Notre Dame Adds Bioengineering Department

The University of Notre Dame's College of Engineering is forming a new Department of Bioengineering set to begin operations on July 1, 2027.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Biotech

Clean glass beakers, a stainless steel pipette rack, and amber vials on a laboratory bench, with a blurred brick university building beyond the window. — The University of Notre Dame's College of Engineering will launch a new Department of Bioengineering on July 1, 2027, with Pinar Zorlutuna as its inaugural chair. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

The University of Notre Dame's College of Engineering is adding a new Department of Bioengineering, which will commence operations on July 1, 2027. Pinar Zorlutuna will serve as the inaugural chair of the department.

Why it matters

Forming the department leverages Notre Dame's investments in biomedical research and consolidates faculty and research programs around existing strengths and strategic priorities. The move follows strong growth in demand for the university's bioengineering programs.

The doctoral bioengineering program grew 150 percent over five years to more than 50 students, with nearly 50 students pursuing the undergraduate minor. The department will fill roughly 17 faculty positions, and the graduate program is ranked No. 62 by U.S. News & World Report.

The players

University of Notre Dame

A private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, with a global network of 12 locations across 10 countries.

Pinar Zorlutuna

The inaugural chair of the new Department of Bioengineering at the University of Notre Dame.

The details

The new department draws on 17 affiliated faculty across six existing departments that already support bioengineering programs. Notre Dame made a $275 million investment into biomedical research and established the Bioengineering & Life Sciences Initiative, and the University will launch a new undergraduate bioengineering degree as part of the formation.

Over the past two decades, demand for the doctoral and minor bioengineering programs grew tremendously.
Over the last five years, the doctoral bioengineering program grew 150 percent.
Over 35 years ago, the College of Engineering established its last new department.
July 1, 2027: The Department of Bioengineering commences operations.

Big Picture

The department formalizes the Bioengineering & Life Sciences Initiative into a permanent academic unit, extending the University's earlier biomedical investments. It marks the College of Engineering's first new department in over 35 years.

Students interested in bioengineering will have a dedicated department and a new undergraduate degree path at Notre Dame. The formation consolidates existing faculty and research programs, which may shape the opportunities available to students in the area.

The takeaway

Consolidating existing bioengineering strengths into a dedicated department can make a research area more competitive for grants and national awards. Students and researchers in South Bend can watch the July 2027 launch for new academic pathways.

What happens next

The Department of Bioengineering commences operations on July 1, 2027, and the University will launch a new undergraduate bioengineering degree as part of the department's formation.