Dwight Look College of Engineering

Curriculum in Biomedical Engineering

The curriculum in biomedical engineering involves the development and application of engineering science and technology for living and medical systems. Although there have been individuals working in biomedical engineering for centuries, today's modern educational programs are specifically designed to prepare engineers for this challenging field. The curriculum described is broadly based around a basic core of courses to prepare students for team involvement with other engineers and with physicians and life scientists in working to solve a wide array of biological and medical problems. Elective courses are included to accommodate individual student specialty interests. Students interested in medical school can meet admission prerequisites through slight modifications and additions to the curriculum.

The departmental program objectives are to produce high-quality graduates, who:

  1. have a broad-based education in engineering, and the life and natural sciences,
  2. are well prepared for further graduate studies, for careers in the medical device or biotechnology industries, or for entry into medical or professional schools.
  3. will become leaders in biotechnology industries, medicine, and the public sector;
  4. will apply acquired knowledge appropriately, work professionally with others, effectively communicate ideas and technical information, and continue to learn and improve their knowledge base and skills throughout their career.

These objectives are met through a modern and comprehensive curriculum taught by a well prepared, professionally active and dedicated faculty. In addition, the program actively supports professional development among the students through individual study and research opportunities, cooperative education and internships, and student society activities. These goals are measured by the success of the graduates in finding rewarding professional employment, and by admission to respected graduate and professional schools.

Design is an important part of biomedical engineering and design skills are emphasized throughout the curriculum, beginning with the introduction of a structured approach to design in the freshman year, and culminating in the two-semester senior design course sequence that requires application of a wide range of engineering methods to a focused design project. Other courses in biomedical engineering and in supporting disciplines include examples of the application of the principles to design, as well as specific design exercises. The curriculum is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology.

To be admitted into the upper division program in biomedical engineering, a lower-division student must earn a grade of C or better in each of the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) courses (CHEM 101/107, ENGL 104, ENGR 111 and 112, MATH 151 and 152, and PHYS 208 and 218) and have a GPR in these courses, as well as overall, which meets or exceeds a standard set by the program to control the number of students in the upper division consistent with the program's resources. Additionally, all biomedical engineering majors are required to earn a grade of C or better in BMEN 240, BMEN 241, ELEN 214 ENGR 211, MATH 253 and MATH 308. See footnote to Freshman Year for additional requirements in chemistry.

(See Freshman Year)

SOPHOMORE YEAR

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
ENGR 211 Conserv. Prin. of Engr. Mech. (2-2) 3   ENGL 210 Scientific and Technical Writing
or
ENGL 301 Technical Writing 		(3-0) 3
ENGR 212 Conserv. Prin. in Therm. Sciences (2-2) 3   BMEN 240 Biosolid Mechanics (3-0) 3
MATH 253 Engineering Mathematics III 1 (3-2) 4   ELEN 214 Electric Circuit Theory (3-3) 4
VTPP 334 Physiology for Bioengineers I (3-3) 4   MATH 308 Differential Equations (3-0) 3
University Core Curriculum elective 2   3   VTPP 335 Physiology for Bioengineers II (3-3) 4
    17       17

JUNIOR YEAR

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
BMEN 305 Bioinstrumentation Lab (0-3) 1   BMEN 306 Biomeasurement Lab (0-3) 1
BMEN 321 Biomedical Electronics (3-0) 3   BMEN 322 Biosignal Analysis (3-0) 3
BMEN 341 Biofluids and Heat Transfer (3-0) 3   BMEN 342 Biomaterials (3-0) 3
ENGR 213 Principles of Materials Eng. (2-2) 3   ENGR 482 Ethics and Engineering (2-2) 3
MATH 304 Linear Algebra (3-0) 3   Technical elective3   3
Technical elective 3   3   University Core Curriculum elective2   3
    16       16

SENIOR YEAR

First Semester (Th-Pr) Cr   Second Semester (Th-Pr) Cr
BMEN 420 Medical Imaging (3-0) 3   BMEN 450 Medical Device Case Study (1-0) 1
BMEN 453 BME Design Project I (0-6) 2   BMEN 454 BME Design Project II (0-6) 2
Technical electives 3   6   Technical electives 3   9
University Core Curriculum elective 2   3   University Core Curriculum elective 2   3
    14       15
NOTES:
  1. Sections are to be selected in consultation with student's advisor.
  2. To be selected from the University Core Curriculum. Of the 18 hours shown as University Core Curriculum electives, 3 must be from visual and performing arts, 3 from social and behavioral sciences, 6 from U.S. history, and 6 from POLS 206 and 207. The required 6 hours from international and cultural diversity may be met by courses satisfying the visual and performing arts, social and behavioral sciences, and the political science and history requirements if they are also on the approved list of international and cultural diversity courses (see University Core Curriculum, item 6).
  3. Technical electives are to be selected in consultation with student's advisor from an approved list available from the departmental office.

The Systems Safety Engineering Specialty is available for students pursuing this degree.