Bioengineering

Undergraduate Curriculum

Degree Requirements and Sample Curriculum

BSE and BAS Degree Programs

Below are the requirements for the BSE degree for students entering in Fall 2020 and beyond. This reflects a total of 37 course units. To see how courses can be scheduled out for the full four years, see the BSE sample curriculum on the next tab.

Mathematics (4 course Units)
(1.0) MATH 1400- Calculus 1
(1.0) MATH 1410- Calculus 2
(1.0) ENM 2400, ENM/ESE 2030 or MATH 2400*- Calculus 3
(1.0) ENM 3750 – Statistics**
Science (7.5 course Units)
(1.5) BIOL 1121 – Molecular Biology I w/ lab (BIOL 1123)
(1.0) BIOL 3310- Physiology
(1.5) CHEM 1012*/1101- General Chemistry I w/ Lab
(1.5) CHEM 1022*/1102- General Chemistry II w/ Lab
(1.0) PHYS 0140- Mechanics
(1.0) PHYS 0141- Electricity and Magnetism
Engineering (15.5 Course Units)
(0.5) BE 1000 – Intro to BE
(1.0) ENGR 1050 -Intro to Computing (or CIS 1200 or higher)
(1.0) BE 2000 – Biomechanics
(1.0) BE 2200 – Biomaterials
(1.0) BE 2700 – BE Lab Principles
(1.0) BE 3010 – BE Signals & Systems
(1.0) BE 3060 – Cellular Engineering
(1.0) BE 3090 – MAD Lab I (Modeling, Analysis & Design)
(1.0) BE 3100 – MAD Lab II (Modeling, Analysis & Design)
(1.0) BE 3500 – Biotransport
(1.0) BE 4950 – Senior Design I
(1.0) BE 4960 – Senior Design II
(1.0) BE 4xxx/5xxx
(1.0) BE 4xxx/5xxx
(1.0) Engineering xxxx- Any engineering course
(1.0) Engineering xxxx- Any engineering course
Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) (7 course Units)
(2.0) Social Science
(2.0) Humanities
(2.0) Social Science, Humanities or Technology, Business and Society(1.0) Social Science or Humanities

-One of these courses must fulfill the Writing Requirement.

-One of these courses must fulfill the Ethics Requirement.
Free Electives (3 course Units)
(3 x 1.0) Free Elective

*Honors equivalent also accepted (CHEM 1151 for CHEM 1012, CHEM 1161 for CHEM 1022, MATH 2600 for MATH 2400). Starting in Fall 2026, MATH 2400 and MATH 2600 will no longer be offered

**Can be fulfilled with ENM 3440 or 3800, ESE 4020 or STAT 4310

Ethics Requirement Options: EAS 2030, BIOE 4010 or 4020, HSOC 1330 or 2457, LGST 1000 or 2200, NURS 3300 or 5250, PHIL 1342 or 4330.

Engineering Electives (Engineering XXXX) in the Engineering Category can be fulfilled by any course that counts as Engineering per the handbook. Please note that EAS (Engineering and Applied Science) courses DO NOT count as Engineering.

Below are the requirements for the BSE degree for students entering in Fall 2015 and beyond. This reflects a total of 40.5 course units. To see how courses can be scheduled out for the full four years.

