B.S. - Program Overview

• Centrality of the BS in Bioengineering Degree to the Clemson University Misson
• International Reputation of the Department of Bioengineering

The 128-credit Bachelor of Science degree program provides a solid background in engineering and life sciences for students who wish to pursue graduate or medical school, or for those seeking bioengineering careers in industry. The curriculum includes biology, biochemistry and physiology along with the applications of advanced mathematics, science and engineering to solve problems at the interface of engineering and biology. Students acquire an ability to make measurements on and interpret data from living systems, addressing problems associated with the interaction between living and nonliving materials and systems. Students may select from biomaterials or bioelectrical concentrations, which mirror the ceramic and materials engineering or electrical engineering curriculum, respectively. Through the concentration, students acquire much of the skills and knowledge of a materials engineer or an electrical engineer, thus enhancing their college major and career options.

Mission

To provide an outstanding education for engineers in bioengineering and to develop future leaders.

Goals

To provide students with the education needed for a rewarding career
To provide an intellectually rigorous undergraduate education that emphasizes fundamental engineering and life sciences, and
To train a workforce to sustain a growing bioengineering industry in the United States and participate in the economic development of the State of South Carolina.

Program Educational Objectives

Undergraduate bioengineering program educational objectives are that:

Graduates will be successful in careers in industry, academia, government, or related professions such as medicine, and/or in achieving advanced degrees in engineering or other disciplines within five years of graduation.

Alumni activities will be characterized by adherence to sound engineering, scientific, and ethical principles.

The program will provide depth in a core engineering discipline, plus relevant life sciences and bioengineering principles, providing the basis for strong technical contributions.

The program will provide a breath of education across engineering fundamentals, applied sciences and math, life sciences, and bioengineering fundamentals, enabling the graduate to be an integrator and leader of multidisciplinary teams.

The program will prepare bioengineering graduates for successful careers in industry, academia, or professional schools and will train the next generations of leaders and entrepreneurs.

Engineering Program Outcomes

Graduates receiving the BS in bioengineering have:

A) An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering to bioengineering problems;
B) An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
C) An ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs;
D) An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;
E) An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems;
F) An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
G) An ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing;
H) The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and
societal context;
I) A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning;
J) A knowledge of contemporary issues;
K) An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering and computing tools necessary for
engineering practice;
L) An understanding of biology and physiology and the capability to apply advanced mathematics
(including differential equations and statistics), science and engineering to solve the problems at the
interface of engineering and biology;
M) An ability to make measurements on and interpret data from living systems, addressing the
problems associated with the interaction between living and nonliving materials and systems.

Anticipated Employment Opportunities for BS Graduates

Bioengineering combines engineering expertise with medical needs for the enhancement of health care. It is a branch of engineering in which knowledge and skills are developed and applied to define and solve problems in biology and medicine. Students choose the bioengineering field to be of service to their communities, for the excitement of working with living systems, and for the chance to apply advanced technology to the complex problems of medical care.

The bioengineer is part of a team of health care professionals; a group which also includes physicians, nurses, and technicians. Bioengineers may be called upon to design instruments and devices, to compile knowledge from many sources, to develop new procedures, or to carry out research in order to solve new problems. Bioengineers are employed in industry, in hospitals, in research facilities of educational and medical institutions, in teaching, and in government regulatory agencies. Some bioengineers are technical advisors for marketing departments of companies, and some are in management positions. Obtaining the bioengineering degree is an excellent preparation for graduate and medical schools.

According to the United States government's new long-range forecast, the number of bioengineering jobs will climb almost twice as fast as the overall average for a 26.1 percent gain by 2012. The report released in 2004 counted 7,600 biomedical engineering jobs in the United States as of 2002 and projected that number to exceed 10,000 by 2012. The aging population and the focus on health issues will increase the demand for better medical devices and equipment designed by biomedical engineers. For example, computer-assisted surgery and molecular, cellular, and tissue engineering are rapidly being developed. In addition, the rehabilitation and orthopaedic engineering specialties are growing quickly, increasing the need for biomedical engineers. Together with the demand for more sophisticated medical equipment and procedures, there are increased concerns for cost efficiency and effectiveness that will also require bioengineering professionals.