for Engineers I

Applied Mathematics and Statistics 20, Mathematical Methods for Engineers II

Computer Engineering 12/L, Computer Systems and Assembly Language/Laboratory

Computer Engineering 13/L, Computer Systems and C Programming/Laboratory

Computer Engineering 100/L, Logic Design/Laboratory

Electrical Engineering 101/L, Introduction to Electronic Circuits/Laboratory

Electrical Engineering 103/L, Signals and Systems/Laboratory

Computer Engineering 167/L, Sensing and Sensor Technologies/Laboratory

Electrical Engineering 171/L, Analog Electronics/Laboratory

Biomolecular Engineering 140, Bioinstrumentation

One of Electrical Engineering 153, Digital Signal Processing, 130/L, Introduction to Optoelectronics and Photonics/Laboratory, or 172, Advanced Analog Circuits; or Computer Engineering 141, Feedback Control Systems

Additional required courses for Assistive Technology: Motor concentration (16 courses)     

Computer Engineering 80A, Universal Access: Disability, Technology, and Society

Physics 5A/L and 5C/N, Introduction to Physics I/Laboratory and Physics III/Laboratory

Computer Engineering 9, Introduction to Statics Dynamics & Biomechanics

Mathematics 23A-B, Vector Valculus; or Math 22, Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables

Applied Mathematics and Statistics 10, Mathematical Methods for Engineers I

Applied Mathematics and Statistics 20, Mathematical Methods for Engineers II

Computer Engineering 12/L, Computer Systems and Assembly Language/Laboratory

Computer Engineering 13/L, Computer Systems and C Programming/Laboratory

Computer Engineering 100/L, Logic Design/Laboratory

Biology (BIOL) 135/L, Functional Anatomy/Laboratory

Computer Engineering 118/L, Introduction to Mechatronics/Laboratory

Electrical Engineering 101/L, Introduction to Electronic Circuits/Laboratory

Electrical Engineering 103/L, Signals and Systems/Laboratory

Computer Engineering 167/L, Sensing and Sensor Technologies/Laboratory

Upper-division elective from Baskin School of Engineering or Division of Physical and Biological Sciences. 

Additional required courses for Assistive Technology: Cognitive/Perceptual concentration (16 courses)

Computer Engineering 80A, Universal Access: Disability, Technology, and Society

Physics 5A/L or 6A/L, Introduction to Physics I/Laboratory or Introductory Physics I/Laboratory

Physics 5B/M or 6B/M, Introduction to Physics I/Laboratory or Introductory Physics II/Laboratory

Physics 5C/N or 6C/N, Introduction to Physics III/Laboratory or Introductory Physics III/Laboratory

Mathematics 23A-B, Vector Calculus; or Mathematics 22, Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables

Applied Mathematics and Statistics 7/L, Statistical Methods for the Biological, Environmental, and Health Sciences/Laboratory

One of three introductions to programming:

  • Computer Science 12A/L, Introduction to Programming/Laboratory; or
  • Computer Science 5J, Introduction to Programming in Java and 11, Intermediate Programming; or
  • Computer Engineering 12/L, Computer Systems and Assembly Language/Laboratory and Computer Engineering 13/L, Computer Systems and C Programming/Laboratory

Computer Science 12B/M, Introduction to Data Structures/Laboratory

Computer Science 109, Advanced Programming

Psychology 20A, Cognition: Fundamental Theories

Psychology 100, Research Methods in Psychology

Two upper-division Psychology courses selected from the following:

  • Psychology 120, Visual and Spatial Cognition
  • Psychology 121, Perception
  • Psychology 123, Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Psychology 128, Human Factors
  • Psychology 129, Human Learning and Memory

Computer Engineering 131, Human Computer Interaction

Computer Engineering 161, Mobile Sensing and Interaction

Upper-division elective from Baskin School of Engineering, Division of Physical and Biological Sciences, or Psychology.

Exit Requirement

Students are required to submit a portfolio, exit survey, and exit interview.

The portfolios must be turned in electronically as PDF files by the last day of the quarter of graduation, and will be reviewed quarterly by the undergraduate director.

Portfolios must contain the following:

  • 1) A substantial written report on a design project. This is typically satisfied by a senior thesis, a written capstone project report, or a report from the Applied Circuits for Bioengineers course.
  • 2) Slides from a substantial verbal presentation. This is typically satisfied by a capstone design presentation, Molecular Biomechanics, Stem Cell Engineering, or other design courses.
  • 3) A research poster. This is typically satisfied by a senior thesis poster or a capstone design project poster, presented at the undergraduate poster symposium.

