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Bioengineering

At the College of Engineering at Valpo, bioengineering students learn about improving the lives of others by combining principles of engineering and physiological knowledge.

Why Bioengineering at Valpo?

Students in Bioengineering at Valpo get to choose from three different tracks: biomechanics, bioelectrical, and biomedical engineering, allowing them to customize their degree to fit their particular interests within the field. The bioengineering curriculum closely integrates biology and chemistry content into engineering topics, linking scientific knowledge with immediate application of that knowledge. Students learn by doing in a state-of-the-art bioengineering laboratory. Bioengineering students develop strong communication and leadership skills to accompany their technical expertise. Well-rounded Valpo engineers are highly sought by industry, as evidenced by an overall engineering placement rate of greater than 99% over the past four years.

About Our Bioengineering Degrees

General Information

Career placement rates for College of Engineering graduates average 97% over last 10 years.

The three different tracks in the bioengineering major will prepare graduates for a variety of careers, including:

  • Project Engineer
  • Process Engineer
  • Design Engineer
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Research and Development
  • Professor/Teacher
  • Marketing
  • Patent Lawyer

Our graduates can expect to work in places like:

  • Biotech Companies
  • Pharmaceutical Companies
  • Research Laboratories

The Bioengineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Mission

The Department of Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering provides a program of professional study grounded in engineering fundamentals and arts and sciences augmented by the development of interpersonal skills, experiential learning, and an appreciation of life-long learning. Graduates are prepared to apply their knowledge to society’s needs and help shape the future.

BE Program Educational Objectives

Student Outcomes describe what students pursuing a bioengineering bachelor’s degree are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program. The Student Outcomes help to direct and measure the success of the Bioengineering Program in accomplishing its mission. Review of the Student Outcomes is an integral part of the annual assessment process.

Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation. They are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies. The Program Educational Objectives help to direct and measure the success of the Bioengineering Program in accomplishing its mission. Review of the Educational Objectives is an integral part of the annual assessment process.

Within a few years of graduation, bioengineering graduates will be expected to:

  1. Have a vocation.
  2. Demonstrate growth or advancement in their chosen vocation.
  3. Serve society through their endeavors in their chosen vocation.
  4. Lead society in through their endeavors in their chosen vocation.

Student Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bioengineering Program, graduates will have:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal context
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
  8. Additionally, the structure of the curriculum must provide both breadth and depth across the range of engineering and science topics consistent with the program educational objectives and student outcomes. The curriculum must prepare graduates with experience in:
  9. (a) Applying principles of engineering, biology, human physiology, chemistry, calculus-based physics, mathematics (through differential equations) and statistics
  10. (b) Solving bio/biomedical engineering problems, including those associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems
  11. (c) Analyzing, modeling, designing, and realizing bio/biomedical engineering devices, systems, components, or processes
  12. (d) Making measurements on and interpreting data from living systems

Enrollment and Graduation Data

The College of Engineering tracks its enrollment and graduation data, click the link below to view our data over the past five years.

