Biomedical Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at the University of California offers students an interdisciplinary education that combines the principles of engineering, biology, and medicine to develop innovative healthcare solutions. This program prepares graduates to contribute to advancing medical technology, designing medical devices, and improving patient care. Students will engage with coursework in biomedical sciences, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, and computer science, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the systems involved in human health and disease. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning through laboratory experiments, design projects, and internships, fostering practical skills and real-world experience. Students will also have opportunities to collaborate with faculty on cutting-edge research in areas such as tissue engineering, medical imaging, and bioinformatics. The program encourages innovation and problem-solving, equipping students with the knowledge to develop new medical technologies or improve existing ones. Additionally, students will learn about regulatory processes, ethics in biomedical research, and the commercialization of medical inventions, preparing them for careers in academia, industry, healthcare, or entrepreneurial ventures. The program integrates foundational engineering principles with a thorough understanding of biological systems, ensuring graduates are versatile and capable of bridging the gap between engineering and medicine. With access to state-of-the-art laboratories, research centers, and partnerships with hospitals and biomedical companies, students gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving field of biomedical engineering. The program aims to cultivate leaders committed to improving health outcomes worldwide through innovation, research, and applied engineering solutions.

Biomedical Engineering Core Courses 

As part of the course requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, all students will be required to complete 36 course units. These units include 6 core classes and three quarters of the BME seminar series, two elective course classes and four units of independent research. A successful biomedical engineer is able to describe and analyze biomedical and biological systems in a quantitative fashion. Thus, at a minimum, a biomedical engineer must demonstrate competence in quantitative analysis, biological and biomedical structure and function, and an awareness of the clinical environment. The core courses and descriptions are as follows:

• BME 210: Cell & Tissue Engineering (4 units)
  A biochemical, biophysical, and molecular view of cell biology.  Topics include the biochemistry and biophysical properties of cells, the extracellular matrix, biological signal transduction, and principles of engineering new tissues.
• BME 220: Quantitative Physiology: Sensory Motor Systems (4 units)
  A quantitative and systems approach to understanding physiological systems.  Systems covered include the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.
• BME 221: Quantitative Physiology: Organ Transport Systems (4 units)
  A quantitative and systems approach to understanding physiological systems. Systems covered include the cardiopulmonary, circulatory, and renal systems. Same as CBEMS204.
• BME 230A: Applied Engineering Mathematics I (4 units)
  Analytical techniques applied to engineering problems in transport phenomena, process dynamics and control and thermodynamics.
• BME 230B: Applied Engineering Mathematics II (4 units)
  Advanced engineering mathematics for biomedical engineering. Focuses on biomedical system identification. Includes fundamental techniques of model building and testing such as formulation, solution of governing equations (emphasis on basic numerical techniques), sensitivity theory, identifiability theory, and uncertainty analysis.
• BME 240: Introduction to Clinical Medicine for Biomedical Engineering (4 units)
  An introduction to clinical medicine for graduate students in biomedical engineering. Divided between lectures focused on applications of advanced technology to clinical problems and a series of four rotations through the operating room, ICU, interventional radiology/imaging, and endoscopy.
• BME 298: Seminars in Biomedical Engineering (2 units)
  Presentation of advanced topics and reports of current research efforts in biomedical engineering. Designed for graduate students in the biomedical engineering program. Required course for Years One and Two.

Elective Courses 

The two elective courses required to fulfill the course requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degree will be comprised of courses offered within the School of Engineering, School of Biological Science, School of Physical Science, or College of Medicine.  The group of elective courses must be approved by the BME Graduate Advisor (see Important People and Contacts in the Graduate Student Handbook). The courses will be chosen to meet the specific needs of the student. The electives must provide breadth in biomedical engineering, but also provide specific skills necessary to the specific research the student may undertake as part of the degree requirements. Potential elective courses are listed on our website. Additional courses (including upper division undergraduate courses) not listed may be selected upon approval by the student's advisory committee. Below is a select list of courses that are of particular interest. 

