Students who enjoy math, physics and chemistry, but who also have a keen interest in biology and medicine, should consider a career in Biomedical Engineering (BME). Synthetic heart valves, the fMRI scanner, and automatic bio-sensors for rapid gene sequencing are each examples of BME.
With the rapid advances in biomedical research, and the severe economic pressures to reduce the cost of healthcare, BME plays an important role in the medical environment of the 21st century. BME brings the quantitative concepts of design and optimization to problems in biomedicine. In BME, we seek to tackle these problems for the benefit of humanity.
The opportunities for biomedical engineers are wide-ranging. The medical device and pharmaceutical industries are increasingly investing in biomedical engineers. As gene therapies become more sophisticated, biomedical engineers will have a key role in bringing these ideas into real clinical practice. Finally, as technology plays an ever-increasing role in medicine, there will be a larger need for physicians with a solid engineering background. From biotechnology to tissue engineering, from medical imaging to microelectronic prostheses, from biopolymers to rehabilitation engineering, biomedical engineers are in demand.
Course Guide
Biomedical Engineering Courses
Contact
Departmental Website: https://bme.umich.edu/
Biomedical Engineering Department
1107 Carl A. Gerstacker Building
2200 Bonisteel, Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099
E-mail:
[email protected]
Phone: (734) 764-9588
Fax: (734) 936-1905
Department Administration
Department Chair
Mary-Ann Mycek, Professor Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering & the Medical School.
1107 Carl A. Gerstacker Building
For more specific information on contacting people – go to our Contacts page.
Mission Statement
Mission
The mission of the Department of Biomedical Engineering is to provide leadership in education, training and cutting-edge research by translating science and engineering to solve important challenges in medicine and life sciences to the benefit of humanity.
Goals
To provide students with the education needed for a rewarding career.
Objectives
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) defines the Program Educational Objectives as accomplishments that are expected of our graduates within a few years after graduation. In recognition of the fact that BME graduates may pursue a broad range of careers, the BME Program Objectives are phrased to reflect the preparation provided by the program for these career options. The Program Educational Objectives for the Department of Biomedical Engineering are as follows:
Within 3-5 years after graduating, our students are:
- Actively engaged in and making contributions to post-graduate opportunities, whether they are entry-level biomedical engineering positions, graduate study in engineering, medicine, or other professional degree programs, using the skills and knowledge gained from rigorous instruction in the engineering sciences and biology, with a complementary emphasis on laboratory and design experience.
- Applying critical thinking, curiosity, teamwork, communication, and other non-technical skills, acquired through a program of related technical electives that deepens understanding in a particular subject, to a variety of careers.
Outcomes
Graduates of the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Michigan will have been exposed to or will have gained:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Program Criteria
In addition to providing both breadth and depth across the range of engineering and science topics consistent with the program educational objectives and student outcomes, our curriculum also provides experience in the following Biomedical Engineering program-specific criteria:
- An ability to apply principles of engineering, biology, human physiology, chemistry, calculus-based physics, mathematics (through differential equations) and statistics.
- An ability to solve bio/biomedical engineering problems, including those associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems.
- An ability to analyze, model, design, and realize bio/biomedical engineering devices, systems, components, or processes.
- An ability to make measurements on and interpreting data from living systems.
Enrollment and Graduation Data
The University Registrar publishes the number of students enrolled annually in this program, and the number of degrees granted each term by this program. Additionally you can see recent degrees granted below:
| Level | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Bachelors Degrees | 124 | 103 | 138 |
| Masters Degrees | 108 | 90 | 80 |
| Doctoral Degrees | 15 | 24 | 25 |
Accreditation
The Biomedical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
Undergraduate Degree Program
BME offers a four-year undergraduate degree along with an optional one-year master’s degree in a Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Studies (SUGS) program. Students will complete 53 credits of Core Biomedical Engineering courses and 21 credits of depth requirements leading to a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree (B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering). Students may then pursue a graduate degree within one of the five graduate concentrations: bioelectrics and neural engineering, biomaterials and regenerative medicine, biomechanics and biotransport, biomedical imaging and ultrasonics, and biotechnology and systems biology, leading to a Master of Science in Engineering degree (M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering). Students may also pursue the Master of Engineering degree (M.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering) through the Advanced Medical Product Engineering and Development (AMPED) program.
Sample Schedule
B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering
Please see the PDF version of the sample schedule here. Additional information can be found on the Biomedical Engineering Department Advising website.
Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Study (SUGS)
The five-year Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate Study (SUGS) program permits students who enter the program in the first term of their senior year to receive the B.S.E. and either a M.S.E. or an M.Eng. degree upon completion of a minimum of 149 credit hours (146 credits minimum for the M.Eng.). Students should speak with the department advising staff to learn more about the SUGS application process and procedures. SUGS admissions requirements will vary. Please review the CoE Bulletin page for Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs for further information.
