Bioengineering (BS)
This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2020–Spring 2021 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.
Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering
Unit: Speed School of Engineering (SS)
Department: Bioengineering
Academic Plan Code(s): BE_ _BBE
Program Information
Bioengineering is a relatively new engineering discipline when compared to the long-standing traditions of other fields of engineering. A bioengineer uses traditional engineering skills and tools to analyze and solve problems in biology and medicine. Bioengineers interact with biologists, biochemists, physicians, physiologists, and therapists to design, develop and manufacture instruments, devices, and software, or to develop new procedures to solve clinical problems.
The Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering degree is designed to provide students with a rigorous education grounded in basic mathematics and sciences traditional to all engineering programs, but focuses additionally on chemistry, biology and physiology, and the opportunity to gain practical experience within the biomedical or bioengineering industry. In the early part of their academic program, students are exposed to fundamentals of engineering and design in mechanical and electrical engineering before proceeding to core Bioengineering classes.
Students specializing in Bioengineering will complete a program consisting of two semesters in Engineering Fundamentals and a further period of study in the Department of Bioengineering – nine semesters in Departmental Studies to complete the Bachelor of Science degree, followed by a fifth year in Graduate Studies for the Master of Engineering degree. This curriculum is designed as an integrated five-year program, with a cooperative education component, culminating in the Master of Engineering degree.
The Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, www.abet.org. The Master of Engineering in Bioengineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, www.abet.org.
Degree Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements 1 | 31 | |
(19 hours of General Education requirements may be satisfied through coursework required by the degree program) | ||
| College/School Requirements 1 | 38 | |
| Program/Major Requirements | 53 | |
| Supporting Courses | 25 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 128 | |
| 1 | Some courses required in this degree program satisfy multiple requirements. To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed, some hours from the General Education Requirements must be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. Using other courses to satisfy General Education requirements will require additional hours to complete the degree requirements. See the Degree Requirements and/or Track tabs for specific coursework. |
Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.
General Education Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | 31 | |
| The following courses are required by the program and satisfy the respective General Education Requirement(s): | ||
| General Chemistry I - S | ||
| Introduction to Chemical Analysis I - SL | ||
| Introduction to Public Speaking - OC | ||
or COMM 112 | Business and Professional Speaking - OC | |
| Introduction to College Writing - WC | ||
| Intermediate College Writing - WC | ||
| Engineering Analysis I - QR | ||
| Introductory Mechanics, Heat and Sound - S | ||
All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above). To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed on the Overview tab, some hours from the General Education Requirements must be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program.
College/School Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Speed School Core 1 | ||
| CHEM 201 | General Chemistry I - S 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 207 | Introduction to Chemical Analysis I - SL 1 | 1 |
| Select one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Public Speaking - OC | ||
| Business and Professional Speaking - OC | ||
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to College Writing - WC 1,2 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Intermediate College Writing - WC 1,2 | 3 |
| ENGR 101 | Engineering Analysis I - QR 1 | 4 |
| ENGR 102 | Engineering Analysis II | 4 |
| ENGR 110 | Engineering Methods, Tools, and Practice I | 2 |
| ENGR 111 | Engineering Methods, Tools and Practice ll | 2 |
| PHYS 298 | Introductory Mechanics, Heat and Sound - S 1 | 4 |
| Engineering Fundamentals | ||
| ENGR 151 | Engineering Graphics Technology | 1 |
| ENGR 201 | Engineering Analysis III | 4 |
| ENGR 205 | Differential Equations for Engineering | 2 |