Course Pathways

Semester 1
GE 100 Fundamentals of Engineering2 Cr.
CORE 110 The Human Experience4 Cr.
MATH 131 Analytic Geom. & Calc. I4 Cr.
PHYS 141 Newtonian Mechanics3 Cr.
PHYS 141L Experimental Physics I1 Cr.
KIN 101 Wellness and Stress1 Cr.
Semester 2
ME 102 Computer-Aided Design1 Cr.
ME 125 Computer Prog. for Mech. Eng.1 Cr.
GE 109 Mechanics-Statics3 Cr.
MATH 132 Calculus II4 Cr.
PHYS 142 Physics: II E&M3 Cr.
CORE 115 The Human Experience4 Cr.
Semester 3
ME 209 Mechanics-Dynamics3 Cr.
ECE 281 Fundamentals of Electrical Eng.2.5 Cr.
BIO 151 Anatomy and Physiology I (lab)4 Cr.
MATH 253 Calc. III4 Cr.
ME 201 Technical Writing1 Cr.
CHEM 115 Chemistry (lab)4 Cr.
Semester 4
MATH 260 Linear Systems and Matrices1 Cr.
MATH 270 Ordinary Diff. Equations3 Cr.
STAT 240 Statistical Analysis3 Cr.
BIO 152 Anatomy and Physiology II (lab)4 Cr.
ME 215 Mechanics of Materials3 Cr.
ME 261 Analog Circuits Laboratory0.5 Cr.
Semester 5
BE 317 Sustainable Engineering2 Cr.
ME 333 Measurements (lecture and lab)4 Cr.
ME 355 Sys. Maeling and Num. Methods3 Cr.
ME 373 Fluid Mechanics3 Cr.
GE 311 Financial Decisions in Engr.1.5 Cr.
GE 312 Ethical Decisions in Engr.1.5 Cr.
Semester 6
BE 320 Bioengineering Tech Lab1 Cr.
BE 340 Bioelectricity3 Cr.
BE 369 Biomechanics3 Cr.
ME 252 Materials Science2.5 Cr.
ME 270 Thermodynamics I3 Cr.
BE Technical Elective3 Cr.
Semester 7
GE 497 Sr. Design Proj. I3 Cr.
ME 352 Mat. Science & Mechanics Lab0.5 Cr.
ME 442 Automatic Control3 Cr.
BE 415 Biomaterials3 Cr.
BE Technical Elective3 Cr.
THEO 200 The Christian Tradition3 Cr.
Semester 8
GE 498 Senior Design Project II3 Cr.
ME 376 Heat Transfer3 Cr.
BE Technical Elective1 Cr.
Hum., Soc. Science, Theo. Elective3 Cr.
Hum., Soc. Science, Theo. Elective3 Cr.
World Lang./ Diversity Elective3 Cr.
Total credits required for graduation=126 Cr.

Electives

Writing Intensive Course (as indicated by a superscript “w”): At least one course taken to satisfy the World Languages/Diversity Elective, Humanities, Social Science, and Theology Electives, THEO 200:  The Christian Tradition, or ME 201 must be a Writing Intensive Course.  List of approved Writing Intensive Courses

Cooperative Education:  GE 481 through GE 483 may be used to satisfy the Professional Electives requirement.  All courses are graded S/U only.

Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives: Students may take six credits from the approved list of Humanities courses, Social Science courses, or Theology courses.  Courses may be from the same area or from different areas.  List of approved Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives

MCAT Preparation:  Students participating in the Biomedical Track that wish to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) should take SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits that count towards Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives) and PSY 110 General Psychology (3 credits).

Bioengineering Electives: Additional bioengineering and mechanical engineering courses are to be selected to provide areas of individual study emphasis from the following courses: BE 200, 468, ME 253, 353, 361, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 374, 405, 452, 453, 455, 456, 457, 467, and multiple sections of ME 490 or BE 490.  Other courses may be used to satisfy this elective with the approval of the department faculty.  Up to three credits may be substituted for students taking an approved second technical major or an approved technical minor.  Only three hours of BE 499 or ME 499course credits may be applied as a BE elective.  Courses which fulfill mechanical engineering elective requirements are indicated with a superscript “b”(…)b.

Computer Specifications: When looking for a computer to use for engineering classes, click here for the specifications.

Semester 1
GE 100 Fundamentals of Engineering2 Cr.
CORE 110 The Human Experience4 Cr.
MATH 131 Analytic Geom. & Calc. I4 Cr.
PHYS 141/L Newtonian Mechanics4 Cr.
KIN 101 Wellness and Stress1 Cr.
Semester 2
ME 102 Computer-Aided Design1 Cr.
ME 125 Computer Prog. for Mech. Eng1 Cr.
GE 109 Mechanics-Statics3 Cr.
MATH 132 Calculus II4 Cr.
PHYS 142 Physics: II E&M3 Cr.
CORE 115 The Human Experience4 Cr.
Semester 3
MATH 253 Calculus III4 Cr.
BIO 151 Anatomy and Physiology (lab)4 Cr.
CHEM 115 Chemistry4 Cr.
ECE 281 Fundamentals of Electrical Eng.2.5 Cr.
ME 201 Technical Writing for ME1 Cr.
ME 209 Mechanics-Dynamics3 Cr.
Semester 4
MATH 260 Linear Algebra1 Cr.
MATH 270 Differential Equations3 Cr.
STAT 240 Statistical Analysis3 Cr.
BIO 152 Anatomy and Physiology II (lab)4 Cr.
ME 261 Analog Circuits Lab0.5 Cr.
Hum., Soc. Science, Theo. Elective3 Cr.
Semester 5
ECE 221 Digital Logic Design3 Cr.
ECE 251 Engineering Programming I3 Cr.
BE 317 Sustainable Engineering2 Cr.
ME 333 Measurements (leacture & lab)4 Cr.
ME 355 Sys. Modeling & Num. Methods3 Cr.
Semester 6
BE 320 Bioengineering Tech. Lab1 Cr.
BE 340 Bioelectricity3 Cr.
BE 369 Biomechanics3 Cr.
ME 252 Materials Science2.5 Cr.
GE 311 Financial Decisions in Engr.1.5 Cr.
GE 312 Ethical Decisions in Engr.1.5 Cr.
BE Technical Elective3 Cr.
Semester 7
BE 415 Biomaterials3 Cr.
ME 352 Materials Science & Mech. Lab0.5 Cr.
ECE 322 Embedded Microcontrollers3 Cr.
ECE 360 Signals and Systems3 Cr.
GE 497 Sr. Design Proj. I3 Cr.
THEO 200 The Christian Tradition3 Cr.
Semester 8
GE 498 Senior Design Project II3 Cr.
World Language/ Diversity Elective3 Cr.
Hum., Soc. Science, Theo. Elective3 Cr.
ECE 452 Digital Signal Processing3 Cr.
BE Technical Elective4 Cr.
Total credits required for graduation126 Cr.

