Biomedical Engineering, BS
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (480001BS)
Biomedical Engineering is a highly interdisciplinary field of engineering which combines a fundamental understanding of engineering principles with an appreciation of the life sciences. Biomedical Engineers are prepared to solve problems in the health care industry and interact equally with other engineers and health care professionals. Students are prepared to embark on careers in research, design and development of medical devices, instrumentation, analysis tools, clinical evaluation methods, systems and processes, and other forms of medical technology.
The development of an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of engineering is essential and therefore a degree in Biomedical Engineering focuses first on core engineering coursework, followed by advanced applications specific to the field of Biomedical Engineering. To maintain a core understanding of engineering, the program is divided into three tracks: Biomechanics; Instrumentation, Signals and Imaging; and Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering.
Students in the Department of Biomedical Engineering receive individual advising in their areas of interest. Graduates of the program will be prepared to apply their knowledge of engineering and medicine to design, test and evaluate systems or system components to be used in the health care industry, to design and develop research projects, including the analysis and interpretation of data and the dissemination of results, and to participate in other biomedical engineering problem solving activities. Graduates will also be well prepared to enter graduate study in Biomedical Engineering, Medical School or other professional professionals.
The BS in Biomedical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The Biomedical Engineering program identifies program educational objectives that describe what their graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation. Accordingly, the educational objectives of the Biomedical Engineering program are to educate biomedical engineers who can:
- be viewed as technically competent at the interface between engineering and medicine as evidenced by:
- creative and innovative problem solving
- performance as a contributing team member
- ethical and professional actions
- an ability to interface with diverse constituencies
- a knowledge of intellectual property and federal regulations
- exhibit continual professional development by attendance at conferences, workshops and enrollment in course work at the post baccalaureate level
- exhibit continual professional service as evidenced by:
- active participation in professional societies
- service as a mentor
- advance on their chosen career path
The Department of Biomedical Engineering has established the following student outcomes to be achieved by the time of graduation:
(1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
(2) an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
(3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
(4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
(5) an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
(6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
(7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
(A) Applying principles of engineering, biology, human physiology, chemistry, calculus-based physics, mathematics (through differential equations) and statistics
(B) Solving bio/biomedical engineering problems, including those associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems
(C) Analyzing, modeling, designing, and realizing bio/biomedical engineering devices, systems, components, or processes
(D) Making measurements on and interpreting data from living systems
Requirements for Admission
All students who meet the minimum requirements for admittance into The University of Akron and intend to major in engineering or engineering technology are accepted into the College of Engineering and Polymer Science and welcome to begin study towards their intended major. Students must show success in key classes early in the program curriculum before they gain approval to take classes in the third year of the curriculum and beyond.
Cooperative Education
The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering can be combined with the Cooperative Education, College of Engineering and Polymer Science certificate, for a nominal five-year plan of study that includes four total years of coursework and one full year of relevant work experience. Alternatively, the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering can be earned without the certificate, with a nominal four-year plan of study.
Accelerated BS/MS program
The department offers B.S. Biomedical Engineering students at The University of Akron a BS/MS program that allows them to earn the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering with one additional year of study. Applications are accepted in the Spring before the senior year.
The following information has official approval of The Department of Biomedical Engineering and The College of Engineering and Polymer Science, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (Stellic) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Requirements
Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements * | 21-20 | |
| Math, Chemistry, and Physics | 32 | |
| Statistics | 4 | |
| Biology | 12 | |
| Ethics | 3 | |
| Engineering Core | 9-10 | |
| Biomedical Engineering | 34 | |
| Technical Electives | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 130 | |
- *
Several courses required for the major also satisfy General Education requirements. The University minimum of 36 credits are required for General Education and credit for these courses will apply to multiple requirements.
Recommended General Education Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major. | ||
| Students are not required to enroll in the specific courses listed below. However, to facilitate successful degree completion, the academic department strongly encourages completion of the following recommendations. | ||
| Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours | ||
| Analytic Geometry-Calculus I | ||
| Analytic Geometry-Calculus II | ||
| Analytic Geometry-Calculus III | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
| Breadth of Knowledge | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
| Principles of Biology I | ||
| Human Anatomy & Physiology II | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
| Diversity | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Global Diversity | ||
| Integrated and Applied Learning | 2 | |
Select one class from one of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Issues Facing Society | ||
| Biomedical Ethics | ||
Capstone | ||
| Biomedical Engineering Design I | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
General Education
Several courses required for the major also satisfy General Education requirements. The University minimum of 36 credits are required for General Education and credit for these courses will apply to both.