The three parts of the portfolio should represent at least two different design projects. If a senior thesis is completed, it must be provided as the written report.  If a capstone project is completed, it must be provided as one (or more) of the three submissions.

Exit interviews are scheduled during the last week of the quarter by the Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE) advising office, generally as small group interviews.

Bioengineering Major Planners

The following sample academic plans show possible courses of study for a bioengineering major. The first plan follows the biomolecular engineering concentration, the second the bioelectronics concentration, the third the assistive technology: motor concentration, and the fourth the assistive technology: cognitive/perceptual concentration. 

All plans assume that students are ready for calculus and advanced computer programming courses when they start. Those who need to take precalculus or the CMPS 5J+11 programming series may not be able to complete the entire program within four years.

Students should consider taking courses during the summer to ensure timely completion of the degree. Courses planned to be taken at institutions other than UCSC require pre-approval by the undergraduate director.

All students should meet quarterly with an adviser from the School of Engineering Undergraduate Advising Office to review their finished and planned courses, as schedules and prerequisites change frequently. Any electives should be chosen well ahead of time, to ensure that prerequisites can be scheduled.

Plan One (biomolecular engineering)

Year

Fall

Winter

Spring

1st (frosh)

college core

BME 5

gen ed (C2)

MATH 19A

MATH 19B

BIOL 20A

CHEM 1A

CHEM 1B/M

CHEM 1C/N

BME 88A

2nd (soph)

BME 80G

PHYS 6C/N

PHYS 5A/L

BIOE 20B

BIOL 105

CHEM 108/L

CHEM108B/M

BME 160/L

3rd (jr)

BMB 100A

BMB 100B

BME 150/L

CMPS 12A/L

CMPE 185

BME 101/L

BME 110

gen ed

AMS 131

4th (sr)

BME 195

BME 195

BME 195

BIOL 110

AMS 132

BME 128

elective

BME 123T

gen ed

 

Plan Two (bioelectronics)

Year

Fall

Winter

Spring

1st (frosh)

college core

CMPE 12/L

CMPE 13/L

MATH 19A

MATH 19B

MATH 22

PHYS 5A/L

PHYS 5B/M

PHYS 5C/N

BME 88A

2nd (soph)

CHEM 1A

CHEM 1B/M

CHEM 1C/N

AMS 10

AMS 20

gen ed (C2)

BME 80G

EE 101/L

EE 103/L

3rd (jr)

BIOL 20A

CMPE 100/L

EE 171/L

CMPE 185

CMPE 167/L

BME 101/L

BIOE 20B

AMS 131

4th (sr)

EE 129A

EE 129B

EE 129C

BME 140

EE 130/L

gen ed

gen ed

AMS 132

gen ed

Plan Three (assistive technology: motor)

Year

Fall

Winter

Spring

1st (frosh)

college core

gen ed (C2)

CMPE 80A

MATH 19A

MATH 19B

MATH 22

PHYS 5A/L

PHYS 5C/N

2nd (soph)

BME 80G

BME 101/L

CMPE 12/L

CMPE 13/L

CMPE 100/L

AMS 10

CMPE 9

AMS 20

3rd (jr)

EE 101/L

gen ed

EE 103/L

CHEM 1A

CHEM 1B/M

BIOL 20A

gen ed

CMPE 185

AMS 131

4th (sr)

CMPE 129A

CMPE 129B

CMPE 129C

CMPE 118/L

AMS 132

PBSci/BSoE elective

BIOE 20B

CMPE 167/L

BIOL 135/L

Plan four (assistive technology: cognitive/perceptual)

Year

Fall

Winter

Spring

1st (frosh)

college core

gen ed (C2)

CMPE 80A

MATH 19A

MATH 19B

MATH 22

PHYS 5A/L

PHYS 5B/M

PHYS 5C/N

2nd (soph)

CHEM 1A

CHEM 1B/M

BIOL 20A

BME 80G

CMPS 12A/L

CMPS 12B/M

AMS 7/L

PSYCH 100

BME 101/L

3rd (jr)

PSYCH 20A

PSYCH 123

PSYCH 120

BIOE 20B

CMPE 131

CMPS 109

CMPE 161

AMS 131

4th (sr)

CMPE 195

CMPE 195

CMPE 195

CMPE 185

AMS 132

elective

gen ed

gen ed

gen ed

BME 123T

 

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Revised: 09/01/14