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 goals of biomedical engineering are to prepare students to find meaningful employment in the biomedical science and medical device industry including with manufacturers, research organizations, government agencies and hospitals; find other meaningful employment according to the student's interests; enter and succeed in graduate school in biomedical engineering, or other engineering and related disciplines; or enter and succeed in professional schools including medicine, dentistry and law. These goals 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 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 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, ELEN 214 ENGR 211, ENGR 212, MATH 251 and MATH 308. See footnote to Freshman Year for additional requirements in chemistry.