Program of Study

The undergraduate program in Biomedical Engineering at WPI prepares students for rewarding careers in the health care industry or professional programs in biomedical research or medicine. Unlike traditional engineering programs at WPI, our program truly integrates physical, chemical, mathematical, and computational sciences and engineering principles to study biology, medicine, behavior, and health. Through a project-oriented curriculum, which closely embraces the WPI educational philosophy, we prepare students to engage in a lifetime of professionalism and learning.

More Information...

BME Program and ABET information
General Advising Guidelines for Current Undergraduate Students
BME Undergraduate Courses
Combined BS/Master's Degree Program

Overview of WPI Degree Requirements

WPI's academic requirements are specifically designed to develop an overall educational experience which meets the goals of the university. Each requirement plays a supporting role as follows:

To provide intellectual breadth and a better understanding of themselves, their cultures, and their heritage, every WPI student must complete a Humanities and Arts Sufficiency Project;
To provide an understanding of the priorities of other sectors of society, develop an ability to communicate effectively with disparate groups, organize and derive solutions to complex problems, and gain an awareness of the interrelationships between technology and people, every WPI student must complete an Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP);
To provide a capstone experience in the professional discipline, to develop creativity, instill self-confidence and enhance the ability to communicate ideas and synthesize fundamental concepts, every student must complete a Major Qualifying Project (MQP);
To provide for learning through an academic program with fabric and course balance while encouraging individual student choices within that framework, every student must fulfill Program Distribution Requirements.

Program Distribution Requirements for the Biomedical Engineering (BME) Major

The normal period of residency at WPI is 16 terms. In addition to the WPI degree requirements applicable to all students, a biomedical engineer needs a solid background in mathematics, physical, and life sciences. The distribution requirements are satisfied as follows:

Biomedical Engineering	Minimum Units
1. Mathematics (See Note 1)	2
2. Basic Science (See Note 2)	2
3. Supplemental Science (See Note 3)	2/3
4. Laboratory experience with living systems (See Note 4)	1/3
5. Biomedical Engineering and Engineering (See Note 5)	4-1/3
6. MQP (See Note 6)	1

Notes:

Mathematics must include differential and integral calculus, differential equations and statistics.
Two courses from each of the following areas: BB, CH and PH.
Two courses from BB, CH, or PH.
Experimental Physiology (BME 3110) or equivalent.
Thirteen courses from Biomedical Engineering (BME) or Engineering (CE, CM, ECE, ES, or ME) with the following distribution: (1) seven courses from BME or Engineering as specified as , one of which must be an engineering design course; (2) four courses from BME or Engineering at the 3000-level or above; (3) two courses in BME at the 4000-level or above. A minimum of eight of the thirteen courses must be from BME, not including BME 3110.
Must include 1/3 unit Capstone Design Experience.

ABET Information

The Biomedical Engineering Department is fully accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Mission Statement

The Biomedical Engineering Department prepares students for rewarding careers in the health care industry or professional programs in biomedical research or medicine.

Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of the Biomedical Engineering Department are to prepare professionals who possess fundamental knowledge of engineering and basic science and can apply these principles to solve problems in biology and medicine. Through a project-oriented curriculum, which closely embraces the WPI educational philosophy, we prepare students to engage in a lifetime of professionalism and learning.

Educational Outcomes

The Biomedical Engineering Department has established 13 educational outcomes in support of our department objectives. Accordingly, students graduating from the Biomedical Engineering Department will demonstrate:

An ability to apply knowledge of advanced mathematics (including differential equations and statistics), science, and engineering to solve the problems at the interface of engineering and biology (general criterion 3a and program criteria).
An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data from living and non-living systems (general criterion 3b and program criteria).
An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs (general criterion 3c).
An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams (general criterion 3d).
An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems (general criterion 3e).
An understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities (general criterion 3f).
An ability to communicate effectively (general criterion 3g).
The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context (general criterion 3h).
A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning (general criterion 3i).
A knowledge of contemporary issues (general criterion 3j).
An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice (general criterion 3k).
An understanding of biology and physiology (program criteria).
An ability to address the problems associated with the interaction between living and non-living materials and systems (program criteria).

Note: The general and specific program criteria indicated above in parenthesis meet the requirements for Biomedical Engineering accreditation by ABET.

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Last modified: November 30, 2007 16:29:50