Mathematics (5 Course Units)
(1.0) MATH 104 – Calculus 1
(1.0) MATH 114 – Calculus 2
(1.0) MATH 240 or ENM 240- Calculus 3
(1.0) MATH 241 or ENM 251- Calculus 4
(1.0) ENM 375 — Statistics*
Science (7.5 Course Units)
(1.5) BIOL 121 – Molecular Biology I w/ lab (BIOL 123)
(1.0) BIOL204, BIOL205, or BIOL221 (BIOL 204 requires a co-req or pre-rep of CHEM 241. BIOL205 is offered during fall term and can be swapped with an elective for curriculum planning, BIOL 215 is an option for students entering before 2016.)
(1.5) CHEM 101/53 – General Chemistry I w/ Lab
(1.5) CHEM 102/54 – General Chemistry II w/ Lab
(1.0) PHYS 140 – Mechanics
(1.0) PHYS 141 – Electricity and Magnetism
Engineering (16 Course Units)
(0.5) BE 100 – Intro to BE I
(0.5) BE 101 – Intro to BE II
(1.0) EAS/ ENGR 105 – Intro to Computing (or CIS 120 or higher)
(1.0) BE 200 – Biomechanics
(1.0) BE 220 – Biomaterials
(1.0) BE 301 – BE Signals & Systems
(1.0) BE 305 – Engineering Physiology
(1.0) BE 306 – Cell Engineering
(1.0) BE 309 – BE Lab I
(1.0) BE 310 – BE Lab II
(1.0) BE 324 – Physical Chemistry in BE**
(1.0) BE 350 – Biotransport
(1.0) BE 495 – Senior Design I
(1.0) BE 496 – Senior Design II
(1.0) BE 4XX/5XX
(1.0) BE 4XX/5XX
(1.0) Engineering XXX – Any engineering course
Technical Electives (2 Course Units)
(2 x 1.0) Any Math, Science, or Engineering course
Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) (7 Course Units)
(2.0) Social Science(2.0) Humanities

(2.0) Social Science, Humanities, or Technology, Business, and Society

(1.0) Social Science or Humanities

One of these courses must fulfill the Writing Requirement.

One of these courses must fulfill the Ethics Requirement (from list of options on eCPG).

Two of these courses must fulfill the SSH Depth Requirement.
Free Electives (3 Course Units)
( 3x 1.0) Free Elective*Can be fulfilled with ENM 321, STAT 431 (must have pre-req of STAT 430) or ESE 302 (must have pre-req of ESE 301)
**BE 324 is no longer offered. If you have not taken BE 324, you must choose a course from the list of approved alternatives: BE 559, CBE 231, CBE 353, CBE 511, CBE 555, MSE 430.

Below is a sample curriculum outlining classes taken for the four years of the BSE degree. This sample reflects the degree requirements for students entering Fall 2020 and beyond.When making your schedule, keep in mind that electives need to be selected to fulfill distributional requirements in BE, Engineering, SSH, and free categories, according to the e-CPG. Premeds should visit the Premed Office website to be sure they are choosing the right electives.

First Year Fall (4 CU) First Year Spring (4.5 CU)
(1.0) MATH 1400
(1.5) CHEM 1012*/1101
(1.0) PHYS 0140 (Lecture only)
(0.5) BE 1000		 (1.0) MATH 1410
(1.5) CHEM 1022*/1102
(1.0) PHYS 0141
(1.0) ENGR 1050 (or CIS 1200 or higher)
Sophomore Fall (4.5 CU) Sophomore Spring (5 CU)
(1.0) ENM 2400, ENM/ESE 2030 or MATH 2400*
(1.0) BE 2000 (Mechanics)
(1.5) BIOL 1121(Molecular Biology I) w/ lab (BIOL 1123)
(1.0) Social Science		 (1.0) ENM 3750 (Statistics)**
(1.0) BE 2200 (Materials)
(1.0) BE 2700 (Lab Principles)
(1.0) Social Science
(1.0)Humanities
Junior Fall (5 CU) Junior Spring (5 CU)
(1.0) BIOL 3310
(1.0) BE 3090 (MAD Lab I)
(1.0) BE 3010 (Signals & Systems)
(1.0) Humanities
(1.0) Free Elective		 (1.0) BE 3500 (Transport)
(1.0) BE 3060 (Cellular Eng)
(1.0) BE 3100 (MAD Lab II)
(1.0) Free Elective
(1.0) Social Science or Humanities
Senior Fall (5 CU) Senior Spring  (4 CU)
(1.0) Engineering
(1.0) BE 4950 (Senior Design)
(1.0) BE 4xxx/5xxx
(1.0) SS, H or TBS
(1.0) Free Elective		 (1.0) BE 4960 (Senior Design)
(1.0) Engineering
(1.0) BE 4xxx/5xxx
(1.0) SS, H or TBS

*Honors equivalent also accepted (CHEM 1151 for CHEM 1012, CHEM 1161 for CHEM 1022, MATH 2600 for MATH 2400). Starting in Fall 2026, MATH 2400 and MATH 2600 will no longer be offered.

