Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

The true integration of the life sciences and engineering is essential in educating a substantial percentage of the next generation of biomedical engineers in order to benefit from the biological revolution and its applications to medicine. This degree program attracts outstanding students who wish to have that integration in their undergraduate education, so that they may be equipped with the tools to be leaders in this field in the 21st Century.

The curriculum includes a solid foundation in fundamental engineering, mathematics, and sciences - biology, chemistry, and physics - as well as grounding in humanities, social sciences, and communication skills. A unique aspect of the curriculum is the incorporation of problem-based learning (PBL) methodologies to foster development of both self-directed learning skills and problem-solving skills in a team-based environment.

Program Educational Objectives

The program strives to produce graduates who are expected to demonstrate the following during the first few years after graduation:

  1. mathematics, science, and engineering fundamentals expertise at the interface of engineering and the life sciences which enables them to take leadership roles in the field of biomedical engineering;
  2. an ability to use their multidisciplinary background to foster communication across professional and disciplinary boundaries with the highest professional and ethical standards; and
  3. the ability to recognize the limits of their knowledge and initiate self-directed learning opportunities to be able to continue to identify and create professional opportunities for themselves in the field of biomedical engineering.
Wellness Requirement
APPH 1040Scientific Foundations of Health2
or APPH 1050 The Science of Physical Activity and Health
or APPH 1060 Flourishing: Strategies for Well-being and Resilience
Core IMPACTS
Institutional Priority
CS 1371Computing for Engineers3
Mathematics and Quantitative Skills
MATH 1552Integral Calculus 24
Political Science and U.S. History
HIST 2111The United States to 18773
or HIST 2112 The United States since 1877
or INTA 1200 American Government in Comparative Perspective
or POL 1101 Government of the United States
or PUBP 3000 American Constitutional Issues
Arts, Humanities, and Ethics
Any HUM6
Communicating in Writing
ENGL 1101English Composition I3
ENGL 1102English Composition II3
Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences
PHYS 2211Introductory Physics I 14
PHYS 2212Introductory Physics II 24
MATH 1551Differential Calculus2
MATH 1553Introduction to Linear Algebra2
or MATH 1554 Linear Algebra
or MATH 1564 Linear Algebra with Abstract Vector Spaces
Social Sciences
Any SS9
Field of Study
BMED 1000Introduction to Biomedical Engineering1
BMED 2110Conservation Principles in Biomedical Engineering3
COE 2001Statics2
MATH 2551Multivariable Calculus4
MATH 2552Differential Equations4
CHEM 1211KChemical Principles I4
Major Requirements
BMED 2250Problems in Biomedical Engineering3
BMED 2310Intro to Biomedical Engineering Design3
BMED 3100Systems Physiology3
BMED 3110Quantitative Engineering Physiology Laboratory I2
BMED 3310Biotransport3
BMED 3410Introduction to Biomechanics3
BMED 3520Biomedical Systems and Modeling3
BMED 3600Physiology of Cellular and Molecular Systems3
BMED 3610Quantitative Engineering Physiology Laboratory II2
BMED 4000The Art of Telling Your Story1
BMED 4602Capstone Design3
or BMED 4723 Interdisciplinary Capstone Design
Other Engineering and Science Requirements
CHEM 1315Survey of Organic Chemistry for Engineers3
BMED 2400Introduction to Bioengineering Statistics3
or ISYE 3770 Statistics and Applications
or CEE 3770 Statistics and Applications
MSE 2001Principles and Applications of Engineering Materials3
ECE 3710Circuits and Electronics2
ECE 3741Instrumentation and Electronics Lab1
BMED Depth Electives
BMED Depth Electives 3,59
BMED Breadth Electives
BMED Breadth Electives 4,515
Total Credit Hours128

Pass-fail only allowed for Free Electives, Core IMPACTS Arts, Ethics and Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Students must average a 2.0 for all BMED coursework required by name and number. 

Students must earn a 2.0 average in MATH 1551MATH 1552MATH 1553MATH 2551, and MATH 2552.

1

If PHYS 2231 is taken, extra hour goes to Free Electives.

2

If PHYS 2232 is taken, extra hour goes to Free Electives.

3

Any course numbered 3000 or above with significant engineering content or a maximum of 6 credit hours of undergraduate research. Research cannot count in both Depth and Breadth Elective categories.

4

Breadth Electives can be satisfied with a minor, certificate, the Research Option or other coursework. Please consult with the academic advisor on course selection.

5

Breadth and Depth Electives must include at least 13 credit hours of courses numbered 3000 or above.

