The Biomolecular Engineering (BME) Department within the Baskin School of Engineering features an interdisciplinary blend of engineering, biology, chemistry, and statistics designed to foster collaboration with other departments. This blend reflects our vision of the direction that biomedical discovery will take over the next two decades.
Members of the Biomolecular Engineering Department collaborate actively with faculty from other engineering departments and with the Physical and Biological Sciences departments of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Ocean Sciences.
1st
to complete a gapless sequence of a human genome
#13
best public school for making an impact (Princeton Review, 2025)
AAU
in 2019, UCSC was named to the Association of American Universities, joining just 65 other universities
6th
Distinguished Professor David Haussler ranked sixth among top scientists in computer science (Top Scientists Rankings for Computer Science and Electronics, 2021)
Explore potential Biomolecular Engineering career paths
- Research Scientist
- Product Manager
- Engineer
- Field Technician
- Process Engineer
- IT Specialist/Analyst
Discovering new vaccine targets
Researchers pinpoint a target for treating the virus that causes the stomach bug—driving forward the development of vaccines and therapies.
BME research news
Nine major wins worth celebrating for 2025
From amazing research discoveries to high-impact new education and fundraising initiatives, UC Santa Cruz created significant positive change, despite headwinds
David Deamer and David Haussler elected Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors
The recognition is the highest professional distinction awarded to academic inventors.
2025 iGEM team investigates solution to common food toxin
The undergraduate research team won a silver medal at the 2025 international jamboree.
