Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 University Catalog 
    
2022-2023 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Biomedical Engineering, BSBME


About the Program

The Biomedical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Students in Biomedical Engineering learn to apply tools from engineering and life sciences to design solutions for challenges in human biology, medicine, and healthcare delivery.

Biomedical Engineering students complete coursework in math, physics, chemistry and the life science in combination with engineering principles and design courses to understand the physical and chemical properties of human tissues, computational modeling and analyses, molecular transport, biomechanics, human physiology, and biomedical systems and instrumentation.  Essential experiential and practical training includes small group problem-based learning, study abroad programs, internships with a broad range of medically related companies, research in faculty labs, and engineering design projects to solve real medical needs. 

The home for the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering is a state-of-the-art building specifically designed to enhance both teaching and research. The $25-million, 91,000-square-foot facility accommodates the continued growth of biomedical engineering in the 21st century.

Programs of focus and faculty expertise include imaging, instrumentation, engineered biomaterials and biomechanics, and quantitative cellular and systems engineering.

For more information, please refer to the Purdue BME website.

Biomedical Engineering Major Change (CODO) Requirements  

Degree Requirements


130 Credits Required

Biomedical Engineering Major Requirements (60-64 credits)


All major required courses below are included in the calculation of the BME major GPA requirement: 2.0

Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements (68-78 credits)


First Year Engineering Requirements (29-39 credits)


Click here for First-Year Engineering  Requirements

  • Requirement #1 - Intro to Engineering I (2-4 credits)
  • Requirement #2 - Intro to Engineering II (2-4 credits)
  • Requirement #3 - Calculus I (4-5 credits) (satisfies Quantitative Reasoning for core) 
  • Requirement #4 - Calculus II (4-5 credits) (satisfies Quantitative Reasoning for core) 
  • Requirement #5 - Chemistry I (4-6 credits) (satisfies Science #1 for core)
  • Requirement #6 - Physics (4 credits) (satisfies Science #2 for core)
  • Requirement #7 - First-Year Engineering Selective (3-4 credits)
  • Requirement #8 - Written and Oral Communication (6-7 credits) (could satisfy Written Communication, Information Literacy or Oral Communication for core)

Other Departmental Requirements (21 credits)


Life Science Selectives - Credit Hours: 6.00

  • Life Science Selective I - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Life Science Selective II - Credit Hours: 3.00

Technical Engineering Selectives - Credit Hours: 15.00

  • Technical Engineering Selective I - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Technical Engineering Selective II - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Technical Engineering Selective III (Quantitative Breadth) - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Technical Engineering Selective IV (Data Science focused Quantitative Breadth) - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Technical Engineering Selective V (BME 40000-49999) - Credit Hours: 3.00

See Supplemental Information for requirements.

General Education Electives (24 credits)


  • General Education I - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science for core)
  • General Education II - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Human Cultures: Humanities for core)
  • General Education III - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Science, Technology & Society for core)
  • General Education IV - Ethics and Policy Healthcare Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00 (C- or better)
  • General Education V - Credit Hours: 3.00 (30000+ level/Upper level)
  • General Education VI - Credit Hours: 3.00 (30000+ level/Upper level)

(General Education for Written & Oral Communication may be met in First-Year Engineering - Credit Hours: 6.00-7.00)

See Supplemental Information for requirements.

Biomedical Engineering Supplemental Information


Biomedical Engineering Supplemental Information  

Electives (5 credits)


  • Electives - Credit Hours: 5.00

University Requirements


University Core Requirements


For a complete listing of University Core Course Selectives, visit the Provost’s Website.
  • Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science (BSS)
  • Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM)
  • Information Literacy (IL)
  • Oral Communication (OC)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
  • Science #1 (SCI)
  • Science #2 (SCI)
  • Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
  • Written Communication (WC)

Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement:


The Civics Literacy Proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry.

Students will complete the Proficiency by passing a test of civic knowledge, and completing one of three paths:

  • Attending six approved civics-related events and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Completing 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement that use C-SPAN material and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Earning a passing grade for one of these approved courses (or transferring in approved AP or departmental credit in lieu of taking a course)

For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.



Prerequisite Information:


For current pre-requisites for courses, click here.


First Year Engineering Program Requirements


Fall 1st Year


13-14 Credits


Spring 1st Year


16 Credits


Biomedical Engineering Program Requirements


Suggested plan of study:

18-21 Credits


17-19 Credits


Fall 3rd Year


16 Credits


Spring 3rd Year


16 Credits


Fall 4th Year


16 Credits


Spring 4th Year


  • Technical Engineering Selective IV (Data Science Focused Quantitative Breadth) - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Technical Engineering Selective V (BME 40000-49999) - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Life Science Selective II - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • General Education Selective VI - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Elective - Credit Hours: 5.00

17 Credits


Notes


  • All required First Year Engineering (FYE) courses must be completed with a C- or above for entry into BME. 
  • A minimum Graduation Index and BME Major GPA of at least 2.0 is required to qualify for graduation with a BSBME. 
  • See the No Count List in BME Supplemental Information for courses that cannot be used to satisfy any BME major requirements, and the General Education No Count List for additional courses that cannot be used to satisfy any General Education Selective

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.  Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful.  These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program”. 

Disclaimer


The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.

The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.