The biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics major includes the biomolecular engineering (BME) and bioinformatics (BINF) concentrations. The BME concentration is designed for students interested in protein engineering, stem cell engineering, and synthetic biology. The emphasis is on designing biomolecules (DNA, RNA, proteins) and cells for particular functions, and the underlying sciences are biochemistry and cell biology.
The BINF concentration combines mathematics, science, and engineering to explore and understand biological data from high-throughput experiments, such as genome sequencing, gene-expression chips, and proteomics experiments. The program builds upon the research and academic strengths of the faculty in the Biomolecular Engineering Department.
In both concentrations, students participate in a capstone experience. Options for the senior capstone experience include
- Senior Design—a three-quarter group project intended to prepare students for work in industry,
- a summer full-time synthetic biology project based on the iGEM competition,
- A three-quarter Senior thesis,
- or an Advanced bioinformatics course series. The last option is the required capstone for students participating in the bioinformatics concentrations.
All capstone options involve working closely with faculty and other researchers at UCSC, analyzing ideas, developing technologies, and discovering new approaches. Application areas include biomolecular sensors and systems, nano-electronic implants, assistive technologies for the elderly and disabled, bioinformatics, microfluidics, nanoscale biotechnology, environmental monitoring, and other areas at the junction between engineering and the life sciences.
More information about bioengineering research and undergraduate research opportunities can be found at Undergraduate Research Opportunities, the Genomics Institute, the Program in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, the STEM Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program, and the STEM diversity programs.
The program has course requirements in mathematics, science, and engineering. Students interested in Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics as a major should contact the School of Engineering advising office (advising@soe.ucsc.edu) before enrolling in any courses at UCSC. Early advising is particularly important before choosing calculus and physics courses.
Biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics students may continue their research and studies at UCSC in any of several graduate programs. Information may be found at the Division of Graduate Studies website.
The immense growth of biological information stored in computerized databases has led to a critical need for people who can understand the languages, tools, and techniques of statistics, science, and engineering. A classically trained scientist may be unfamiliar with the statistical and algorithmic knowledge required in this field. A classically trained engineer may be unfamiliar with the chemistry and biology required in the field. Thus, this major strives for a balance of the two: an engineer focused on the problems of the underlying science or, conversely, a scientist focused on the use of engineering tools for analysis and discovery.
The Baskin School of Engineering Undergraduate Advising office offers general advising for prospective and declared undergraduates majoring in School of Engineering programs. The office handles major declarations, transfer credits, course substitutions, articulations, and degree certifications. Undergraduate students obtain and submit all paperwork requiring departmental approval to the undergraduate advising office. Transfer students should also refer to the Transfer Information and Policy section.
Baskin Engineering Building, Room 225
advising@soe.ucsc.edu
(831) 459-5840
Major Qualification
In order to be admitted into the biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics major students must be listed as a proposed major within the School of Engineering. Please refer to the School of Engineering's "Proposed Major Retention" and its "Declaring a School of Engineering Major" sections in the catalog and the Undergraduate Affairs website for more information.
In addition to being listed as a proposed School of Engineering major, students must have completed at least 45 credits with a GPA of 2.8 or better in courses required for the major. Students with two or more grades of NP, C-, D+, D, D-, or F in these courses are not qualified to declare.
Students wishing to declare the biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics major after the sixth quarter must appeal, must already have a declared major in which they have completed at least one major requirement course and be making reasonable progress, and must have completed 10 more credits of required courses in the biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics major for each additional quarter.
Transfer students should refer to the Transfer Information and Policy section.
Appeal Process
Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the undergraduate director within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the Undergraduate Advising office will notify the student, the college, and the Office of the Registrar of the decision.
If you have further questions concerning the appeal process, please contact the Undergraduate Advising office at (831) 459-5840 or email advising@soe.ucsc.edu.
More information regarding the appeal process can be found here: https://undergrad.soe.ucsc.edu/appeal-your-major
How to Declare a Major
Students are encouraged to investigate studying for short periods of time (a summer or a quarter) at other institutions, to broaden their education.
The BME Department has established an exchange program with Danish Technical University (DTU), which makes study there for one semester relatively easy, particularly for the bioinformatics concentration. Proposed plans of study should still be cleared with the undergraduate director.
Other exchange programs are also being developed.
Biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics majors are considered for "Honors in the Major" and "Highest Honors in the Major" based on their GPA and on results of undergraduate research. Students with a GPA of 3.7 or higher receive "Highest Honors in the Major." Students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher, but lower than 3.7, receive "Honors in the Major." Students with particularly significant accomplishments in undergraduate research may receive honors or highest honors with a lower GPA. Students who have been found guilty of academic misconduct are not eligible for either honors or highest honors.
Because of the enormous breadth of requirements, biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics majors are urged to take honors courses or sections whenever possible to get as much as possible out of the courses they take in each field.