Bioengineering
Admission Requirements
- Application
- Application fee - $50 domestic; $75 international
- Statement of purpose – must be an original essay submitted with application. Scanned copies will not be accepted for submission.
- Resume – must be submitted with application
Bioengineering applicants must complete essay questions and an application background survey. Contact the department for more information - Official transcripts – we require one official copy of each previous transcript. Send e-transcripts to Graduate Admissions at graduateadmissions@ucdenver.edu
- Letters of recommendation – three are required
- GRE scores are not required. If choosing to submit, send scores officially through ETS using code #4875.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants to the PhD or Master of Science in Bioengineering should meet the following minimum requirements:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree in engineering or physical sciences from an accredited United States institution or comparable international institution, or
- Completion of a bachelor's degree in a bioscience-related field with the following courses:
- Calculus I, II, and Differential Equations/Linear Algebra
- one year of college-level Physics, preferably calculus-based
- computer programming coursework or experience is not required but highly recommended
Students without these pre-requisite courses may be required to take additional relevant undergraduate courses during their first year in the program; any such requirements will be specifically determined by the Bioengineering Graduate Affairs Committee on a case-by-case basis and will be made known to the applicant at the time of acceptance to the program. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred (but not required) for admission to the program. Applicants with a GPA below the preferred level may still apply but have a lower chance of admission.
Faculty
Professors
Kristyn Masters, PhD kristyn.masters@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: biomaterials and tissue engineering, program feedback, significant grievances
Cathy Bodine, PhD cathy.bodine@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Assistive technology, rehabilitation engineering
Keith Neeves, PhD keith.neeves@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Hematology and oncology
Robin Shandas, PhD robin.shandas@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Novel methods for translational bioengineering
Associate Professors
Richard Benninger, PhD richard.benninger@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Optical microscopy, pancreatic islet biology and biophysics, diabetes
Emily Gibson, PhD emily.gibson@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Microfluidics technology, optical microscopy, and spectroscopy
Kendall Hunter, PhD kendall.hunter@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Soft tissue mechanics, vascular and cardiac imaging diagnostics, translational biomechanics
Jeffrey Jacot, PhD jeffrey.jacot@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Stem cells and heart tissue engineering
Chelsea Magin, PhD chelsea.magin@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: regulatory affairs and pulmonary engineering
Daewon Park, PhD daewon.park@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Biomaterials, drug delivery, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Research Associate Professors
Richard Weir, PhD richard.weir@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Neural engineering, biomechatronic design, and rehabilitation engineering
Assistant Professors
Gaffney, Brecca, PhD brecca.gaffney@ucdenver.edu
Specialties: Biomechanics, orthopedics, prosthetics, rehabilitation, clinical assessment tools
Morris Huang, PhD morris.huang@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Mechatronics, usability testing Assistive technology for mobility, clinical assessment tools
Brisa Peña, PhD brisa.penacastellanos@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Material science, atomic force microscopy, cardiac tissue engineering, and miRNA delivery
Bradford Smith, PhD bradford.smith@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Lung structure-function relationships, optimized mechanical ventilation, and high-performance computing
Assistant Research Professors
Tarik Walker, PhD tarik.walker@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Bioengineering Scholars Program
Instructors
Jasmine Nejad, jasmine.nejad@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: Design and prototyping
Steven Lammers, PhD steven.lammers@cuanschutz.edu
Specialties: 3D printing & design, bioprintable materials, tissue engineering of 3D cellularized scaffolds
Eric Roth, PhD eric.roth@cuanschutz.edu.
Specialties: design, safety & compliance
Affiliated Faculty
Students receive instruction from affiliate faculty in the University of Colorado system, including CU Boulder and the CU School of Medicine. Faculty research areas include imaging and biophotonics, cardiovascular biomechanics and hemodynamics, orthopedic biomechanics, neuromuscular control and assistive technology, surgery and urological sciences, ophthalmology, neuroscience engineering, polymers and diabetes. Please consult our website (ucdenver.edu/bioengineering) for more information.