• BME 213: Systems Cell & Developmental Biology (4 units) Winter
• BME 233: Dynamic Systems in Biology & Medicine (4 units) Fall
• BME 234: Neuroimaging Data Analysis (4 units) Spring
• BME 236: Engineering Optics for Biomedical Applications (4 units) Winter
• BME 247: Microfluids and Lab-on-A-Chip (4 units) Winter
• BME 248: Micro Implant (4 units) Spring
• BME 249: Biomedical Microdevices I (4 units) Fall
• BME 295: Bio-Spectroscopy (4 units) Spring
• BME 295: Imaging Principles (4 units) Fall
• BME 295: Introduction to Computational Biology (4 units) Fall
• BME 295: Medical Techniques I (4 units) Winter
• BME 295: Medical Techniques II (4 units) Spring
• BME 295: Biofluid Mechanics (4 units) Winter
• BME 295: Multi-Time Variant Systems (4 units) Winter
• BME 295: Linking Modeling & Experiments in Bioengineering (4 units) Spring

Special Courses

Besides the formal lecture oriented courses that comprise the core and elective requirements, there are a series of special courses in which you will enroll at various times during your study (see description below). These special course titles are listed below. 

• BME 296: Masters of Science Thesis Research (1-16 units – F, W, S Quarters )
  Individual research or investigation conducted in the pursuit or preparing and completing the thesis required for the M.S. degree in Engineering. May be repeated for credit.
• BME 297: Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation Research (1-16 units – F, W, S Quarters )
  Individual research or investigation conducted in the pursuit of preparing and completing the dissertation required for the Ph.D. in Engineering. May be repeated for credit.
• BME 298: Seminar in Biomedical Engineering (2 units – F, W, S Quarters)
  Presentation of advanced topics and reports of current research efforts in biomedical engineering. Designed for graduate students in the biomedical engineering program. Required course for Years One and Two.
• BME 299: Individual Research (1-16 units – F, W, S Quarters)
  Individual research or investigation under the direction of an individual faculty member. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (The course code will vary depending on the instructor with whom you will enroll).

Requirements

Because of its interdisciplinary nature, Biomedical Engineering attracts students with a variety of backgrounds. Students should have a bachelors degree in either an engineering, physical science or biological science discipline.

Coursework requirements for admission to the program will include the following:

• 6 quarters of calculus through linear algebra and ordinary differential equations
• 3 quarters of calculus based physics
• 3 quarters of chemistry
• 2 quarters of biology

Students without a physics, chemistry, or engineering undergraduate degree will be required to take additional relevant undergraduate engineering courses in the first year of the program, if the above requirements are not met prior to enrollment.

Exceptionally promising undergraduates at UCI may apply for admission through the accelerated M.S. program in the School of Engineering. This program is described in detail in the UCI general catalogue. However, these students must satisfy the coursework and letters of recommendation requirements.

Cumulative GPA

A cumulative GPA of 3.20 during undergraduate study is recommended for admission into the Biomedical Engineering program.

Minimum GRE

Minimum GRE scores of 310 (quantitative plus verbal), or minimum combined MCAT scores in Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, and Biological Sciences of 30 (a minimum score of 8 on each section) are recommended.

With regards to the written Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a minimum score of 250 on the computer-based TOEFL, or a minimum score of 94 on the TOEFL iBT,  is required of all international students whose native language is not English. Students applying to Biomedical Engineering will be evaluated based on these TOEFL requirements, not on the minimum University standards. 

Scholarships

• Fellowships or Grants
• Teaching or Research Assistantships 
• Need-based Financial Aid
• Personal Resources 

The University of California offers a comprehensive Biomedical Engineering program designed to integrate engineering principles with medical and biological sciences. This program prepares students to develop innovative healthcare technologies, medical devices, and diagnostic tools that improve patient outcomes. The curriculum typically includes foundational courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, alongside specialized classes in biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, biomaterials, systems physiology, and molecular biology. Students engage in hands-on laboratory experiences, research projects, and internships that provide practical skills and insights into clinical applications. The program aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities necessary for careers in academia, industry, healthcare, and research institutions. Throughout their studies, students learn about medical imaging, rehabilitation engineering, tissue engineering, and health informatics, among other topics. The program also emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations, regulatory affairs, and innovation management in the development of biomedical technologies. Graduates of the Biomedical Engineering program at UC are well-equipped for advanced studies, professional engineering licensure, or employment in diverse sectors such as medical device manufacturing, hospital equipment maintenance, healthcare consulting, and biomedical research centers. The university may offer specialized tracks or electives allowing students to focus on areas like neural engineering, regenerative medicine, or clinical engineering. Collaborations with hospitals, research institutes, and industry partners enhance the educational experience, providing opportunities for real-world application and networking. Overall, the program aims to produce versatile biomedical engineers capable of contributing to advancements in healthcare technology and improving quality of life through engineering solutions.