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2016-2017 University Catalog 
  
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2016-2017 University Catalog

Bioengineering, BS

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Banner Code: VS-BS-BIOE

School: Volgenau School of Engineering  
Department: Bioengineering  

Bioengineering, also referred to as biomedical engineering, is the application of engineering tools and approaches to solve problems in biology and medicine. It is a broad and growing field that draws upon rapid advances in technology and computation, as well as on unprecedented growth in basic biological understanding.

This program concentrates on making measurements and analyzing complex data. It is challenging since it will provide a solid foundation in engineering, and also give in-depth exposure to the life sciences. The impact of engineering and computer science on biomedicine is wide, ranging from improved medical diagnosis through advanced imaging technologies, to enhanced understanding in rehabilitation gained by computational models of limb movement. With the growing demand for better health care, the need for bioengineers is expected to be high.

The multidisciplinary training in this field will make graduates competitive for a position in government or the biomedical industry. It also enables students to continue their education in graduate school or medical school.

The concentrations in the BS Bioengineering program are: Biomedical Signals and Systems (BMSS), Bioengineering Healthcare Informatics (BHI), and Bioengineering Prehealth (BMPH).  The BMSS concentration emphasizes the systems and methods for acquisition and analysis of biomedical signals whereas the BHI concentration focuses on the management, analysis and visualization of data related to biomedical and healthcare applications.  The BMPH concentration prepares students for continued studies as a health care professional in medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine.

The educational objectives of the Bioengineering undergraduate program are the following: 

  • Alumni electing to work after graduation (for example, in industry or government) will contribute to the development or application of new products or processes that are of benefit to society.
  • Alumni electing to continue their formal education will have completed their studies, or will have made demonstrable progress toward an advanced degree in their chosen profession.
  • Alumni will communicate and perform effectively as members or leaders of multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Alumni will continue to enhance their skills and knowledge in a quest for further professional development.

The bachelor’s program in Bioengineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Degree Requirements

Students must complete each BENG, BIOL, ECE and ENGR course presented as part of the required credits for the degree with a grade of C or better.

The 120-135 credits required for the BS in Bioengineering are listed below.

Bioengineering Credits: 29

Biology Credits: 7

Computer Science Credits: 4

Mathematics and Statistics Credits: 20

Physics Credits: 8

Engineering Credits: 2

Communication Credits: 3

▲Concentration in Bioengineering Healthcare Informatics (BHI) (31 credits)

This concentration requires successful completion of the following courses:

Bioengineering Credits: 3

Chemistry Credits: 4

Computer Science Credits: 3

Economics Credits: 3

Health Administration & Policy Credits: 6

Information Technology Credits: 3

Technical Elective Credits: 9

▲Concentration in Bioengineering Prehealth (BMPH) (43-44 credits)

This concentration requires successful completion of the following courses:

Biology Credits: 7-8

Chemistry Credits: 18

Computer Science Credits: 3

Electrical and Computer Engineering Credits: 3

Psychology and Sociology Credits: 6

Technical Electives Credits: 6

▲Concentration in Biomedical Signals and Systems (BMSS) (29 credits)

This concentration requires successful completion of the following courses:

Chemistry Credits: 4

Computer Science Credits: 3

Economics Credits: 3

Electrical and Computer Engineering Credits: 3

Physics Credits: 4

Technical Electives Credits: 12

 Choose 12 credits from the following technical electives:

Note:

Students may substitute 

CHEM 211 - General Chemistry I  and  CHEM 213 - General Chemistry Laboratory I  AND  CHEM 212 - General Chemistry II  and  CHEM 214 - General Chemistry Laboratory II  

FOR

PHYS 262 - University Physics III  and PHYS 263 - University Physics III Laboratory  AND CHEM 251 - General Chemistry for Engineers .

Additional Mason Core Credits: 18

Students must complete all Mason Core  requirements not fulfilled by major requirements.  BENG 492  and BENG 493  are approved to meet the Synthesis requirement.

  • Written Communication Credits:  6
  • Literature Credits:  3
  • Fine Arts Credits:  3
  • Western Civilization/World History Credits:  3
  • Global Understanding Credits:  3

Total: 120-135 Credits

Bioengineering Honors Program

The Department of Bioengineering offers an Honors Program that creates a community of outstanding scholars in bioengineering who share a commitment to learning, service, and leadership.  The Program is based on the bioengineering curriculum, and is distinct from the University Honors Curriculum.  Entry to the Honors Program is by invitation, extended to students with a declared major in Bioengineering who have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours at Mason with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 and a minimum GPA of 3.20 in each prior semester.

The Honors Program is challenging and designed for the highly motivated student with interests in any of the bioengineering concentrations.  Honors students must satisfy requirements in addition to those of the normal BS degree in bioengineering, including:

  • Successful completion of BENG 395 - RS: Mentored Research in Bioengineering  
  • Six credits must be earned by taking a combination of BENG 5XX/6XX level courses.  With permission of the Department of Bioengineering, 5XX/6XX level courses from other Volgenau School of Engineering programs may be considered.

Once admitted to the Honors Program, students must remain in good standing and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 and a minimum GPA of 3.20 in each semester for all courses counting toward the BS degree in bioengineering, maintain continuous enrollment working towards the degree, and abide by the Mason Honor Code.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

Mason’s writing-intensive requirement is satisfied by BENG 304 and BENG 495 in which faculty provide feedback on student writing assignments.

Advising

All Bioengineering students are required to meet with their departmental academic advisor prior to course registration each semester. Students who are considering bioengineering as their major must meet with the Volgenau School of Engineering Coordinator of Undergraduate Advising in 2500 Nguyen Engineering Building. 

Termination from the Major

No math, science, or Volgenau School of Engineering course that is required for the major may be attempted more than three times.  Those students who do not successfully complete such a course within three attempts will be terminated from the major.  Undeclared students in the Volgenau School who do not successfully complete a course required for a Volgenau School major within three attempts will also be terminated.  For more information, see the “Termination from the Major” section under  AP.5 Undergraduate Policies .

Once a student has attempted one of these courses twice unsuccessfully, the third attempt must be no later than the next semester of enrollment, excluding summers. Failure to take the course at that time will result in termination from the major. If the student is unable to take the course when required, the student may request an extension to a future semester; extensions require approval of the student’s advisor, their department, and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs. The deadline for extension requests is the add deadline for the semester in which the course is required.

Students who have been terminated from a Volgenau School of Engineering major may not register for a Volgenau School course without permission of the department offering the course.  This applies to all undergraduate courses offered by the Volgenau School except IT 104  and STAT 250 .

A student may not declare any major in the Volgenau School of Engineering if the student has previously met the termination criteria for that major at any time, regardless of what the student’s major was at the time the courses were taken.

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