Bioengineering is an interdisciplinary field that includes design, dynamics, solid mechanics, controls, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, robotics and manufacturing. A course of study in the Department of Mechanical Engineering has a different focus than the one offered in the Department of Bioengineering; here we emphasize engineering and engineering science aspects of the field. Students wishing to develop a strong engineering basis to their work in Bioengineering are encouraged to pursue their interests in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The field of bioengineering has undergone
dramatic growth during the last decade, and 
many
innovations can be credited to work at UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco. Currently
the Bay Area is considered one of the major international centers for bioengineering
research where numerous companies provide excellent employment opportunities
for UC graduates.
A large number of research programs are offered both within the department as
well as jointly with UCSF. These programs cover all areas of mechanical engineering,
including experimental and analytical projects. Representative topics involve
artificial intelligence, biological microsensor fabrication and manufacturing
of surgical instruments, fundamental research in orthopedics (in collaboration
with the departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Radiology at UCSF), sports medicine
and sport injury research, repetitive injuries, robotics and development of
robotic surgery, models and controls of biochemical processes in the environment
and in humans, fluid mechanics of biotechnological processes and the human body,
low temperature biology, cryobiology, and cryosurgery.
In addition to traditional courses covering the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, a series of highly specialized courses relevant to bioengineering are offered. These include a core set of courses dealing with the introduction to bioengineering, orthopedic biomechanics, fluid mechanics in bioengineering, controls in bioengineering, heat and mass transport in bioengineering, tissue mechanics, and a seminar series. Additional courses relevant to bioengineering are given in the department, as well as in the College of Engineering and jointly with UCSF.
Faculty members involved in Bioengineering are Professors A. Agogino, D. Auslander, S. A. Berger, H. Kazerooni, T. Keaveny, D. Liepmann, D. Lieu, A. Majumdar, L. Pruitt, B. Rubinsky, Xiang Zhang and Professor Emeritus L. Talbot.
Research Areas
Research Facilities