BME Undergraduate General Curriculum Information

The Biomedical Engineering Curriculum includes core classes in science and math, life sciences, general engineering and BME. In addition, 15 credits of technical electives allow the student to tailor the curriculum to particular needs and areas of interest. The first two years of the curriculum has specific tracking requirements. The BME plan of study below provides the suggested sequence of course work. See complete listing of BME undergraduate courses.

Science and Math Core (38 credits)

The BME curriculum is built on a solid foundation in mathematics, physics and chemistry. Students will have the mathematical foundation of the engineer, including Calculus 1, 2 and 3, plus Differential Equations. They will also take a rigorous statistics course at the level taken by engineers. The physics foundation is covered by the standard 2 course engineering sequence of Physics with Calculus. Students first take the engineer’s 2 semester sequence of general chemistry, which is followed by part 1 of organic chemistry and the medical school’s version of biochemistry.

Life Sciences Core (8 credits)

The life sciences core includes the standard BSC2010: Integrated Principles of Biology 1 and Lab and PCB 3713C: Cellular and Systems Physiology, a course developed by the Department of Biology in consultation with BME and Biochemistry. The biology core allows students to bridge the gap of knowledge from engineering to the medical sciences.

Engineering Core (9-13 credits depending on catalog year)

The engineering core gives students a thorough understanding of how engineers approach problems. Secondarily it serves to introduce the major engineering disciplines to the student so that she or he has background for the wide variety of problems to be encountered over a career. For Catalog Year 2017 and earlier, the coursework consists of Computer Programming and Lab, Statics, Materials Engineering, and Circuits. For Catalog Year 2018 and later, Materials Engineering has been replaced with Biomedical Materials. Students in Catalog Year 2017 or earlier may elect to substitute Biomedical Materials for Materials Engineering.

BME Core (varies depending on catalog year, 24-34 credits)

The BME core provides the student with basic understanding of prominent problems and methodologies used in the biomedical engineering profession. As the department has developed, additional courses have been added to the BME core due to the addition of new teaching and research expertise in the department. Please check your catalog year to confirm your requirements. This set of courses may include Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Fundamentals, Computer Applications for BME, Biosignals and Systems, Biomedical Materials, Quantitative Physiology, Biomedical Instrumentation and Lab, Cellular Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Transport Phenomena, Biomedical Thermodynamics and Kinetics, Medical Imaging, and Molecular Biomedical Engineering.

Engineering Design (6-9 credits)

Training in the engineering profession is provided through the education, beginning with Introduction to Biomedical Engineering. In Catalog Year 2017 and earlier, the engineering design training is provided through a senior design course. In Catalog Year 2018 and later, a 3 semester sequence that emphasizes unique constraints in the medical market space and leverages the University of Florida’s infrastructure and culture of innovation has been added. This 2018 design sequence begins with a junior design course that is designated to iterate on prototype development process. Following this foundation in prototype development, students then complete the 2 semester capstone design sequence in the senior year. Here, students more fully develop prototypes and solutions to medical challenges presented by either medical professionals, industry partners, or research faculty.

BME Electives (12-15 credits)

Approved BME electives are designed to build upon the biomedical engineering foundation courses and laboratories, allowing students to explore emerging and specialization areas in biomedical engineering.

For the 2020 Catalog Year and earlier, students are required to complete 15 credits of BME electives. This track includes at least 9 credits of department-approved electives. In addition to these 15 credits of electives, students are provided 6 credits of free electives (2000 level or above and letter grade courses only). Please consult with the Undergraduate Academic Advisor or Undergraduate Coordinator with any questions.

For the 2021 Catalog Year and later, students are required to complete 12 credits of BME electives. Here, students take 9 credits of BME Electives, which must be selected from a department-approved list. In addition to these 9 credits of BME Electives, students are provided 3 credits of free electives (2000 level or above and letter grade courses only). Please consult with the Undergraduate Academic Advisor or Undergraduate Coordinator with any questions.

Department Approved Electives (updated July 2023)

General Education (18 credits)

The BME program includes standard general education according to UF requirements: technical writing, diversity, humanities, international and social science. These are essential elements of a well-rounded education.
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Total UG Credit hours: 131-132 (depending on catalog year)