UNDERGRADUATE STUDY
For undergraduate curriculum in biomedical engineering leading to the degree bachelor of science.
Administered as an interdepartmental degree program
Biomedical engineering seeks to better human health by designing engineered systems that can interface with biomedical systems or by controlling the biomedical systems themselves. Biomedical engineers leverage their deep understanding of fundamental scientific disciplines including physics, chemistry and biology as well as a broad understanding of different traditional engineering disciplines such as chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering. Broad areas of biomedical engineering include medical molecules and materials, biomedical mechanics and manufacturing and biomedical instrumentation that allow for engineering of cells and tissues or delivery of drugs and vaccines or devices that can detect or alleviate disease, regenerate tissue or assist after injury.
Practicing biomedical engineers work in research, uncovering fundamental properties of either biomedical systems or the engineered systems with which they interface. They work as product engineers, bringing innovative technology to bear in a usable product that can pass approval processes by the relevant regulatory organizations or process engineers, developing manufacturing approaches that can produce products economically, safely and under the proper conditions to ensure their use in the human body. Finally, biomedical engineers work in technical sales, intellectual property or governmental regulation.
The curriculum of biomedical engineering includes broad training in math, chemistry, physics, biology as well as engineering sciences such as thermodynamics, materials, fluid and solid mechanics and circuits. The curriculum also provides training in areas such as disease therapeutics and drug delivery, implants and tissue engineering, advanced diagnostics and biosensors, prosthetics and organ mechanics, medical device manufacturing, and medical imaging and equipment electronics. This training will culminate in lab and design courses that will emphasize a synthesis of these topics to design, build and test biomedical systems.
The curriculum will prepare students for a career in serving society through designing and manufacturing biomedical systems that improve human health. The curriculum will also prepare students to navigate difficult ethical questions through training in bioethics and will include broader training in the social sciences and humanities. This prepares graduates to better gauge the impact of biomedical engineering design decisions on broader society. Finally, graduates will be well-trained to communicate both with other technical colleagues as well as the broader public that benefits from the biomedical engineering products.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the biomedical engineering curriculum should have, at the time of graduation:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Program Educational Objectives
The objectives of the biomedical engineering program at Iowa State University are to produce graduates who:
- will excel in careers as professional biomedical engineers in the businesses and industries related to biomedical engineering.
- will successfully pursue research and advanced studies in biomedical engineering or in related professional fields such as medicine, law and business
A cooperative education program is available to students in biomedical engineering.
CURRICULUM IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Total credits required: 129
See also basic program and special programs.
The BME Program requires a grade of C or better from any transfer credit course that is applied to the degree program but will not be calculated into the ISU cumulative GPA, Basic Program GPA, or Core GPA.
BASIC PROGRAM: 24 CR.
A minimum GPA of 2.00 required for this set of courses (please note that transfer course grades will not be calculated into the Basic Program GPA). See Basic Program for Engineering Curricula in College of Engineering section.
| B M E 160 | Biomedical Engineering Problems with Computer Applications Laboratory | 3 |
| CHEM 167 | General Chemistry for Engineering Students | 4 |
| or CHEM 177 | General Chemistry I | |
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGR 101 | Engineering Orientation | R |
| LIB 160 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| MATH 165 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS 231 | Introduction to Classical Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 231L | Introduction to Classical Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES: 12 CR.
Complete a total of 12 cr. with at least 6 cr., but not more than 9 cr., from the same department.
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES1: 3 CR.
U.S. DIVERSITY1: 3 CR.
COMMUNICATION PROFICIENCY:
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 314 | Technical Communication | 3 |
BIOETHICS: 3 CR.
Choose from PHIL 331 Moral Problems in Medicine, PHIL 336 Bioethics and Biotechnology, or PHIL 343 Philosophy of Technology
FOUNDATIONAL COURSES: 34 CR.
| BIOL 212 | Principles of Biology II | 3 |
| BIOL 212L | Principles of Biology Laboratory II | 1 |
| BIOL 335 | Principles of Human and Other Animal Physiology | 3 |
| BIOL 350 | Comprehensive Human Anatomy | 4 |
| or B M S 447 | Introduction to Human Gross Anatomy | |
| or B M S 448 | Principles of Human Gross Anatomy | |
| CHEM 167L | Laboratory in General Chemistry for Engineering | 1 |
| or CHEM 177L | Laboratory in General Chemistry I | |
| MATH 265 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 267 | Elementary Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms | 4 |
| MAT E 273 | Principles of Materials Science and Engineering | 3 |
| M E 231 | Engineering Thermodynamics I | 3 |
| or MAT E 311 | Thermodynamics in Materials Engineering | |
| PHYS 232 | Introduction to Classical Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 232L | Introduction to Classical Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| STAT 305 | Engineering Statistics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
FOUNDATIONAL ELECTIVES2: 14 CR.
| B M E 360 | Biotransport | 3 |
| BBMB 303 | General Biochemistry | 3 |
| C E 274 | Engineering Statics | 3 |
| CHEM 178 & 178L | General Chemistry II and Laboratory in College Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 231 & 231L | Elementary Organic Chemistry and Laboratory in Elementary Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| E E 285 | Problem Solving Methods and Tools for Electrical Engineering | 4 |
| E E 314 | Electromagnetics for non Electrical Engineers | 3 |
| E E 442 | Introduction to Circuits and Instruments | 2 |
| E E 448 | Introduction to AC Circuits and Motors | 2 |
| M E 324L & M E 324 | Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory and Manufacturing Engineering | 4 |
| M E 345 | Engineering Dynamics | 3 |
| M E 370 | Engineering Measurements | 3 |
B M E CORE: 24 CR.
| B M E 104 | Biomedical Engineering First-Year Learning Community | R |
| B M E 220 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| B M E 270 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering Design | 2 |
| B M E 340 | Numerical Analysis in Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| B M E 350 | Bioinstrumentation | 3 |
| B M E 350L | Bioinstrumentation Lab | 1 |
| B M E 352 | Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Biomechanics | 3 |
| B M E 352L | Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Biomechanics Lab | 1 |
| B M E 354 | Introduction to Biomaterials | 3 |
| B M E 354L | Survey of Biomaterials Lab | 1 |
| B M E 420 | Biomedical Engineering Design I | 2 |
| B M E 430 | Biomedical Engineering Design II | 2 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Note: Transfer students with transfer credits in Biomedical Engineering core courses must earn at least 15 semester credits in ISU courses in this category at the 300-level or above to qualify for the B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering.
ELECTIVES2: 12 CR.
| Complete 6 credits of B M E Electives from approved list | 6 | |
| Complete 3 credits of Engineering Electives from approved list | 3 | |
| Complete 3 credits of Bioscience Electives from approved list | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
These university requirements will add to the minimum credits of the program unless the university-approved courses are also approved by the department to meet other course requirements within the degree program. U.S. Diversity and International Perspectives courses may not be taken Pass-Not Pass.
- 2
Electives used to meet graduation requirements may not be taken Pass-Not Pass.
FOUR-YEAR PLANS
Medical Molecules and Materials Emphasis
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 165 | 4 | MATH 166 | 4 |
| ENGL 150 | 3 | CHEM 178 | 3 |
| CHEM 177 | 4 | CHEM 178L | 1 |
| CHEM 177L | 1 | PHYS 231 | 4 |
| B M E 160 | 3 | PHYS 231L | 1 |
| B M E 104 | R | BIOL 212 | 3 |
| LIB 160 | 1 | BIOL 212L | 1 |
| ENGR 101 | R | ||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 250 | 3 | BIOL 335 | 3 |
| PHYS 232 | 4 | MATH 265 | 4 |
| PHYS 232L | 1 | B M E 220 | 3 |
| CHEM 231 | 3 | MAT E 273 | 3 |
| CHEM 231L | 1 | B M E 270 | 2 |
| MATH 267 | 4 | PHIL 331, 336, or 343 | 3 |
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 350, B M S 447, or B M S 448 | 4 | B M E 350 | 3 |
| MAT E 311 | 3 | B M E 350L | 1 |
| B M E 352 | 3 | B M E 354 | 3 |
| B M E 352L | 1 | B M E 354L | 1 |
| B M E 340 | 3 | STAT 305 | 3 |
| E E 442 | 2 | B M E 360 | 3 |
| ENGL 314 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| B M E 420 | 2 | B M E 430 | 2 |
| BBMB 303 | 3 | SSH Elective | 3 |
| B M E Elective | 3 | Engineering Elective | 3 |
| SSH Elective | 3 | B M E Elective | 3 |
| SSH Elective | 3 | Bioscience Elective | 3 |
| SSH Elective | 3 | ||
| 14 | 17 | ||
| Total Credits: 131 | |||
BioMedical Mechanics and Manufacturing Emphasis
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 165 | 4 | MATH 166 | 4 |
| ENGL 150 | 3 | SSH Elective | 3 |
| CHEM 167 | 4 | PHYS 231 | 4 |
| CHEM 167L | 1 | PHYS 231L | 1 |
| B M E 160 | 3 | BIOL 212 | 3 |
| B M E 104 | R | BIOL 212L | 1 |
| LIB 160 | 1 | ||
| ENGR 101 | R | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 250 | 3 | BIOL 335 | 3 |
| PHYS 232 | 4 | MATH 265 | 4 |
| PHYS 232L | 1 | B M E 220 | 3 |
| C E 274 | 3 | MAT E 273 | 3 |
| MATH 267 | 4 | B M E 270 | 2 |
| PHIL 331, 336, or 343 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 18 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 350, B M S 447, or B M S 448 | 4 | B M E 350 | 3 |
| M E 231 | 3 | B M E 350L | 1 |
| B M E 352 | 3 | B M E 354 | 3 |
| B M E 352L | 1 | B M E 354L | 1 |
| B M E 340 | 3 | STAT 305 | 3 |
| E E 442 | 2 | B M E 360 | 3 |
| M E 324L | 1 | ENGL 314 | 3 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| B M E 420 | 2 | B M E 430 | 2 |
| M E 324 | 3 | SSH Elective | 3 |
| B M E Elective | 3 | Engineering Elective | 3 |
| SSH Elective | 3 | B M E Elective | 3 |
| M E 345 | 3 | Bioscience Elective | 3 |
| SSH Elective | 3 | ||
| 14 | 17 | ||
| Total Credits: 130 | |||
BioMedical Instrumentation Emphasis
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH 165 | 4 | MATH 166 | 4 |
| ENGL 150 | 3 | E E 285 | 4 |
| CHEM 167 | 4 | PHYS 231 | 4 |
| CHEM 167L | 1 | PHYS 231L | 1 |
| B M E 160 | 3 | BIOL 212 | 3 |
| B M E 104 | R | BIOL 212L | 1 |
| LIB 160 | 1 | ||
| ENGR 101 | R | ||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGL 250 | 3 | BIOL 335 | 3 |
| PHYS 232 | 4 | MATH 265 | 4 |
| PHYS 232L | 1 | B M E 220 | 3 |
| SSH Elective | 3 | MAT E 273 | 3 |
| MATH 267 | 4 | B M E 270 | 2 |
| PHIL 331, 336, or 343 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 18 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BIOL 350, B M S 447, or B M S 448 | 4 | B M E 350 | 3 |
| M E 231 | 3 | B M E 350L | 1 |
| B M E 352 | 3 | B M E 354 | 3 |
| B M E 352L | 1 | B M E 354L | 1 |
| B M E 340 | 3 | STAT 305 | 3 |
| E E 442 | 2 | ENGL 314 | 3 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| B M E 420 | 2 | B M E 430 | 2 |
| E E 448 | 2 | SSH Elective | 3 |
| E E 314 | 3 | Engineering Elective | 3 |
| B M E Elective | 3 | B M E Elective | 3 |
| SSH Elective | 3 | Bioscience Elective | 3 |
| M E 370 | 3 | SSH Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Total Credits: 129 | |||
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING MINOR
Minor supervised by an interdisciplinary faculty committee, administered by the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department. The Biomedical Engineering minor is a unique opportunity for engineering students to acquire a multi-disciplinary engineering and life sciences background for entering the field of biomedical engineering.
The program is open to all undergraduate engineering students at Iowa State University. This minor will provide students with a foundation of core biology and engineering relevant to further study in biomedical engineering along with an introduction to the application of engineering principles to biomedical problems from a multidisciplinary perspective as well as the applications within the majors of the participating departments.
A minimum of 17 cr. meeting the six requirements below with a minimum of 9 of those credits not being used to meet degree requirements and a minimum of 6 cr. at the 300 level or above. No more than 3 cr. of 490 credit may be applied to this minor.
| BIOL 212 | Principles of Biology II | 3 |
| B M E/CH E 220 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| BIOL 256 | Fundamentals of Human Physiology | 3 |
| or BIOL 335 | Principles of Human and Other Animal Physiology | |
| Introductory Engineering Elective * | 3 | |
| Advanced Engineering Elective ** | 3 | |
| Professional Elective *** | 2-3 | |
| Total Credits | 17-18 | |
*A second (Introductory) engineering course from a department other than that of your major. The topic of the course should have ready application to later B M E-related electives in that discipline (C E 274; CH E 210; CPR E 281; E E 201, E E 314, or E E 442 and E E 448; E M 324 or A B E 378; I E 271; MAT E 273; M E 231; or other courses approved by Minor Chair).
** 300-500 level engineering course with clear biomedical engineering application (B M E 490, E E 341, E E 450; CH E 440; MAT E 456; I E 447; I E 571; M E 550 or other courses approved by Minor Chair).
*** 300-500 level engineering or life sciences course with clear biomedical engineering application OR B M E 490 OR departmental 490 with biomedical engineering topic OR 200+-level life sciences laboratory course (If a 200-level course is chosen here, the student will need to meet the required 6 cr. of 300+ courses by substitution of a higher-level course for the other requirements or by taking an additional course.), OR 300-500 level B M E course.