Cooperative Plan

The Georgia Tech Undergrad Co-op Program is a five-year, academic program designed to complement a student's formal education with paid practical work experience directly related to the student's academic major. It is available in all engineering majors, as well as in many majors in other colleges at Georgia Tech.

Co-ops alternate semesters of on-campus study with semesters of full-time employment through their junior year, then continue in school through their senior year. Co-ops are classified as full-time students during each term, regardless of whether they are attending classes on campus or working full-time at an employer location. Most undergrad Co-op students begin the program as freshmen or sophomores. With more than 2,700 students participating, Georgia Tech's program is currently the largest optional co-op program in the United States and has perennially been listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of the "Top Ten" co-op programs in America.

As an integral part of the overall education experience, the co-op program allows students to take on increasing levels of responsibility and to use their job knowledge and classroom learning to make meaningful contributions to the organizations in which they work. Many co-op graduates are hired by their co-op employer, and more than 700 companies or government organizations throughout the United States and abroad currently employ Georgia Tech Undergrad Co-op Program students.

To learn more about Biomedical Engineering Co-op opportunities at Georgia Tech, contact Rob Rogers. Rob is a Development Co-op Advisor with the Georgia Tech Center for Career Discovery and Development, and the point person for BME students. Rob is located in the Bill Moore Student Success Center, 1st Floor. His phone number is (404) 894-1348

International Plan

The International Plan is a challenging and coherent academic program for undergraduates that develops global competence within the context of a student's major. It is a degree-long program that integrates international studies and experiences into any participating major at Georgia Tech. It helps to prepare Georgia Tech graduates professionally and personally for successful lives in the twenty-first century.

The International Plan is not intended to replace current international programs; it supplements them. Existing study abroad opportunities continue to be offered. It is also not intended to be an add-on to the current degree programs. It is intended to be another curriculum path to earn a degree in which international competence is integrated into the program of study. The Plan can be completed within the normal timeframe of four years of undergraduate study.

The overarching model for the International Plan has four components:

  1. International coursework: Three courses to include one from each of the following categories:
    1. International relations
    2. Global economics
    3. A course about a specific country or region
  2. International experience: Two terms abroad (not less than 26 weeks) engaged in any combination of study abroad, research, or internship
  3. Second language proficiency: All students in the program are expected to reach at least the proficiency level equivalent to two years of college-level language study. Students who use the language to study, conduct research, or participate in an internship during their international experience are expected to attain a higher level of proficiency. Language proficiency is determined by testing (not course credits).
  4. Culminating course: A capstone course in the major designed to tie the international studies and experiences together with the student's major. The senior design project (i.e. BMED) will be used to satisfy this requirement. The design project must incorporate a significant element of the international experience (e.g. foreign client, location of work, project customers, motivation, regulatory issues, etc).

Completion of the International Plan is recognized by a designation on the student's diploma indicating completion of the degree with global competence.

For additional information about the International Plan visit www.oie.gatech.edu/internationalplan.

Research Option

The Research Option is intended for students who seek a concentrated research experience, culminating in an undergraduate thesis, integrated into their undergraduate studies in biomedical engineering. Students are strongly encouraged at the end of their experience to work with their faculty mentor to develop a journal publication or conference presentation on the research in addition to the actual thesis. Students who complete this option receive a designation on their transcript.

Students may be able to satisfy the additional requirements imposed for the Research Option designation through appropriate choices of electives without additional credit hours to complete the degree. The Research Option designation may be pursued separately, or in combination with the Cooperative Plan and/or the International Plan.

Research Option Requirements

  1. Complete at least nine credit hours of undergraduate research (i.e. BMED 2698, BMED 2699, BMED 4698, or BMED 4699) spanning typically at least three terms. The research may be for either pay or credit, and at least six credit hours must be on the same research project, broadly defined.
  2. Take the course LMC 4701, typically in the second semester of research. The research proposal outlining the research topic and project for the thesis will be written for this course. The proposal must be approved by a faculty advisor and one other faculty member.
  3. Take the course LMC 4702 during the thesis-writing semester. The thesis documenting the results of the research will be written as part of this course. It must be approved by two faculty members and will be archived in the Georgia Tech Library.

BS/MS Option

Students completing both a bachelor’s and master’s in biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech may use up to six credit hours of graduate-level coursework in the major discipline for both degrees. Students still must complete all other course requirements for both degrees. 

Once admitted, a GPA of at least 3.0 must be maintained to remain in the program.

Up to six credit hours of engineering and data science courses from the approved lists for the MS BMED Program may be shared as depth electives with the BS BMED Program