Advising & Curriculum

Undergraduate Program Advising

Undergraduate students are required to meet with theirÌýadvisor every semester prior to the next semester’s registration period in order to be able to register for classes. Use Ìýto schedule an appointment.

BME Undergraduate Handbook

The BME Handbook is your go-to resource for your undergraduate studies in Biomedical Engineering at 91¸£ÀûÉç. Learn about the bachelor’s degree curriculum tracks, graduation requirements, policies, extracurricular opportunitiesÌýand more.

Intra-University Transfer

Prospective intra-university transfer (IUT) students should refer to theÌýÌýfor transfer advising information.


Curriculum

The curriculum consists of 128 credit hours.ÌýStudents follow one of three paths:

  • Standard curriculum: For students who are interested in pursuing a career in industry or graduate school (research or academia)
  • Pre-medical track: For students interested in going to medical school and are interested in human motion, performance, disabilities, prosthetics, orthopedics or medical devices, such as biosensors and imaging systems, or robotic surgical tools.
Grade Requirements

The minimum passing grade for a prerequisite or co-requisite course within the biomedical engineering curriculum is a C-. This includes courses completed outside the department (APPM, PHYS, etc.). The minimum passing grade for standalone classes (i.e. humanities & social sciences, technical electives) is a D-. Per CEAS Academic Expectations and Policies, if the minimum required grade in a prerequisite course is not achieved, the student is required to repeat the course until the minimum acceptable grade has been earned (maximum of 3 attempts total). If a student takes the advanced (post-requisite) course, it does not remove the obligation to meet the prerequisite course minimum grade requirement, even if the grade earned in the advanced course is acceptable.ÌýIn addition, students need to have a cumulative and major GPA of at least 2.000 in order to graduate from the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) website has information on computer purchaseÌýrecommendationsÌýand a student computing shopping list. However, this information is directed at all CU students, regardless of what college and/or major students are in. The minimum hardware requirements may differ from what is on OIT’s website, due to the higher specification needs of Biomedical Engineering students.ÌýPlease see this document for more information on minimum hardware requirements as well as additional recommendations.ÌýThe CU Bookstore offers a few laptop models and you can check the CU Dell SiteÌýfor models geared towards engineering students that meet many of the requirements specified. Other lists of laptops that are specifically well suited for running Solidworks are here; anticipated costs range between $1500 - $2500 depending upon a variety of factors.Ìý

Technical Electives

  • All BME-Approved Engineering Technical Electives can also be used for General Technical Elective credit.
  • Courses numbered 1000-2999 are considered lower-division and courses 3000-4999 are considered upper-division.
  • Standard curriculumÌýrequires a total of 24 Technical Electives. At least 18 of 24 must be 3000 level or above, and at least 15 must be Engineering Technical Electives, including 6 credits from BME approved focused electives.
  • Pre-Med Track requires a total of 9 Technical Electives, including 3 credits from BME approved focused electives
  • In addition to courses on the Technical Electives List, student may earn up to 12 credits through BMEN Independent Study (six max) and/or Internship for Credit (six max). ÌýPlease note that to be approved for technical elective credit, you must provide sufficient information about the engineering/technical nature of your position and duties.

Academic Advising

Academic Advisors are here to help you succeed by supporting you academically and helping you to navigate the curriculum.Ìý

Contact Information

BME Independent Study Form

An independent study is a collaboration between a student and a faculty member on a special project that provides the student with a learning experience. An independent study may also fill an academic need of importance to the student that cannot be filled by regular course offerings. Independent studies are opportunities to earn credit for learning outside the normal lecture and laboratory class structure.Ìý Learn more.

Ìý Internship Credit

When completing your application, be sure to sufficiently describe the engineering/technical nature of your postiion/duties for it to be approved for technical elective credit.

2025-26 Standard Curriculum ÌýFlow Chart

Ìý

First Year

Ìý
Fall Semester (15 credit hours)Spring Semester (15 credit hours)
BMEN 1025 - Computer-Aided Design & Fabrication (4)BMEN 1000 - Explore BME (1)
CHEN 1201 - Gen Chem for Engineers (4)CHEN 1203 - Gen Chem for Engineers 2 (2)
APPM 1350 - Calculus 1 for Engineers (4)CHEM 1221 - Engineering Gen Chem Lab (1)
BIEN 2810 - Biology for Engineers (3)PHYS 1110 - Physics 1 (4)
ÌýAPPM 1360 - Calculus 2 for Engineers (4)
ÌýHumanities & Social Science - Lower Division (30

