Frequently Asked Questions

In today’s world, many areas of science intersect with each other. Perhaps one of the most prominent example, where this multidisciplinary cooperation could be observed, is genetics and bioengineering. The genetic code held by DNA is diverse in millions of combinations and might exhibit differences in diseases such as cancer. In order to understand this, advanced mathematical approaches and probability analyses are needed. Algorithms formed with such methodologies are brought to life with the help of computer science. Such applications are made use of whilst developing drugs and bioengineering techniques. Moreover the intensive feedback between chemistry and biology is unquestionable. In other words, the translation of genetics and biology knowledge into bioengineering technologies is only possible by the integration of many different areas of science. Hence, successful bioengineers are expected to have a wide spectrum of knowledge and skills solidly rooted from this multidisciplinary basis.

The curriculum of Genetics and Bioengineering is comprised of advanced mathematics, physics and chemistry as well as computer programming courses. These courses are vital in terms of establishing fundamental engineering skills and they are taught at the same level with other engineering departments. As for the specific courses held by the genetics and bioengineering department, there are fundamental genetics and molecular biology as well as some application oriented courses. Theoretical and practical information of laboratory applications are heavily emphasised within bioengineering.

The education period is four years. In the first year, students take general engineering courses like mathematics, physics, chemistry and introduction to programming. In the subsequent years, an education program heavy in biotechnology and bioengineering courses will follow such as Microbial Biotechnology, Fundamentals of Bioengineering, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biomaterials, Protein Chemistry, Cancer Biology and Genetics and last but not least Cell and Tissue Engineering. In addition to the course work, laboratory courses will support and strengthen the student wet laboratory skills. In our department, depending on their areas of interest students can choose from a wide variety of elective courses such as Biomedical System Design, Stem Cells, Biosensors, and Genomics and Proteomics. During their four-year education, some students will have the opportunity to work on nationally or internationally funded faculty research projects.

Bioengineering is involved in anything related to life such as medicine, genetics, food and agriculture. At Izmir University of Economics in Genetics and Bioengineering bachelor program, we aim to educate our students as scientists who are willing to explore the unknown, open to acquiring new knowledge, research and advance themselves, question scientific data. Some of these skills will be acquired in time. Students should be patient, careful, able to investigate a question in pieces and open to acquiring new knowledge, these skills will advance the quality of our education.

If you successfully completed your applied sciences courses in high school, we are just expecting you to be curious, open to learning, exploring and reading. These are must have qualities for a university student. If you have prior knowledge on genetics and/or bioengineering, it will have a positive impact on your education at İzmir University of Economics.

First of all, the courses you will take during the four-year education program will be very helpful to improve yourself. Bulk of the courses will be in Genetics and Bioengineering and will help you become a successful bioengineer. In addition, the other courses from different fields will broaden your worldview and help you become a global world citizen. You may wish to take elective courses to acquire a minor or double major in another field.

Laboratory courses will strengthen wet laboratory skills of the students. Students will synthesize their practical and theoretical knowledge obtained from course work in the 3^rd year internship and 4^th year Graduation Projects. These projects will carry students one step further in the job market or higher education applications at the end of their four-year at IEU.

Students’ interaction with our young and dynamic faculty members, who are experts in their field, have done extensive scientific work abroad; will be an important part of their education and instrumental in advancing themselves. The network of our faculty may be essential for the transitions the students plan to achieve.

In the globalised world, people who took an undergraduate education in any profession are expected to become specialised in a particular field.  Such specialisation is mostly achieved via an academic career in science and technology based departments. Even though this is not a must, it is a known fact that advanced academic degrees heavily contribute to the recognition of the person within a given field.  In order to break through into high quality masters and doctorate degree programs in genetics and bioengineering, one should not only demonstrate academic excellence during undergraduate studies but also a scientific research potential exemplified by internships.  Perhaps the best person who could guide a bioengineering student on such internships is a faculty member who has the relevant experience.  After any step during the academic career (e.g. after masters or doctorate) it is always possible to switch to industry positions in R&D departments.

Graduates from this department could be employed as application specialists in hospitals as well as within R&D departments of drug development and biotechnology companies. Some bioengineers work within the marketing and sales arms of similar companies. Biotechnology and drug development are among the most invested disciplines both in our country and in the world. Moreover, multidisciplinary skills and analytical experiences of bioengineers are also well recognised and this gives them an opportunity to be able to work in prestigious positions in business consulting.

Salaries of bioengineers who just finish an undergraduate degree are parallel to those of other engineers at the same level.  As expected, salaries get higher for those who complete a masters or doctorate degree.  In order to be considered for a job in global firms, where salaries are considerably higher, one should have a CV with certain assets.

Yes, definitely! When you are here for visiting the department, you will have the opportunity to see the campus where you might spend 4 years for your university education. If you want to visit the university with your school, please contact with the university’s Promotion and Corporate Marketing Communication Directorate. If you want to visit the department solely, you can reach our faculty from the department website and make an appointment.

https://kpm.ieu.edu.tr/en

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