2023-24 Edition

Biomedical Engineering, B.S.

Program Educational Objectives: Graduates of the Biomedical Engineering program will (1) promote continuous improvement in the field of biomedical engineering; (2) communicate effectively the relevant biomedical engineering problem to be solved across the engineering, life science, and medical disciplines; (3) apply critical reasoning as well as quantitative and design skills to identify and solve problems in biomedical engineering; and (4) lead and manage biomedical engineering projects in industry, government, or academia that involve multidisciplinary team members. (Program educational objectives are those aspects of engineering that help shape the curriculum; achievement of these objectives is a shared responsibility between the student and UCI.)

Biomedical Engineering students learn engineering and principles of biology, physiology, chemistry, and physics. They may go on to design devices to diagnose and treat disease, engineer tissues to repair wounds, develop cutting-edge genetic treatments, or create computer programs to understand how the human body works.

The curriculum emphasizes education in the fundamentals of engineering sciences that form the common basis of all engineering sub-specialties. Education with this focus is intended to provide students with a solid engineering foundation for a career in which engineering practice may change rapidly. In addition, elements of bioengineering design are incorporated at every level in the curriculum. This is accomplished by integration of laboratory experimentation, computer applications, and exposure to real bioengineering problems throughout the program. Students also work as teams in senior design project courses to solve multidisciplinary problems suggested by industrial and clinical experience.

NOTE: Students may complete only one of the following programs: the major in Biomedical Engineering, the major in Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, or the minor in Biomedical Engineering.

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 following required courses: 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), and one course in introductory programming. For course equivalency specific to each college, visit http://assist.org.

Students are encouraged to complete as many of the lower-division degree requirements as possible prior to transfer. Students who enroll at UCI in need of completing lower-division coursework may find that it will take longer than two years to complete their degrees. For further information, contact The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at 949-824-4334.

All students must meet the University Requirements.
All students must meet the School Requirements.
Major Requirements
Mathematics and Basic Science Courses:
Students must complete a minimum of 48 units of mathematics and basic sciences including:
Core Courses:
CHEM 1A- 1B- 1C General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
CHEM 1LC General Chemistry Laboratory
MATH 2A- 2B Single-Variable Calculus
and Single-Variable Calculus
MATH 2D Multivariable Calculus
MATH 2E Multivariable Calculus
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
and Classical Physics
PHYSICS 7LD Classical Physics Laboratory
STATS 8 Introduction to Biological Statistics
Engineering Topics Courses:
Students must complete a minimum of 28 units of engineering design including:
Core Courses:
Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
Cell and Molecular Engineering
and Cell and Molecular Engineering
Engineering Analysis/Design: Data Acquisition
and Engineering Analysis/Design: Data Analysis
and Engineering Analysis/Design: Computer-Aided Design
Biomechanics I
and Biomechanics II
and Biomechanics III
Design of Biomaterials
Sensory Motor Systems
Quantitative Physiology: Organ Transport Systems
Biomedical Signals and Systems
Design of Biomedical Electronics
Biotransport Phenomena
Biomedical Engineering Laboratory
Biomedical Engineering Design
and Biomedical Engineering Design
and Biomedical Engineering Design
Engineering Electives:
Students select, with the approval of a faculty advisor a minimum of 12 units of engineering topics needed to satisfy school and major requirements.
(The nominal Biomedical Engineering program will require 181 units of courses to satisfy all university and major requirements. Because each student comes to UCI with a different level of preparation, the actual number of units will vary.)
Engineering Professional Topics Course:
ENGR 190W Communications in the Professional World

Optional Specialization in Biophotonics

Select three of the following:
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

These courses will also satisfy the Engineering Electives requirement.

Optional Specialization in Micro and Nano Biomedical Engineering

Select three of the following:
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

These courses will also satisfy the Engineering Electives requirement.

The sample program of study chart shown 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. Students who are not adequately prepared, or who wish to make changes in the sequence for other reasons, must have their program approved by their faculty advisor. Biomedical Engineering majors are encouraged to consult with academic counselors as needed, and students who are academically at risk are mandated to see a counselor as frequently as deemed necessary by the advising staff.

Freshman
Fall Winter Spring
MATH 2AMATH 2BMATH 2D
CHEM 1ACHEM 1BCHEM 1C
BME 1PHYSICS 7CCHEM 1LC
General EducationPHYSICS 7LCPHYSICS 7D
 General EducationPHYSICS 7LD
Sophomore
Fall Winter Spring
MATH 3AMATH 3DMATH 2E
PHYSICS 7EBME 50ABME 50B
BME 60ABME 60BBME 60C
 General EducationSTATS 8
Junior
Fall Winter Spring
BME 110ABME 110BBME 110C
BME 120BME 150BME 111
BME 130BME 140BME 121
ENGR 190WGeneral Education 
Senior
Fall Winter Spring
BME 180ABME 180BBME 180C
Engineering ElectiveEngineering ElectiveBME 170
General EducationGeneral EducationEngineering Elective
General EducationGeneral EducationGeneral Education