A Sample Plan represents one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with your academic advisor(s).

Biomedical Engineering BSE


First Year

34 s.h.

Fall

16 s.h.
Course Semester Hours
RHET:1030 - Rhetoric: Writing and Communication a 4 s.h.
CHEM:1110 - Principles of Chemistry I a b 4 s.h.
MATH:1550 - Engineering Calculus I c d 4 s.h.
ENGR:1100 - Intro to Engineering Problem Solving e 3 s.h.
ENGR:1000 - Engr Success for First-Year Students e 1 s.h.
CSI:1600 - Success at Iowa 0 s.h.

Spring

18 s.h.
Course Semester Hours
MATH:1560 - Engineering Calculus II a 4 s.h.
MATH:2550 - Engineering Matrix Algebra a 2 s.h.
CHEM:1120 - Principles of Chemistry II a 4 s.h.
PHYS:1611 - Introductory Physics I a 4 s.h.
ENGR:1300 - Introduction to Engineering Computing c 3 s.h.
BME:1010 - First-Year Forum f 1 s.h.

Second Year

33 s.h.

Fall

16 s.h.
Course Semester Hours
MATH:2560 - Engineering Differential Equations a 3 s.h.
BIOL:1411 - Foundations of Biology a 4 s.h.
ENGR:2110 - Statics a 2 s.h.
ENGR:2120 - Electrical Circuits a 3 s.h.
ENGR:2130 - Thermodynamics or ENGR:2995 - Intro to AI & Machine Learning in Engr g 3 s.h.
BME:2010 - Professional Seminar Biomed Engineering c 1 s.h.

Spring

17 s.h.
Course Semester Hours
BIOS:4120 - Introduction to Biostatistics or STAT:3510 - Biostatistics h 3 s.h.
HHP:3500 - Human Physiology a 3 s.h.
BME:2200 - Systems, Instrum, and Data Acquisition c 4 s.h.
BME:2400 - Cell Biology for Engineers c 3 s.h.
BME:2500 - Biomaterials and Biomechanics c 4 s.h.

Third Year

32 s.h.

Fall

17 s.h.
Course Semester Hours
GE: Approved Course Subjects i 3 s.h.
GE: Cultural Perspectives, Values, and Society j 3 s.h.
PHYS:1612 - Introductory Physics II c 4 s.h.
BME:2210 - Bioimaging and Bioinformatics c 4 s.h.
Focus Area: required course k 3 s.h.

Spring

15 s.h.
Course Semester Hours
GE: Engineering Be Creative l 3 s.h.
GE: Approved Course Subjects i 3 s.h.
Focus Area: required course k 3 s.h.
Focus Area: topic elective k 3 s.h.
Focus Area: additional elective k m 3 s.h.

Fourth Year

32 s.h.

Fall

16 s.h.
Course Semester Hours
BME:4910 - Biomedical Engineering Senior Design I e 4 s.h.
Focus Area: required course k 3 s.h.
Focus Area: required course k 3 s.h.
Focus Area: topic elective k 3 s.h.
Focus Area: additional elective k m 3 s.h.

Spring

16 s.h.
Course Semester Hours
GE: Approved Course Subjects i 3 s.h.
BME:4920 - Biomedical Engineering Senior Design II f 4 s.h.
Focus Area: additional elective k m 3 s.h.
Focus Area: additional elective k m 3 s.h.
Focus Area: additional elective k m 3 s.h.
Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall) n
Footnotes
Footnote Letter Footnote Description
a Typically this course is offered in fall, spring, and summer sessions. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
b Enrollment in chemistry courses requires completion of a placement exam.
c Typically this course is offered in fall and spring semesters. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
d Enrollment in math courses requires completion of a placement exam.
e Typically this course is offered in fall semesters only. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
f Typically this course is offered in spring semesters only. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
g Students in the bioimaging or computational bioengineering focus areas can choose to take either ENGR:2130 or ENGR:2995; students in the biomechanics and biomaterials or cellular engineering focus areas are required to take ENGR:2130.
h BIOS:4120 typically is offered in fall, spring, and summer sessions; STAT:3510 typically is offered in fall and spring sessions. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
i See General Catalog for list of approved course subjects.
j Students select a course from one of two GE CLAS Core areas: Understanding Cultural Perspectives or Values and Society.
k Students majoring in biomedical engineering select one of four preapproved focus areas: bioimaging, biomechanics and biomaterials, cellular engineering, or computational bioengineering. Each focus area consists of a group of four required courses (12-13 s.h.), two focus area-specific elective courses (6 s.h.), and additional suggested electives (15 s.h.). See General Catalog or consult an advisor for more information.
l See General Catalog for list of approved courses. Students who intend to enroll in a Be Creative course with prerequisites must request a waiver by completing the Request Prerequisite Special Permission form on MyUI.
m Any focus area may be designated pre-medicine by taking the following focus area electives: BMB:3110, BIOL:1412, CHEM:2210, CHEM:2220, and CHEM:2410.
n Please see Academic Calendar, on Office of the Registrar website, for current degree application deadlines. Students should apply for a degree for the session in which all requirements will be met. For any questions on appropriate timing, contact your academic advisor or Degree Services.
Note: select a footnote letter next to an item to view the footnote.