Minor in Biomedical Engineering

Minors

The Minor in Biological and Biomedical Engineering requires six courses.

Students pursuing the Biomedical Engineering Minor will learn to integrate the tools of engineering analysis with fundamentals of life sciences to enliven the understanding of living organisms, medical treatments, and biochemical pathways with the goal of providing quantitative predictions and insight towards the design of medical and biological devices and processes.

The course work required comprises six classes, two of which may satisfy a requirement in the student's major, in accordance with the Standards for Minors, Concentrations and Certificate Programs within the College of Engineering.

The six courses must be distributed as follows:

  1. Two courses beyond the introductory level of biology, to ensure strong proficiency in Biology. One must be BIOS 30341, Cell Biology, or its equivalent. Vertebrate Physiology is recommended as the second course.
    • BIOS 20303, Genetics (Spring semester only)
    • BIOS 30344, Physiology (Spring and fall)
    • Or another advanced course approved by the program director.

    Students must attain prerequisites for these courses by scoring higher than 5 on the BIOS AP exam, completion of CHEM 10122, or by taking BIOS 20201 and 20202.

  2. A core introductory bioengineering course (CBE 30385) is required. Primary topics include: Use of engineering analysis to describe biological systems starting with mass and energy balances; Basic mechanics applied to biological systems (conservation of momentum), applications to joints and locomotion, and cell deformation (and response); Charge conservaton and application to engineering systems (synapses, etc.); and Chemical aspects of biological response (e.g., from forces) with applications to biological materials.
  3. An elective sequence of three engineering courses taken from one of the following concentration areas:

Biomaterials

Biomechanics

Biotransport/Microdevices

Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials

Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering

* Only one of these courses can be counted toward the minor. Students wishing to study abroad may complete these requirements based on equivalent or similar course work offered in the London, Dublin, or Perth programs. Please contact Professor Niebur in advance to discuss possible courses.