Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences
Program Coordinator: Neil S. Rothman, Ph.D.
Description
The biomedical engineering program prepares students to solve important human health-related scientific problems through the application of engineering principles, ideas, methods, and inventions. The program emphasizes critical and creative thinking in addition to technical skills and knowledge and provides students with opportunities to apply these skills and knowledge to the solution of real world problems. A strong foundation in basic sciences and math, including biology, chemistry, physics, and data analysis, coupled with specific biomedical engineering coursework provides students with a broad interdisciplinary background for careers in a wide variety of fields including biomechanics, biotechnology, rehabilitation, medicine, and more.
In addition to science and engineering coursework that emphasizes teamwork and problem-solving, students in this program are immersed in the professional setting and gain practical experience through a required internship and a capstone experience that is tailored to their career interests. As a result, students in biomedical engineering are prepared to play a key role in the research, design, and development of innovations in biomedical procedures and devices. Graduates are also well-positioned to pursue continuing education in the health professions or graduate studies in engineering or science.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, graduates will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering principles to the description and analysis of living systems.
- Design and conduct experiments, including the analysis and interpretation of data.
- Design a system, component, or process that meets desired needs within relevant constraints such as economic, environmental, ethical, safety, sustainability and others.
- Collaborate effectively to formulate, test and refine an engineering solution to a biomedical problem or issue.
- Evaluate scientific issues and findings using primary research literature.
- Communicate scientific and engineering findings or conclusions in written and oral formats appropriate to the audience.
- Conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the ethical and professional standards of the discipline.
- Apply academic preparation to professional experiences outside the classroom.
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major. The lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all courses listed in the catalog under "Program Requirements" for the major, including both courses in the major and SEE courses required by the major. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to take a science or math course* unless they earn a grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite courses.
A student must maintain a science and math GPA of 2.0 or better in each semester in order to remain in good standing within the major. Grades are reviewed each semester and students are notified in writing of their academic status in the major, as appropriate:
- Probation: The student who earns a science and math GPA less than 2.0 in one semester will be notified, in writing, by the Department Chair that they are on probation in the Fine School of the Sciences. Students who are on probation will be required to meet regularly with their Success Coach/Academic Advisor for at least one full semester after being put on probation.
- Dismissal: The student who earns a science and math GPA less than 2.0 for a second semester will be notified, in writing, by the Department Chair that they are dismissed from the applied mathematics, biochemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, or environmental science major.
* Science and mathematics courses are defined as courses with the designation: BIO, BIOCH, BME, CHEM, ENV, FSCI, MATH, PHYS, or SCI.
Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE). Specific pre- and co-requisities are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements:
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
| BIO 112 | Principles of General Biology | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| BIO 113 | General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO 113L | General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics | 1 credit |
| BME 101 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering | 3 credits |
| BME 205 | Problem Solving and Design | 4 credits |
| BME 210 | Thermodynamics | 3 credits |
| BME 230 | Biofluid Mechanics | 3 credits |
| BME 314/MATH 314 | Biostatistics | 3 credits |
| BME 315 | Biomaterials | 4 credits |
| BME 320 | Clinical Immersion | 3 credits |
| BME 335 | Instrumentation | 3 credits |
| BME 340 | Systems Physiology | 4 credits |
| BME 380 | Biomechanics | 4 credits |
| BME 470 | Design Capstone I | 3 credits |
| BME 475 | Design Capstone II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry I with Problem Solving | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| MATH 220 | Calculus I | 4 credits |
| MATH 221 | Calculus II | 4 credits |
| MATH 222 | Calculus III | 4 credits |
| MATH 321 | Introduction to Differential Equations | 3 credits |
| PHYS 215 | General Physics I with Calculus | 4 credits |
| PHYS 216 | General Physics II with Calculus | 4 credits |
| SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
BME 335, 340, 470, and 475 are under development.
Basic Science Electives:
Select two from the following list:
Biomedical Engineering Electives:
Select two from the following list:
| BME 325 | Transport Processes | 3 credits |
| BME 330 | Bioelectric Systems | 3 credits |
| BME 365 | Independent Research in Biomedical Engineering | 3 credits |
| BME 425 | Synthetic Biology | 3 credits |
| BME 440 | Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering | 3 credits |
BME 325, 330, 365, and 425 are under development.
Suggested Course Sequence
2021-22 SCS Biomedical Engineering
Minor in Biomedical Engineering
A minor in biomedical engineering is not available.
Other Options
Other options are not available at this time.
Course Descriptions
See Biomedical Engineering Course Descriptions