Bioengineering (BIOE) Courses
BIOE 5000 - Seminar Series (1 Credit)
A seminar course covering advancements in bioengineering, featuring speakers from industry and academia who are leaders in the field.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 3.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOE 5010 - Cell and Molecular Biology for Bioengineers (3 Credits)
Introduction to cellular and molecular biology, with a focus on using engineering methods and literature to analyze structure and function of cells throughout lifecycle and multiple scales. Design experiments to test hypotheses. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
BIOE 5011 - Systems Physiology for Bioengineers (3 Credits)
Use engineering principles to study key physiological systems. Topics: cardiovascular, neuroscience, urological, or renal medicine. Related engineering principles: pressure-flow relationships, stress-strain, electromechanical coupling and signal transduction. Prereq: Graduate standing in Bioengineering or instructor permission. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
BIOE 5020 - Analytics and Machine Learning in Bioengineering (3 Credits)
This course provides mathematical tools essential for graduate level bioengineering work. Studies selected topics from probability, linear algebra, and vector calculus, with emphasis on bioengineering applications. Prereq: Requires prerequisite course of MATH 3191 (minimum grade D-). Restriction: Restricted to students with graduate standing in Bioengineering or instructor permission. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Requires prerequisite course of MATH 3191 (minimum grade D-). Restricted to students with graduate standing in Bioengineering or instructor permission.
BIOE 5021 - Numerical Methods for Engineering Analysis (3 Credits)
Provides computational skills and knowledge of numerical methods for engineering/scientific computation using Matlab. Topics: root finding, interpolation, difference and integration rules, solution of initial and boundary value ODEs, and introduction to the solution of PDEs. Prereq: Graduate standing in Bioengineering or instructor permission. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
BIOE 5039 - Mechatronics and Embedded Systems (3 Credits)
The course focuses on the design and construction of microprocessor-controlled electro-mechanical systems. Lectures review critical circuit topics (Ohm’s law, RLC circuits, DC and AC signals, diode and transistor circuits, operational amplifiers, and digital signals), introduce microprocessor architecture and programming, discuss sensor and actuator component selection, robotic systems, and design strategies for complex, multi-system devices. Lab work reinforces lectures and allows hands-on experience with robotic and embedded systems design. Students must design and build an embedded systems device related to assistive technology. Note: Project expenses may be incurred ($50 maximum). Cross-listed with BIOE 4039. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
BIOE 5040 - Research Methods for Bioengineers (2 Credits)
This course introduces research methods that will prepare bioengineering graduate students for completing basic or translational research and communicating the results. Topics include setting expectations with mentors, finding, reading, analyzing, citing, and reviewing scientific literature, technical writing, research presentations, and responsible conduct of research. Restriction: Restricted to Students must be enrolled in the CU BIOE BS/MS program OR be within the first two years of CU BIOE MS/PhD study and have identified a research advisor. Students enrolled in other departments may be admitted with instructor approval. Max hours: 2 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: the BIOE BS/MS program OR BIOE MS/PhD study.
Typically Offered: Spring.
BIOE 5041 - Clinical Experiences for Bioengineers (1 Credit)
This course provides opportunities for clinical experiences such as observing surgeries and touring intensive care units to prepare students for clinical applications and foster collaborations with clinical practitioners. Experiences take place through the school year. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in Bioengineering (MS/PHD). Repeatable. Max Hours: 2 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 2.
Typically Offered: Fall.
BIOE 5053 - Optics & Microscopy in Biomedical Research (3 Credits)
Graduate overview of optical imaging, ranging from classical microscopy to advanced non-linear techniques and includes theory, technology and applications in biomedical sciences. This will prepare students for developing and applying state-of-the-art optical imaging in their research. Cross-listed with BIOE 4053. Prereq: Grad standing or permission from the instructor. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
BIOE 5054 - Introduction to Regulatory Affairs (3 Credits)
This course is designed to introduce the regulations that govern the design, testing, approval, and sale of medical products. Restriction: Restricted to BIOE majors or with instructor permission. Cross-listed with BIOE 4054 Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Bioengineering students with graduate student status.