Math, Chemistry, and Physics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 153 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 154 | Qualitative Analysis | 2 |
| MATH 221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 291 | Elementary Classical Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 292 | Elementary Classical Physics II | 4 |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
Statistics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| STAT 461 | Applied Statistics | 4 |
| Total Hours | 4 | |
Biology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 111 | Principles of Biology I | 4 |
| BIOL 200 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| BIOL 201 | Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory I | 1 |
| BIOL 202 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| BIOL 203 | Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory II | 1 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Ethics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHIL 120 | Introduction to Ethics 1 | 3 |
| or PHIL 361 | Biomedical Ethics | |
| Total Hours | 3 | |
- 1
Students should be aware that PHIL 120 can be used towards the Humanities requirement for General Education; students choosing to take PHIL 361 may need additional Humanities credits.
Engineering Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CIVE 201 | Statics | 3 |
| ELEN 307 | Basic Electrical Engineering | 4 |
| MECE 305 | Thermal Science | 2-3 |
| or MECE 300 | Thermodynamics I | |
| Total Hours | 9-10 | |
Biomedical Engineering
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BMEN 100 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering | 1 |
| BMEN 101 | Tools for Biomedical Engineering | 2 |
| BMEN 201 | Biomedical Engineering Sophmore Seminar | 1 |
| BMEN 220 | Biomedical Computing | 3 |
| BMEN 291 | Biomedical Engineering Design Principles I | 1 |
| BMEN 292 | Biomedical Engineering Design Principles II | 1 |
| BMEN 300 | Biomaterials | 3 |
| BMEN 305 | Introduction to Biophysical Measurements | 4 |
| BMEN 307 | Bioelectronics Lab | 1 |
| BMEN 310 | Modeling & Simulation of Biomedical Systems | 3 |
| BMEN 315 | Biomechanics & Biomaterials Lab | 2 |
| BMEN 362 | Transport Fundamentals for Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| BMEN 365 | Mechanics for Biological Systems | 3 |
| BMEN 391 | Biomedical Engineering Regulatory Process | 1 |
| BMEN 392 | BME Design Project Needs Analysis | 1 |
| BMEN 491 | Biomedical Engineering Design I | 2 |
| BMEN 492 | Biomedical Engineering Design II | 2 |
| Total Hours | 34 | |
BME Technical Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Electives | 6 | |
6 credits of Biomedical Engineering at the 300-400 level | ||
| Non Biomedical Electives | 6 | |
6 credits of Engineering, Math, Biology, Chemistry or Physics at the 300-400 level | ||
| Engineering Electives | 3 | |
3 credits of Engineering at the 200-400 level | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Biomedical Engineering electives provide the opportunity for students to personalize their degree based on their interests within biomedical engineering.
Recommended Sequence with Cooperative Education
This plan of study shows the recommended schedule for students who are also earning the "Cooperative Education, College of Engineering and Polymer Science" certificate. Together, the Bachelor of Science and certificate require a five-year plan of study. The program recommends that students earn this certificate.
| 1st Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| BMEN 100 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering | 1 |
| CHEM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 111 | Principles of Biology I | 4 |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BMEN 101 | Tools for Biomedical Engineering | 2 |
| CHEM 153 | Principles of Chemistry II 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 154 | Qualitative Analysis | 2 |
| MATH 222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 291 | Elementary Classical Physics I 1 | 4 |
| Second Writing Course 1,2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| 2nd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIOL 200 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| BIOL 201 | Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory I | 1 |
| MATH 223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 292 | Elementary Classical Physics II 1 | 4 |
| CIVE 201 | Statics 1 | 3 |
| BMEN 201 | Biomedical Engineering Sophmore Seminar | 1 |
| BMEN 291 | Biomedical Engineering Design Principles I | 1 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIOL 202 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| BIOL 203 | Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory II | 1 |
| MATH 335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| BMEN 220 | Biomedical Computing | 3 |
| BMEN 292 | Biomedical Engineering Design Principles II | 1 |
| BMEN 365 | Mechanics for Biological Systems | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| GNEN 300 | Cooperative Education Work Period possible | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| 3rd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PHIL 120 or PHIL 361 | Introduction to Ethics 5 or Biomedical Ethics | 3 |
| ELEN 307 | Basic Electrical Engineering | 4 |
| BMEN 307 | Bioelectronics Lab | 1 |
| MECE 305 or MECE 300 | Thermal Science or Thermodynamics I | 2-3 |
| BMEN 391 | Biomedical Engineering Regulatory Process | 1 |
| BMEN 300 | Biomaterials | 3 |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| GNEN 301 | Cooperative Education Work Period I (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| STAT 461 | Applied Statistics | 4 |
| BME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| 4th Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| GNEN 302 | Cooperative Education Work Period II (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BMEN 305 | Introduction to Biophysical Measurements | 4 |
| BMEN 310 | Modeling & Simulation of Biomedical Systems | 3 |
| BMEN 315 | Biomechanics & Biomaterials Lab | 2 |
| BMEN 362 | Transport Fundamentals for Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| BMEN 392 | BME Design Project Needs Analysis | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| GNEN 403 | Cooperative Education Work Period III (for Cooperative Education certificate) | 0 |
| Hours | 0 | |
| 5th Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BMEN 491 | Biomedical Engineering Design I | 2 |
| BME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| BME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| BME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BMEN 492 | Biomedical Engineering Design II | 2 |
| BME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
| General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
| General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 130-131 | |
- 1
Honors sections may be available; check the schedule of classes.