**Can be fulfilled with ENM 3440 or 3800, ESE 4020 or STAT 4310

One of your SSH cu’s must fulfill the Ethics Requirement (from list of options on eCPG).One of your Social Sciences or Humanities courses must fulfill the writing requirement.

Ethics Requirement Options: EAS 2030, BIOE 4010 or 4020, HSOC 1330 or 2457, LGST 1000 or 2200, NURS 3300 or 5250, PHIL 1342 or 4330.

Engineering Electives (Engineering XXXX) in the Engineering Category can be fulfilled by any course that counts as Engineering per the handbook. Please note that EAS (Engineering and Applied Science) courses DO NOT count as Engineering.

Below is a sample curriculum outlining classes taken for the four years of the BSE degree. This sample reflects the degree requirements for students entering Fall 2015 and beyond. When making your schedule, keep in mind that electives need to be selected to fulfill distributional requirements in BE, Engineering, Career Path/Technical Electives and free categories, according to the e-CPG.

First Year Fall Semester First Year Spring Semester
(1.0) MATH 1400
(1.5) CHEM 1012/1101
(1.0) PHYS 0140 (Lecture only)
(0.5) BE 1000
(1.0) Social Sciences		 (1.0) MATH 1410
(1.5) CHEM 1022/1102
(1.0) PHYS 0141
(0.5) BE 1010
(1.0) Humanities
Sophomore Fall Semester Sophomore Spring Semester
(1.0) MATH 2400 or ENM 2400
(1.0) BE 2000 (Biomechanics)
(1.0) ENGR 1050 (Intro to Computing) (or CIS 1200 or higher)
(1.5) BIOL 1121(Molecular Biology I) w/ lab (BIOL 1123)
(1.0) Social Sciences		 (1.0) MATH 2410 or ENM 2510
(1.0) BE 2200 (Biomaterials)
(1.0) ENM 3750 (Statistics)**
(1.0) BIOL***
(1.0) Humanities
Junior Fall Semester Junior Spring Semester
(1.0) Technical Elective*
(1.0) BE 3010 (Systems)
(1.0) BE 3090 (BE Lab I)
(1.0) BE 3240****
(1.0) Social Sciences or Humanities		 (1.0) BE 3050 (Engineering Physiology)
(1.0) BE 3100 (BE Lab II)
(1.0) BE 3500 (Biotransport)
(1.0) Technical Elective*
(1.0) Free Elective
Senior Fall Semester Senior Spring Semester
(1.0) BE 3060 (Cell Engineering)
(1.0) BE 4950 (Senior Design)
(1.0) BE 4XXX/5XXX
(1.0) Social Sciences, Humanities, or Technology, Business, and Society
(1.0) Free Elective		 (1.0) BE 4960 (Senior Design)
(1.0) BE 4XXX/5XXX
(1.0) Engineering XXXX
(1.0) Social Sciences, Humanities, or Technology, Business, and Society
(1.0) Free Elective

One of your Social Sciences or Humanities courses must fulfill the writing requirement.

One of your SSH cu’s must fulfill the Ethics Requirement (from list of options on eCPG).
*A Technical Elective is any math, science, or engineering course.

**Can be fulfilled with ENM 321, STAT 431 (must have pre-req of STAT 430) or ESE 302 (must have pre-req of ESE 301)

***Can choose from BIOL 204, BIOL 205, or BIOL 221. BIOL 204 requires a co-req or pre-req of CHEM 241. BIOL 205 is offered during fall term and can be swapped with an elective for curriculum planning. BIOL 215 is an option for students entering before 2016.

