Biomedical Engineering, BE

Program Overview

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Biomedical Engineering, BE

Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering

Chair: Yi-Xian Qin

Undergraduate Program Director: Mary (Molly) Frame, PhD

Undergraduate Program Director: Mei Lin (Ete) Chan

Undergraduate Program Coordinator: Jessica Kuhn Berthold

Email: [Not provided]

Phone: [Not provided]

Department Website: [Not provided]

Minors of particular interest to students majoring in Biomedical Engineering: Applied Math and Statistics (AMS), Biochemistry (BCH), Nanotechnology (NTS)

The Department of Biomedical Engineering offers the major in Biomedical Engineering, leading to the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree. In a rigorous, cross-disciplinary training and research environment, the major program provides an engineering education along with a strong background in the biological and physical sciences. It is designed to enhance the development of creativity and collaboration through study of a specialization within the field of biomedical engineering. Teamwork, communication skills, and hands-on laboratory and research experience are emphasized. The curriculum provides students with the underlying engineering principles required to understand how biological organisms are formed and how they respond to their environment. The Biomedical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Admission Requirements

Acceptance into the Major

Qualified freshman and transfer students who have indicated their interest in the major on their applications may be admitted directly as a degree major or as a pre-major. Pre-majors are placed into the Area of Interest (AOI) program and to be eligible for the degree, they must be admitted to and declare the major. The requirements and application process for matriculation are detailed below. Students admitted to other programs within the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) follow the same admissions process as students in the AOI program. Students in programs outside of CEAS (non-CEAS students) and double major applicants may apply for admission to the degree program following a separate process, outlined below. Intellectual honesty and academic integrity are cornerstones of academic and scholarly work. The department may table any applications for major/minor admission until academic judiciary matters are resolved. An academic judiciary matter will be identified by a grade of “Q” in the instance of a first offense.

Area of Interest and Other CEAS Students (excluding double major applicants)

Applications for major admission from AOI and other CEAS students are reviewed twice per year and must be received by January 5 for Spring admission and June 5 for Fall admission. Students who submit their application on time will be admitted if they meet the following requirements:

• Completed AMS 161 and PHY 132/PHY 134 or equivalents;
• Earn 10 or more credits of mathematics, physics and engineering courses that are taken at Stony Brook and satisfy the major’s requirements;
• Obtain a grade point average of at least 3.0 in major courses with no more than one grade below B-;
• No more than two required courses for the major have been repeated;
• Completion of course evaluations for all transferred courses that are to be used to meet requirements of the major.

Students must complete these requirements no later than one year after they enroll in the first course that applies towards major entry. Students must apply for admission by the application deadline immediately following completion of the above requirements, but no later than the one year limit. Admission of AOI students and other CEAS students who apply late will follow the process of Non-CEAS Students and Double Major Applicants below.

Non-CEAS Students and Double Major Applicants

Applications for major admission from non-CEAS students and double major applicants are reviewed twice per year and must be received by January 5 for Spring admission and June 5 for Fall admission. Students who do not meet the requirements for AOI admission above will not be considered. Fulfilling the requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Admission is competitive and contingent upon program capacity.

Degree Requirements

The curriculum begins with a focus on basic mathematics and the natural sciences followed by courses that emphasize engineering science and bridging courses that combine engineering science and design. The sequence of courses culminates with a one-year design experience that integrates the science, engineering, and communication knowledge acquired. The technical electives and additional courses are chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor, taking into consideration the particular interest of the student. Completion of the major requires approximately 128 credits.

1. Mathematics

• AMS 151 - Applied Calculus I (3 credits)
• AMS 161 - Applied Calculus II (3 credits)
• AMS 261 - Applied Calculus III (4 credits)
• OR
• MAT 203 - Calculus III with Applications (4 credits)
• AMS 361 - Applied Calculus IV: Differential Equations (4 credits)
• OR
• MAT 303 - Calculus IV with Applications (4 credits)
• AMS 210 - Applied Linear Algebra (3 credits)
• AMS 310 - Survey of Probability and Statistics (3 credits)

