Biocomputation and AI minor
Artificial intelligence and computational methods are transforming how biomedical data are interpreted and how new solutions are developed for human health. The Biocomputation and Artificial Intelligence minor gives students an interdisciplinary pathway to build skills in programming, probability and statistics, machine learning, and biomedical applications of AI.
Open to undergraduate students in engineering and the sciences, including Bioengineering, the minor moves from foundational computational training to advanced electives and an experiential capstone or supervised research project. Students learn to identify meaningful opportunities for AI in biology, bioengineering, and medicine and to develop computational solutions in those contexts.
Program Highlights
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FOUNDATIONS Programming, statistics & machine learning |
APPLICATIONS Medical imaging, neural engineering, bioinformatics & more |
RESPONSIBLE AI Ethical and responsible use integrated into required ML coursework |
EXPERIENCE Capstone or supervised directed research |
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Program Coordinators: Dr. Yuling Yan and Dr. Hamed Akbari Students should review course prerequisites and consult their academic advisor when planning the minor. |
Requirements for the Biocomputation and Artificial Intelligence Minor
Students complete three components: foundational coursework, upper-division technical electives, and an experiential activity. Multiple course options provide flexibility for students from different engineering and science disciplines.
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Foundational Courses 12 units minimum across lower- and upper-division requirements |
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- Lower-Division Courses — 4 units minimum
Select one:
- BIOE 45 — Computer Programming in MATLAB and Python
- CSEN 11 — Advanced Programming
- CSCI 60 — Introduction to C++ and Object-Oriented Programming
- OMIS 30 — Introduction to Programming
- Upper-Division Courses — 8 units minimum
- BIOE 177A+B — Machine Learning and Applications in Biomedical Engineering (required)
Plus one of the following:
- BIOE 120 — Experimental Methods in Bioengineering
- BIOL 160 — Biostatistics
- AMTH 108 — Probability and Statistics
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Technical Elective Courses 8 units minimum |
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Complete at least 8 units from the approved technical electives:
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• BIOE 167 — Introduction to Medical Imaging |
• BIOE 138 and 139 — Medicinal Chemistry I and II |
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• BIOE 179 — Introduction to Neural Engineering |
• BIOL 170 — Advanced Analysis of Biological Data |
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• BIOE 184 — AI in Medical Imaging |
• BIOL 172 — Molecular Modeling |
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• BIOE 183 — Applications of Genome Engineering and Informatics in Mammalian Systems |
• BIOL 178 — Bioinformatics |
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• BIOE 181 — Deep Learning for Bioengineering I |
• CHEM 155 — Chemical Computation |
Technical electives used to fulfill requirements of another major or minor cannot also be counted toward this minor. Students should work with their academic advisor to choose electives that provide an appropriate balance of breadth and depth.
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Experiential Activity 5 units minimum |
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Complete an academically supervised experience that integrates coursework through the design and development of computational or AI-driven solutions in bioengineering, biology, or related fields.
Select one:
- Option A — Senior Capstone: A relevant engineering or sciences senior capstone course focused on the application of computational models and AI for biomedical applications.
- Option B — Supervised Directed Research: At least 5 units of directed research related to AI for biomedical applications, culminating in a written report, submitted paper, or thesis and approved in advance by the minor program coordinator(s). Examples include BIO 198B, ENGR 199, and PHSC 193.