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 Biomedical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. 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. 

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 (DPR) 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

General Education Requirements *21-20
Math, Chemistry, and Physics32
Statistics4
Biology12
Ethics3
Engineering Core9-10
Biomedical Engineering34
Technical Electives15
Total Hours130
 
*

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

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 Foundations12
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 Learning2
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 Hours36

General Education

Several courses required for the major also satisfy General Education requirements. The University minimum of 34 credits are required for General Education and credit for these courses will apply to both.

Math, Chemistry, and Physics

CHEM:151Principles of Chemistry I3
CHEM:152Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory1
CHEM:153Principles of Chemistry II3
CHEM:154Qualitative Analysis2
MATH:221Analytic Geometry-Calculus I4
MATH:222Analytic Geometry-Calculus II4
MATH:223Analytic Geometry-Calculus III4
MATH:335Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations3
PHYS:291Elementary Classical Physics I4
PHYS:292Elementary Classical Physics II4
Total Hours32

Statistics

STAT:461Applied Statistics4
Total Hours4

Biology

BIOL:111Principles of Biology I4
BIOL:200Human Anatomy & Physiology I3
BIOL:201Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory I1
BIOL:202Human Anatomy & Physiology II3
BIOL:203Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory II1
Total Hours12

Ethics

PHIL:120Introduction to Ethics 13
or PHIL:361 Biomedical Ethics
Total Hours3

Engineering Core

CIVE:201Statics3
ELEN:307Basic Electrical Engineering4
MECE:305Thermal Science2-3
or MECE:300 Thermodynamics I
Total Hours9-10

Biomedical Engineering

BMEN:100Introduction to Biomedical Engineering1
BMEN:101Tools for Biomedical Engineering2
BMEN:201Biomedical Engineering Sophmore Seminar1
BMEN:220Biomedical Computing3
BMEN:291Biomedical Engineering Design Principles I1
BMEN:292Biomedical Engineering Design Principles II1
BMEN:300Biomaterials3
BMEN:305Introduction to Biophysical Measurements4
BMEN:307Bioelectronics Lab1
BMEN:310Modeling & Simulation of Biomedical Systems3
BMEN:315Biomechanics & Biomaterials Lab2
BMEN:362Transport Fundamentals for Biomedical Engineering3
BMEN:365Mechanics for Biological Systems3
BMEN:391Biomedical Engineering Regulatory Process1
BMEN:392BME Design Project Needs Analysis1
BMEN:491Biomedical Engineering Design I2
BMEN:492Biomedical Engineering Design II2
Total Hours34

BME Technical Electives

Biomedical Electives6
6 credits of Biomedical Engineering at the 300-400 level
Non Biomedical Electives6
6 credits of Engineering, Math, Biology, Chemistry or Physics at the 300-400 level
Engineering Electives3
3 credits of Engineering at the 200-400 level
Total Hours15

Biomedical Engineering electives provide the opportunity for students to personalize their degree based on their interests within biomedical engineering.

 
 

Recommended Schedule 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.

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
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
 Hours16
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
 Hours18
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
 Hours17
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:300 Biomaterials 3
BMEN:292 Biomedical Engineering Design Principles II 1
 Hours14
Summer Semester
GNEN:300 Cooperative Education Work Period possible 0
 Hours0
3rd Year
Fall Semester
PHIL:120
Introduction to Ethics 5
or Biomedical Ethics
3
ELEN:307 Basic Electrical Engineering 4
BMEN:307 Bioelectronics Lab 1
MECE:305
Thermal Science
or Thermodynamics I
2-3
BMEN:365 Mechanics for Biological Systems 3
BMEN:391 Biomedical Engineering Regulatory Process 1
 Hours14-15
Spring Semester
GNEN:301 Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) 0
 Hours0
Summer Semester
STAT:461 Applied Statistics 4
BME Technical Elective 4 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3 3
 Hours10
4th Year
Fall Semester
GNEN:302 Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) 0
 Hours0
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
 Hours13
Summer Semester
GNEN:403 Cooperative Education Work Period (for Cooperative Education certificate) 0
 Hours0
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
 Hours14
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
 Hours14
 Total Hours130-131

Recommended Schedule without Cooperative Education

If a student chooses not to earn the Cooperative Education certificate, the following four-year plan of study is used.

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
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
 Hours16
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
 Hours18
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
 Hours17
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:300 Biomaterials 3
BMEN:292 Biomedical Engineering Design Principles II 1
 Hours14
3rd Year
Fall Semester
PHIL:120 Introduction to Ethics 5 3
ELEN:307 Basic Electrical Engineering 4
BMEN:307 Bioelectronics Lab 1
MECE:305
Thermal Science
or Thermodynamics I
2-3
BMEN:365 Mechanics for Biological Systems 3
BMEN:391 Biomedical Engineering Regulatory Process 1
 Hours14-15
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
 Hours13
Summer Semester
STAT:461 Applied Statistics 4
BME Technical Elective 4 3
General Education or Honors Distribution 3
 Hours10
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
 Hours14
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
 Hours14
 Total Hours130-131