Program Overview

Biomedical Engineering, B.S.

Overview

The Biomedical Engineering program at the University of California, Irvine, is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in engineering sciences and principles of biology, physiology, chemistry, and physics. The program aims to promote continuous improvement in the field of biomedical engineering, effective communication across disciplines, and the application of critical reasoning and design skills to solve problems in biomedical engineering.

Program Educational Objectives

The program educational objectives are:

• To promote continuous improvement in the field of biomedical engineering
• To communicate effectively the relevant biomedical engineering problem to be solved across the engineering, life science, and medical disciplines
• To apply critical reasoning as well as quantitative and design skills to identify and solve problems in biomedical engineering
• To lead and manage biomedical engineering projects in industry, government, or academia that involve multidisciplinary team members

Curriculum

The curriculum emphasizes education in the fundamentals of engineering sciences, including laboratory experimentation, computer applications, and exposure to real bioengineering problems. Students work as teams in senior design project courses to solve multidisciplinary problems suggested by industrial and clinical experience.

Admission

• High school students: See School admissions information
• Transfer students: Preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall, and who have satisfactorily completed the required courses, including:
  • Two years of approved calculus
  • One year of calculus-based physics with laboratories (mechanics, electricity, and magnetism)
  • Completion of lower-division writing
  • One year of general chemistry (with laboratory)
  • One course in introductory programming

Requirements

• All students must meet the University Requirements
• All students must meet the School Requirements
• Mathematics and Basic Science Courses: A minimum of 48 units, including:
  • Core Courses:
    • CHEM 1A, 1B, 1C: General Chemistry
    • CHEM 1LC: General Chemistry Laboratory
    • MATH 2A, 2B: Single-Variable Calculus I and II
    • MATH 2D: Multivariable Calculus I
    • MATH 2E: Multivariable Calculus II
    • MATH 3A: Introduction to Linear Algebra
    • MATH 3D: Elementary Differential Equations
    • PHYSICS 7C: Classical Physics
    • PHYSICS 7LC: Classical Physics Laboratory
    • PHYSICS 7D, 7E: Classical Physics
    • PHYSICS 7LD: Classical Physics Laboratory
    • STATS 8: Introduction to Biological Statistics
• Engineering Topics Courses: Core Courses, including:
  • BME 1: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
  • BME 50A, 50B: Cell and Molecular Engineering
  • BME 60A, 60B, 60C: Engineering Analysis/Design
  • BME 110A, 110B, 110C: Biomechanics I, II, III
  • BME 111: Design of Biomaterials
  • BME 120: Sensory Motor Systems
  • BME 121: Quantitative Physiology: Organ Transport Systems
  • BME 130: Biomedical Signals and Systems
  • BME 140: Design of Biomedical Electronics
  • BME 150: Biotransport Phenomena
  • BME 170: Biomedical Engineering Laboratory
  • BME 179: Biomedical Engineering Design: Addressing Unmet Clinical Needs
  • BME 180A, 180B, 180C: Biomedical Engineering Design
• Engineering Electives: A minimum of 12 units, selected with the approval of a faculty advisor
• Engineering Professional Topics Course: ENGR 190W: Communications in the Professional World

Optional Specializations

• Biophotonics: Select three courses from:
  • BME 135: Photomedicine
  • BME 136: Engineering Medical Optics
  • BME 137: Introduction to Biomedical Imaging
  • BME 138: Spectroscopy and Imaging of Biological Systems
  • EECS 180A: Engineering Electromagnetics I
• Micro and Nano Biomedical Engineering: Select three courses from:
  • BME 142: Microfabrication
  • BME 147: Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip
  • BME 148: Microimplants
  • MSE 141: Nano-Scale Materials and Applications
  • ENGRMAE 153: Advanced BIOMEMS Manufacturing Techniques

Sample Program of Study

The sample program of study chart is typical for the major in Biomedical Engineering. Students should keep in mind that this program is based upon a sequence of prerequisites, beginning with adequate preparation in high school mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

• Freshman:
  • Fall: MATH 2A, CHEM 1A, BME 1, General Education
  • Winter: MATH 2B, CHEM 1B, PHYSICS 7C, General Education
  • Spring: MATH 2D, CHEM 1C, PHYSICS 7D, PHYSICS 7LD
• Sophomore:
  • Fall: MATH 3A, PHYSICS 7E, BME 50A, BME 60A
  • Winter: MATH 3D, BME 50B, BME 60B
  • Spring: MATH 2E, BME 60C, STATS 8
• Junior:
  • Fall: BME 110A, BME 120, BME 130, ENGR 190W
  • Winter: BME 110B, BME 150, BME 140
  • Spring: BME 110C, BME 111, BME 121, BME 179
• Senior:
  • Fall: BME 180A, Engineering Elective, General Education
  • Winter: BME 180B, Engineering Elective, General Education
  • Spring: BME 180C, BME 170, Engineering Elective, General Education