Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical
Engineering courses
Biomedical Engineering department
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Director of undergraduate studies: James Duncan, 332 Brady Memorial Laboratory, 785-2427, 313 MEC, 432-9917, james.duncan@yale.edu
FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Professors
Richard Carson, R. Todd Constable, James Duncan (Electrical Engineering), Douglas Rothman, Mark Saltzman (Chemical Engineering), Frederick Sigworth, Steven Zucker (Electrical Engineering)
Associate Professors
Francesco d'Errico, Fahmeed Hyder, Laura Niklason, Lawrence Staib (Electrical Engineering), Hemant Tagare
Assistant Professors
Robin de Graaf, Tarek Fahmy, Themis Kyriakides, Mark Laubach, Erin Lavik (Chemical Engineering), Michael Levene, Xenophon Papademetris
Lecturer
Camille Solbrig
Engineering methods and strategies are used to address important biomedical problems ranging from studies of physiological function using images to the development of artificial organs and new biomaterials. The major in Biomedical Engineering is designed to provide students with an understanding of the common methodologies that underlie many of these problems as well as the ability to develop quantitative approaches to understanding one of three biomedical engineering fields in more detail.
The flexible course structure of the major permits students to understand and bridge basic concepts in the life sciences and at least one of the traditional engineering disciplines offered at Yale, while also gaining a comprehensive understanding of biomedical engineering as a field of study.
Requirements of the major. The B.S. degree program in Biomedical Engineering offers three tracks: the bioimaging track, the biomechanics track, and the molecular engineering track.
During the freshman year, students study basic mathematics, chemistry, and biology. By the end of the sophomore year, they have taken physics, ENAS 194a or b, and BENG 350a, Physiological Systems. In the junior year, students obtain a comprehensive grounding in the field through taking BENG 351a and 352b, Biomedical Engineering I and II, and BENG 355L, Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, as well as an elective in one of the three areas of concentration in order to prepare for more advanced work. During the remainder of the junior and senior years, students acquire depth in one of the three areas of concentration. A senior seminar and a senior project permit students to gain practical, detailed information about their chosen area of concentration.
The following courses are prerequisite to the major for students in all tracks: MCDB 120a; the first term of CHEM 113 or 114, or CHEM 118a; ENAS 194a or b; MATH 112a or b, 115a or b; MATH 120a or b or ENAS 151a; PHYS 180a, 181b, 205La or Lb, and 206La or Lb (or 165La and 166Lb).
Students must complete ten term courses, totaling nine course credits, beyond the prerequisites, including at least three required courses in the chosen track, both terms of the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory (BENG 355L), and the two-term senior requirement.
All students in the major are required to take the following three term courses and one yearlong laboratory course: BENG 350a, 351a, 352b, and 355L. Students in the bioimaging track must also take three courses chosen from EENG 310a, BENG 349b, 410a, 421b, 436b, 445a, or CPSC 475a. Students in the biomechanics track must also take three courses chosen from MENG 185b, 280a, 361a, BENG 410a, 434a, or 457b. Students in the molecular engineering track must also take three courses chosen from BENG 410a, 434a, 435b, 464a, MENG 361a, or MB&B 300a. Any relevant course may be substituted with the permission of the director of undergraduate studies. By the end of senior year, two courses in the life sciences must have been included among the prerequisite and required courses for the major.
Senior requirement. In their senior year, all students must complete a one-term senior project in their final term of enrollment (BENG 471a or 472b) and the senior seminar (BENG 480a).
Credit/D/Fail option. For students in the Class of 2009 and subsequent classes, no course taken Credit/D/Fail may count toward the major, including prerequisites.
Select Program in Engineering. Qualified students majoring with a B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering may be eligible to apply for a special program that includes industry research experience. See under Engineering.
Preparation for graduate study. The Biomedical Engineering curriculum is excellent preparation for graduate study in engineering, science, and medicine. In some cases, organic chemistry and/or certain biology courses may be substituted for courses in any one of the tracks after consultation with the director of undergraduate studies.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR
Prerequisites: MCDB 120a; first term of CHEM 113 or 114, or CHEM 118a; ENAS 194a or b; MATH 112a or b, 115a or b; MATH 120a or b or ENAS 151a; PHYS 180a, 181b, and 205La or Lb, 206La or Lb (or 165La, 166Lb)
Number of courses: 10 term courses, totaling 9 course credits, beyond prereqs (incl senior req)
Distribution of courses: 2 courses in life sciences among prereq and req courses
Specific courses required: All tracks—BENG 350a, 351a, 352b, 355L; Bioimaging track—3 from EENG 310a, BENG 349b, 410a, 421b, 436b, 445a, or CPSC 475a; Biomechanics track—3 from MENG 185b, 280a, 361a, BENG 410a, 434a, or 457b; Molecular engineering track—3 from BENG 410a, 434a, 435b, 464a, MENG 361a, or MB&B 300a
Substitution permitted: Relevant course with DUS permission
Senior requirement: Senior project (BENG 471a or 472b) and senior sem (BENG 480a)
Unless otherwise indicated, courses in Biomedical Engineering count toward the natural science requirement for the Class of 2008.
