Personal attention in small classes. A culture of collaboration. Research opportunities with renowned faculty.

UW Bioengineering undergraduate students receive the tools, opportunities and experiences necessary to take on medical challenges, work in today’s multidisciplinary teams, and improve lives.

Accredited by ABET

Apply to UW Bioengineering’s undergraduate program

UW students admitted to the College of Engineering as Engineering Undeclared students request placement at the end of freshman year. We also offer admission for transfer students and current UW students who wish to apply during their sophomore year (UW interest-changers).

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Undergraduate program at a glance

  • Excellence – Consistently ranks highly amongst the nation’s biomedical engineering undergraduate programs by US News and World Report
  • Real-world focus – Teamwork, communication skills, problem-solving skills, systems analysis, interdisciplinary projects, emphasis on leadership and creativity
  • Hands on research – Students work with research or clinical faculty to complete a research capstone project
  • Culture of community – A supportive, collaborative environment
  • Quality of students – Alumni include Goldwater, Luce, Rhodes and Gates Cambridge Scholars; one Bonderman Fellow; College of Engineering Dean’s Medalists; multiple NASA Space Grant; and more than 100 Mary Gates Scholars.

Undergraduate program features

Our program size and cohort structure fosters a close community that is passionate about engineering better health care. Each undergraduate cohort has about 90 students, with 15-20 students in lab courses and 24-40 in senior electives. Faculty and staff get to know students as individuals, and take pride in being responsive to student concerns.

Our students enjoy day and night access to our building, computer labs and student lounge.

Students have the opportunity to participate in department service, including on our Curriculum Committee, Diversity Committee, Student Affairs Committee and the Chair’s Student Advisory Board

The senior capstone project is the culmination of the UW Bioengineering undergraduate educational experience with students investigating solutions to real medical problems. Most capstone projects in UW Bioengineering involve both research and engineering design, and all UW Bioengineering undergraduate students are encouraged to conduct laboratory research with our faculty, with some starting as early as freshman year.

Students have two opportunities for completing the capstone requirement:

Individual research and design project

A year-long individual research and design project (BIOEN 402).

Examples of past individual research and design (BIOEN 402) projects include:

  • A hydrogel to deliver otoprotective agents to the cochlea
  • A brain-machine interface for restoring voluntary movement
  • Ultrasound elastography techniques to image traumatic brain injury

Team-based project

A two quarter team-based design and build course aimed at designing solutions to clinical problems (BIOEN 404-405). Some team design projects are conducted in industry settings.

Examples of past team-based projects (BIOEN 404-405) include:

  • Improved surgical tools for laparoscopic surgery
  • Enhancements to CPR-training manikins
  • An instrumented environment to test the visual acuity of mice undergoing a new retinal therapy

To learn more, see the Capstone Help File.

From Introduction to Bioengineering Problem Solving to the Senior Capstone Project, our coursework brings a real-world focus on teamwork, leadership and creativity. UW Bioengineering students customize their education by selecting electives that support their areas of interest and professional goals. Some students may choose to further specialize in one of the following focus areas: Option in Data Science and Option in Nano and Molecular Engineering.

Learn more about our curriculum

Degree Requirements
Sample 4-year Schedules
Prerequisites to BIOEN Core Courses

Academic Counselors are available for appointments Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm. Contact us to schedule an appointment.