ScB Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering is an interdisciplinary concentration designed for students interested in applying the methods and tools of engineering to the subject matter of biology and the life sciences. It is administered jointly by the Division of Engineering and the Division of Biology and Medicine. The educational objectives of Biomedical Engineering are: to prepare students for careers of useful service to society, to engage committed scholars in the productive application of the tools of engineering to the subject matter of biology across the spectrum of research and teaching, to provide opportunities for teamwork, open ended problem-solving and critical thinking. The program's primary emphasis is on developing strong biomedical engineering fundamentals, while allowing students to personalize their curriculum to prepare them for biomedical engineering careers as well as diverse careers in areas such as medicine, law, business, and health care delivery. These objectives address the expected accomplishments of program graduates, primarily in the time period of several years following graduation.  The objectives prepare students 1) well versed in the basic sciences of mathematics, physics, and chemistry; 2) fluent in contemporary biology, comfortable with its reductionist traditions and its movement toward a molecular understanding, and familiar with its experimental assays; 3) educated in the tools and skill-sets of engineers, particularly the ability to quantify, synthesize, and integrate, and able to apply these tools both theoretically and experimentally to living systems and other subject matter in biology; 4) well prepared to complete their education and training in further study at the graduate or professional level, and conditioned to recognize the need for such further work; and 5) endowed with the attributes of an education in a leading liberal arts institution: the ability to think clearly, decide fairly, and communicate effectively.

1. Foundation Courses (all required):

  • ENGN 0030, 0040; MATH 0190 (or MATH 0170)*; MATH 0200 (or MATH 0180)*; BIOL 0200 (or NEUR 0010)**; APMA 0330; CHEM 0330, 0350; APMA 0650 (or APMA 1650 or SOC 1100); ENGN 0510, 0720, 0810; 1230; and BIOL 0800.

    *One math course can be replaced with CHEM 0360.

    **Advanced students (premeds) can replace with BIOL 0470, BIOL 0530 or other biology courses.

2. Upper Level Bioengineering Courses (all required):

  • ENGIN 1110; BIOL 1140; and ENGN 1490.

3. Additional Upper Level Bioengineering Courses*:

At least one from:

  • ENGIN 1210, 1220, 1400, 1930B, 1930R; BIOL 1210 or BIOL 1220.

    At most two from:

  • BIOL 1080, 1800, 2110, 2130.

    *Or other courses with approval of the concentration advisor.

4. Independent Research/Design: One semester required; two semesters strongly recommended.

  • ENGN/BIOL 1970.

Concentration Advisor: Karen Haberstroh, Karen_Haberstroh@brown.edu