Labs
Bioinstrumentation Instructional Laboratory
This lab promotes and reinforces classroom knowledge and skill development in electronics and bioinstrumentation through hands-on learning activities. The lab has workbench stations for bioelectrical and instrumentation activities including computers, data acquisition systems, function generations, oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters, prototyping boards, and other measurement equipment. The space also contains soldering stations. In addition, there is a collaborative area for instruction, demonstration, and discussion with modular desks and AV capabilities. Faculty member: Shani Ross. Lab manager: Randolph Warren. Peterson Family Health Sciences Hall, Room 5000E.
Biomedical Engineering Design Laboratory
This lab focuses on promoting translational activities from ideas to manufactured prototypes. This space is used primarily for senior design and other design projects and is equipped with prototyping, fabrication, and testing equipment including 3D printers, electronics testing stations, and a mechanical tester. There are areas for collaborative work including project assembly, discussions, and demonstrations. Off the main lab is a 3D printing room for larger projects, a mechanical testing room, a machining/manufacturing room, and a biological testing space. This lab is also used for wet lab hands-on learning activities. Faculty member: Shani Ross. Lab manager: Randolph Warren. Peterson Family Health Sciences Hall, Room 5000.
Learn How to Make a Difference in Human Health
As an undergraduate in bioengineering, you will learn the foundations of engineering and health sciences that will help you understand and successfully address the nation's leading health problems.
The bachelor of science in bioengineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/.
See more information on our About/Accreditation page.
Our multidisciplinary training in bioengineering makes our graduates competitive for positions in biomedical, biotech, and pharmaceutical industries, academia, and government. Mason bioengineers have been placed in some of the nation's top medical schools and graduate schools.
Information about the current concentrations can be found on the academic advising website. The current concentrations in the bachelor's program are:
-
Biomedical Imaging and Devices (BMID)
-
Computational Biomedical Engineering (CBM)
-
Neurotechnology and Computational Neuroscience (NTCN)
-
Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (BNM)
-
Bioengineering Prehealth (BMPH)
-
Bioengineering Health Care Informatics (BHI)
The bachelor of science Bioengineering program focuses on four pillars: Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, Biomedical Imaging and Devices, Computational Biomedical Engineering, and Neurotechnology and Computational Neuroscience.
The curriculum provides a strong background in the engineering and biological fundamentals of bioengineering as well as a breadth of courses in Biomechanics, Biomaterials, Bioinstrumentation, Imaging, Computational Modeling, and Neuroengineering.
After completing this foundation, students choose a concentration in one of the above four pillars or in Health Care Informatics or Prehealth (Premed), to focus on one area in three courses. Each student also takes a clinically-focused course taught by MDs and an industry-focused course taught by experts in the commercialization of biomedical technologies. The senior year curriculum provides a senior design project and access to university-wide technical electives.
Many students include a summer clinical immersion option preceding senior design where they spend 6 weeks in a hospital identifying clinical needs that motivate their senior design project. The Mason Bioengineering BS program provides students with a complete and in-depth education in Bioengineering that leads to attractive industry positions or further graduate study.
Check the student guide and catalog for specific degree information. If you follow a different catalog year please check the catalog’s archive.
Minor in Bioengineering
A minor in bioengineering is available to both engineering and non-engineering majors. It provides considerable opportunities in a highly cross-disciplinary field involving the application of engineering concepts and tools to solve problems in biomedicine.
The minor prepares students to gain and reinforce their knowledge of biology and engineering fundamentals, as well as to develop and apply skills to clinically relevant challenges.
Bioengineering, BS Accelerated MS
In the fall of 2019 Mason’s Bioengineering Department started offering an accelerated master’s for highly qualified Mason Bioengineering students. The Bachelor’s Accelerated Master’s (BAM) follows the course work of the regular master’s with the ability to substitute up to two technical electives (6 credits) with approved graduate classes that count towards the MS degree. BAM students will be able to finish the MS degree in 1.5 – 1 year depending on the course load. Students interested in the BAM are encouraged to speak to the academic advisor beginning of their junior year. How to apply online, forms and deadlines find in detailed steps.
Students in Bioengineering, BS also have the option of obtaining an accelerated master's in several fields, which are:
-
Bioengineering, BS/Biostatistics, Accelerated MS
-
Bioengineering, BS/Data Analytics Engineering, Accelerated MS
-
Bioengineering, BS/Operations Research, Accelerated MS
-
Bioengineering, BS/Systems Engineering, Accelerated MS
-
Options for Undergraduate Students
Studying Abroad
Our study abroad classes in bioengineering enhance students’ education with rich cultural experiences and challenging courses. Students should consider:
- Taking Bioengineering World Health (BENG 417). This 3-credit course is a combination of lecture in the fall and a three-week trip to Guatemala during winter break and counts as a technical elective.
- Our exchange program with Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. The program offers a unique opportunity to spend a semester or whole year abroad while seamlessly integrating with their bioengineering curriculum.
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.
Transferring to Mason
Students transferring from outside Mason into the College of Engineering and Computing must have completed the equivalent of MATH 113 Calculus I and MATH 114 Calculus II with a B or better to be considered for admission. The cumulative GPA requirement for Bioengineering is a grade of 3.0 or above.
Students transferring within Mason must have a grade “C” or higher in MATH 114, PHYS 160, and PHYS 161 as well as a GPA of 2.75 in all technical courses completed at Mason that are required for the intended engineering major. Technical courses are any Math, Science, Engineering, Statistics, and Computer Science courses that are required for the intended engineering major. Students who transfer are reminded that a B- in MATH 114 is a prerequisite for certain Bioengineering courses that are part of the Degree requirement. Thus, when transferring in with a C in MATH 114 means the course will have to be retaken. Students considering changing their major to Bioengineering need to meet the above requirements with a minimum Mason cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Please refer to the transfer table for transferring coursework to Mason and to the transfer credit policy for AP/IB and other credit by exams.
"Bioengineering gave me an in-depth knowledge of the medical field, and it helped to strengthen my problem solving and project management skills."
— Alex Nixon, BS Bioengineering ’16