****BE 324 is no longer offered. If you have not taken BE 324, you must choose a course from the list of approved alternatives: BE 559, CBE 231, CBE 353, CBE 511, CBE 555, MSE 430.

Below are the requirements for the BAS degree for students entering in Fall 2020 and beyond. This reflects a total of 37 course units. To see how courses can be scheduled out for the full four years.

Mathematics (4 course Units)
(1.0) MATH 1400 – Calculus 1
(1.0) MATH 1410 – Calculus 2
(1.0) ENM 2400, ENM/ESE 2030, or MATH 2400*- Calculus 3
(1.0) ENM 3750** – Statistics

 

Science (7.5 course Units)
(1.5) BIOL 1121 – Molecular Biology I w/ lab (BIOL 1123)
(1.0) BIOL 3310- Physiology
(1.5) CHEM 1012*/1101 – General Chemistry I w/ Lab
(1.5) CHEM 1022*/1102- General Chemistry II w/ Lab
(1.0) PHYS 0140 – Mechanics
(1.0) PHYS 0141 – Electricity and Magnetism

 

Engineering (12.5 course Units)
(0.5) BE 1000 – Intro to BE
(1.0) ENGR 1050 – Intro to Computing (or CIS 1200 or higher)
(1.0) BE 2000 – Biomechanics
(1.0) BE 2200 – Biomaterials
(1.0) BE 2700- Lab Principles
(1.0) BE 3010, 3060 or 3500
(1.0) BE 3090 – MAD Lab (Modeling, Analysis & Design)
(1.0) BE 4970 – Senior Thesis I
(1.0) BE 4980 – Senior Thesis II
(1.0) BE 4XXX/5XXX
(1.0) BE 4XXX/5XXX
(2 x 1.0) Engineering

 

Professional Electives (3 course Units)
(3 x 1.0) Any Math, Science, Engineering, Business or health-related course

 

Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) (7 course Units)
(2.0) Social Science
(2.0) Humanities
(2.0) Social Science, Humanities or Technology, Business and Society(1.0) Social Science or Humanities

-One of these courses must fulfill the Writing Requirement.

-One of these courses must fulfill the Ethics Requirement.

 

Free Electives (3 course Units)
(3 x 1.0) Free Elective

*Honors equivalent also accepted (CHEM 1151 for CHEM 1012, CHEM 1161 for CHEM 1022, MATH 2600 for MATH 2400). MATH 2200 + 2300 (both courses) can substitute ENM/EAS 2030.

**Can be fulfilled with ENM 3440, ESE 4020 or STAT 4310

Ethics Requirement Options: EAS 2030, BIOE 4010, HSOC 1330 or 2457, LGST 1000 or 2200, NURS 3300 or 5250, PHIL 1342 or 4330.

Engineering Electives (Engineering XXXX) in the Engineering Category can be fulfilled by any course that counts as Engineering per the handbook. Please note that EAS (Engineering and Applied Science) courses DO NOT count as Engineering.

Below are the requirements for the BAS degree for students entering in Fall 2015 and beyond. This reflects a total of 40.5 course units. To see how courses can be scheduled out for the full four years.

Mathematics (5 course Units)
(1.0) MATH 104 – Calculus 1
(1.0) MATH 114 – Calculus 2
(1.0) MATH 240 or ENM 240- Calculus 3
(1.0) MATH 241 or ENM 251- Calculus 4
(1.0) ENM 375 – Statistics*

 

Science (7.5 course Units)
(1.5) BIOL 121 – Molecular Biology I w/ lab (BIOL 123)
(1.0) BIOL204, BIOL205, or BIOL221 (BIOL 215 is an option for students entering before 2016)
(1.5) CHEM 101/53 – General Chemistry I w/ Lab
(1.5) CHEM 102/54 – General Chemistry II w/ Lab
(1.0) PHYS 140 – Mechanics
(1.0) PHYS 141 – Electricity and Magnetism

 

