Curriculum

 

Since its introduction in 2005, the BE SB degree program has set an international standard for educating undergraduates in the “Measure, Mine, Model, Manipulate, and Make” engineering paradigm applied to biology.  

The BE SB—built on foundation of engineering math, computer science, and physics; organic, biological, and physical chemistry; and molecular cell biology and genetics—includes core subjects in multi-scale analysis of biological processes (from both mechanistic and “big data” perspectives), methods for measurement from molecular to tissue scales, and integration of biological, chemical, and physical processes such as convection, diffusion and reaction in microfluidic devices.  Students complement core studies with a capstone design course and 3 advanced technical subjects in concentration areas ranging from ‘Computational & Systems Biology’ to ‘Synthetic Biology & Biological Circuit Design’.  Many students participate in the iGEM (international Genetic Engineered Machines) competition, which has its origins in one of the required BE SB laboratory subjects. The entire curriculum is strongly infused with communication and leadership skills.