Second Year

Ìý
Fall Semester (17 credit hours)Spring Semester (17 credit hours)
BMEN 2100 - Biomedical Principles and Methods (3)BMEN 2010 - Biomaterials (3)
Humanities & Social Science - Lower Division (3)Free Elective (3)
PHYS 1120 - General Physics (4)MCEN 2023 - Statics & Structures (3)
APPM 2350 - Calculus 3 for Engineers (4)APPM 2360 - Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (4)
Humanities & Social Science - Lower Division (3)PHYS 1140 - Experimental Physics (1)
ÌýCHEN 1310 - Intro to Engineering Computing (3)

Third Year

Ìý
Fall Semester (15 credit hours)Spring Semester (16 credit hours)
BMEN 4117 - Anatomy & Physiology for BME (3)BMEN 3030 - Bioinstrumentation (4)
BMEN 3010 - Biotransport (3)ECEN 3301 - Biomedical Signals and Systems (3)
CHEN 3010 - Applies Data Analysis (3)General Technical Elective - Upper Division (3)
Humanities & Social Science Ìý- Upper Division (3)ÌýGeneral Technical Elective - Upper Division (3)
ECEN 2250 - Intro to Circuits & Electronics (3)Writing Requirement (3)

Fourth Year

Ìý
Fall Semester (18 credit hours)Spring Semester (15 credit hours)
BMEN 4010 - BME Design 1 (3)BMEN 4020 - BME Design 2 (3)
Focus Technical Elective - Upper Division (3)Focus Technical Elective - Upper Division (3)
General Technical Elective - Upper Division (3)Engineering Technical Elective - Upper Division (3)
Engineering Technical Elective - Upper/Lower Division (3)Humanities & Social Science - Upper Division (3)
Engineering Technical Elective - Upper/Lower Division (3)Free Elective (3)
Free Elective (3)Ìý

2025-26 Premed Sample Curriculum

First Year

Ìý
Fall Semester (16 credit hours)Spring Semester (17 credit hours)
BMEN 1025 - Computer-Aided Design & Fabrication (4)BMEN 1000 - Explore BME (1)
CHEN 1201 - Gen Chem for Engineers (4)CHEM 1133 - Gen Chem Ìý2 (4)
CHEM 1114 - Gen Chem 1 Lab (1)CHEM 1134 -Gen Chem Ìý2 Lab (1)
APPM 1350 - Calculus 1 for Engineers (4)PHYS 1110 - Physics 1 (4)
MCDB 1150 - Intro to Molecular and Cellular Biology (3)APPM 1360 - Calculus 2 for Engineers (4)
ÌýCHEN 1310 - Intro to Engineering Computing (4)

Second Year

Ìý
Fall Semester (16 credit hours)Spring Semester (16 credit hours)
BMEN 2100 - Biomedical Principles and Methods (3)BMEN 2010 - Biomaterials (3)
PHYS 1120 - ÌýPhysics 2 (4)CHEM 3311 Ìý- Organic Chemistry 1 (4)
MCDB 1161 - Phage Genomics Lab I (2)CHEM 3321 - Organic Chem Lab (1)
APPM 2350 - Calculus 3 for Engineers (4)PHYS 1140 - Experimental Physics (1)
Humanities & Social Science - Lower Division (3)MCEN 2023 - Statics & Structures (3)
ÌýAPPM 2360 - Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (4)

Third Year

Ìý
Fall Semester (17 credit hours)Spring Semester (16 credit hours)
BMEN 3010 - Biotransport (3)BMEN 3030 Bioinstrumentation (4)
CHEM 3331 - Organic Chemistry 2 (4)BCHM 4611- ÌýPrinciples of Biochemistry (3)
CHEM 3341 - Organic Chemistry 2 Lab (1)MCDB 2150 - Principles of Genetics (3)
BMEN 4117 - Anatomy & Physiology for BME (3)CHEN 3010 - Applies Data Analysis (3)
ECEN 2250 - Intro to Circuits & Electronics (3)ECEN 3301 - Biomedical Signals & Systems (3)
Humanities & Social Science - Lower Division (3)Ìý

Fourth Year

Ìý
Fall Semester (15 credit hours)Spring Semester (15 credit hours)
BMEN 4010 - BME Design 1 (3)BMEN 4020 - BME Design 2 (3)
Humanities & Social Science (3)Focus Technical Elective - Upper Division (3)
Engineering Technical Elective - Upper Division (3)Free Elective (3)
Engineering Technical Elective - Upper Division (3)Humanities & Social Science - Upper Division (3)
Writing Requirement (3)Humanities & Social Science - Upper Division (3)

Aerospace Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • ASEN 1400ÌýÌý ÌýGateway to Space
  • ASEN 1403ÌýÌý ÌýIntro to Rocket Engineering
  • ASEN 4128ÌýÌý ÌýHuman Factors in Engineering and DesignÌý Ìý
  • ASEN 5226ÌýÌý ÌýMedicine in Space and Surface EnvironmentsÌý Ìý
  • ASEN 5016ÌýÌý ÌýSpace Life SciencesÌý Ìý

