Biomedical Engineering: Premedical, B.S.
Program Educational Objectives: Graduates of the Biomedical Engineering: Premedical program will: (1) demonstrate a broad knowledge in the field of biomedical engineering; (2) demonstrate critical reasoning as well as quantitative skills to identify, formulate, analyze and solve biomedical problems; (3) qualify to pursue entry into a medical college, or medical research in biomedical engineering, or other professional heal programs. (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.) The major program objective is to prepare students for medical school. The curriculum is designed to meet the requirements for admission to medical schools, but is also suitable for those planning to enter graduate school in biomedical engineering, physiology, biology, neurosciences, or related fields. It has less engineering content and more biological sciences than the accompanying Biomedical Engineering major. It is one of many majors that can serve as preparation for further training in medical, veterinary, or allied health professions.
The Biomedical Engineering: Premedical curriculum provides future physicians with a quantitative background in biomechanics, physiology, and biotransport. Such a background is increasingly important because of the heavy utilization of biomedical technology in modern medical practice. The curriculum includes courses in the sciences that satisfy the requirements of most medical schools.
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), one year of organic chemistry (with laboratory), and one course in introductory programming. For course equivalency specific to each college, see 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: | |
| CHEM 1A- 1B- 1C | General Chemistry and General Chemistry and General Chemistry |
| CHEM 1LC- 1LD | General Chemistry Laboratory and General Chemistry Laboratory |
| CHEM 51A- 51B- 51C | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry |
| CHEM 51LB- 51LC | Organic Chemistry Laboratory and Organic Chemistry Laboratory |
| MATH 2A- 2B | Single-Variable Calculus and Single-Variable Calculus |
| MATH 2D | 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 |
| Students select, with the approval of a faculty advisor, any additional basic science course needed to satisfy school and major requirements. | |
| Engineering Topics Courses: | |
| Students must complete the following engineering topics including: | |
| BIO SCI 97 | Genetics |
| BIO SCI 98 | Biochemistry |
| BIO SCI 99 | Molecular Biology |
| BIO SCI 100 | Scientific Writing |
| BIO SCI D103 | Cell Biology |
| or BIO SCI D104 | Developmental Biology |
| BIO SCI D111L | Developmental and Cell Biology Laboratory |
| BIO SCI E112L- M114L- M116L | Physiology Laboratory and Biochemistry Laboratory and Molecular Biology Laboratory (select two of these three courses) |
| BME 1 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering |
| BME 60A- 60B- 60C | Engineering Analysis/Design: Data Acquisition and Engineering Analysis/Design: Data Analysis and Engineering Analysis/Design: Computer-Aided Design |
| BME 110A- 110B | Biomechanics I and Biomechanics II |
| BME 111 | Design of Biomaterials |
| BME 120 | Sensory Motor Systems |
| BME 121 | Quantitative Physiology: Organ Transport Systems |
| BME 130 | Biomedical Signals and Systems |
| BME 150 | Biotransport Phenomena |
| Students select, with the approval of a faculty advisor, at least three additional engineering topics courses needed to satisfy school and major requirements. | |
(The nominal Biomedical Engineering: Premedical program will require 194 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).
Optional Specialization in Biophotonics
| Select three of the following: | |
| Photomedicine | |
| Engineering Medical Optics | |
| Introduction to Biomedical Imaging | |
| Spectroscopy and Imaging of Biological Systems | |
| Engineering Electromagnetics I | |
Completion of this specialization also satisfies the Engineering electives requirement.
Optional Specialization in Micro and Nano Biomedical Engineering
| Select three of the following: | |
| Microfabrication | |
| Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip | |
| Microimplants | |
| Nano-Scale Materials and Applications | |
| Advanced BIOMEMS Manufacturing Techniques | |
Completion of this specialization also satisfies the Engineering electives requirement.
The sample program of study chart shown is typical for the major in Biomedical Engineering: Premedical. 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: Premedical 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 2A | MATH 2B | MATH 2D |
| CHEM 1A | CHEM 1B | CHEM 1C |
| BME 1 | PHYSICS 7C | CHEM 1LC |
| General Education | PHYSICS 7LC | PHYSICS 7D |
| General Education | PHYSICS 7LD | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| MATH 3A | MATH 3D | CHEM 51C |
| CHEM 1LD | CHEM 51B | CHEM 51LC |
| CHEM 51A | CHEM 51LB | BME 60C |
| PHYSICS 7E | BME 60B | General Education |
| BME 60A | General Education | General Education |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| BIO SCI 97 | BIO SCI 98 | BIO SCI 99 |
| BME 110A | BME 110B | BME 111 |
| BME 120 | BME 150 | BME 121 |
| BME 130 | Engineering Elective | General Education |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
| BIO SCI 100 | BIO SCI D103 or D104 | BIO SCI E112L1 |
| General Education | BIO SCI D111L | BIO SCI M114L1 |
| General Education | Engineering Elective | BIO SCI M116L1 |
| General Education | Engineering Elective | |
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Select two of BIO SCI E112L, BIO SCI M114L, BIO SCI M116L.