Since it was founded in 1965, the Department of BioEngineering has graduated over 1000 BS, MS, and PhD students who now serve the profession as leaders in industry, government and academia. The innovative BioEngineering curriculum (bioinformatics, neural engineering, cell and tissue engineering, and chemical, biomolecule, and nanobioengineering) is a leader in this rapidly growing field that has expanded from the design of dialysis pumps, pacemakers and prosthetics to the not-so-futuristic applications of drug-coated stents for angioplasty and functional neural imaging.

The mission of UIC’s Department of BioEngineering is to create an environment where its students can learn the principles of safely applying engineering technology to living systems. The interdisciplinary course of study provides a thorough understanding of engineering, physical science and biological principles that will prepare its graduates for careers in the biomedical industry, admission to top graduate programs, and acceptance in a variety of professional schools (medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy).

The UIC Department of BioEngineering has unique resources because of its close affiliation with the clinical and research programs of the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago and the opportunities to intern at major biomedical manufacturers (Abbott, Baxter, Biomet, General Electric, and Siemens, for example) in the Chicago and northwest Indiana areas. Students can easily work at facilities on campus or in the adjoining Illinois Technology Park. Senior design projects, co-op assignments, or academic year internships can also be conducted in Chicagoland biomedical industries.

Bioinformatics — An interdisciplinary field that combines computer science and statistical methods with an understanding of molecular biology to provide an understanding of the structure and function of gene products, the regulation of gene expression, and the network of molecular interactions that have direct impact on the function of all living things.

Cell & Tissue Engineering — Tissue engineers combine the principles and methods of engineering and biology to develop biological constructs that are the basis of a future regenerative medicine. To accomplish this goal tissue engineers combine cells, biological growth factors, and scaffolding materials based to create nascent biological structures that can restore a biological function, such as insulin production, or stimulate the body to regenerate the tissue such as the repair of damaged articular cartilage.

Neural Engineering — Computational and experimental models of artificial bioelectric interfaces are becoming vital to work in neural prosthetics, biosensors, and biological computing and are the basis for new neuro-prosthetic devices such as cochlear implants and progress toward a silicon retina. Neural engineers learn to characterize and manipulate neural tissue and to develop more effective interfaces for sensory and motor applications.

GPPA — The Guaranteed Professional Program Admission (GPPA) program allows a limited number of freshman per year to be admitted with guaranteed admission to UIC graduate and professional programs. Students must rank in the top 15 % of their high school class and have a minimum ACT composite score of 28 or SAT or 1240.

Pre-Medical, Dental or Pharmacy Studies — The BioEngineering curriculum allows credit for many of the biology and chemistry courses required for professional school admission. Bioengineering is increasingly being recognized as a preferred undergraduate major for students pursuing graduate professional degrees.

Accelerated BS/MS Track — Well-prepared students can elect the option to pursue both degrees by early selection of a research thesis advisor and integration of their senior design project with their M.S. thesis research.