2. Natural Sciences

• BIO 202 - Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology (3 credits) AND
• BIO 204 - Fundamentals of Scientific Inquiry in the Biological Sciences I (2 credits)
• CHE 131 - General Chemistry IB (4 credits)
• CHE 132 - General Chemistry II (4 credits)
• OR
• CHE 152 - Molecular Science I (4 credits)
• PHY 131 - Classical Physics I (3 credits)
• PHY 133 - Classical Physics Laboratory I (1 credit)
• PHY 132 - Classical Physics II (3 credits)
• PHY 134 - Classical Physics Laboratory II (1 credit)

3. Computers and Programming

• BME 120 - Programming Fundamentals in Biomedical Engineering (3 credits)

4. Biomedical Engineering

• BME 100 - Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (3 credits)
• BME 203 - Emergent Biodesign (3 credits)
• BME 212 - Biomedical Engineering Research Fundamentals (3 credits)
• BME 260 - Statics and Dynamics in Biological Systems (4 credits)
• BME 271 - Introduction to Electric Circuits and Bioelectricity (3 credits)
• BME 301 - Bioelectricity (3 credits)
• BME 303 - Biomechanics (3 credits)
• BME 304 - Genetic Engineering (3 credits)
• BME 305 - Biofluids (3 credits)
• BME 440 - Biomedical Engineering Design (3 credits)
• BME 441 - Senior Design Project in Biomedical Engineering (3 credits)

5. Biomedical Engineering Specializations and Technical Electives

Biomedical engineering students must complete a specialization, composed of at least 30 credits in one of three areas, including at least two 3- to 4-credit design technical elective courses with a BME designation. Five technical elective courses must be 300- or 400-level BME courses (not BME 499). BME 499 may be taken as an additional technical elective for a total of 6 credits. (See below for the three specializations with course options.) The specialization must be declared in writing by the end of the sophomore year and is selected in consultation with the faculty advisor to ensure a cohesive curriculum with depth at the upper level.

Specializations

Biomechanics and Biomaterials

Courses that focus on developing an understanding of mechanical structures and dynamics of biological systems, and material properties of those structures. This specialization is appropriate for students interested in the areas of biofluid mechanics, hard and soft tissue biomechanics, biomaterials, biocompatibility, medical prosthetics, or bioinstrumentation.

Recommended courses:

• BME 314 - Embedded Technologies in Medical Devices (3 credits)
• BME 353 - Introduction to Biomaterials (3 credits)
• BME 354 - Advanced Biomaterials (3 credits) *
• BME 361 - Data Science with Python (3 credits)
• BME 371 - Biological Microfluidics (3 credits)
• BME 381 - Nanofabrication in Biomedical Applications (3 credits) *
• BME 404 - Essentials of Tissue Engineering (3 credits) *
• BME 420 - Computational Biomechanics (3 credits)
• BME 430 - Quantitative Human Physiology (3 credits)
• BME 461 - Biosystems Analysis (3 credits)
• ESG 302 - Thermodynamics of Materials (3 credits)
• ESG 332 - Materials Science I: Structure and Properties of Materials (3 credits)
• ESM 335 - Strength of Materials (3 credits)
• ESM 453 - Biomaterials (3 credits)
• ESM 469 - Polymer Engineering (3 credits)

Alternative courses:

• AMS 315 - Data Analysis (3 credits)
• AMS 333 - Mathematical Biology (3 credits)
• BME 311 - Fundamentals of Macro to Molecular Bioimaging (3 credits) *
• BME 312 - LabVIEW Programming in Engineering (3 credits) *
• BME 313 - Bioinstrumentation (3 credits) *
• BME 402 - Contemporary Biotechnology (3 credits)
• BME 481 - Biosensors (3 credits) *
• CHE 321 - Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
• CHE 322 - Organic Chemistry IIA (4 credits)
• CHE 327 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
• CSE 332 - Introduction to Visualization (3 credits)
• ESE 315 - Control System Design (3 credits)
• ESG 281 - Engineering Introduction to the Solid State (3 credits)
• ESG 316 - Engineering Science Design Methods (4 credits)
• ESM 325 - Diffraction Techniques and Structure of Solids (3 credits)
• ESM 450 - Engineering Systems Laboratory (3 credits)
• ESM 469 - Polymer Engineering (3 credits)
• MEC 310 - Introduction to Machine Design (3 credits)
• MEC 320 - Numerical Methods in Engineering Design and Analysis (3 credits)
• MEC 402 - Mechanical Vibrations (3 credits)
• MEC 410 - Design of Machine Elements (3 credits)
• MEC 411 - Control System Analysis and Design (4 credits)
• MEC 455 - Applied Stress Analysis (3 credits)