Electives

Writing Intensive Course (as indicated by a superscript “w”): At least one course taken to satisfy the World Languages/Diversity Elective, Humanities, Social Science, and Theology Electives, THEO 200:  The Christian Tradition, or ME 201 must be a Writing Intensive Course.  List of approved Writing Intensive Courses

Cooperative Education:  GE 481 through GE 483 may be used to satisfy the Professional Electives requirement.  All courses are graded S/U only.

Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives: Students may take six credits from the approved list of Humanities courses, Social Science courses, or Theology courses.  Courses may be from the same area or from different areas.  List of approved Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives

MCAT Preparation:  Students participating in the Biomedical Track that wish to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) should take SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits that count towards Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives) and PSY 110 General Psychology (3 credits).

Bioengineering Electives: Additional bioengineering and mechanical engineering courses are to be selected to provide areas of individual study emphasis from the following courses: BE 200, 468, ME 253, 353, 361, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 374, 405, 452, 453, 455, 456, 457, 467, and multiple sections of ME 490 or BE 490.  Other courses may be used to satisfy this elective with the approval of the department faculty.  Up to three credits may be substituted for students taking an approved second technical major or an approved technical minor.  Only three hours of BE 499 or ME 499course credits may be applied as a BE elective.  Courses which fulfill mechanical engineering elective requirements are indicated with a superscript “b”(…)b.

Computer Specifications: When looking for a computer to use for engineering classes, click here for the specifications.

Semester 1
GE 100 Fundamentals of Engineering2 Cr.
CORE 110 The Human Experience4 Cr.
MATH 131 Analytic Geom. & Calc. I4 Cr.
PHYS 141/L Newtonian Mechanics4 Cr.
KIN 101 Wellness and Stress1 Cr.
Semester 2
ME 102 Computer-Aided Design1 Cr.
ME 125 Comp. Prog. for Mech. Eng1 Cr.
GE 109 Mechanics-Statics3 Cr.
MATH 132 Calculus II4 Cr.
PHYS 142 Physics: II E&M3 Cr.
CORE 115 The Human Experience4 Cr.
Semester 3
MATH 253 Calculus III4 Cr.
BIO 151 Anatomy & Physiology I4 Cr.
ECE 281 Fundamentals of Electrical Eng.2.5 Cr.
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I (lab)4 Cr.
ME 201 Technical Writing for ME1 Cr.
ME 209 Mechanics-Dynamics3 Cr.
Semester 4
MATH 260 Lin. Systems & Matrices1 Cr.
MATH 270 Differential Equations3 Cr.
CHEM 122 General Chem. II (lab)4 Cr.
BIO 151 Anatomy & Physiology II4 Cr.
STAT 240 Statistical Analysis3 Cr.
ME 261 Analog Circuits Laboratory0.5 Cr.
Semester 5
BE 317 Sustainable Engineering2 Cr.
ME 333 Measurements (lab)4 Cr.
ME 355 Sys. Modeling & Num. Methods3 Cr.
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I (lab)4 Cr.
GE 311 Financial Decisions in Engr.1.5 Cr.
GE 312 Ethical Decisions in Engr.1.5 Cr.
Semester 6
BE 320 Bioengineering Tech. Lab1 Cr.
BE 340 Bioelectricity3 Cr.
BE 369 Biomechanics3 Cr.
CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry II (lab)4 Cr.
ME 252 Materials Science2.5 Cr.
ME 270 Thermodynamics I3 Cr.
Semester 7
GE 497 Sr. Design Proj. I3 Cr.
BE 415 Biomaterials3 Cr.
ME 352 Material Science & Mech. Lab0.5 Cr.
Bioengineering Technical Elective3 Cr.
Hum., Soc. Science, Theo. Electives6 Cr.
Semester 8
GE 498 Senior Design Project II3 Cr.
World Language/ Diversity Elective3 Cr.
THEO 200 The Christian Tradition3 Cr.
BE Technical Electives3 Cr.
Total credits required for graduation:126 Cr.

