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.

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.