Ramping Up Toward the Future
Since its establishment in 2000 as the School of Engineering and Computer Science's newest program, bioengineering has experienced continued growth in enrollment, with nearly 80 students currently. This year the program is being expanded and transitions to become the school's newest department. The change will open up new opportunities to prepare Pacific graduates to succeed in an ever-broadening interdisciplinary career field.
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Bioengineering department chair Shelly Gulati shared that this change allows for new electives and course offerings, widening the scope to additional areas of bioengineering, such as biopharmaceuticals. A recent manifestation of new collaboration has been the department's co-sponsorship of the Science Seminar Series, which brings scholars from a wide range of disciplines to Pacific offering students the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research. "Bioengineering is a bit different than the other engineering fields," said Gulati, "in that research opportunities-even at the undergraduate level-are very important to future employers." Preparing work-ready graduates for success in their lives and careers is a core value of the school and the university. |
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The school's emphasis on undergraduate research and practical experience through its CO-OP program has laid an excellent foundation to ensure Pacific graduates are strong candidates for careers in bioengineering, and for furthering their education at the graduate level. With expanded collaborations and curricular offerings, the new department will build on this foundation with more teamwork-oriented, hands-on courses and cultivate additional avenues for interdisciplinary undergraduate research.
"The change is about targeting what students need to succeed in their professional lives once they leave Pacific," said Gulati.