Engineering (12 course Units)
(0.5) BE 100 – Intro to BE I
(0.5) BE 100 – Intro to BE II
(1.0) EAS/ENGR 105 – Intro to Computing (or CIS 120 or higher)
(1.0) BE 200 – Biomechanics
(1.0) BE 220 – Biomaterials
(1.0) BE 305 – Engineering Physiology
(1.0) BE 306 – Cell Engineering
(1.0) BE 497 – Senior Thesis I
(1.0) BE 498 – Senior Thesis II
(1.0) BE 4XX/5XX
(1.0) BE 4XX/5XX
(2 x 1.0) BE 3XX/4XX/5XX

 

Technical Electives (3 course Units)
(3 x 1.0) Any Math, Science or Engineering course

 

Career Path (3 course Units)
(3 x 1.0) Any Math, Science, Engineering, Business or health-related course

 

Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) (7 course Units)
(2.0) Social Science
(2.0) Humanities
(2.0) Social Science, Humanities or Technology, Business and Society

(1.0) Social Science or Humanities-One of these courses must fulfill the Writing Requirement.

-One of these courses must fulfill the Ethics Requirement.

-Two of these courses must fulfill the SSH Depth Requirement.

 

Free Electives (3 course Units)
(3 x 1.0) Free Elective*Can be fulfilled with ENM 321, STAT 431 (must have pre-req of STAT 430) or ESE 302 (must have pre-req of ESE 301)

Below is a sample curriculum outlining classes taken for the four years of the BAS degree. This sample reflects the degree requirements for students entering in Fall 2020 and beyond. When making your schedule, keep in mind that electives need to be selected to fulfill distributional requirements in BE, Engineering, Professional Elective, and free categories, according to the e-CPG. Premeds should visit the Premed Office website to be sure they are choosing the right electives.

First Year Fall (4 CU) First Year Spring (4.5 CU)
(1.0) MATH 1400
(1.5) CHEM 1012*/1101
(1.0) PHYS 0140 (Lecture only)
(0.5) BE 1000		 (1.0) MATH 1410
(1.5) CHEM 1022*/1102
(1.0) PHYS 0141
(1.0) ENGR 1050 (or CIS 1200 or higher)
Sophomore Fall (4.5 CU) Sophomore Spring (5 CU)
(1.0) ENM 2400, ENM/ESE 2030 or MATH 2400*
(1.0) BE 2000 (Mechanics)
(1.5) BIOL 1121 (Molecular Biology I) w/ lab (BIOL 1123)
(1.0) Social Science		 (1.0) ENM 3750 (Statistics)**
(1.0) BE 2200 (Materials)
(1.0) BE 2700 (Lab Principles)
(1.0) Social Science
(1.0)Humanities
Junior Fall (5 CU) Junior Spring (5 CU)
(1.0) BIOL 3310
(1.0) BE 309 (MAD Lab)
(1.0) BE 3010, 3060, or 3500
(1.0) Humanities
(1.0) Free Elective		 (1.0) BE 4xxx/5xxx
(1.0) Engineering
(1.0) Professional Elective***
(1.0) Free Elective
(1.0) Social Science or Humanities
Senior Fall (5 CU) Senior Spring  (4 CU)
(1.0) Engineering
(1.0) BE 4970 (Senior Thesis)
(1.0) Professional Elective***(1.0) SS, H or TBS
(1.0) Free Elective		 (1.0) BE 4980 (Senior Thesis)
(1.0) BE 4xxx/5xxx
(1.0) Professional Elective***
(1.0) SS, H or TBS

*Honors equivalent also accepted (CHEM 1151 for CHEM 1012, CHEM 1161 for CHEM 1022, MATH 2600 for MATH 2400). Starting in Fall 2026, MATH 2400 and MATH 2600 will no longer be offered.

**Can be fulfilled with ENM 3440 or 3800, ESE 4020 or STAT 4310

***A Professional Elective is any math, science, engineering, business, or health-related course.

In SSH category- one must fulfill writing requirement, one must fulfill ethics requirement.