BIOE 5057 - Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology (3 Credits)
This course provides students with an overview of technologies and their use by and for persons with disabilities. Cross-listed with BIOE 4057. Restriction: Restricted to students with BIOE designation, or with instructor permission. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Bioengineering students with graduate student status.
BIOE 5058 - Intro to Design, Disability, and Aging (3 Credits)
This course provides an introduction to the topic of disability and aging and the application of bioengineering principles for persons living with functional impairment(s) across the lifespan. Cross-listed with BIOE 4058. Restriction: Restricted to BIOE majors or with instructor permission. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Bioengineering students with graduate student status.
BIOE 5063 - 3D Modeling for Bioengineers (3 Credits)
Course instills 3D modeling skills specific to biomedical industry. Topics include computer aided design, medical imaging, image processing, patient specific image to three-dimensional model reconstruction, non-uniform rational b-spline surfaces, finite element, computational fluid dynamics analyses, physical modeling using rapid prototyping. Restrictions: Matriculated CEDC students. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.
BIOE 5064 - Advanced MatLab For Bioengineers And Life Scientists (3 Credits)
This course focus on the practical application of MATLAB in bioengineering and life sciences contexts, although the material is more broadly applicable. Specific topics include error handling and debugging; graphical user interfaces and advanced plotting; image processing; statistics; modeling and model fitting; time-series signal analysis; data management; as well as code profiling, performance optimization, and parallel computing. Cross-listed with BIOE 4064 Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
BIOE 5067 - Human Factors and Usability Testing for Bioengineers (3 Credits)
This course provides an introduction to human factors testing and evaluation in the context of medical devices and assistive technology (AT). Particular focus will be given towards designing and applying usability testing to inform product design decisions or improvements. Topics include human factor considerations for aging and disabled populations (and their care providers), usability techniques, user experience data collection and interpretation, etc. Students will engage in hands-on human factors assessments such as contextual inquiry of surgery patients, cognitive walkthroughs with simulating disability, and product usability testing and iteration. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
BIOE 5068 - Introduction to Medical Imaging (3 Credits)
This course will introduce graduate students to the basic physics, technologies, and clinical methodologies underlying Ultrasound, MRI, CT, PET and SPECT imaging systems. The course will include lectures, and visits to campus hospital and research imaging systems as well as hands on ultrasound labs. Cross-listed with BIOE 4068. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
BIOE 5069 - Biofluid Mechanics (3 Credits)
This course covers fundamental fluid mechanics concepts with a focus on biological and biomedical applications. Students will learn to solve fluid mechanics problems with both analytical approaches and computational fluid dynamics simulations in Solidworks. Restriction: Restricted to students with graduate standing. Cross-listed with BIOE 4069 Max hours: 3 credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to graduate students and graduate non-degree seeking students.
BIOE 5073 - Neural Interfaces and Bionic Limbs (3 Credits)
This course will introduce graduate students to topics in neural interfaces (Brain machine interfaces, peripheral nerve interfaces etc), the issues involved in the design of mechatronic limb systems and the decoding algorithms used to map the neural interface to the mechatronic limb. Cross-listed with BIOE 4073. Restrictions: Matriculated CEDC students. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Spring.
BIOE 5074 - Introduction to Laboratory Animal Research (3 Credits)
This course provides basic theoretical and practical knowledge on theuse of the most common laboratory animal species, animal models and welfare, general concepts on animal biology and husbandry, and essential principles of anesthesia, analgesia, surgery and peri operative care. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
BIOE 5083 - Polymers in Biomedical Applications (3 Credits)
This course will introduce graduate students to fundamental synthetic method and basic characteristics of various polymeric biomaterials and their crucial roles in different biomedical applications. It will also cover how the polymers can be modified to enhance biomedical applications. Cross-listed with BIOE 4083. Prereq: Graduate standing at CU Denver or instructor permission. Max Hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
BIOE 5100 - Image Processing for BIOEs (3 Credits)
This course provides an overview of basic and advanced image processing algorithms from both a theoretical and a practical perspective with special emphasis in Bioengineering. Topics to be covered include quantization, filtering, texture analysis, Fourier transform, wavelets, morphological operations, image registration, segmentation, machine learning, deep learning, and principal component analysis (PCA). Cross-listed with BIOE 4100. Max hours: 3 credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Spring.
