BSBME BULLETIN DESCRIPTION WITH INLINE
CHANGES:
Biomedical Engineering
The biomedical engineer is responsible for design and development of the technology and devices that
are at the heart of the far-reaching improvements in human health that have been occurring over the last
few decades. These advances include better tools for understanding disease and health, as well as better
ways to both treat disease and maintain health. The rapid expansion of the field of biomedical
engineering is due to many factors, including 1) scientific and technological advances in the life sciences,
materials science, and the engineering disciplines; 2) the increasing recognition of the role of
interdisciplinary strategies to solve complex biomedical problems; and 3) the aging of the population
leading to increasing healthcare needs and the associated demands and costs. The vision of the
Biomedical Engineering Department is to promote integrative research,education, and entrepreneurship
at the forefront of biomedical science and engineering. The mission of the Biomedical Engineering
Department is to
advance the field of biomedical engineering through an interdisciplinary approach to
education, design, and research.
98
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING >
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
The bachelor of science in biomedical engineering is a degree program that combines
intensive training in design and research methods, techniques, and practical skills, with a solid math,
science, and engineering curriculum to provide education with breadth and depth in the field. A key
aspect of biomedical engineering is its interdisciplinary nature; introductory courses in mathematics,
statistics, biology, chemistry, and physics, together with foundation/concentration engineering courses
build the basis for creating the synergy among these disciplines that is required in the practice of
biomedical engineering.
The mission of the bachelor of science degree in biomedical engineering is to provide students with
undergraduate educational experiences that provide a sound basis for professional practice in biomedical
engineering, life-long learning, and leadership roles in the biomedical engineering field.
The curriculum leading to the bachelor of science degree in biomedical engineering is intended
to prepare students to continue with graduate study either in biomedical engineering or medicine,
or to enter professional practice as an engineer or designer of biomedical systems. The curriculum
includes intensive instruction in math, sciences and engineering disciplines, as well as a unique
integrated design and research experience covering sophomore to senior years, in which each student
participates in interdisciplinary design/research teams to learn about open-ended biomedical engineering
problems, and design approaches, research techniques, and testing methods to propose, implement,
and evaluate solutions to these problems.
The student outcomes of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering specify that, by the time of
graduation, all graduates will be able to:
 Apply fundamental knowledge of mathematics, statistics, physical sciences, biology, physiology,
and engineering for the solution of problems at the interface of engineering and biology;
 Make measurements on and interpret data from living systems, addressing the problems
associated with the interaction between living and non-living materials and systems;
 Communicate effectively, work as part of a multidisciplinary team, and have an awareness of
professional and ethical responsibilities to have a positive impact on society;
 Recognize the importance of life-long learning in order to expand one’s knowledge base;
 Participate in creative and integrative design projects and independent research projects.
On the basis of the program educational objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical
Engineering, within a few years of graduation all graduates will be expected to have fully developed their
ability to:
 Identify, formulate and solve open-ended biomedical engineering problems by integrating and
applying basic principles of biology, engineering, and physical sciences;


Be creative, self-learning, and innovative in their contributions to biomedical engineering;
Perform, manage, or lead original engineering design and research projects in an ethical and
professional manner at the highest levels in private industry, research laboratories, and
academia.
Those students who are interested in applying for the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
must, by December of their freshman year, fulfill the requirement for
Math 11, and take and complete for a grade at Tufts two of the following four courses (Chemistry
1 with lab, Chemistry 2 with lab, Physics 11 with lab, Physics 12 with lab), and submit an application
(available at the department and on the department website) before December 1st of their
freshman year. Of the students that will apply to the department, the 15 students obtaining the top
cumulative grade point averages during the first semester of their freshman year will be admitted
into the program. The department will notify students of their acceptance into the program during
the winter break of their freshman year, after grades are posted for the fall term. A sample course
schedule for the B.S.B.M.E.program (38 credits) is listed below.
First Year
FALL TERM
Mathematics 11
Chemistry 1 (+ lab)
Physics 11 (+ lab)
English 1
Engineering 2 (half credit)
Engineering elective (half credit)
SPRING TERM
Mathematics 12
Physics 12 or Chemistry 2 (+ lab)
Humanities or social sciences or arts elective
Engineering Science 2
Free elective
Sophomore Year
FALL TERM
Mathematics 13
Biology 13
Engineering Science 3
Engineering Science 5
Humanities or social sciences or arts elective
Biomedical Engineering 3 (half credit)
SPRING TERM
Mathematics 38
Chemistry 2 or Physics 12 (+ lab)
Biomedical Engineering 50
Engineering Science 7
Biomedical Engineering 4 (half credit)
Junior Year
FALL TERM
Biology 41
Engineering Science 8
Probability and Statistics elective
Engineering Science 121
Foundation elective
Biomedical Engineering 5 (half credit)
SPRING TERM
Biomedical Engineering 100
Biomedical Engineering 62
Biomedical Engineering 51
Humanities or social sciences or arts elective
Biomedical Engineering 6 (half credit)
Senior Year
FALL TERM
Biomedical Engineering 165 or concentration elective
Biomedical Engineering 164
Humanities elective
Biomedical Engineering 7 or Biomedical Engineering 89
99
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING >
SPRING TERM
Biomedical Engineering 131 or concentration elective
Concentration elective
UEP 122 or social sciences Elective
Biomedical Engineering 8
The selection of elective courses described above may be altered for program flexibility. The assignments
here reflect one possible way of meeting the requirements for the degree. A list of appropriate foundation
and concentration electives is available from the department.