Bioelectricity and Bioimaging

Courses focusing on the description of biological cells, tissues, and organisms as complex systems. This specialization is appropriate for students interested in the areas of bioinstrumentation, medical imaging, electrical prosthetics, electromagnetic compatibility, tissue engineering, or bioinformatics.

Recommended courses:

• BME 310 - Introduction to Biomedical Optics and Ultrasound (3 credits)
• BME 311 - Fundamentals of Macro to Molecular Bioimaging (3 credits) *
• BME 312 - LabVIEW Programming in Engineering (3 credits) *
• BME 313 - Bioinstrumentation (3 credits) *
• BME 314 - Embedded Technologies in Medical Devices (3 credits)
• BME 361 - Data Science with Python (3 credits)
• BME 381 - Nanofabrication in Biomedical Applications (3 credits) *
• BME 430 - Quantitative Human Physiology (3 credits)
• BME 461 - Biosystems Analysis (3 credits)
• BME 481 - Biosensors (3 credits) *
• CSE 377 - Introduction to Medical Imaging (3 credits)
• ESE 273 - Microelectronic Circuits (3 credits)
• ESE 306 - Random Signals and Systems (3 credits)
• ESE 315 - Control System Design (3 credits)

Alternative courses:

• AMS 311 - Probability Theory (3 credits)
• CHE 321 - Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
• CHE 322 - Organic Chemistry IIA (4 credits)
• CHE 327 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
• ESE 305 - Deterministic Signals and Systems (3 credits)
• ESE 324 - Advanced Electronics Laboratory (3 credits)

Molecular and Cellular Biomedical Engineering

Courses focus on the application of biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology (i.e., recombinant DNA methodology) to the broad fields of genetic engineering, biotechnology, bionano-technology, and biosensors. Includes the specific engineering principles that are applied to problems involving structure and function of molecules and cells in areas such as tissue engineering, gene therapy, microarray, drug design and delivery, structural biology computational methods, and bioinformatics.

Recommended courses:

• BIO 317 - Principles of Cellular Signaling (3 credits)
• BME 311 - Fundamentals of Macro to Molecular Bioimaging (3 credits) *
• BME 353 - Introduction to Biomaterials (3 credits)
• BME 354 - Advanced Biomaterials (3 credits) *
• BME 361 - Data Science with Python (3 credits)
• BME 371 - Biological Microfluidics (3 credits)
• BME 381 - Nanofabrication in Biomedical Applications (3 credits) *
• BME 402 - Contemporary Biotechnology (3 credits)
• BME 404 - Essentials of Tissue Engineering (3 credits) *
• BME 420 - Computational Biomechanics (3 credits)
• BME 430 - Quantitative Human Physiology (3 credits)
• BME 461 - Biosystems Analysis (3 credits)
• BME 481 - Biosensors (3 credits) *
• CHE 321 - Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
• CHE 322 - Organic Chemistry IIA (4 credits)
• CHE 327 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)

Alternative courses:

• BIO 310 - Cell Biology (3 credits)
• BIO 320 - General Genetics (3 credits)
• BIO 325 - Animal Development (3 credits)
• BIO 328 - Mammalian Physiology (3 credits)
• BIO 361 - Biochemistry I (3 credits)
• BIO 362 - Biochemistry II (3 credits)
• BIO 365 - Biochemistry Laboratory (3 credits)
• BME 312 - LabVIEW Programming in Engineering (3 credits) *
• BME 313 - Bioinstrumentation (3 credits) *
• BME 314 - Embedded Technologies in Medical Devices (3 credits)
• CHE 312 - Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences (3 credits)
• CHE 346 - Biomolecular Structure and Reactivity (3 credits)
• CHE 353 - Chemical Thermodynamics (3 credits)
• EBH 302 - Human Genetics (3 credits)
• ESG 332 - Materials Science I: Structure and Properties of Materials (3 credits)
• ESM 453 - Biomaterials (3 credits)
• ESM 469 - Polymer Engineering (3 credits)