- 2
Check General Education Program or Honors Distribution to find courses that satisfy the second writing course requirement.
- 3
Credit hours shown for General Education or Honors Distribution are general guidelines only. These courses should be chosen in accordance with the appropriate General Education curriculum guide (for non-honors students) or Honors Distribution (for honors students). Honors students must also ensure that their course selections meet additional requirements not shown on this curriculum guide.
- 4
BME Technical Electives are provided for students' to focus and specialize in areas of interest to their career path. The electives must not be otherwise required for the degree or substantial equivalents to requirements and are distributed as follows:
- Biomedical Electives: 6 credits of Biomedical Engineering at the 300-400 level
- Non Biomedical Electives: 6 credits of Engineering, Math, Biology, Chemistry or Physics at the 300-400 level, and
- Engineering Electives: 3 credits of Engineering at the 200-400 level
- 5
Students should be aware that PHIL 120 can be used towards the Humanities requirement for General Education; students choosing to take PHIL 361 may need additional Humanities credits.
Recommended Sequence without Cooperative Education
If a student chooses not to earn the Cooperative Education certificate, the following four-year plan of study is used.
| 1st Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| BMEN 100 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering | 1 |
| CHEM 151 | Principles of Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 152 | Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 |
| BIOL 111 | Principles of Biology I | 4 |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I 1 | 3 |
| MATH 221 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BMEN 101 | Tools for Biomedical Engineering | 2 |
| CHEM 153 | Principles of Chemistry II 1 | 3 |
| CHEM 154 | Qualitative Analysis | 2 |
| MATH 222 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus II 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 291 | Elementary Classical Physics I 1 | 4 |
| Second Writing Course 1,2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| 2nd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BIOL 200 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 3 |
| BIOL 201 | Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory I | 1 |
| MATH 223 | Analytic Geometry-Calculus III 1 | 4 |
| PHYS 292 | Elementary Classical Physics II 1 | 4 |
| CIVE 201 | Statics 1 | 3 |
| BMEN 201 | Biomedical Engineering Sophmore Seminar | 1 |
| BMEN 291 | Biomedical Engineering Design Principles I | 1 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BIOL 202 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 3 |
| BIOL 203 | Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory II | 1 |
| MATH 335 | Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| BMEN 220 | Biomedical Computing | 3 |
| BMEN 292 | Biomedical Engineering Design Principles II | 1 |
| BMEN 365 | Mechanics for Biological Systems | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| 3rd Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| PHIL 120 | Introduction to Ethics 5 | 3 |
| ELEN 307 | Basic Electrical Engineering | 4 |
| BMEN 307 | Bioelectronics Lab | 1 |
| MECE 305 or MECE 300 | Thermal Science or Thermodynamics I | 2-3 |
| BMEN 300 | Biomaterials | 3 |
| BMEN 391 | Biomedical Engineering Regulatory Process | 1 |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BMEN 305 | Introduction to Biophysical Measurements | 4 |
| BMEN 310 | Modeling & Simulation of Biomedical Systems | 3 |
| BMEN 315 | Biomechanics & Biomaterials Lab | 2 |
| BMEN 362 | Transport Fundamentals for Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| BMEN 392 | BME Design Project Needs Analysis | 1 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| STAT 461 | Applied Statistics | 4 |
| BME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| General Education or Honors Distribution | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| 4th Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BMEN 491 | Biomedical Engineering Design I | 2 |
| BME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| BME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| BME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| BMEN 492 | Biomedical Engineering Design II | 2 |
| BME Technical Elective 4 | 3 | |
| General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
| General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
| General Education or Honors Distribution 3 | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Total Hours | 130-131 | |
- 1
Honors sections may be available; check the schedule of classes.
- 2
Check General Education Program or Honors Distribution to find courses that satisfy the second writing course requirement.
- 3
Credit hours shown for General Education or Honors Distribution are general guidelines only. These courses should be chosen in accordance with the appropriate General Education curriculum guide (for non-honors students) or Honors Distribution (for honors students). Honors students must also ensure that their course selections meet additional requirements not shown on this curriculum guide.
- 4
BME Technical Electives are provided for students' to focus and specialize in areas of interest to their career path. The electives must not be otherwise required for the degree or substantial equivalents to requirements and are distributed as follows:
- Biomedical Electives: 6 credits of Biomedical Engineering at the 300-400 level
- Non Biomedical Electives: 6 credits of Engineering, Math, Biology, Chemistry or Physics at the 300-400 level, and
- Engineering Electives: 3 credits of Engineering at the 200-400 level
- 5
Students should be aware that PHIL 120 can be used towards the Humanities requirement for General Education; students choosing to take PHIL 361 may need additional Humanities credits.