Bioengineering
2015-16 General Catalog
Baskin School of Engineering
335 Baskin Engineering Building
(831) 459-2158
http://www.beng.soe.ucsc.edu
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: a two-quarter group project intended to prepare students for work in industry, a summer full-time synthetic biology project based on the iGEM competition, or a three-quarter senior thesis intended to prepare students for Ph.D. research. All 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.
Program Learning Outcomes
A bioengineering student completing the program should:
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have a broad knowledge of science and engineering disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics, and computer science;
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be able to apply their broad knowledge to identify, formulate, and solve engineering design problems;
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be able to find and use information from a variety of sources, including books, journal articles, online encyclopedias, and manufacturer data sheets;
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be able to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
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be able to communicate problems, experiments, and design solutions in writing, orally, and as posters; and
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be able to apply ethical reasoning to make decisions about engineering methods and solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.
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 faculty adviser or 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 19A-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 or Biomolecular Engineering 185, Technical Writing
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.)
Note that the Technical Writing requirement is a prerequisite for all the capstone options, including the senior thesis. The group project courses all have additional prerequisites that may not be met with just the required courses in a concentration. Students are responsible for ensuring that they meet the prerequisites for whichever capstone they choose.
Most students in the Assistive Technology: Cognitive/Perceptual concentration will need to do a senior thesis, because of the number of additional prerequisites they would need to take for any of the group project courses.
Capstone Sequences
Biomolecular Engineering 123A-B, Bioengineering Project; or
Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering 129A-C, Capstone Project; or
BME 180, Professional Practice in Bioengineering (2 credits), and BME 188, Synthetic Biology—Mentored Research (10 credits); or
Fifteen credits of independent study (198), Field Study (193), or senior thesis research (195), in biomolecular engineering, computer engineering, or electrical engineering; 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; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BIOC) 100A-B; and Biology (BIOL) 101L, Molecular Biology Laboratory; or
Biology (BIOL) 100, Biochemistry; Biology (BIOL) 101/L, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Laboratory; and one of Biology 110L, Cell Biology Laboratory; 115L, Eukaryotic Molecular Biology Laboratory; or 120L, Development Laboratory
One of three introductions to programming:
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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
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Biomolecular Engineering 160/L, Research Programming in the Life Sciences
Biomolecular Engineering 110, Bioinformatics Tools
Biology (BIOL) 105, genetics
Biomolecular Engineering 150, Molecular Biomechanics
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, 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 upper-division computer or electrical engineering elective approved by the faculty adviser
Additional required courses for Assistive Technology: Motor concentration (16 courses)
Computer Engineering 80A, Universal Access: Disability, Technology, and Society, or Computer Engineering 8, Robot Automation: Intelligence Through Feedback Control
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, Vector Calculus; 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
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology (METX) 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, 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:
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Computer Science 12A/L, Introduction to Programming/Laboratory; or
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Computer Science 5J, Introduction to Programming in Java and 11, Intermediate Programming; or
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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:
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Psychology 120, Visual and Spatial Cognition
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Psychology 121, Perception
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Psychology 123, Cognitive Neuroscience
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Psychology 128, Human Factors
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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.
Disciplinary Communication
The Disciplinary Communication requirement is satisfied by the Technical Writing course (CMPE 185 or BME 185) plus the capstone requirement, though oral presentation and writing are integrated throughout the upper-division coursework. The portfolio in the exit requirement is a verification of disciplinary communication in several different forms.
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:
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1) A substantial written report on a design project. This is typically satisfied by a senior thesis, a written capstone project report, or a design report from the Applied Circuits for Bioengineers course.
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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.
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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 |
gen ed |
PHYS 5C/N |
|
PHYS 5A/L |
BIOE 20B |
BIOL 105 |
|
|
CHEM 108A/L |
CHEM 108B/M |
BME 160/L |
|
|
3rd (jr) |
BIOC 100A |
BIOC 100B |
BME 150 |
|
CMPS 12A/L |
BME 185 |
BME 101/L |
|
|
BME 110 |
BIOL 101L |
BIOL 110 |
|
|
4th (sr) |
BME 195 |
BME 195 |
BME 195 |
|
AMS 131 |
AMS 132 |
BME 128/L |
|
|
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 |
BME 101/L |
|||||
|
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 |
CMPE 100/L |
|||||
|
3rd (jr) |
BIOL 20A |
CMPE 100/L |
EE 171/L |
||||
|
CMPE 185 |
CMPE 167/L |
EE 103/L |
|||||
| CMPE 121/L |
BIOE 20B |
gen ed |
|||||
|
4th (sr) |
EE 129A |
EE 129B |
EE 129C |
||||
|
BME 140 |
AMS 132 |
MATH 23A |
|||||
|
AMS 131 |
gen ed |
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 |
BME 88A |
PHYS 5C/N |
|
|
2nd (soph) |
BME 80G |
AMS 20 |
BME 101/L |
|
CMPE 12/L |
CMPE 13/L |
CMPE 100/L |
|
|
AMS 10 |
CMPE 9 |
gen ed |
|
|
3rd (jr) |
EE 101/L |
gen ed |
EE 103/L |
|
CHEM 1A |
CHEM 1B/M |
BIOL 20A |
|
|
AMS 131 |
CMPE 185 |
PBSci/BSoE elective |
|
|
4th (sr) |
CMPE 129A |
CMPE 129B |
CMPE 129C |
|
CMPE 118/L |
AMS 132 |
gen ed |
|
|
BIOE 20B |
CMPE 167/L |
METX 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 |
PSYC 100 |
BME 101/L |
|
|
3rd (jr) |
PSYC 20A |
PSYC 120 |
PSYC 128 |
|
BIOE 20B |
CMPE 131 |
CMPS 109 |
|
|
gen ed |
CMPE 161 |
gen ed |
|
|
4th (sr) |
CMPE 195 |
CMPE 195 |
CMPE 195 |
|
CMPE 185 |
AMS 132 |
elective |
|
|
AMS 131 |
gen ed |
gen ed |
|
|
BME 123T |
Revised: 09/01/15