Upper-Division Writing Requirement

All degree candidates must demonstrate skill in written English at a level acceptable for engineering majors. All Biomedical Engineering students must complete the writing course BME 300 concurrently with a selected 300- or 400-level BME course (excluding BME 440, BME 441, and BME 499). The quality of writing in technical reports submitted for the course is evaluated, and students whose writing does not meet the required standard are referred for remedial help. Satisfactory writing warrants an S grade for BME 300, thereby satisfying the requirement.

• BME 300 - Writing in Biomedical Engineering (0 credit)

Grading

All courses taken to satisfy 1 through 5 above must be taken for a letter grade. The grade point average for all required BME courses and all technical electives must be at least a 2.5 to graduate. A grade of C or higher is required in the following courses: AMS 151, AMS 161 or equivalent; BIO 202; CHE 131, CHE 132 or equivalent; PHY 131/PHY 133, PHY 132/PHY 134 or equivalent; all BME courses.

Honors Program in Biomedical Engineering

The purpose of the honors program in Biomedical Engineering is to give high achieving students an opportunity to receive validation for a meaningful research experience and for a distinguished academic career. A student interested in becoming a candidate for the honors program in Biomedical Engineering may apply to the program at the end of the sophomore year. To be admitted to the honors program, students need a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 and a B or better in all major required courses (including math and physics). Transfer students who enter Stony Brook University in the junior year need a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50 and a B or better in all required major courses (including math and physics) in their first semester at Stony Brook University. Graduation with departmental honors in Biomedical Engineering requires the following:

1. A cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher and a B or better in all major required courses (including math and physics) upon graduation.
2. Completion of BME 494, a 1 credit seminar on research techniques, with a B or better.
3. Completion of BME 495, a 3-credit honors research project, with a B or better.
4. Presentation of an honors thesis (written in the format of an engineering technical paper) under the supervision of a BME faculty member. The thesis must be presented to and approved by a committee.

For students who qualify, this honor is indicated on their diploma and on their permanent academic record.

BE/MS Degree

BME undergraduate students may be eligible to enroll in the BE/MS degree starting in their senior year and pursue a Bachelor’s Degree along with a MS in Biomedical Engineering. Important features of this accelerated degree program are that students must apply to the program through the BME Graduate Program Director during their junior year.

SBC Courses

This table illustrates major courses that can also be used to fulfill SBC requirements.

SBC Category	Required Major Courses	Optional Major Courses (see Note 3)
ARTS
GLO
HUM
LANG (see Note 4)
QPS	AMS 151, AMS 161
SBS
SNW	PHY 131, PHY 132	CHE 131, CHE 132, CHE 152
TECH	BME 100	ESM 450
USA
WRT
STAS	BME 303, BME 304
EXP+	BME 440 (partial fulfillment), BME 441 (partial fulfillment)	AMS 333
HFA+
SBS+	BME 440 (partial fulfillment), BME 441 (partial fulfillment)
STEM+	AMS 210, AMS 310, BIO 202, BME 440 (partial fulfillment), BME 441 (partial fulfillment)	AMS 261, AMS 361, CHE 312, CHE 321, MAT 203, MAT 303
CER	BME 440 (partial fulfillment), BME 441 (partial fulfillment)	AMS 315
DIV (see Note 5)
ESI	BME 440 (partial fulfillment), BME 441 (partial fulfillment)	AMS 315, BIO 365
SPK	BME 440 (partial fulfillment), BME 441 (partial fulfillment)
WRTD	BME 440 (partial fulfillment), BME 441 (partial fulfillment)

• Freshmen who matriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later
• Transfer students who matriculate in the Spring of 2020 or later
• Students who rematriculate in the Fall of 2019 or later

Sample Course Sequence

Sample Course Sequence for the Major in Biomedical Engineering

[Insert course sequence table]