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Department of Mechanical Engineering

Undergraduate Studies: Biomedical Engineering Option

Biomedical Engineering is the application of engineering technology to the solution of medical problems. Contributions to this important and growing area by mechanical engineers include the design and manufacture of biomedical devices ranging from prostheses to micromechanical blood flow sensors and artificial heart valves. Application of mechanical engineering fundamentals (thermofluids, mechanics and materials science) to questions in biophysics also contributes to improvements in medical diagnoses and treatments. The Biomedical Engineering Option (BEO) provides an opportunity to augment an ME degree with a background in biomedical topics.

The BEO consists of the normal requirements for an ME Bachelor's degree, plus technical electives focused in biomedical engineering. Successful completion of the BEO will be recognized with a certificate awarded by the department and a transcript entry.

Students are encouraged to consult with faculty to help plan a coherent selection of courses. For example, Organic Chemistry 1 and 2 (CHEM 3311, 3331) are encouraged for students interested in premed or research on biomaterials. A list of ME faculty involved in Biomedical Engineering can be found at: http://www.Colorado.EDU/engineering/BioEngineering.
The current Biomedical Engineering Advisor in Mechanical Engineering is Virginia Ferguson, e-mail: Virginia.Ferguson@colorado.edu.

1.The requirement for PHYS 2130, General Physics 3, in the ME curriculum is replaced by a basic science elective. Courses which satisfy this elective are:

  • PHYS 2130 General Physics 3
  • PHYS 2170 Foundations of Modern Physics
  • CHEM 3311 Organic Chemistry I (The lab is not required for non-premed students.)
  • IPHY 3410 Introduction to Human Anatomy*
*This course has lower division biology prerequisites, which may be avoided with instructor permission. This course is offered in the fall and often summer session.

2. Of the four technical electives in the ME curriculum, one must be Anatomy & Physiology for Engineers (MCEN 4117) unless prior approval is obtained from the biomedical engineering advisor (Virginia Ferguson). One additional course must be taken from courses offered by Mechanical Engineering with biomedical engineering content such as:

  • Independent Study on a biomedical engineering topic. Note that clinical/laboratory experience at the UC Health Sciences Campus may be available.
  • MCEN 4228 Special Topics: Cardiovascular Bioengineering
  • MCEN 4228 Special Topics: Molecular Biology and Micro/Nano-Scale Engineering
  • MCEN 4228 Special Topics: Biomedical Instrumentation and Device Design
  • MCEN 4134: Biomechanics
  • MCEN 4228 Special Topics: Mechanical Behavior of Biological Materials
  • Other ME technical electives, provided biomedical engineering content is included (for example, in the form of a biomedical project). Students must consult with the ME Biomedical Engineering Advisor to confirm applicability to the BEO. Courses in this category include:
  • MCEN 4141 Indoor Air Pollution
  • MCEN 4173 Finite Element Analysis
  • MCEN 5636 Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS 1)
  • MCEN 4183 Mechanics of Composites
3. The two remaining courses must be used for general biomedical engineering courses, offered either by ME or other appropriate departments. Approved courses include:
  • ASEN 3116 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
  • ASEN 4216 / ECEN 4811 Neural Signals and Functional Brain Imaging
  • ASEN 4426 / ECEN 4821 Neural Systems and Physiological Control
  • ASEN 5016 Space Life Sciences
  • CHEN 3700 Bioenergetics: Structure and Function
  • CHEN 4710 Molecular Basis of Biological Behavior
  • CHEN 4800 Bioprocess Engineering
  • CHEN 4820 Biochemical Separations
  • CVEN 4484 Introduction to Environmental Microbiology
  • ECEN 4001 Special Topics--Engineering in Medicine
  • ECEN 4831 Brains, Minds, and Computers
  • ECEN 5011 Special Topics--Biologically Engineered Control Systems
  • ECEN 5021 Special Topics--Engineering Solutions to Biomedical Problems
  • CHEM 3311 Organic Chemistry 1
  • CHEM 3321 Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1
  • CHEM 3331Organic Chemistry 2
  • CHEM 3341 Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 2
  • CHEM 4411 Physical Chemistry with Biochemistry Applications 1
  • CHEM 4431 Physical Chemistry with Biochemistry Applications 2
  • CHEM 4711 General Biochemistry 1
  • CHEM 4731 General Biochemistry 2
  • CHEM 4761 Biochemistry Laboratory
  • EBIO 3400 Microbiology
  • IPHY 3410 Introduction to Human Anatomy
  • IPHY 3430 Human Physiology
  • MCDB 3120 Cell Biology
  • MCDB 3280 Molecular Cell Physiology
  • MCDB 3500 Molecular Biology
Note that these courses may have additional prerequisites. Admission to graduate level courses is by permission of the instructor.

4. An independent study and/or a senior design project focused on biomedical engineering is strongly recommended.