| ENGR 330 | Linear Algebra for Engineering | 2 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 38 | |
Program/Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bioengineering Department 3, 4 | ||
| BE 101 | Introduction to Bioengineering | 1 |
| BE 288 | Bioengineering Co-op Education Seminar | 0 |
| BE 289 | Bioengineering Co-op Education I | 1 |
| BE 310 | Biotransport Phenomena | 3 |
| BE 322 | Circuits and Devices for Bioengineers | 3 |
| BE 340 | Computational Methodologies in Bioengineering | 3 |
| BE 354 | Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| BE 359 | Cell and Molecular Biology for Bioengineers | 3 |
| BE 360 | Biomechanics Principles | 3 |
| BE 389 | Bioengineering Co-op Education II | 1 |
| BE 420 | Biosystems & Signals | 3 |
| BE 423 | Bioengineering Measurements Laboratory | 2 |
| BE 430 | Biosystems Controls | 3 |
| BE 450 | Biomaterials & Biocompatibility | 3 |
| BE 489 | Bioengineering Co-op Education III | 1 |
| BE 491 | Economics, Ethics & FDA Regulations | 3 |
| BE 497 | Bioengineering Design Project - CUE | 3 |
| Bioengineering Electives (select 9 credit hours from the following): 4 | 9 | |
| Introduction to Molecular Bioengineering | ||
| Biomechanics of Tissues and Organs | ||
| Biomedical Device Design | ||
| Special Topics in Bioengineering | ||
| Biomedical Acoustics | ||
| LabVIEW for Bioengineers | ||
| Machine Learning in Medicine | ||
| Medical Image Computing | ||
| Gene and Drug Delivery | ||
| Introduction to Tissue Engineering | ||
| Nanoscale Bioengineering: Application and Methodology of Nanobiomaterials in Bioengineering | ||
| Advanced Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing for Bioengineers | ||
| Independent Study in Bioengineering | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Advanced Biochemistry I | ||
| Advanced Biochemistry II | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Advanced Biochemistry I | ||
| Advanced Biochemistry II | ||
| Quality Control | ||
| Machine Design I | ||
| Bioengineering Core | ||
| CHEM 202 | General Chemistry II - S | 3 |
| CHEM 208 | Introduction to Chemical Analysis II - SL | 1 |
| CHEM 209 | Introduction to Chemical Analysis III | 1 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 53 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting Courses | ||
| BIOL 240 | Unity of Life - S | 3 |
| CEE 205 | Mechanics I: Statics | 3 |
| CHEM 341 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| IE 360 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| ME 206 | Mechanics II: Dynamics | 3 |
| ME 251 | Thermodynamics I | 3 |
| PHYS 295 | Introductory Laboratories I - SL | 1 |
| PHYS 299 | Introductory Electricity, Magnetism and Light | 4 |
| Minimum Total Hours | 25 | |
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree must be in Good Standing (university GPA ≥ 2.25) and must attain a grade point average of at least 2.25 for all courses used to satisfy degree requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Culminating Undergraduate Experience (Graduation requirement) | ||
| Requirement fulfilled by completing: | ||
| Bioengineering Design Project - CUE | ||
| 1 | This course is a General Education requirement for the program; see louisville.edu/provost/ger/ for the listing, by academic year, of AH/D1/D2/SB/SBH Electives which satisfy the University-wide General Education requirements. Note that the 12-hour total for the AH/D1/D2/SB/SBH electives assumes the use of double counting of D1/D2 with another category. |
| 2 | Students completing ENGL 105 in lieu of ENGL 101 or ENGL 102 satisfy the General Education and Engineering Fundamentals requirements for Written Communication. However, an additional 3-hr Writing (WR) course or honors Written Communication (WC) course may be needed to satisfy program credit hour requirements. |
| 3 | A student is allowed to accumulate no more than two D+ or lower grades in BE prefixed courses (including BE approved elective courses) to graduate with a baccalaureate degree. If a student accumulates any D+ or lower grade, it is strongly recommended that the course be repeated to earn a better grade before proceeding to the next course in the sequence. If a student accumulates a third D+ or lower grade, the student is required to repeat the course to earn a better grade. |
| 4 | A maximum of one non-BE course can be taken as an elective. Students must meet all course prerequisites. The courses chosen to fulfill this elective requirement cannot be used to satisfy any other program or degree requirements. |
Flight Plan
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| CHEM 201 | General Chemistry I - S | 3 |
| CHEM 207 | Introduction to Chemical Analysis I - SL | 1 |
| CHEM 208 | Introduction to Chemical Analysis II - SL | 1 |
| ENGL 101 | Introduction to College Writing - WC | 3 |
