Degree Program

Requirements for the Major in Biomedical Engineering (BME)

The curriculum begins with a focus on basic mathematics and the natural sciences followed by courses that emphasize engineering science and bridging courses that combine engineering science and design. The sequence of courses culminates with a one-year design experience that integrates the science, engineering and communication knowledge acquired. The core sequence, technical electives, and additional courses are chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor, taking into consideration the particular interest of the student.

Completion of the major requires approximately 130 credits.

Click here to view:

• a sample course sequence for the Major in Biomedical Engineering

• the four Tracks and their corresponding sample course sequences

• a complete listing of all BME courses

Note, that DEC classes after DEC A can be taken in any order of preference (not necessarily as listed in the proposed curriculum)

1. Mathematics
1. AMS 151, 161 Calculus I, II
2. AMS 261 or MAT 203 or MAT 205 Calculus III
3. AMS 361 or MAT 303 or MAT 305 Calculus IV
4. AMS 310 Probab. Stats.
5. AMS 210 Linear Algebra

Note: The following alternate calculus course sequences may be substituted for AMS 151, 161:
MAT 125, 126, 127
MAT 131, 132
MAT 141, 142

2. Natural Sciences
1. BIO 202 Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology or BIO 203 Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology
2. CHE 131, 132 General Chemistry I, II
3. PHY 131/133, 132/134 Classical Physics I, II with lab component

Note: The following alternate science sequences may be substituted:
PHY 125, 126, 127, or PHY 141, 142 in lieu of PHY 131, 132
CHE 141, 142, in lieu of CHE 131, 132

3. Computer and Programming Courses
1. ESG 111 C Programming for Engineers

   or MEC 112 Practical C/C++ Sci/Eng
   or ESE 124 Computer Techniques for Electronic Design

2. MEC 203 Computer Aided Drafting
    
4. Required Engineering Courses
1. MEC 260 Engineering Statistics
2. MEC 262 Engineering Dynamics
3. ESE 271 Electrical Circuit Analysis I
    
5. Required Biomedical Engineering Courses
• BME 100 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
• BME 212 BME Research Fundamentals
• BME 300 Writing in Biomedical Engineering
• BME 301 Bioelectricity
• BME 304 Genetic Engineering
• BME 305 Biofluids
• BME 440 Design in Biomedical Engineering
• BME 441 Senior Design in BME
   
6. Biomedical Engineering Specialization and Technical Electives

Biomedical Engineering students must complete an area of specialization in one of the four Tracks. The area of specialization must be declared in writing by the end of the sophomore year and is selected in consultation with the faculty advisor to ensure a cohesive curriculum with depth at the upper level. Each student should complete at least 30 credits of technical electives in the selected area of specialization, including at least 6 credits from design technical elective courses (in addition to the year-long Senior Design in BME. Overall, engineering courses should account for at least 50 of the total number of credits.
 
7. Upper-Division Writing Requirement

All degree candidates must demonstrate skill in written English at a level acceptable for engineering majors. All BME students need to register for the writing course BME 300 concurrently with any BME 300 level course of their choice. The quality of writing in technical reports submitted for the BME 300 level course is evaluated, and students whose writing does not meet the required standard are referred for remedial help. Satisfactory writing warrants an S grade for BME 300, thereby satisfying the requirement.

Combined BE-MS Program

Requirements for the Major in Biomedical Engineering (BME)

This is a prestigious five year, BE/MS program which is offered to the top 10% of the junior class. The combined degree will provide students, who are seeking a great challenge, and/or more diverse range of studies, with advanced courses and research experience that will suitably prepare them for either Doctorate studies and degree, or a variety of advanced professional positions.
A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 is required for admission to this program. Admission to the Graduate School is required. 
Students are required to attend Graduate Orientation the first semester of their Graduate Career, as they will be subject to Graduate School Regulations and Policies.  This will include:

• Paying Graduate Tuition & Fees (Students are expected to be self-funded; they will not receive Tuition Scholarships) 
• No longer eligible for Undergraduate Financial Aid
• Are required to move from Undergraduate to Graduate Housing (pertains to students who live on campus).        

Further, once the Bachelor's portion of their degree program is completed the Bachelor's degree may be awarded, even though the student may still be working toward his or her Master's degree.