BIOE 5200 - Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (3 Credits)
This Bioengineering course is designed to familiarize students with the application of stem cells in regenerative medicine and in tissue engineering, including the integration of stem cells into damaged tissues. The course will cover the current state of tissue/organ engineering in the research and clinical settings. Some prior knowledge of cell biology is required to understand the content presented and discuss relevant literature. Max hours: 3 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall.
BIOE 5300 - Medical Device Design and Entrepreneurship (3 Credits)
This course will introduce the important processes needed to implement a medical device into a viable entrepreneurial venture with strong focus on the themes of disruption and innovation, investment readiness of a product idea (traction), business and risk analysis, and funding your ideas. At the same time, we will explore your entrepreneurial personality through the three lenses of personal motivation, work passion, and superpowers. Cross-listed with BIOE 4300. Term offered: Fall. Max hours: 3 credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Fall.
BIOE 5420 - Special Topics in Bioengineering (1-6 Credits)
Special topics of particular interest to graduate students in Bioengineering. Repeatable. Max hours: 12 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 12.
BIOE 5500 - Bioengineering and Diabetes (1 Credit)
This course will introduce and reinforce fundamental concepts in metabolism and diabetes pathogenesis and introduce key bioengineering principles in developing diagnostics, treatments and cures for diabetes. Restriction: Restricted to Bioengineering students with graduate student status. Term offered: Spring.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Restriction: Restricted to Bioengineering students with graduate student status.
Typically Offered: Spring.
BIOE 5600 - Catalyzing Biomedical Health in Rural Guatamala (4 Credits)
As a student of this Study Abroad program, you will travel to the Trifinio clinic to learn what it takes to provide quality medical care in rural settings and work alongside community members to design new innovative solutions to real world problems. Cross-listed with BIOE 4600 Term offered: Summer. Max hours: 4 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Typically Offered: Summer.
BIOE 5840 - Independent Study in Bioengineering (1-6 Credits)
Graduate level independent study in Bioengineering with a faculty mentor. Prereq: Graduate standing within the Department of Bioengineering or permission of instructor. Repeatable. Max Hours: 6 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
BIOE 5939 - Graduate Internship (1-6 Credits)
Department of Bioengineering Internship. Credit may not be applied toward the MS in Bioengineering degree. Enrollment by department permission only. Max Hours: 6 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
BIOE 6655 - Foundations of Doctoring MS Years (1-5 Credits)
This course is for CU MD-MS students who are on leave of absense from SOM and wish to maintina clinical exporsure and training during the leave. Prereq: Phase I & II SOM classes. Repeatable. Max Hours: 20 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Repeatable. Max Credits: 20.
BIOE 6950 - Masters Thesis (1-6 Credits)
Research for Master Thesis under supervision of faculty thesis advisor. Prerequesites: Consent of thesis advisor. Restrictions: Satisfactory progress toward MS-Bioengineering degree. Repeatable. Max hours: 6 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
Additional Information: Report as Full Time.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
BIOE 6960 - Master's Project (1-6 Credits)
Training for Master's Project under the supervision of faculty project advisor. Prereq: Department Consent. Repeatable. Max hours: 6 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP
Repeatable. Max Credits: 6.
Additional Information: Report as Full Time.
BIOE 8990 - Doctoral Dissertation (1-10 Credits)
Research for doctoral dissertation under supervision of faculty advisor. Prerequisites: Consent of dissertation advisor. Restrictions: Satisfactory progress toward PhD-Bioengineering Degree. Repeatable. Max hours: 10 Credits.
Grading Basis: Letter Grade with IP
Repeatable. Max Credits: 10.
Additional Information: Report as Full Time.
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.