Program Overview

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Biomedical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Engineering

The major in biomedical engineering builds on the foundation provided by the BSE core requirements, preparing students for the challenges and opportunities associated with careers in the profession.

Focus Areas

All BSE students complete a focus area within their chosen major. Students majoring in biomedical engineering select one of four preapproved focus areas: bioimaging, biomechanics and biomaterials, cellular engineering, or computational bioengineering. Each focus area may be designated pre-medicine by completing a specific set of electives.

Bioimaging

Bioimaging represents the acquisition, processing, and visualization of structural or functional images of living systems. Medical imaging and image processing are integral to the extraction of anatomical and biological information from the systems level down to the molecular level. Bioimaging clinically seeks to reveal, diagnose, or examine diseases and also investigates normal anatomy and physiology.

Biomechanics and Biomaterials

Biomechanics is the study of structure and function. It is the application of principles from classical mechanics to problems in biological systems. This focus area emphasizes cardiovascular and/or musculoskeletal biomechanics. The study of biomaterials plays an important role in the design of implants and surgical instrumentation for both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal applications.

Cellular Engineering

Cellular engineering involves the application of engineering principles to problems in cellular and molecular biology, particularly as they relate to human health. The goal of this focus area is to equip students with the quantitative tools necessary to understand, manipulate, and control cellular and subcellular processes for a range of biomedical applications, including those related to stem cells, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

Computational Bioengineering

Computational bioengineering is an interdisciplinary field that develops methods and software tools for modeling and understanding biological data and systems that are typically represented by large amounts of data. Computational bioengineering is a combination of computer science, statistics, informatics, and engineering to analyze and interpret biological and genomic data. It is used for the identification of candidate genes to better understand the genetic basis of disease, unique adaptations, and differences between populations.

Educational Objectives

The department provides undergraduate students with a contemporary education in a multidisciplinary field of engineering. Its objective is to produce graduates who:

• advance the biomedical field through the responsible analysis and development of devices, systems, processes, and policies that improve human health;
• pursue a wide range of career options, including those in industry, academia, and medicine; and
• collaborate on multidisciplinary teams and become leaders in their chosen fields.

Requirements

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) with a major in biomedical engineering requires a minimum of 128 s.h. of credit, plus up to two 1 s.h. departmental seminars. At the time of graduation, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all college work used to complete degree requirements and in all UI coursework in order to be awarded the BSE.

Major Requirements

Major requirements include a set of common courses (38 s.h.) and two capstone design courses (8 s.h.).

Common Courses

Students in the bioimaging or computational bioengineering focus areas may choose between ENGR:2130 Thermodynamics or ENGR:3110 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering.

• BME:2200: Systems, Instrumentation, and Data Acquisition (with lab)
• BME:2210: Bioimaging and Bioinformatics (with lab)
• BME:2260: Quantitative Physiology
• or HHP:2400: Fundamentals of Human Physiology
• BME:2400: Cell Biology for Engineers (with lab)
• BME:2500: Biomaterials and Biomechanics (with lab)
• BIOL:1411: Foundations of Biology
• CHEM:1120: Principles of Chemistry II
• ENGR:2110: Statics
• ENGR:2120: Electrical Circuits
• ENGR:2130: Thermodynamics
• PHYS:1612: Introductory Physics II (with lab)

Capstone Design Courses

• BME:4910: Biomedical Engineering Senior Design I
• BME:4920: Biomedical Engineering Senior Design II

Focus Area

Students must select focus area courses according to guidelines established by the Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering. Biomedical engineering students choose one of four preapproved focus areas: bioimaging, biomechanics and biomaterials, cellular engineering, or computational bioengineering.

Pre-Medicine Focus Area Electives

Students who choose to pursue pre-medicine can select any focus area and complete five of the following courses (16 s.h.) as their additional electives.

• BIOL:1412: Diversity of Form and Function
• BIOL:2512: Fundamental Genetics
• BMB:3110: Biochemistry
• CHEM:2210: Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM:2220: Organic Chemistry II
• CHEM:2410: Organic Chemistry Laboratory

Bioimaging

Required Bioimaging Courses

• BME:5210/ECE:5470/IGPI:5206: Medical Imaging Physics
• ECE:3330/IGPI:3330: Introduction to Software Design
• ECE:5480/IGPI:5480: Digital Image Processing
• ENGR:2730: Computers in Engineering

Bioimaging Electives

• Two of the following:
  • BME:5200/IGPI:5212: Biomedical Signal Processing
  • BME:5240: Deep Learning in Medical Imaging (DLMI)
  • ECE:5330/IGPI:5331: Graph Algorithms and Combinatorial Optimization
  • ECE:5450/IGPI:5450: Machine Learning
  • ECE:5490: Multi-Dimensional Image Analysis Tools and Techniques
  • ENGR:3110: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering (if not taken to fulfill major requirements)

Biomechanics and Biomaterials

Required Biomechanics and Biomaterials Courses

• ENGR:2510: Fluid Mechanics (with lab)
• ENGR:2710: Dynamics
• ENGR:2720: Materials Science
• ENGR:2750: Mechanics of Deformable Bodies

Biomechanics and Biomaterials Electives

• Two of the following:
  • BME:2710: Engineering Drawing, Design, and Solid Modeling
  • BME:5101: Biomaterials and Implant Design
  • BME:5510: Cardiovascular Engineering
  • BME:5525: Cardiopulmonary Design and Modeling
  • BME:5610: Musculoskeletal Biomechanics

