Biomedical Engineering Major, B.S.
In this major, students learn to apply engineering principles to solve problems in medicine and biology. This is a field of great breadth that incorporates medical imaging, informatics, micro and nanosystems, prosthetics, medical devices, tissue engineering and genomics, drug delivery, and applications of signal processing and control.
Admission
Students who wish to complete the biomedical engineering major must apply for admission to the program. Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the program. Students may apply to the program as early as their first semester at UNC. Most students apply to the program during their second semester. Admission to rising juniors will only be granted on a limited basis if space is available. Students who are not accepted to the program after their third semester should select a different major. Students who are interested in the program are encouraged to declare biomedical engineering intent.
More information about the application process is available on the department website.
Students may apply to the program if they are currently enrolled in, or have completed, the following courses with the specified grades (or equivalent AP or IB credit):
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 101 & 101L | 
General Descriptive Chemistry Iand
Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I 1, H, F | 4 |
| ENGL 105 |
English Composition and Rhetoric 2 | 3 |
| MATH 231 |
Calculus of Functions of One Variable I 1, H, F | 4 |
| MATH 232 |
Calculus of Functions of One Variable II 1, H, F | 4 |
| PHYS 118 |
Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity 1, H, F | 4 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
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With a grade of C or better. AP, IB, or transfer credit will be accepted according to university policies.
- 2
With a grade of C- or better. Transfer credit will be accepted according to university policies.
Program Enhancement Fee
Students will be charged an additional fee of $750/semester ($1,500/year). The money is directly applied to the undergraduate program to enhance the undergraduate laboratory, internship, and outreach experience.
Advising
Students in the Lampe 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. After admission to the program, BME students must get their planned courses approved by a curriculum advisor each semester in order to register for classes. Industry advisors provide 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.
Prospective BME students receive advising through the UNC Advising Program. They may also meet with the BME student services specialist by scheduling an advising appointment to discuss admissions and course planning. BME curriculum advisors do not advise students on General Education requirements. Advisors from the UNC Advising Program can provide assistance with these requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the biomedical engineering program, students should be able to:
General Engineering Outcomes
- Demonstrate an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- Demonstrate 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
- Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- Demonstrate an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- Demonstrate 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
- Demonstrate an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusions
- Demonstrate an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
BME-Specific Program Criteria
- Apply principles of engineering, biology, human physiology, chemistry, calculus-based physics, mathematics (through differential equations), and statistics
- Solve bio/biomedical engineering problems, including those associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems
- Analyze, model, design, and realize bio/biomedical engineering devices, systems, components, or processes
- Make measurements on and interpret data from living systems
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must
- attain a final cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill or North Carolina State University (N.C. State) courses
- take at least half of their major course requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill or N.C. State
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
The first two years of study have many courses in common with the B.S. programs in chemistry, physics, computer science, or mathematical sciences. The curriculum, as for all sciences, is vertically structured, with experience and knowledge from each course serving as a foundation for subsequent courses. Students’ attention to prerequisites is important. The specific requirements are listed below. Students are also encouraged to engage in research in a laboratory at UNC–Chapel Hill or elsewhere, or have an internship experience in industry.
The degree program requires 124 hours.
Students who are admitted to the program may take courses at N.C. State. Most classes designated BMME ### are offered as BMME ### on the UNC campus and BME ### on the N.C. State campus. Other N.C. State course numbers are designated in parentheses.
Students must satisfy all General Education requirements, as outlined elsewhere in this catalog. Some General Education requirements should be met with specific courses as listed below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| Students should take the following courses, preferably in their second year: | ||
| BMME 201 | Computer Methods in Biomedical Engineering 1 | 3 |
| BMME 205 | Biomedical Mechanics | 4 |
| BMME 209 | Materials Science of Biomaterials | 4 |
| BMME 298 | Biomedical Engineering Design and Manufacturing I | 2 |
| Students should take the following courses, preferably in their third year: | ||
| BMME 207 | Biomedical Electronics | 4 |
| BMME 301 | Human Physiology: Electrical Analysis | 4 |
| BMME 302 | Human Physiology: Mechanical Analysis | 4 |
| BMME 398 | Biomedical Engineering Design and Manufacturing II H | 2 |
| Take three gateway electives to prepare for specialty electives in one or two areas | 9 | |
| Biotransport | ||
| Biochemistry for Biomedical Engineers | ||
or CHEM 430 | Introduction to Biological Chemistry | |
| Biomaterials | ||
| Biomedical Solid Mechanics | ||
| Biocontrols | ||
| Systems and Signals | ||
| Biomedical Microcontroller Applications | ||
| Bioinstrumentation | ||
| STEM elective - see requirements below | 3 | |
| Students should take the following courses, preferably in their final year: | ||
| BMME 697 | BME Senior Design: Product Development (BME 451) | 3 |
| BMME 698 | Biomedical Engineering Senior Design: Product Implementation and Strategy (BME 452) | 3 |
| Four specialty electives - see requirements below | 12 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Students should take the following courses, preferably in their first two years: | ||
| BIOL 101 | Principles of Biology (BIO 183) H, F | 3 |
| BIOL 101L | Introductory Biology Laboratory | 1 |
| or BIOL 102L | Introductory Biology Laboratory with Research | |
| CHEM 101 & 101L | General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I (CH 101 + 102) H, F | 4 |
| CHEM 102 & 102L | General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II (CH 201 + 202) H, F | 4 |
| CHEM 261 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry I (CH 221 + CH 222) H | 3 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I (MA 141) H, F | 4 |
| MATH 232 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II (MA 241) H, F | 4 |
| MATH 233 | Calculus of Functions of Several Variables (MA 242) H, F | 4 |
| MATH 383 & 383L | First Course in Differential Equations and First Course in Differential Equations Laboratory (MA 331 or MA 341) H | 4 |
| PHYS 118 | Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity (PY 205 + 206) H, F | 4 |
| PHYS 119 | Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta (PY 208 + 209) H, F | 4 |
| Remaining General Education courses and electives to reach 124 hours | 28 | |
| Total Hours | 124 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
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While BMME 201 is the recommended course, students may take COMP 116 or COMP 210 in place of BMME 201 if they are pursuing a second major or minor which requires one of those courses.
STEM Elective
Students must take an approved upper level (300 or greater) math, science or engineering course. The list below includes courses at UNC. It does not include BME gateway electives or specialization electives, but any of those courses will meet the STEM elective requirement. It must be an extra course and cannot double count for the gateway/specialty electives requirements.
Additional 300 or greater level math and science courses may be approved by the student's advisor to meet this requirement.
If CHEM 430 replaces BMME 325 as a gateway elective, the STEM elective must be an engineering course (additional gateway elective, additional specialty elective, or other approved engineering course).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| APPL 465 | Engineering of Soft Materials: SpongeBob Squarepants and Other Squishy Things | 3 |
| BIOL 220 | Molecular Genetics H | 3 |
| BIOL 443 | Developmental Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 451 | Comparative Physiology | 3 |
| CHEM 430 | Introduction to Biological Chemistry (GN 311) H | 3 |
| ENVR 451 | Introduction to Environmental Modeling | 3 |
| EXSS 380 | Neuromuscular Control and Learning H | 3 |
| EXSS 385 | Biomechanics of Sport | 3 |
| MATH 347 | Linear Algebra for Applications F | 3 |
| MATH 381 | Discrete Mathematics H | 3 |
| PHYS 331 | Numerical Techniques for the Sciences I | 4 |
| PHYS 381 | Renewable Electric Power Systems | 3 |
| PHYS 461 | Introduction to Medical Physics | 3 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
Specialty Electives
Students are required to complete four specialty electives from no more than two of the five specialization areas listed below. Additional specialty electives may be available each semester through BMME 590 Special Topics courses.
Pharmacoengineering
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| UNC Campus | ||
| BMME 495 | Undergraduate Research in Biomedical Engineering as a Technical Elective | 3 |
| BMME 511 | Genetic Engineering | 3 |
| BMME 523 | Biomolecular Engineering | 3 |
| BMME 524 | Biomolecular Sensing Technologies | 3 |
| BMME 527 | Targeted Photomedicine | 3 |
| BMME 585 | Biotechnology | 3 |
| N.C. State Campus | ||
| BME 570 | ImmunoEngineering | 3 |
Regenerative Medicine
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| UNC Campus | ||
| BMME 435/PHYS 405/BIOL 431 | Biological Physics | 3 |
| BMME/PHYS 441 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
or MAE 201 | Thermal-Fluid Sciences (NC State) | |
or MSE 301 | Intro to Thermo (NC State) | |
| BMME 495 | Undergraduate Research in Biomedical Engineering as a Technical Elective | 3 |
| BMME 511 | Genetic Engineering | 3 |
| BMME 521 | Introduction to Synthetic Biology | 3 |
| BMME 555 | Biofluid Mechanics | 3 |
or CE 282 | Hydraulics (NC State) | |
or MAE 308 | Fluid Mechanics (NC State) | |
| BMME 572 | Analysis of Tissue Engineering Technologies | 3 |
| N.C. State Campus | ||
| BME 429 | Cellular Engineering | 3 |
| BME 448 | Functional Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| BME 483 & BIT/BEC 3**/4** | Tissue Engineering Technologies & Biotechnology Course | 2+2 |
| BME 484 | Fundamentals of Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| TE 463 | Polymer Engineering | 3 |
Rehabilitation Engineering
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| UNC Campus | ||
| BMME 495 | Undergraduate Research in Biomedical Engineering as a Technical Elective | 3 |
| BMME 543 | Biomechanics of Movement | 3 |
| N.C. State Campus | ||
| BME 418 | Wearable Biosensors | 3 |
| BME 425 | Bioelectricity | 3 |
| BME 438 | Bone Mechanobiology | 3 |
| BME 444 | Orthopedic Biomechanics | 3 |
| BME 456 | Rehabilitation Robotics | 3 |
Biosignals and Imaging
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| UNC Campus | ||
| BMME 495 | Undergraduate Research in Biomedical Engineering as a Technical Elective | 3 |
| BMME 561 | Introduction to Medical Imaging | 3 |
| BMME 568 | Super Resolution-Imaging Beyond Limits | 3 |
| BMME 575 | Practical Machine Learning for Biosignal Analysis | 3 |
| MATH 528 | Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I | 3 |
or MA 501 | Adv. Math. for Sci. & Engrs. I (NC State) | |
| N.C. State Campus | ||
| BME 412 | Biomedical Signal Processing | 3 |
| BME 418 | Wearable Biosensors | 3 |
| BME 425 | Bioelectricity | 3 |
| BME 463 | Biomedical Optics and Lasers | 3 |
| BME 464 | Microscopy | 3 |
| ECE 456 | Mechatronics | 3 |
| ECE 505 | Neural Interface Engineering | 3 |
Medical Microdevices
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| UNC Campus | ||
| BMME/PHYS 441 | Thermal Physics | 3 |
or MAE 201 | Thermal-Fluid Sciences (NC State) | |
or MSE 301 | Intro to Thermo (NC State) | |
| BMME 495 | Undergraduate Research in Biomedical Engineering as a Technical Elective | 3 |
| BMME 555 | Biofluid Mechanics | 3 |
or CE 282 | Hydraulics (NC State) | |
or MAE 308 | Fluid Mechanics (NC State) | |
| BMME 575 | Practical Machine Learning for Biosignal Analysis | 3 |
| N.C. State Campus | ||
| BME 412 | Biomedical Signal Processing | 3 |
| BME 418 | Wearable Biosensors | 3 |
| BME 522 | Medical Instrumentation | 3 |
| E 304 | Intro to Nano Science and Technology | 3 |
| ECE 436 | Digital Control Systems | 3 |
| ECE 505 | Neural Interface Engineering | 3 |
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 | English Composition and Rhetoric 2 | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch F | 3 | |
| IDST 111L | Data Literacy Lab | 1 |
| Global Language through level 3 3 | 3-4 | |
| Major Courses | ||
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I 1, H, F | 4 |
| MATH 232 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II 1, H, F | 4 |
| PHYS 118 | Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity 1, H, F | 4 |
| CHEM 101 & 101L | General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I 1, H, F | 4 |
| BIOL 101 & 101L | Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory (or BIOL 102L) H, F | 4 |
| Hours | 31-32 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Major Courses | ||
| MATH 233 | Calculus of Functions of Several Variables H, F | 4 |
| MATH 383 & 383L | First Course in Differential Equations and First Course in Differential Equations Laboratory H | 4 |
| PHYS 119 | Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta H, F | 4 |
| CHEM 102 & 102L | General Descriptive Chemistry II and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II H, F | 4 |
| CHEM 261 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry I H | 3 |
| BMME 298 | Biomedical Engineering Design and Manufacturing I | 2 |
| COMP 116 or BMME 201 | Introduction to Scientific Programming or Computer Methods in Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| BMME 205 | Biomedical Mechanics (Fall only) | 4 |
| BMME 209 | Materials Science of Biomaterials (Spring only) | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Lifetime Fitness | 1 | |
| Hours | 33 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Major Courses | ||
| BMME 207 | Biomedical Electronics (Fall only) | 4 |
| BMME 301 | Human Physiology: Electrical Analysis (Spring only) | 4 |
| BMME 302 | Human Physiology: Mechanical Analysis (Fall only) | 4 |
| BMME 398 | Biomedical Engineering Design and Manufacturing II H | 2 |
| BMME --- | Gateway elective I | 3 |
| BMME --- | Gateway elective 2 | 3 |
| BMME --- | Gateway elective 3 | 3 |
| STEM Elective | 3 | |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Remaining IDEAs in Action requirements or electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 32 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Major Courses | ||
| BMME --- | Specialty Elective 1 | 3 |
| BMME --- | Specialty Elective 2 | 3 |
| BMME --- | Specialty Elective 3 | 3 |
| BMME --- | Specialty Elective 4 | 3 |
| BMME 697 | BME Senior Design: Product Development (Fall only) | 3 |
| BMME 698 | Biomedical Engineering Senior Design: Product Implementation and Strategy (Spring only) | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Remaining IDEAs in Action requirements or electives to reach 124 credits | 10 | |
| Hours | 28 | |
| Total Hours | 124-125 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
With a grade of C or better. AP, IB, or transfer credit will be accepted according to university policies.
- 2
With a grade of C- or better. Transfer credit will be accepted according to university policies.
- 3
Students may wish to consider completing their GLBL-LANG requirement over the summer, in the second year, or through transfer credit to allow for taking fewer hours per semester in the first year.
Special Opportunities in Biomedical Engineering
Departmental Involvement
Student ambassadors represent UNC–Chapel Hill and NC State, embodying professionalism and service. They engage with students, families, industry partners, and the community by conducting campus tours and supporting special events, showcasing the unique academic opportunities within the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Undergraduate learning assistants (ULAs) play a key role in supporting the academic success of their assigned courses by attending lab or lecture sections, assisting with course materials, and hosting office hours. They collaborate with instructors, complete required trainings, and meet weekly to discuss progress. ULAs contribute to a supportive academic environment.
Departmental awards are given to students in the graduating class each spring.
Experiential Education
All students in biomedical engineering participate in a capstone design experience in which they develop a device or system that has biomedical applications. This project fulfills the General Education Research and Discovery requirement.
Students based at either campus are eligible to participate in the co-op program through NC State after attending a co-op orientation. The Cooperative Education Program typically delays graduation by a year but provides valuable industry experience and the opportunity to earn money working as an engineer to help with tuition and other expenses. Undergraduate co-op students alternate semesters of full-time study and full-time work experience, preferably for a minimum of three alternating semesters.
In addition to the curriculum and co-op program, there are numerous biomedical engineering-related student organizations, including Helping Hands, Engineering World Health (EWH), Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), Carolina Adapts Toys for Children (CATCH), International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and Biomedical Devices Club (BMED).
Undergraduate Research
Students are strongly encouraged to undertake a research project at any time during their education, but particularly during their junior and/or senior years. Through the challenge of a research project, students come face to face with the leading edge of an area, gain expertise with state-of-the-art techniques and instrumentation, and experience a professional scientific career firsthand. Many undergraduate students work in the research laboratories of BME faculty members. In addition, faculty across campus conduct BME-related research, and many undergraduate students take advantage of these research opportunities in the School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, School of Pharmacy, and in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science, and Exercise and Sport Science.
The BME department helps to coordinate research activities and facilitates connections between students and research laboratories. This is accomplished through communication via e-mail and the department website. Also, the department organizes laboratory open houses, enabling students to visit faculty laboratories and learn about their research opportunities. The UNC–Chapel Hill Office for Undergraduate Research is also an excellent resource for finding research opportunities.
Honors in Biomedical Engineering
Students who successfully complete a research project and have a sufficiently outstanding academic record are eligible for graduation with honors or highest honors. The requirements for graduation with honors or highest honors include
- overall grade point average of 3.3 or higher;
- attendance at two seminars each semester from the BME seminar series or other approved seminars
- Complete a 300 or higher level BME course for honors credit or complete a graduate-level course that counts toward the undergraduate degree. The course should be completed with a grade of B or better.
- completion of a two-semester research project, with course credit given in BMME 691H and BMME 692H;
- presentation of the research to a committee of three faculty members, both as an oral presentation and a written honors thesis; and,
- approval by that committee.
Additional requirements for BMME 691H and BMME 692H are given to students in those classes. For consideration for highest honors, the research project must be judged to be of publishable quality.
Students wishing to be considered for graduation with honors should apply for approval to enroll in BMME 691H. Additional information can be found in the Academic Credit for Research section of the web page.
Department of Biomedical Engineering