| ENGR 101 | Engineering Analysis I - QR | 4 |
| ENGR 110 | Engineering Methods, Tools, and Practice I | 2 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, or Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Persepective US Diversity - AHD1, SBD1, or SBHD1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BE 101 | Introduction to Bioengineering | 1 |
| CHEM 202 | General Chemistry II - S | 3 |
| CHEM 209 | Introduction to Chemical Analysis III | 1 |
| ENGL 102 | Intermediate College Writing - WC | 3 |
| ENGR 102 | Engineering Analysis II | 4 |
| ENGR 111 | Engineering Methods, Tools and Practice ll | 2 |
| PHYS 298 | Introductory Mechanics, Heat and Sound - S | 4 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Summer | ||
| CEE 205 | Mechanics I: Statics | 3 |
| ENGR 151 | Engineering Graphics Technology | 1 |
| ENGR 201 | Engineering Analysis III | 4 |
| PHYS 295 | Introductory Laboratories I - SL | 1 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, or Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Persepective - AH, SB, or SBH | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BIOL 240 | Unity of Life - S | 3 |
| CHEM 341 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| ENGR 205 | Differential Equations for Engineering | 2 |
| ME 206 | Mechanics II: Dynamics | 3 |
| ME 251 | Thermodynamics I | 3 |
| PHYS 299 | Introductory Electricity, Magnetism and Light | 4 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| BE 288 | Bioengineering Co-op Education Seminar | 0 |
| BE 310 | Biotransport Phenomena | 3 |
| BE 354 | Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| BE 359 | Cell and Molecular Biology for Bioengineers | 3 |
| BE 360 | Biomechanics Principles | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, or Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Persepective - AH, SB, or SBH | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Summer | ||
| BE 322 | Circuits and Devices for Bioengineers | 3 |
| BE 340 | Computational Methodologies in Bioengineering | 3 |
| BE 450 | Biomaterials & Biocompatibility | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Public Speaking - OC | ||
| Business and Professional Speaking - OC | ||
| Hours | 12 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BE 289 | Bioengineering Co-op Education I | 1 |
| Hours | 1 | |
| Spring | ||
| BE 420 | Biosystems & Signals | 3 |
| BE 423 | Bioengineering Measurements Laboratory | 2 |
| Bioengineering Elective I | 3 | |
| CHEM 343 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| ENGR 330 | Linear Algebra for Engineering | 2 |
| IE 360 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities, Social & Behavioral Sciences, or Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Persepective - AH, SB, or SBH | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Summer | ||
| BE 389 | Bioengineering Co-op Education II | 1 |
| Hours | 1 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| BE 430 | Biosystems Controls | 3 |
| BE 491 | Economics, Ethics & FDA Regulations | 3 |
| BE 497 | Bioengineering Design Project - CUE | 3 |
| Bioengineering Elective II | 3 | |
| Bioengineering Elective III | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BE 489 | Bioengineering Co-op Education III | 1 |
| Hours | 1 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 128 | |
Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan. What-if reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan. Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.
To create either report:
- Log into your ULink account.
- Click on the Student Services tab.
- Next, click on "View my Academic Advisement Report" to run a Degree Audit report in the Undergraduate Advising area.
- To create a What-if report, click on "Create a What-if Advisement Report."
Click here to run a Degree Audit report, or create a What-if report.
Flight Planner
Based on your major, the Flight Planner tool may be available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan. The Flight Planner can be found in the ULink Student Center. Consult with your advisor for assistance with the Flight Planner.
The Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering (BE BBE) program prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure. If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree.
More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website: https://louisville.edu/oapa/licensure-information (you may search by school or by the name of the program then click on 'View Details' to display the information).
For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: http://louisville.edu/online/About-Us (please scroll down near the bottom of the page and lick on the licensing disclosures tab).
