Frequently Asked Questions

Relative to other engineering programs, biomedical engineering has about 160 students per year, which allows for smaller class sizes and more interaction with professors. Our students tend to develop long-lasting relationships with other students in their courses and, at times, start new entrepreneurship endeavors through their connections. Our courses strongly encourage group work and collaboration, which provides a foundation and network for our students’ future careers.

No, travel is not required between the two campuses in order to complete a bachelor’s degree within Joint BME. However, a student may choose to take courses or use resources on either campus as part of their own unique academic plan. To facilitate transportation between the two campuses, a free shuttle bus travels between the two campuses when classes are in session.

Yes, if the following requirements are met:

• A minor or certificate of the same name is not offered on your home campus.
• You are admitted to the minor or certificate by the requirements determined by the department or organization administering the minor or certificate.
• You complete the requirements for earning the minor or certificate as determined by the department or organization. The organization administering the minor or certificate is not obligated to accept course equivalencies, transfers or substitutions accepted by the BME program.
• You complete the requirements for the minors and/or certificates prior to or concurrent with the completion of degree requirements.

For students enrolled through UNC, you must have the class pre-approved by a College of Arts and Sciences advisor to guarantee that you will receive credit. Transfer credit information from Undergraduate Admissions at UNC can assist with determining course equivalency. Undergraduate Admissions at NC State also provides transfer credit information to incoming NC State-enrolled students. Other courses should be approved by the department that offers the course (i.e., the math department will approve equivalent math courses).

We strongly encourage students to get involved in research. Award-winning faculty in the department are conducting some of the world’s leading research in the fields of Biomedical Imaging, Pharmacoengineering, Rehabilitation Engineering, Regenerative Medicine, and Biomedical Microdevices. 

There are many faculty in other departments who have BME undergraduate students working in their research labs. This includes faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill in Applied Physical Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science and Physics, as well as faculty throughout the School of Dentistry, Nursing, Medicine, and Public Health.

The department is deeply committed to supporting our students with the requisite skills needed to excel in industry, as well as succeed in entrepreneurial, startup, and research and development cultures. Each student participates in a Student Design project (usually during their senior year) where they learn the process of designing and solving an unmet medical need.

Some students within Student Design will go on to compete for department i4 Competition funding, as well as NC State VenturePack Challenge funding (formally known as NC State eGames) to help expand their design projects.

Our students can serve the department through Student Ambassadorship, which is available to undergraduates to apply starting in their junior year. Student Ambassadors assist the department with Open Houses and departmental tours and provide support during other department events.

Additionally, some of our undergraduates may be called to serve on certain department committees, depending on the needs of the department. Students serving on these committees provide representation for undergraduates and share invaluable information and insight into the department.

Lastly, there are student organizations at both universities that reinforce biomedical engineering concepts and in which many of our students participate:

• Carolina Adapts Toys for Children (Catch UNC) is a student organization that focuses on adapting toys for children with disabilities to accommodate accessibility issues with standard toy design.
  
• The Helping Hand Project at NC State was founded by a Joint BME student alum. The Helping Hand Project uses 3D printing and innovative design solutions to provide recreational prosthetic devices to people with upper limb differences while providing a supportive community.
• The Helping Hand Project also has a chapter at UNC and at other campuses across North Carolina. They also support the central mission of the organization, providing free recreational prosthetic devices that are designed with children in mind.