Undergraduate
Undergraduate Experience
Quick Links
Graduate
Graduate Experience
Quick Links
Research
Research by Program Area
Quick Links
Bachelor's Degrees
Undergraduate Experience
Quick Links
Graduate Experience
Quick Links
Research by Program Area
Quick Links
Biomedical engineering is the broad area of study in which engineers use an interdisciplinary approach to solve problems in the medical field, oftentimes associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems. The breadth of solution methodologies requires biomedical engineers to take a quantitative approach to system analysis in "traditional" engineering fields, while simultaneously employing a fundamental understanding of the relevant life sciences. Biomedical engineers should be prepared to design, build, test, and/or analyze biological systems, diagnostics, devices, and treatment modalities. Examples of current areas of research and education include:
A variety of logical, interdisciplinary course sequences allow thematic approaches to the above areas (eg. biology-based, physics-based, computer-based, mechanics/materials-based, etc.).
Biological engineering exists at the interface of engineering, biological, and chemical sciences. This interdisciplinary field brings to bear fundamental design principles to both elucidate and modulate the function of biological systems, ranging in scale from molecular to cellular to whole organisms. The bioengineer’s toolbox may include skills such as modeling, big data analysis, genetics, process design, biochemistry, and molecular, micro, and cellular biology. By designing, engineering, and optimizing biological systems, bioengineers and biotechnologists are seeking to tackle key unmet needs in medicine, agriculture, industry, the environment, consumer markets, etc.
These assume that ENGS 35: Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering is taken as a Gateway course.
Chemical engineering is a foundational field that is centered on designing and optimizing processes that involve the physical and chemical transformation of matter. The chemical engineer’s toolbox may include skills such as process design, heat and mass transfer, chemical transformations and kinetics, molecular and cellular biology, and others. By designing and optimizing processes, chemical engineers tackle broad problems in biological, chemical, energy, and environmental systems.
These assume that ENGS 36: Chemical Engineering is taken as a Gateway course.
Computer engineering is a rapidly expanding field that is focused on designing, building, and analyzing computational and networked information processing systems. A computer engineer understands the hardware, software, and applications environment of computing systems. As a result, computer engineers must be familiar with computer architectures, networks, and applications software as well as modeling and analysis techniques for such systems including machine learning, complex systems, and artificial intelligence. Computer engineers are involved in modern systems ranging from mobile social networking applications to highly autonomous vehicles to smart sensor networks to biomedical and smart energy devices.
These assume that ENGS 31: Digital Electronics is taken as a Gateway course.
Students interested in computer science and engineering can pursue a computer science major either modified with engineering studies or paired with an engineering sciences minor, then continue to the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) program.
The sample programs below are examples of what can be done. Interested students should plan their programs in consultation with a professor in each department to ensure that all degree requirements are met.
This sample program shows the courses for the computer science major plus engineering sciences minor and the BE program with a computer engineering concentration.
This sample program shows the courses for the computer science major modified with engineering and the BE program with a computer engineering concentration.
Electrical engineering harnesses the phenomena of electricity to develop technologies ranging from semiconductor devices to advanced communication networks. There are numerous subfields within this very broad discipline, all built on the foundations of mathematics and computer science, physical and life sciences, electromagnetics, electronics, and systems. The sample BE program reflects this breadth and begins to cultivate depth in certain areas. Graduate study at the MS and PhD level enables further specialization. Students are urged to meet with a faculty advisor to work out a plan of study within the guidelines of the sample program.
Mathematics and Basic Science Applied Math
Mathematics and Basic Science Electives
Engineering Electives
Energy is a major determinant of world events and quality of life. Energy engineering brings to bear the spectrum of engineering disciplines on challenges and opportunities involving energy, recognizing social, political, and economic contexts. This area of study aims to increase the efficiency of energy conversion, storage, transmission, and utilization, to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy sources, and to improve access to and management of energy systems. Students are encouraged to develop depth in one or more technical areas along with a broad understanding of energy technologies, systems, challenges, and opportunities.
Environmental engineering is the application of fundamental knowledge in mathematics, natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology), and various disciplines of engineering (mostly civil, mechanical, and chemical engineering) to solve problems and address challenges at the intersection of technology with nature. The overarching objective is to protect the environment and ensure sustainability. Problems and challenges are typicaly of two types, (1) post-technology remediation or treatment, and (2) prevention or reduction of impacts by environmentally conscious design. A systems approach prevails in both types. The environmental engineer is quintessentially an interdisciplinary engineer.
Mathematics and Basic Science Applied Math
Mathematics and Basic Science Electives
The study of materials science and engineering relates the properties of materials—chemical, electrical, magnetic, mechanical, optical—to their internal architecture or microstructure. In turn, the structure is related to processing—solidification, thermal/mechanical treatment, vapor deposition, etc.—and to the underlying thermodynamic "driving forces" and kinetics that underlie changes in structure and hence in properties and behavior. Fundamental to the study are both qualitative and quantitative methods of microstructural analysis.
Computer Science (1 or 2 courses)
Core (5 courses)
Gateway (2 courses)
Engineering Electives (4 courses)
Undergraduate Mezzanine Course (1 course)
Upper-Level Courses (3 courses)
Capstone Design Project (2 courses)
Mechanical engineers apply principles of engineering to the design, analysis, and manufacture of machines ranging from power systems, industrial equipment, and vehicles to athletic equipment and medical devices. Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines, and as such, mechanical engineering programs should include mechanics, materials, thermal and fluid systems, and systems and controls. Programs should be planned in consultation with your faculty advisor.
Mathematics and Basic Science Electives
Engineering Common Core
Engineering Electives
Students interested in physics and engineering can major in engineering physics, or physics with an engineering sciences minor, then continue to the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) program.
The sample programs below are examples of what can be done. Interested students should plan their programs in consultation with a professor in each department to ensure that all degree requirements are met.
This sample program shows the courses for the engineering physics major and the BE program with a mechanical engineering concentration.
This sample program shows the courses for the physics major plus the engineering sciences minor and the BE program with an electrical engineering (electronics) concentration.
For more information about AB-BE Programs, or any other related questions, contact Professor Doug Van Citters, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education.