Ethics Requirement Options: EAS 2030, BIOE 4010 or 4020, HSOC 1330 or 2457, LGST 1000 or 2200, NURS 3300 or 5250, PHIL 1342 or 4330.

Engineering Electives (Engineering XXXX) in the Engineering Category can be fulfilled by any course that counts as Engineering per the handbook. Please note that EAS (Engineering and Applied Science) courses DO NOT count as Engineering.

Below is a sample curriculum outlining classes taken for the four years of the BAS degree. This sample reflects the degree requirements for students entering in Fall 2015 and beyond. When making your schedule, keep in mind that electives need to be selected to fulfill distributional requirements in BE, Engineering, Career Path/Technical Electives and free categories, according to the e-CPG. Premeds should visit the Premed Office website to be sure they are choosing the right electives.

First Year Fall Semester
(5 CU)		 First Year Spring Semester (5 CU)
(1.0) MATH 1400
(1.5) CHEM 1012/1101
(1.0) PHYS 0140 (Lecture only)
(0.5) BE 1000
(1.0) Social Science		 (1.0) MATH 1410
(1.5) CHEM 1022/1102
(1.0) PHYS 0141
(0.5) BE 1010
(1.0) Social Science
Sophomore Fall Semester (5.5 CU) Sophomore Spring Semester (5 CU)
(1.0) MATH 2400 or ENM 2400
(1.0) BE 2000 (Biomechanics)
(1.0) ENGR 1050 (Intro to Computing) (or CIS 1200 or higher)
(1.5) BIOL 1121(Molecular Biology I) w/ lab (BIOL 1123)
(1.0) SS, H or TBS		 (1.0) MATH 2410 or ENM 2510
(1.0) BE 2200 (Biomaterials)
(1.0) ENM 3750 (Statistics)***(1.0) BIOL****
(1.0) SS, H or TBS
Junior Fall Semester
(5 CU)		 Junior Spring Semester
(5 CU)
(1.0) Technical Elective*
(1.0) BE 3XXX/4XXX/5XXX
(1.0) Technical Elective*
(1.0) Career **
(1.0) Free Elective		 (1.0) BE 3050 (Engineering Physiology)
(1.0) BE 3XXX/4XXX/5XXX
(1.0) Career**
(1.0) Career**
(1.0) Humanities
Senior Fall Semester
(5 CU)		 Senior Spring Semester
(5 CU)
(1.0) BE 3060 (Cell Engineering)
(1.0) BE 4970 (Senior Thesis)
(1.0) BE 4XXX/5XXX
(1.0) Social Science or Humanities
(1.0) Free Elective		 (1.0) BE 4980 (Senior Thesis)
(1.0) BE 4XXX/5XXX
(1.0) Technical Elective*
(1.0) Free Elective
(1.0) Humanities

*A Technical Elective is any math, science, or engineering course.
**A Career Elective is any math, science, engineering, business, or health-related course.
***Can be fulfilled with ENM 321, STAT 431 (must have pre-req of STAT 430) or ESE 302 (must have pre-req of ESE 301))
****Can choose from BIOL 204, BIOL 205, or BIOL 221. BIOL 204 requires a co-req or pre-req of CHEM 241. BIOL 205 is offered during fall term and can be swapped with an elective for curriculum planning. BIOL 215 is an option for students entering before 2016.

-In SSH category- one must fulfill writing requirement, one must fulfill ethics requirement and two must fulfill the SSH depth requirement.

Helpful Links

BSE or BAS Second Major in Biomedical Science Premed Focus

Program Advising

If you have further questions regarding the BSE or BAS degree programs please reach out to the advising team.

Kacy Dadura

Associate Director for Advising
Room 240 Skirkanich Hall
210 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
kacy@seas.upenn.edu

Kacy Appointments

Walk-in advising hours:

  • Tuesday 2:00 – 3:00
  • Wednesday 11:00 – 12:00

If you would like to make an appointment for advising, please email (kacy@seas.upenn.edu).