Electives

Writing Intensive Course (as indicated by a superscript “w”): At least one course taken to satisfy the World Languages/Diversity Elective, Humanities, Social Science, and Theology Electives, THEO 200:  The Christian Tradition, or ME 201 must be a Writing Intensive Course.  List of approved Writing Intensive Courses

Cooperative Education:  GE 481 through GE 483 may be used to satisfy the Professional Electives requirement.  All courses are graded S/U only.

Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives: Students may take six credits from the approved list of Humanities courses, Social Science courses, or Theology courses.  Courses may be from the same area or from different areas.  List of approved Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives

MCAT Preparation:  Students participating in the Biomedical Track that wish to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) should take SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits that count towards Humanities, Social Science, Theology Electives) and PSY 110 General Psychology (3 credits).

Bioengineering Electives: Additional bioengineering and mechanical engineering courses are to be selected to provide areas of individual study emphasis from the following courses: BE 200, 468, ME 253, 353, 361, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 374, 405, 452, 453, 455, 456, 457, 467, and multiple sections of ME 490 or BE 490.  Other courses may be used to satisfy this elective with the approval of the department faculty.  Up to three credits may be substituted for students taking an approved second technical major or an approved technical minor.  Only three hours of BE 499 or ME 499course credits may be applied as a BE elective.  Courses which fulfill mechanical engineering elective requirements are indicated with a superscript “b”(…)b.

Computer Specifications: When looking for a computer to use for engineering classes, click here for the specifications.

Bioengineering Minor

The purpose of the biomedical engineering minor is to expose Valpo students to a broad and exciting field aimed at improving the lives of others. The minor works well with the mechanical engineering curriculum and essentially directs students in their choices of elective courses while working toward graduation. However, the required courses can be completed by any student that has the necessary background and prerequisites in math and physics.

The focus of the biomedical engineering electives will be dictated by the expertise of each individual faculty member. One semester students might learn about the electrical signals the nervous system conveys to various muscles, and the next semester those students might learn about how to design prosthetic limbs and control them with existing anatomical inputs. Students who complete this 18 credit minor will graduate prepared to pursue graduate school or industrial jobs in one of the many applications of biomedical engineering, such as designing implants, medical devices, or prosthetics/orthotics.

Current research being performed in the Human Movement Research Laboratory in Gellersen falls under three main projects:

  • the analysis of gait while wearing different running shoes (four current engineering students),
  • the design and control of a prosthetic arm (three current engineering students),
  • and the development of a statistical metric that will be used to indicate when an athlete is on the verge of an injury (nine current engineering students and five current kinesiology students).

These studies are supported by state-of-the-art equipment that allows researchers to track people in motion using motion-capture cameras, record muscle activity using electromyogram (EMG) sensors, and study impact loads using in-sole pressure maps. These research projects have helped the College of Engineering send two students to the annual American Society of Biomechanics Conference in 2011, two students to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2012 Summer Bioengineering Conference, five students to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2013 Summer Bioengineering Conference, and six students to the World Congress of Biomechanics in 2014.

Bioengineering Research

A significant component of studying at Valparaiso University’s College of Engineering is the collaboration with knowledgeable faculty. Students have the opportunity to be mentored by and work along side renowned experts on research.

Meet Our Faculty

Professors. Mentors. Friends. At Valparaiso University, you will work on real-life problems alongside faculty leaders with decades of business experience and a true desire to do what’s best for you.

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