Biomedical Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • BMEN 4519 Ìý ÌýSpecial Topics: Advanced Biotransport
  • BMEN 4840ÌýÌý ÌýIndependent Study (must apply) - 6 credits maxÌý Ìý
  • COEN 3930ÌýÌý ÌýInternship Credit (must apply) - 6 credits maxÌý Ìý

Chemical & Biological Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌý Ìý

  • BIEN 3800 ÌýFundamentals of BiotechnologyÌý(FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • BIEN 4802ÌýÌý ÌýTissue EngineeringÌý Ìý(FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • BIEN 4805ÌýÌý ÌýBiomaterialsÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 3200ÌýÌý ÌýFluid MechanicsÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 3210ÌýÌý ÌýChemical Engineering Heat and Mass TransferÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 4450ÌýÌý ÌýPolymer ChemistryÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 4460ÌýÌý ÌýPolymer EngineeringÌý ÌýÌý
  • CHEN 4803ÌýÌý ÌýMetabolic EngineeringÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 4804ÌýÌý ÌýProtein and Enzyme EngineeringÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 4820ÌýÌý ÌýBiochemical SeparationsÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 4830ÌýÌý ÌýChemical Engineering BiokineticsÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 4838ÌýÌý ÌýSpecial Topic: ImmunoengineeringÌý Ìý(FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • CHEN 4838Ìý Ìý Special Topic: Drug Delivery (FOCUSED ELECTIVE)

Computer Science CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • CSCI 2270ÌýÌý ÌýData StructuresÌý Ìý
  • CSCI 3104ÌýÌý ÌýAlgorithmsÌý ÌýÌý
  • CSCI 3352ÌýÌý ÌýBiological NetworksÌý Ìý
  • CSCI 3702ÌýÌý ÌýCognitive ScienceÌý Ìý
  • CSCI 4118ÌýÌý ÌýSoftware Engineering for ScientistsÌý Ìý
  • CSCI 4314ÌýÌý ÌýDynamic Models in BiologyÌý Ìý

Civil, Environmental & Architectural EngineeringÌý Ìý Ìý

  • CVEN 4511/5511ÌýÌý ÌýIntro to Finite Element MethodÌý Ìý

Electrical Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • ECEN 1400ÌýÌý ÌýIntro to Digital and Analog ElectronicsÌý ÌýÌý
  • ECEN 2250ÌýÌý ÌýIntro to Circuits and Electronics (only applies to Pre-Med Biomechanics Track)Ìý Ìý
  • ECEN 2260ÌýÌý ÌýCircuits as Systems (only applies to Pre-Med Biomechanics Track)Ìý Ìý
  • ECEN 2270ÌýÌý ÌýElectronics Design Lab (only applied to Pre-Med Biomechanics Track)Ìý Ìý
  • ECEN 2350ÌýÌý ÌýDigital LogicÌý ÌýÌý
  • ECEN 3320ÌýÌý ÌýSemiconductor DevicesÌý Ìý
  • ECEN 3250ÌýÌý ÌýMicroelectronicsÌý Ìý
  • ECEN 3400ÌýÌý ÌýElectromagnetic Fields and WavesÌý Ìý
  • ECEN 3730ÌýÌý ÌýPractical Printed Circuit BoardsÌý ÌýÌý
  • ECEN 4006ÌýÌý ÌýOptical & Electronic ImagingÌýÌý ÌýÌý Ìý
  • ECEN 4111ÌýÌý ÌýEngineering Applications in Biomedicine: Cardiovascular Devices and SystemsÌý Ìý(FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • ECEN 4341/5341ÌýÌý ÌýBioelectromagneticsÌý ÌýÌý
  • ECEN 4933/5933ÌýÌý ÌýEngineering Genetic CircuitsÌý Ìý (FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • ECEN 4395ÌýÌý ÌýOrganic Electronic Materials & DevicesÌý ÌýÌý
  • ECEN 4121/5121ÌýÌý ÌýDesign of Implantable Medical DevicesÌý Ìý (FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • ECEN 4021/5021ÌýÌý ÌýSpecial Topics: Engineering Applications in Biomed: NeuromodulationÌý ÌýÌý

General EngineeringÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • GEEN 1400ÌýÌý ÌýEngineering ProjectsÌý Ìý
  • GEEN 2400 ÌýÌý ÌýEngineering Projects for the CommunityÌý Ìý
  • GEEN 3400ÌýÌý ÌýInvention and InnovationÌý Ìý

