College of Engineering
Bioengineering BS
Solve complex problems at the intersection of engineering, biology, and chemistry.
Program details
- Modality
- On-campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Credits
- 120
- Accreditation
- ABET
- Designation
- STEM, STEM-OPT
- Median annual wage for bioengineers and biomedical engineers, 2024:
- $106,950 Median annual wage for bioengineers and biomedical engineers, 2024. View career outcomes.
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Why study bioengineering at UMass Dartmouth?
Behind every pharmaceutical breakthrough, every life-changing prosthetic, and every innovation in sustainable products is a bioengineer.
From AI-powered drug discovery and gene editing to advanced prosthetics and sustainable materials, breakthroughs across science and technology are expanding what’s possible in bioengineering.
UMass Dartmouth’s ABET-accredited bioengineering program prepares you to make revolutionary contributions in health care, biotechnology, sustainability, and beyond. Our program combines small classes and hands-on labs with opportunities to do real research alongside faculty mentors and get practical experience with internships in the field.
Students who wish to expand their education on medical applications of bioengineering, including biomedical device development and tissue engineering can pursue a concentration in biomedical engineering.
Launch your career
Salary range: $106,950What can I do with a Bioengineering BS, BS/MS degree?
With growing applications across health care, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and other industries, bioengineering can prepare you for a wide range of careers or advanced study. Bioengineering majors are in demand for roles like:
- Bioengineer
- Biomedical engineer
- Medical device engineer
- Clinical engineer
- Research assistant
- Validation engineer
Top employers
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Curriculum
As a bioengineering major, you'll learn the skills to:
- Apply engineering principles to biological systems and problems.
- Design biomedical devices and technologies to address real-world health challenges.
- Engineer materials and biological systems for applications ranging from drug delivery to sustainable products.
- Collaborate across disciplines to tackle complex challenges and bring innovative ideas from concept to reality.
You'll build a strong foundation in engineering and customize your path with course topics like nanotechnology, biomimetics, implantable sensors, medical device regulations, and more. The curriculum culminates in a capstone project during your senior year, where you'll work with a real company or research lab to solve an engineering challenge.
Real-world experience
Bioengineering majors at UMass Dartmouth have numerous opportunities to take their education out of the classroom and into the real world.
You might choose to work under the guidance of a professor in their research lab studying how to turn lobster shells into eco-friendly materials, how impact energy absorbing structures can mitigate traumatic brain injury, or how zebrafish can be used as a model for tissue engineering.
Professional organizations like the Biomedical Engineering Society and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering offer opportunities to attend annual conferences, connect with engineers all over the country, and grow your professional network.
Our students have also completed internships with industry-leading companies like Edwards Lifesciences, Johnson and Johnson, Charles River Laboratories, BioAgilytics, and St. Jude Medical Center, building the skills and connections that lead to exciting careers.
Student spotlight
- Hometown
- West Bridgewater, MA
- Major
- Bioengineering
- Athletics
- Field Hockey captain
- Research
- Diabetes and bone health
- Employment
- Medical device sales, Sagamore Sales & Marketing
Accolades
UMass Dartmouth is a nationally ranked R2 research university that combines the resources of a major university with a personalized educational experience. Ranked among the top 15 public research institutions with fewer than 10,000 students and in the top 17% nationally for return on investment, UMass Dartmouth is recognized for advancing research, social mobility, and career-ready education.
Nationally Ranked Engineering with ABET-Accredited Programs
The College of Engineering is home to nationally ranked and ABET-accredited programs supported by significant research activity and industry partnerships. Students gain hands-on experience through advanced laboratories, faculty-led research, internships, and work addressing emerging challenges in engineering, computing, energy, healthcare, and technology.
Accreditations and distinctions
Frequently asked questions
Have questions about the Bioengineering BS, BS/MS program? Here you will find answers to common questions about admissions, curriculum, career outcomes, and student experience.
Bioengineers design medical devices, develop pharmaceuticals, make life-changing breakthroughs in the detection and treatment of diseases, discover new biofuels, and create earth-friendly products.
Demand for bioengineering and biotechnology is growing as advances in AI, drug discovery, gene editing and medical technology create new possibilities for human health. At the same time, the need for sustainable alternatives to conventional materials like plastic drives innovation in biomaterials and biomanufacturing.
Bioengineers work in settings like hospitals, pharmaceutical labs, research centers, prostheses and medical devices manufacturers, biomaterials developers, and more.
Bioengineering applies engineering to a broad range of biological problems, while biomedical engineering focuses specifically on applications in human health and medicine. At UMass Dartmouth, students can major in bioengineering and choose a concentration in biomedical engineering.
Yes. The Bioengineering BS program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering.
Bioengineering is also available as a minor. Contact your academic advisor for more information.
The Bioengineering BS, BS/MS program is designated as a STEM degree and may qualify eligible F-1 international students for the 24-month STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT) extension after completing standard post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).
Eligibility for STEM OPT is determined by U.S. immigration regulations and individual student circumstances. To learn about eligibility requirements and the application process, review the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) OPT page and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) STEM OPT guidance. F-1 students must work with the ISSC to apply for a STEM OPT extension.