Biomedical Sciences
The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences is a broadly interdisciplinary degree, drawing on knowledge from both science and engineering. Students take a common set of core courses from several disciplines.
For more in-depth study, they select an option in Biology, Chemistry, or Psychology along with a concentration in one of four engineering fields: Biochemical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Biomaterials, or Biomechanics.
Biomedical Sciences Learning Outcomes:
Students in Biomedical Sciences should be able to:
1. Read, understand, and interpret research papers
2. Design and conduct scientific research and engineering design projects
3. Analyze quantitative research data
4. Communicate scientific information
BS in Biomedical Sciences
Minimum credit hours required—120
In addition to the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements (page 88), the following core program is required of all Biomedical Sciences students. (Note that courses marked with an asterisk (*) may also be used to satisfy General Education requirements):
Biomedical Science Classes
BMS 101 (1)
BMS 300 (1)
BMS 301 (2)
BMS 495 (2)
BMS 496 (2)
Biology Classes
BIOL 111 & 111L (4), BIOL 112 & 112L (4), BIOL 331 (3), BIOL 341 (3)
Chemistry Classes
CHEM 333 & 333L(4), CHEM 334 & 334L (4), CHEM 441 & 441L (4)
Computer Science/Engineering Science Classes
CSE 107 & 107L (4) or CSE 113 & 113L (4) or ES 111 & 111L (3)
Mathematics Classes
MATH 231 (4), MATH 335 (3), MATH 383 (3)
Philosophy Classes
PHIL 342 (3)*
Psychology Classes
PSY 121 (3)*, PSY 205 & 205L (4)*
One of the science options described below
One of the engineering concentrations described below
Biology Option
In addition to the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements, and the core Biomedical Sciences Requirements (above), the following courses are required (11 credits):
BIOL 351 & 351L (4)
BIOL 333 & 333L OR BIOL 352 & 352L (4)
BIOL 435 or BIOL 437 (3)
Chemistry Option
In addition to the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements, and the core Biomedical Sciences Requirements (above), the following courses are required (12 credits):
CHEM 311 & 311L (4)
CHEM 331 & 331L (4)
CHEM 442 & 442L (4)
Cognitive Neuroscience Option
In addition to the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements, and the core Biomedical Sciences Requirements (above), the following courses are required:
PSY 212 (3)*
PSY 309 & 309L (3)*
PSY 314 (3)*
PSY 409 (3)*
PSY 410 (3)*
Biochemical Engineering
- ChE 326 (3)
Two of the following classes:
- ChE 476 (3),
- ChE 466 (Surfaces, Interfaces, Colloids),
- ChE 489 (Nanostructures & Nanomaterials),
- ChE 477 (Bioprocess Engineering)
Bioinformatics
- BIOL 311 & 311L (4)
- BIOL 333 & 333L (4) (part of Biology Option)
- BIOL 435 (3) (part of Biology Option)
- CSE 122 (3)
- CSE 373 (3)
Biomaterials
- MATE 202 & 202L (4)
- MATE 310 (3)
- MATE 420 (3)
Biomechanics
- ES 201 (3)
- ES 216 (3)
- ES 303 (3)
- MENG 460 (3)
BMS 101
Topics in Biomedical/Biological Sciences
1 credit
1 class hour
A discussion‐focused course exploring current topics in biomedical research and innovation. The course promotes a broad view of the biomedical sciences and related challenges, with class discussions stimulated largely by TED talks and other internet videos.
BMS 300
Biomedical Sciences Seminar
1 credit
1 class hour
An overview of research in biomedicine, bioinformatics, bioprocesses, and biorobotics. Attention also given to moral and ethical issues. Student participation is integral to the course objectives.
BMS 301
Genetic Engineering: At the Bench
2 credits
1 class hour, 3 lab hrs
Prerequisites or corequisites: BIOL 111 and BIOL 111L
This course introduces basic biology lab techniques through experiments involving genetic engineering. Students will learn the fundamentals of genetic engineering through the direct manipulation of genetic sequences studied in easily grown model organisms, such as bacteria. Crosslisted with BIOL 301.
BMS 495
Biomedical Research & Design: Science
2 credits
1 class hour, 3 lab hours
Prerequisite: BMS 300 and BMS 301
Students participate in novel, topical research and design projects that are related to ongoing research interests of the faculty. Students will collaborate as a team to solve authentic problems that are inherently interdisciplinary with Biomedical Science implications. This is part of a 2 semester course. In this course, students participate in an original science investigation. Students will be mentored but are expected to manage the project, write papers, present and communicate their results to the professional community. Project topics will vary each semester depending on the Instructor. Shares lecture with BMS 593, with additional expectations for graduate credit
BMS 496
Biomedical Research & Design: Engineering
2 credits
1 class hour, 3 lab hours
Prerequisite: BMS 300 and BMS 301
Students participate in novel, topical research and design projects that are related to ongoing research interests of the faculty. Students will collaborate as a team to solve authentic problems that are inherently interdisciplinary with Biomedical Science implications. This is part of a 2 semester course. In this course, students will focus on an engineering design project. Students will be mentored but are expected to manage the project, write papers, present and communicate their results to the professional community. Project topics will vary each semester depending on the Instructor. Shares lecture with BMS 594, with additional expectations for graduate credit.
BMS 593
Biomedical Research & Design: Science
3 credits
3 class hours
Students participate in novel, topical research and design projects that are related to ongoing research interests of the faculty. Students will collaborate as a team to solve authentic problems that are inherently interdisciplinary with Biomedical Science implications. This is part of a 2 semester course; for one semester students participate in an original science investigation, in the other they focus on an engineering design project. Students will be mentored but are expected to manage the project, write papers, present and communicate their results to the professional community. Project topics will vary each semester depending on the Instructor. Shares lecture with BMS 495, with additional expectations for graduate credit.
BMS 594
Biomedical Research & Design: Engineering
3 credits
3 class hours
Students participate in novel, topical research and design projects that are related to ongoing research interests of the faculty. Students will collaborate as a team to solve authentic problems that are inherently interdisciplinary with Biomedical Science implications. This is part of a 2 semester course; for one semester students participate in an original science investigation, in the other they focus on an engineering design project. Students will be mentored but are expected to manage the project, write papers, present and communicate their results to the professional community. Project topics will vary each semester depending on the Instructor. Shares lecture with BMS 496, with additional expectations for graduate credit.
