BS Bioengineering at California Institute of Technology

Programme overview

Provides a foundation for graduate study and careers applying engineering principles to the design, analysis, construction and manipulation of biological systems, with project-oriented teamwork courses and scientific communication training.

Faculty: Division of Biology and Biological Engineering | Department: Bioengineering | Duration: 4 years (12 terms of enrollment; 486 units of passing grades required) | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall | Location: Pasadena, CA, United States

What you will study

Required courses in quantitative bioengineering (BE/Bi 103a, BE 150 or BE/CS/CNS/Bi 191a, BE/Bi/APh 161, BE/ChE 163), experimental methods (Bi 1x, BE 107 or BE/EE/MedE 189a, ChE/Ch/BE 130 or BE/CS 196a), biology, chemistry and physics (Ph 2, Bi 8, Bi 9, BE/Bi 25, Ch 41a, Ch/Bi 110a), mathematics and computation (ACM 95 ab, Ma 2, Ma 3).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-wide first-year admission (not major-specific; students enter an option after the common first year). Expected preparation: four years of math including one year of calculus, one year of physics, one year of chemistry, one year of biology recommended, four years of English, two years of history and/or social sciences. SAT or ACT required (individual subscores considered); two letters of recommendation (one STEM teacher, one humanities or social science teacher) plus a Secondary School Report and essays; English proficiency (TOEFL iBT, IELTS or Duolingo) for applicants whose first language is not English and who were not taught in English. Applications via Common App or QuestBridge; Restrictive Early Action deadline November 1, Regular Decision January 4, 2027. Caltech does not admit applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree from another institution (such applicants apply as transfers). Option continuation: Students with a grade-point average lower than 1.9 are not allowed to continue in the option except with special permission from the option representative.

USD 68,574 a year (2026-27). Tuition only for full-time undergraduates in 2026-27 (excludes student fees, housing and food). Same rate for all undergraduates; tuition is billed for 12 terms. Source

First-year entry is in the fall term. Caltech does not admit transfer students for the winter or spring terms.

First-year applicants apply through the Common App or the QuestBridge Application. Restrictive Early Action applications are due November 1, 2026 (decision by mid-December; reply by May 1, 2027); Regular Decision applications are due January 4, 2027 (decision by mid-March). The application fee is $85. SAT or ACT scores are required (scores due before November 30, 2026 for Restrictive Early Action and before December 31, 2026 for Regular Decision).

Transfer applications are due February 1, 2027, with transfer exams due February 15, 2027, notification in mid-April and a reply deadline of June 1, 2027. The transfer application fee is $85, paid through the Beaver Breakroom application portal.

Apply through the official page: https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/

Explore more study programmes

Engineering