Degree Requirements | Biomedical Engineering

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

BE Degree Program
BE-MS Degree Program
BNG Minor Program

Requirements for the Major in Biomedical Engineering (BME)

The first year prepares BME students with basic mathematics and the natural sciences (physics and chemistry), basic computer programming skills and the Introduction to Biomedical Engineering course (BME 100). The second year introduces upper level mathematics, engineering statics and dynamics, electrical circuit analysis, genetic engineering and the BME Fundamentals of Research laboratory course. In the third year, BME students begin taking their technical elective courses (unique to each specialization track) and complete the BME core courses of advanced statics (biomechanics) and dynamics (biofluids), and are introduced to the important emerging field of biophotonics. In the final year, BME students complete their technical electives and take the capstone course of Senior Design. Through the four years, BME students are required to meet each semester with their faculty advisor to both ensure that course pre-requisites are met and to obtain expert advice regarding technical elective courses that would best suit each student.

Completion of the major requires approximately 128 credits. We have prepared a sample course sequence for the Major in Biomedical Engineering. The list below summarizes the course work that is required. A detailed description of the degree requirements is below the Senior Checklist, and outlined as Required Courses, and Specialization Tracks and Technical Electives.

General Topic	Minimum Number of Courses/Credits to Be Completed
Mathematics	6 Courses
Natural Sciences	2 Courses (Chemistry); 2 Courses with Lab (Physics); 1 Course with Lab (Biology)
Computer Drafting	1 Course
BME Core Courses	12 Courses
BME Technical Electives	5 Courses (2 must have significant design)
Total Technical Electives	30 Credits (15 must be engineering)
Total Engineering	51 Credits

Additional SBC (Stony Brook Curriculum) designated courses not included in the above list (ARTS, GLO, HUM, SBS, USA, WRT).

Senior Checklist

The BME Major Checklist can be used to make sure that all degree requirements are being met. There is a corresponding BME Major Checklist for the accelerated BE/MS program. These important checklists also provide pre-requisite information that is used to ensure courses are taken in sequence and graduation is not delayed.

Required Courses

The curriculum for the three Specialization Tracks are identical except for the Technical Elective courses associated with the different specialization tracks.

A complete list of BME courses with class descriptions can be found within the SBU Undergraduate Bulletin.

Mathematics (all courses must be passed with a C or better)

AMS 151, 161: Calculus I, II
AMS 261 or MAT 203 or MAT 205: Calculus III
AMS 361 or MAT 303 or MAT 305: Calculus IV
AMS 210 or MAT 211: Linear Algebra
AMS 310: Probability and Statistics
Note: The following alternate calculus course sequences may be substituted for AMS 151, 161:

MAT 125, 126, 127
MAT 131, 132
MAT 141, 142

Natural Sciences (all courses must be passed with a C or better)

BIO 202: Fundamentals of Biology: Molecular and Cellular Biology
BIO 204: Biology Laboratory
CHE 131, 132: General Chemistry I, II
PHY 131/133, 132/134: Classical Physics I, II with lab component
Note: The following alternate science sequences may be substituted:

PHY 125, 126, 127, or PHY 141, 142 in lieu of PHY 131, 132
CHE 152, in lieu of CHE 131, 132

Computer and Programming Courses

BME 120: Programming Fundamentals in Biomedical Engineering

or ESG 111: C Programming
or CSE 130: Practical C/C++ Sci/Eng
or ESE 124: Computer Techniques for Electronic Design

Required Biomedical Engineering Courses (all courses must be passed with a C or better)

BME 100: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
BME 120: Programming Fundamentals in Biomedical Engineering (alt. above)
BME 203: Emergent Biodesign
BME 212: BME Research Fundamentals
BME 260: Statics and Dynamics in Biological Systems
BME 271: Electric Circuits and Bioelectricity
BME 300: Writing in Biomedical Engineering (S/U Grading)
BME 301: Biophotonics
BME 303: Biomechanics
BME 304: Genetic Engineering
BME 305: Biofluids
BME 440: Design in Biomedical Engineering
BME 441: Senior Design in BME

Upper-Division Writing Requirement (BME 300)

All degree candidates must demonstrate skill in written English at a level acceptable for engineering majors. All BME students need to register for the writing course BME 300 concurrently with any BME 300- or 400- level BME course of their choice (not BME 440, 441 or 499). The quality of writing in technical reports submitted for the BME 300 level course will be evaluated and students whose writing does not meet the required standard are referred for remedial help. Satisfactory writing warrants an "S" grade for BME 300, thereby satisfying the requirement.

Specialization Tracks and Technical Electives

Biomedical Engineering students must complete an area of specialization in one of the three specialization tracks. The area of specialization must be declared in writing by the end of the sophomore year and is selected in consultation with their faculty advisor to ensure a cohesive curriculum with depth at the upper level.

To complete the specialization, students choose from the technical elective course list for one of the three specializations. Other courses may be used towards this requirement with the permission of the Undergraduate Program Director. A total of 30 credits in technical electives are required. Fifteen credits or more must be engineering designations. Fifteen credits must be BME (not including BME 499), however six additional credits may be BME 499. Although any BME technical elective course will be accepted within any of the three tracks, below are recommended courses for each track. Non-BME technical elective courses are entirely track specific. To request a Non-BME technical elective be counted for your specialization, please complete the following form. BME courses with significant design content are marked by with an asterisk (*).

Biomechanics & Biomaterials

Applies classical mechanics (statics, dynamics, fluids, solids, thermodynamics, and continuum mechanics) to biological or medical problems.
Study of motion, material deformation, flow within the body and in devices, transport of chemical constituents across biological and synthetic media and membranes.
Traditional biomaterials (metal alloys, ceramics, polymers, and composites) and newer biomaterials (incorporate living cells in order to provide a true biological and mechanical match for the living tissue, tissue engineering).

Recommended courses:

BME 311 Fundamentals of Bio-imaging (*)

BME 353 Introduction to Biomaterials
BME 354 Advanced Biomaterials(*)
BME 361 Data Science with Python
BME 371 Biological Microfluidics
BME 381 Nanofabrication in Biomedical Applications (*)
BME 404 Essentials of Tissue Engineering (*)
BME 420 Computational Biomechanics (*)
BME 430 Quantitative Human Physiology
BME 461 Biosystems Analysis
ESG 302 Thermodynamics of Materials
ESG 332 Materials Science I
ESM 335 Strength of Materials
ESM 353 Biomaterials
ESM 369 Polymers
MEC 363 Mechanics of Solids

Alternative courses:

AMS 315 Data Analysis
AMS 331 Mathematical Modeling
AMS 333 Mathematical Biology
BME 312 LabVIEW Programming in Engineering (*)
BME 313 Bioinstrumentation (*)
BME 402 Contemporary Biotechnology
BME 481 Biosensors (*)
CHE 321 Organic Chemistry I
CHE 322 Organic Chemistry II
CHE 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CSE 326 Digital Image Processing
CSE 332 Introduction to Scientific Visualization
ESE 315 Control System Design
ESG 281 Engineering Intro to Solid State
ESG 316 Engineering Science Design II
ESM 221 Introduction to the Chemistry of Solids
ESM 309 Thermodynamics of Solids
ESM 325 Diffraction Techniques and Structure of Solids
ESM 334 Materials Engineering
ESM 335 Strength of Materials
ESM 355 Materials and Processes in Manufacturing Design
ESM 369 Polymer Engineering
ESM 450 Phase Changes and Mechanical Properties of Materials
MEC 310 Introduction to Machine Design
MEC 320 Engineering Design Methodology and Optimization
MEC 402 Mechanical Vibrations
MEC 410 Design of Machine Elements
MEC 411 Control System Analysis and Design
MEC 455 Applied Stress Analysis

Bioimaging & Bioelectricity

Understanding the interaction of electromagnetic fields with living tissues- for medical imaging, therapeutical and physiological function purposes

Medical Imaging combines knowledge of a unique physical phenomenon (sound, radiation, magnetism, etc.) with high speed electronic data processing, analysis and display to generate an image (MRI, PET Scan, CT Scan, etc.).

Images can be obtained with minimal or completely noninvasive procedures, making them less painful and more readily repeatable than invasive techniques.

Recommended courses:

BME 311 Fundamentals of Macro to Molecular Bioimaging (*)
BME 312 LabVIEW Programming in Engineering (*)
BME 313 Bioinstrumentation (*)
BME 361 Data Science with Python
BME 371 Biological Microfluidics
BME 381 Nanofabrication in Biomedical Applications (*)
BME 430 Quantitative Human Physiology
BME 461 Biosystems Analysis
BME 481 Biosensors (*)
CSE 377 Introduction to Medical Imaging
ESE 211 Electronics Laboratory A
ESE 218 Digital System Design
ESE 306 Random Signals and Systems
ESE 314 Electronics Laboratory B
ESE 315 Control System Design
ESE 372 Electronics

Alternative courses:

AMS 311 Probability Theory
BME 353 Introduction to Biomaterials
BME 354 Advanced Biomaterials (*)
BME 402 Contemporary Biotechnology
BME 404 Essentials of Tissue Engineering (*)
CHE 321 Organic Chemistry I
CHE 322 Organic Chemistry II
CHE 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory
ESE 305 Deterministic Signals and Systems
ESE 324 Electronics Laboratory
EST 421 Starting the High-Technology Venture

Cellular & Molecular Bioengineering

Cellular, Tissue and Genetic Engineering: involve more recent attempts to attack biomedical problems at the microscopic level.

Utilize the anatomy, biochemistry and mechanics of cellular and sub-cellular structures in order to understand disease processes and to be able to intervene at very specific sites.

Miniature devices to deliver compounds that can stimulate or inhibit cellular processes at precise target locations to promote healing or inhibit disease formation and progression. Gene delivery and therapy.

Recommended courses:

BIO 317 Principles of Cellular Signaling
BME 311 Bioimaging (*)
BME 353 Introduction to Biomaterials
BME 354 Advanced Biomaterials (*)
BME 361 Data Science with Python
BME 371 Biological Microfluidics
BME 381 Nanofabrication in Biomedical Applications (*)
BME 402 Contemporary Biotechnology
BME 404 Essentials of Tissue Engineering (*)
BME 420 Computational Biomechanics (*)
BME 430 Quantitative Physiology
BME 461 Biosystems Analysis
BME 481 Biosensors (*)
CHE 321 Organic Chemistry I
CHE 322 Organic Chemistry II
CHE 327 Organic Chemistry Laboratory

Alternative courses:

BIO 302 Human Genetics
BIO 310 Cell Biology
BIO 311 Techniques in Molecular and Cellular Biology
BIO 320 General Genetics
BIO 325 Animal Development
BIO 328 Mammalian Physiology
BIO 361 Biochemistry I
BIO 362 Biochemistry II
BIO 365 Biochemistry Laboratory
BME 312 LabVIEW Programming in Engineering (*)
BME 313 Bioinstrumentation (*)
CHE 312 Physical Chemistry
CHE 346 Biomolecular Structure and Reactivity
CHE 353 Chemical Thermodynamics
ESG 332 Materials Science I
ESM 353 Biomaterials: Manufacture, Properties and Applications
ESM 369 Polymer Engineering

Accelerated BE-MS Program

Requirements for the Major in Biomedical Engineering (BME)

This is a prestigious five year BE/MS program which is offered to approximately the top 10% of the junior class. The combined degree is designed for students who are seeking a challenge and a more diverse range of studies. The degree will provide students with advanced courses and research experience that will suitably prepare them for either Doctorate studies or a variety of advanced professional positions.

Students must apply for this program through the BME Graduate Program via a Google Form emailed in February/March. Students who fail to apply by the stated deadline are ineligible for this program. A cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 is required for admission to this program (but this is not the only criterion used to evaluate candidates). Admission to the Graduate School is required. Students are required to attend Graduate Orientation the first semester of their Graduate Career. They will be subject to Graduate School Regulations and Policies. This will include:

Paying Graduate Tuition & Fees (Students are expected to be self-funded; they will not receive Tuition Scholarships)
No longer eligible for Undergraduate Financial Aid
Are required to move from Undergraduate to Graduate Housing (pertains to students who live on campus).

When designated as an undergraduate student(years 1-4), students can only take 6 graduate credits towards their Master's degree (or 8 if students will complete a thesis). If students matriculate into the graduate portion of the degree early, they may be eligible to apply additional graduate credits towards the undergraduate degree at the discretion of the undergraduate program director. Please coordinate with the graduate and undergraduate program directors for specific information, deadlines, etc..

We have prepared a sample combined BE-MS course sequence for your reference.

Requirements for the Minor in Biomedical Engineering (BNG)

The Bioengineering minor is the same as the Biology Biomedical Engineering Specialization track. It is designed for College of Arts and Sciences students who are BIO or BCH majors, who wish to obtain a more thorough understanding of how physical forces in the natural world influence biological systems. Coursework introduces these concepts and shows how an engineering approach can be useful in dealing with questions in biology and medicine. The program serves as an excellent background for students who wish to prepare for graduate study in bioengineering or a related field or for a career in which an understanding of engineering concepts would provide an advantage.

Requirements for the Minor in Bioengineering (BNG)

All courses for the minor must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher.

Completion of the minor requires 21-23 credits as outlined below.

Required Courses for each Track
Specialization Tracks
Upper Division Courses

The BNG minor checklist can help you prepare for graduation.

Undergraduate Program