Cellular Engineering

Required Cellular Engineering Courses

• BME:5421: Cell Material Interactions
• BME:5430: Biotransport
• BME:5435: Systems Biology for Biomedical Engineering
• ENGR:2750: Mechanics of Deformable Bodies

Cellular Engineering Electives

• Two of the following:
  • BME:4310/BMB:4310: Computational Biochemistry
  • BME:5441: Numerical and Statistical Methods for Bioengineering
  • BME:5445: Stem Cells in Regenerative Engineering
  • BME:5451: Research Methods in Cellular Engineering
  • ECE:5480/IGPI:5480: Digital Image Processing

Computational Bioengineering

Required Computational Bioengineering Courses

• BME:4310/BMB:4310: Computational Biochemistry
• BME:5335: Computational Bioinformatics
• ECE:3330/IGPI:3330: Introduction to Software Design
• ENGR:2730: Computers in Engineering

Computational Bioengineering Electives

• Two of the following:
  • BME:5240: Deep Learning in Medical Imaging (DLMI)
  • ECE:5330/IGPI:5331: Graph Algorithms and Combinatorial Optimization
  • ECE:5820/CS:5820: Software Engineering Languages and Tools
  • ENGR:2130: Thermodynamics (if not taken to fulfill major requirements)
  • ENGR:3110: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering (if not taken to fulfill major requirements)

Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G Programs)

Bachelor of Science in Engineering students in biomedical engineering may pair their degree with an Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) program, which allows the student to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in five years of study.

BSE/MS in Biomedical Engineering

The College of Engineering offers a combined Bachelor of Science in Engineering/Master of Science for biomedical engineering undergraduate students who intend to earn an MS in biomedical engineering.

BSE/MPH (Occupational and Environmental Health Subprogram)

The combined BSE in biomedical engineering/MPH with the occupational and environmental health subprogram enables undergraduate students majoring in biomedical engineering to begin work toward the MPH degree while completing their bachelor's degree.

BSE/MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering

BSE students majoring in biomedical engineering who are interested in earning a Master of Science in electrical and computer engineering may apply to the combined BSE/MS program offered by the College of Engineering.

BSE (Biomechanics and Biomaterials Track)/MS in Occupational and Environmental Health (Industrial Hygiene Subprogram)

BSE students majoring in biomedical engineering in the biomechanics and biomaterials track who are interested in earning a Master of Science in occupational and environmental health with an industrial hygiene subprogram may apply to the combined BSE/MS program offered by the College of Engineering and the College of Public Health.

Career Advancement

BSE graduates with a major in biomedical engineering may pursue career opportunities in biomedical industries, such as design and development of biomedical instrumentation, diagnostic aids, life support systems, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and man-machine systems; or they may pursue traditional career opportunities in industry, such as those rooted in mechanical or electrical engineering disciplines. Other career options are available in government (Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, National Institutes of Health, Veterans Affairs). Some biomedical engineering graduates elect to continue formal education in engineering, medicine, or law.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor.

Biomedical Engineering, BSE

• First Year:
  • Fall:
    • RHET:1030: Rhetoric: Writing and Communication
    • CHEM:1110: Principles of Chemistry I
    • MATH:1550: Engineering Calculus I
    • ENGR:1100: Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving
    • ENGR:1000: Engineering Success for First-Year Students
    • CSI:1600: Success at Iowa
  • Spring:
    • MATH:1560: Engineering Calculus II
    • MATH:2550: Engineering Matrix Algebra
    • CHEM:1120: Principles of Chemistry II
    • PHYS:1611: Introductory Physics I
    • ENGR:1300: Introduction to Engineering Computing
    • BME:1010: First-Year Forum
• Second Year:
  • Fall:
    • MATH:2560: Engineering Differential Equations
    • BIOL:1411: Foundations of Biology
    • ENGR:2110: Statics
    • ENGR:2120: Electrical Circuits
    • ENGR:3110 or ENGR:2130: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering or Thermodynamics
    • BME:2010: Professional Seminar: Biomedical Engineering
  • Spring:
    • STAT:3510 or BIOS:4120: Biostatistics or Introduction to Biostatistics
    • BME:2260 or HHP:2400: Quantitative Physiology or Fundamentals of Human Physiology
    • BME:2400: Cell Biology for Engineers
    • BME:2500: Biomaterials and Biomechanics
    • Focus Area: required course
• Third Year:
  • Fall:
    • GE: Approved Course Subjects
    • Focus Area: required course
    • BME:2200: Systems, Instrumentation, and Data Acquisition
    • BME:2210: Bioimaging and Bioinformatics
    • Focus Area: required course
  • Spring:
    • Focus Area: required course
    • GE: Engineering Be Creative
    • GE: Approved Course Subjects
    • Focus Area: topic elective
    • Focus Area: additional elective
• Fourth Year:
  • Fall:
    • GE: Cultural Perspectives, Values, and Society
    • BME:4910: Biomedical Engineering Senior Design I
    • Focus Area: topic elective
    • Focus Area: additional elective
    • Focus Area: additional elective
  • Spring:
    • PHYS:1612: Introductory Physics II
    • GE: Approved Course Subjects
    • BME:4920: Biomedical Engineering Senior Design II
    • Focus Area: additional elective
    • Focus Area: additional elective
    • Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall)