Curriculum & Advising

The undergraduate degree offered by our department is a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, which is granted jointly by UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University. Students in this program get a broad background in engineering, including topics in mechanical, electrical, materials science and computer engineering, before specializing. They learn how to apply these techniques and tools to address problems in biology and medicine.

The Biomedical Engineering (previously called Biomedical and Health Sciences Engineering) degree (BS) at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and NC State University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. Our program has been accredited since Oct 1, 2015. 

Steps to a Degree

Students are challenged with a curriculum at the interface of engineering and medicine. During the first year, students are introduced to the fundamentals of engineering. These courses include Calculus, Physics, Chemistry and Biology and provide the foundation for future engineering courses. Once accepted into the program and beginning in their sophomore year, students take engineering courses in mechanics, circuits, computer programming and materials, followed by specialized courses in biomedical engineering. The biomedical engineering design process is woven throughout the curriculum. Through design, students gain skills in manufacturing processes and biological synthesis while following the guidelines for FDA approval for a medical device.

The curriculum, as for all sciences and engineering, is vertically structured, with experience and knowledge from each course serving as a foundation for subsequent courses. Students are also encouraged to engage in laboratory research or have an internship experience in industry.

Students may take courses offered by the BME department as well as other departments at the partner campus. However, all required courses are offered on both campuses in alternating semesters, and all graduation requirements can be met on the student’s home campus. If students miss a scheduled course due to study abroad, co-op or life circumstances, they may take the course offered at the partner campus. Students may also travel to the partner campus for general education courses and elective courses.

The following resources detail the BME major curriculum, requirements, and available courses:

• • Sample Curriculum Plan
    • UNC-Chapel Hill Course Catalog
    • NC State Course Catalog
  • Students taking courses in different semesters than outlined in the Sample Plan should consult the following flowcharts to ensure prerequisites are met.
    • UNC Four-Year Flowchart
    • NC State Four-Year Flowchart
  • Specialty Electives

Students in the Joint Biomedical Engineering program have access to both Curriculum Advisors and Industry Advisors. Curriculum advisors help students choose classes at both UNC and NC State and plan their path to graduation. Industry Advisors provides students with valuable advice concerning post-graduate plans, as well as career development opportunities like workshops and resume reviews throughout their time in the program.

Pre-Health Professions

For students pursuing pre-health professions, there are additional courses to complete outside of our program requirements to meet the prerequisites for your intended health profession.

The Health Professions Advising offices are responsible for advising a Pre-Health student’s course needs. Admission requirements vary between programs and between schools and are subject to change. We strongly encourage you to meet with the Health Professions Advising Office at UNC or the Health Professions Advising Office at NC State to ensure that you meet all requirements for your intended program.

The following courses satisfy BME major requirements and are required by many health professions programs:

Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes

Objectives

The graduates of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Engineering (BMHE) undergraduate program will:

1. Acquire additional skills and knowledge in biomedical engineering or other disciplines;
2. Meet or exceed the expectations of their employers in the biomedical engineering workplace or other professional careers;
3. Adapt to evolving technology and changing career opportunities.

Outcomes

Upon graduation, our students will have acquired the following:

1. An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
2. 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
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. 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
5. 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
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Contacts