Students can take between 6 and 15 graduate credits towards their Master's degree. 

            Click here to find a typical BE-MS course sequence

 
Minor Program for Arts and Sciences Majors  (21-23 Credits)

Requirements for the Minor in Biomedical Engineering

The Biomedical Engineering minor is designed for College of Arts and Sciences students who wish to obtain a more thorough understanding of how physical forces in the natural world influence the development and history of plants, animals, and single cell organisms on earth. Coursework introduces these concepts and shows how an engineering approach can be useful in dealing with the natural world. The program serves as an excellent background for students who wish to prepare for graduate study in biomedical engineering or a related field or to prepare for a career in which an understanding of engineering concepts would provide an advantage.

All courses for the minor must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. Completion of the minor requires 21-23 credits.

Required Courses:

1. BIO 201 Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems (4), or
   BIO 202 Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology or
   BIO 203 Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular and Organ Physiology
   (depending on courses chosen to satisfy requirement B. Electives)
    
2. BME 100 Introduction to BME or BME 201 Bioengineering and Society (3)
    
3. Two 200- or 300-level BME courses (excluding BME 300)
   * please note that some BME classes have additional prerequisites
    

Electives:

Two courses chosen from:
 
• ANT 350 Medical Anthropology
• ATM 397 Air Pollution and Its Control
• BIO 307 Computer Modeling of Biological Systems
• BIO 311 Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology
• BIO 328 Mammalian Physiology
• BIO 335 Animal Physiology Laboratory
• BIO 350 Darwinian Medicine
• BIO/GEO 353 Marine Ecology
• BIO 356 Applied Ecology Laboratory
• CHE 310 Chemistry in Technology and the Environment
• ENS 443 Environmental Problem Solving
• ESM 353 Biomaterials: Manufacture, Properties, and Applications
• EST 330 Natural Disasters: Societal Impacts and Technological Solutions
• GEO/MAR 318 Engineering Geology and Coastal Processes
• HMC 331 Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care
• MAR 334 Remote Sensing of the Environment
• MEC 381 Transport and Fate of Pollutants
• PSY 384 Research Lab: Human Factors

 
Notes:
1. Students are strongly encouraged to complete two from BIO 201, 202, and 203.
2. Other electives may be substituted for Requirement B. Electives, with permission of the director.

 
Biomedical Engineering Track for Life Sciences Majors
(67-72 Credits, 32 BIO major credits required)

BIO 150 - The Living World (3) (waived for students scoring 4 or higher on the Math Placement test and with high school AP biology)

Biology Core (12 Credits*):
 
BIO 201 - Fundamentals of Biology: Organisms to Ecosystems (4)
BIO 202 - Fundamentals of Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology (4)
BIO 203 - Fundamentals of Biology: Cellular & Organ Physiology (4)
 
*Students with documented AP biology scores of 4 or 5 receive a waiver of 2 of the core courses and 6 transfer credits

Related Fields (35 Credits):
 
Calculus:
MAT 125, 126 or MAT 131, 132 or MAT 141, 142 or Level 8 or 9 on the Mathematics Placement Examination (6)
General Chemistry with Laboratory:
CHE 131, 132 or CHE 141, 142 and CHE 133, 134 or CHE 143, 144 (10)
Organic Chemistry with Laboratory:
CHE 321, 322 or CHE 331, 332 and CHE 327 or 333 (8)
Physics with Laboratory:
PHY 121, 122, 123, 124 or PHY 125, 126, 127 or PHY 131, 132 or PHY 141, 142 (8)
Bioengineering and Society:
BME 201 (3)

Advanced Courses (20-21 Credits)

Courses Specific to Track (12 Credits)
 
BME 301 … Bioelectricity (3)
BME 303 … Biomechanics (3)
BME 304 … Genetic Engineering (3)
BME 305 … Biofluids (3)

Breadth Requirement (8-9 Credits):
Two Advanced Biology Lecture Courses Outside of Track (6)
One Advanced Biology Laboratory Course (2-3)

Honors Research (4-7 Credits) - Required for Honors Degree:
 
BME 440 - Design in Biomedical Engineering (3)
BIO 486  - Independent Research (3)
Senior Research Seminar (1)
Honors Research Thesis