Available programs include:
- B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering/M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering
- B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering/M.Eng. in Advanced Medical Product Engineering & Development
- B.S. in Cellular Molecular Biology Studies (CMBS)/M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering
- B.S. in Cellular Molecular Biology Studies (CMBS)/M.Eng. in Advanced Medical Product Engineering & Development
- B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering/M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering
- B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering/M.Eng. in Advanced Medical Product Engineering & Development
- B.S.E. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science/M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering
- B.S.E. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science/M.Eng. in Advanced Medical Product Engineering & Development
- B.S.E. in Industrial and Operations Engineering/M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering
- B.S.E. in Industrial and Operations Engineering/M.Eng. in Advanced Medical Product Engineering & Development
- B.S.E. in Material Science Engineering/M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering
- B.S.E. in Material Science Engineering/M.Eng. in Advanced Medical Product Engineering & Development
- B.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering/M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering
- B.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering/M.Eng. in Advanced Medical Product Engineering & Development
- B.S.E. in Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences/M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering
- B.S.E. in Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences/M.Eng. in Advanced Medical Product Engineering & Development
- B.S.E. in Robotics/M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering
- B.S.E. in Robotics/M.Eng. in Advanced Medical Product Engineering & Development
Students who have not completed a B.S./B.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering or Cellular Molecular Biology Studies will be required to complete an introductory course in Biology (or have AP Biology credit) plus one additional advanced Biology or Chemistry course (i.e. Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, Immunology, or Genetics).
Graduate Degrees
- Master of Science (M.S. or M.S.E.) in Biomedical Engineering
- Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Advanced Medical Product Engineering & Development
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biomedical Engineering
The Department of Biomedical Engineering’s graduate program at the University of Michigan is in the Rackham School of Graduate Studies granting the M.S. (or M.S.E.) and Ph.D. degrees in Biomedical Engineering. The M.Eng. AMPED program is in the College of Engineering.
The department is interdisciplinary. A student may plan a widely diversified educational program to advance the student’s personal goals. Research opportunities are as diversified as the range of activities conducted by the University units supporting the department.
Entrance Requirements for the Department of Biomedical Engineering
Those students with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or Physics degree should present a minimum background of:
- Biology Course with Lab or Physiology Course with Lab
- Biological Science
- Physics (2 terms)
- Mathematics (through ordinary Differential Equations)
- Minimum of 4 Engineering Courses
Each applicant’s background and preparation is evaluated during the admissions process. Our Graduate Admissions Committee frequently recommends applicants for admission who have not completed all prerequisites as undergraduates. These applicants must complete these courses as graduate students, usually in their first year of coursework.
M.S./M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering
Degree Requirements
In order to obtain the Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, students must satisfactorily complete (B or better) a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate study beyond the bachelor’s degree. The curriculum consists of a set of advanced core biomedical engineering courses, as well as graduate-level requirements in mathematics, statistics, life sciences, and the responsible conduct of research. Students must also complete an experiential component, consisting of either a laboratory bioinstrumentation course (or equivalent) or a directed research experience, to familiarize them with the unique problems associated with physiological systems. Within the curriculum, each student must also choose a specialized concentration to follow and complete 2-5 graduate technical electives. There are five (5) concentration options available:
- Bioelectrics and Neural Engineering
- Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine
- Biomechanics and Biotransport
- Biomedical Imaging and Ultrasonics
- Biotechnology and Systems Biology
Please see the department web site for further details. A grade of “B” or better must be attained in each course used toward the master’s degree.
M.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering
Degree Requirements
The Master of Engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering is a professional master’s degree in Advanced Medical Product Engineering and Development (AMPED). Students must satisfactorily complete (B or better) a minimum of 27 credit hours of graduate study beyond the bachelor’s degree. The curriculum consists of a defined set of advanced core courses in the AMPED program, as well as graduate-level requirements in statistics, and ethical and professional conduct. Within the curriculum, each student will also complete 2-5 graduate technical electives. The core AMPED curriculum includes courses in:
- Biomedical Product Realization Practicum
- Quality Systems, Risk Management, and Regulatory Systems
- Professional and Leadership Development
- Advanced Topics in Medical Product Development
Please see the department web site and the AMPED web site for further details. A grade of “B” or better must be attained in each course used toward the master’s degree.
Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering
The Ph.D. degree is conferred in recognition of marked ability and scholarship in some relatively broad field of knowledge. A part of the work consists of regularly scheduled graduate courses of instruction in the chosen field and in such cognate subjects as may be required by the student’s research advisor. In addition, the student must pursue independent investigation in a subdivision of the selected field and must present the result of the investigation in the form of a dissertation.
A student becomes an applicant for the doctorate when admitted to the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies and accepted in a field of specialization. Candidacy is achieved when the student demonstrates competence in their broad field of knowledge through completion of a prescribed set of courses and passing a qualifying examination.
All Ph.D. students must satisfactorily complete (B or better) a minimum of nine (9) credit hours of letter graded course work (any electives with Rackham credit and approved by the student’s research advisor) beyond those which are required for a master’s degree. A special doctoral committee is identified for each applicant to supervise the work of the student in preparation of the dissertation.
Requirements regarding foreign language and non-technical courses are left to individual departments or programs, and to the Graduate School. A prospective doctoral student should consult the program advisor regarding specific details.
The most up to date information on the Biomedical Engineering graduate programs is available online on the Graduate Studies page.