Computer Science + Bioengineering, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Bioengineering


Students in the Computer Science + Bioengineering (CS+BioE) Bachelor of Science degree program will develop an integrative understanding of computational and bioengineering principles in order to analyze biomedical data, construct models of biological systems, and design and implement advanced diagnostic and therapeutic techniques to improve human health. As a joint offering through the Departments of Bioengineering and Computer Science, CS+BioE students will receive a rigorous engineering education that prepares graduates to:

  • recognition as skilled engineers in biotechnology, life sciences, medical technology, and health care industries;
  • advanced degrees through graduate studies in computer science and bioengineering-related fields, or professional degrees in the health sciences, law, and business; and
  • recognition for fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment while demonstrating leadership and effective teamwork within diverse professional and community organizations.

In the first and second years, the curriculum provides students with thorough foundations in scientific computing practices as well as introductory bioengineering concepts. In the third and fourth years, technical and free electives facilitate the study of diverse modern applications of computing in medicine and the life sciences so that students are prepared to address emerging problems throughout their careers.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Bioengineering


Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours.
Minimum Overall GPA: 2.0
Minimum Technical GPA: 2.0
TGPA is required for CS, BIOE, and Math courses. See Technical GPA to clarify requirements.

University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
fulfilled by CHEM 102 or MCB 150; and PHYS 211, PHYS 212
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15

Major Requirements:
Orientation and Professional Development

ENG 100Grainger Engineering Orientation Seminar (External transfer students take ENG 300.)1
BIOE 100Bioengineering Seminar1
BIOE 120Introduction to Bioengineering1
Highly recommended, optional 1 credit hour course, CS 100 Freshman Orientation. Credit hour counts toward free electives.
Total Hours3

Foundational Mathematics and Science  

MATH 221Calculus I (MATH 220 may be substituted. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus. 4 of 5 credit hours count towards degree.)4
MATH 231Calculus II3
MATH 241Calculus III4
MATH 257Linear Algebra with Computational Applications3
or BIOE 210 Linear Algebra for Biomedical Data Science
MATH 285Intro Differential Equations3
PHYS 211University Physics: Mechanics4
PHYS 212University Physics: Elec & Mag4
Choose one of the following:4
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Lab I
OR
Molecular & Cellular Basis of Life
BIOE 310Computational Tools for Biological Data3
Total Hours32

 Computer Science Core

CS 124Introduction to Computer Science I3
CS 128Introduction to Computer Science II3
CS 173Discrete Structures3
CS 222Software Design Lab1
CS 225Data Structures4
Choose one of the following options:8-9
Computer Architecture
and System Programming
OR
Introduction to Computer Systems
& Two CS 400-level courses
Any two (2) 400-level CS courses above CS 403, excluding CS 491 and distinct from any 400-level courses taken to satisfy other requirements. If either or both of the courses are chosen for 4 credits, the extra credit hours will count towards free electives.
CS 374Introduction to Algorithms & Models of Computation4
CS 357Numerical Methods I3
or CS 421 Programming Languages & Compilers
CS Technical ElectiveAny 400-level CS course above CS 403, excluding CS 491 and distinct from any 400-level courses taken to satisfy other requirements.3
Total Hours32-33

Bioengineering Core

BIOE 205Signals & Systems in Bioengrg3
BIOE 206Cellular Bioengineering3
or BIOE 302 Modeling Human Physiology
BIOE 404CS+BIOE Senior Design4
Total Hours10

 Bioengineering Technical Electives

Select 15 hours of technical elective credit from the below list:15
BIOE 303Quantitative Physiology Lab2
BIOE 360Transport & Flow in Bioengrg3
BIOE 414Biomedical Instrumentation3
BIOE 415Biomedical Instrumentation Lab2
BIOE 430Intro Synthetic Biology3 or 4
BIOE 461Cellular Biomechanics4
BIOE 467Biophotonics3
BIOE 476Tissue Engineering3
BIOE 479Cancer Nanotechnology3
BIOE 483Biomedical Computed Imaging Systems3 or 4
BIOE 484Statistical Analysis of Biomedical Images3 or 4
BIOE 485Computational Mathematics for Machine Learning and Imaging4
BIOE 486Applied Deep Learning for Biomedical Imaging3 or 4
BIOE 487Stem Cell Bioengineering3 or 4
BIOE 488Applied High-Performance Computing for Imaging Science3
BIOE 489Regulations, Ethics and Logistics in Biomedical Applications of Machine Learning3 or 4
BIOE 498Special Topics (courses as approved by the department)1 to 4

Upper Division Technical Electives 

Students should select 6 hours of 300-400 level general technical elective coursework from the following rubrics: AE, ABE, BIOE, CHBE, CHEM, CS, CEE, ECE, IE, MCB, MATH, ME, NE, NEUR, NPRE, PHYS, SE, STAT, and TAM.6
Total Hours6

Free Electives

Additional coursework, subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree.13-14
Total Minimum Hours of Curriculum to Graduate128

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Bioengineering


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

Free Electives: Additional course work, subject to the Grainger College of Engineering restrictions to Free Electives, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ENG 1001MATH 2313
BIOE 1001BIOE 1201
MATH 221 (MATH 220 may be substituted)4PHYS 2114
CS 1243CS 1283
Composition I or General Education (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation)4CS 1733
CHEM 102 (& CHEM 103) or (MCB 150)3General Education (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) or Composition I3
 16 17
Total Hours 33
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
MATH 2414MATH 2853
PHYS 2124MATH 257 or BIOE 2103
CS 2221CS 233 or 3404
CS 2254BIOE 2053
General Education (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation)3General Education (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation)3
 16 16
Total Hours 32
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
CS 341 (or CS Technical Elective course)4CS 3744
BIOE 2063BIOE 3103
BIOE Technical Elective course3BIOE Technical Elective course3
Free Elective course2CS Technical Elective course3
Language Other than English (3rd level)4Upper Division Technical Elective course3
 16 16
Total Hours 32
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
CS 357 or 4213BIOE 404 (or General Education - choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course that is also Advanced Composition))4
BIOE Technical Elective course3BIOE Technical Elective course3
BIOE Technical Elective course3Upper Division Technical Elective course3
Free Elective course3Free Elective course or CS Technical Elective course3
General Education (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course that is also Advanced Composition) or BIOE 4043Free Elective course3
 15 16
Total Hours 31

Total Hours: 128

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Bioengineering


The Computer Science + Bioengineering Program prepares graduates to achieve the following seven outcomes by the time of graduation:

  1.  An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of computational bioengineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analysis and interpretation of data, and to use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science + Bioengineering


B.S. in CS + BIOE
Bioengineering Faculty

The Grainger College of Engineering Admissions
The Grainger College of Engineering