Mechanical Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • MCEN 2023ÌýÌý ÌýStatics and Structures (only applies to Pre-Med Bioinstrumentation track)Ìý Ìý
  • MCEN 2043ÌýÌý ÌýDynamicsÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 2063ÌýÌý ÌýMechanics of Solids (only applies to Pre-Med Bioinstrumentation track)Ìý Ìý
  • MCEN 3021ÌýÌý ÌýFluid Mechanics
  • MCEN 4110Ìý Ìý Regenerative Bio/Tissue RepairÌý Ìý Ìý(FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • MCEN 4111/5111ÌýÌý ÌýIntro to MicrofluidicsÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 4113/5113ÌýÌý ÌýMechanics of CancerÌý Ìý(FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • MCEN 4127/5127ÌýÌý ÌýBiomedical UltrasoundÌý Ìý(FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • MCEN 4157/5157ÌýÌý ÌýModeling of Human MovementÌý Ìý (FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • MCEN 4174ÌýÌý ÌýFailure of Engineering MaterialsÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 4193/5193ÌýÌý ÌýDesign of CoffeeÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4195/5195ÌýÌý ÌýBioinspired RoboticsÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4292/5292ÌýÌý ÌýMaterials and Devices in MedicineÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4293/5293ÌýÌý ÌýMechanics of Soft MatterÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4171/5171ÌýÌý ÌýBiofluids at the Micro ScaleÌý Ìý (FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • MCEN 4215/5215ÌýÌý ÌýDesign for InclusionÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4228/5228ÌýÌý ÌýSpecial Topics: Food & Alcohol in the Ancient WorldÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4228/5228Ìý Ìý Special Topics: Fluid Mechanics in the Human BodyÌý Ìý (FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • MCEN 4228/5228ÌýÌý ÌýSpecial Topics: Practical Electronics
  • MCEN 4228/5228 ÌýSpecial Topics: Surface Forces in Biology
  • MCEN 4228/5228 ÌýSpecial Topics: Membrane TechnologiesÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4228/5228 ÌýSpecial Topics: Mechanisms of Biological Materials
  • MCEN 4228/5228 ÌýSpecial Topics: Biohybrid Robotics
  • MCEN 4228/5228 ÌýSpecial Topics: Advanced Biotransport

Material Science and EngineeringÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • MSEN 2000ÌýÌý ÌýMaterials in TechnologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • MSEN 5430ÌýÌý ÌýTransmission Electron MicroscopyÌý ÌýÌý
  • MSEN 5470ÌýÌý ÌýMaterials Composition and StructureÌý Ìý

Last updated February 28, 2025

Focused Electives

BIEN 3800Ìý– Fundamentals of Biotechnology -ÌýRequiredÌýprerequisitesÌýof BIEN 2810 or MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1220 and APPM 1350 or MATH 1300 and CHEN 1201 or CHEN 1211 or CHEM 1113 or MCEN 1024

BIEN 4802 – Tissue EngineeringÌý-ÌýRequiredÌýprerequisitesÌýof CHEN 2810 or MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 and prerequisite or corequisite of CHEN 4520 or BMEN 4010

CHEN 4838Ìý– Special Topics - Immunoengineering -ÌýPrereqs: CHEN 2810 or MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1210/1220 with a strongly recommended grade of B or better and CHEN 4330/4830 or BMEN 3010 with a grade of C- or better

CHEN 4838Ìý– Special Topics - Drug Delivery -ÌýPrereqs: CHEN 2810, MCDB 1150, or EBIO 1210 and 1220 and pre/co-req CHEN 4805 or BMEN 2010

ECEN 4111 – Engineering Applications in Biomedicine: Cardiovascular Devices and Systems -ÌýRecommended prerequisite:ÌýECEN 2250Ìýor equivalent circuits course

ECEN 4121 – Design of Implantable Medical Devices: Neuromodulation

ECEN 4933 – Engineering Genetic Circuits

MCEN 4127 – Biomedical Ultrasound

MCEN 4157 – Modeling of Human Movement -ÌýRequires prerequisite of (MCEN2043 or GEEN 3024 or ASEN 1022) and (APPM2360 or MATH2130 or MATH3130) and restricted to students with 57-180 credits

MCEN 4171 – Biofluids on the Micro Scale -ÌýRequires prerequisite course of MCEN 3021 or CHEN 3200 or CVEN 3313

MCEN 4228 – Special Topics: Fluid Mechanics in the Human Body -ÌýRestricted to students with 57-180 credits

MCEN 4110Ìý– Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair -ÌýRestricted to students with 57-180 credits

MCEN 4113 – Mechanics of Cancer -ÌýRequires prerequisite course of MCEN 3021 or CHEN 3200 or CVEN 3313 or MCEN 2063 or CVEN 3161

Last updated March 12, 2024

Industry/Grad School Curriculum Flowcharts:

2023-24Ìý2024-25

Pre-Med Biomechanics Curriculum Flowcharts:

2023-24Ìý2024-25

Pre-Med Bioinstrumentation Curriculum Flowcharts:

2023-24Ìý2024-25