Biomedical Engineering, B.A.
Learning Outcomes
- Ability to understand and apply basic science and perform technical skills to solve problems related to health and healthcare.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
- Ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in healthcare, and understand societal and global impact of biomedical engineering solutions.
Academic Standards
Program GPA
Program GPA requirement policies are described in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing section of this bulletin. For the purpose of these policies, the following courses are used to determine the Program GPA for the Biomedical Engineering B.A. program: all Biomedical Engineering Major courses and all courses used to satisfy Biomedical Engineering Electives.
Admissions
Entrance Requirements
Admission requirements and processes for freshman, transfer students, and former students seeking readmission are managed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Transfer applicants from regionally accredited colleges and universities must have a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA on a 4.00 scale to enter the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. Current University of South Carolina students, and former students seeking readmission, must have an institutional GPA of 2.50 or better on at least 15 hours earned at USC.
Degree Requirements (120-126)
See College of Engineering and Computing for progression requirements and special academic opportunities.
Program of Study
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Carolina Core Requirements | 32-42 |
| College Requirements | 0 |
| Program Requirements | 46-52 |
| Major Requirements | 36-38 |
Founding Documents Requirement
All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers. This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective. Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.
1. Carolina Core Requirements (32-42 hours)
CMW – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 hours)
ARP – Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (6-7 hours)
must be passed with a grade of C or higher
SCI – Scientific Literacy (8 hours)
must be passed with a grade of C or higher
GFL – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-6 hours)
Score two or better on foreign language placement test; or complete the 109 and 110 courses in FREN, GERM, LATN or SPAN; or complete the 121 course in another foreign language.
GHS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours)
- any CC-GHS course
GSS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours)
- any CC-GSS course
AIU – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)
- any CC-AIU course
CMS – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component1 (0-3 hours)
- any overlay or stand-alone CC-CMS course
INF – Information Literacy1 (0 hours)
VSR – Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility1 (0-3 hours)
- any overlay or stand-alone CC-VSR course
- 1
Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours for this program must add up to a minimum of 34 hours.
2. College Requirements (0 hours)
No college-required courses for this program.
3. Program Requirements (46-52 hours)
Supporting Courses (46 hours)
Foundational Courses (19 hours)
Complete the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 102 | Biological Principles II | 3 |
| BIOL 102L | Biological Principles II Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 201 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 201L | General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 112L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 333 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 331L | Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1-2 |
| or CHEM 333L | Comprehensive Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | |
| CSCE 106 | Scientific Applications Programming (Scientific Applications Programming) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 19-20 | |
Specialty Courses (27 hours)
Students must take 27 credit hours of specialty electives. Undergraduate courses that may be used to satisfy this requirement are listed below.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT 222 | Survey of Accounting | 3 |
| ANTH 101 and above | ||
| BIOL 120 and above | ||
| CHEM (except CHEM 111/CHEM 111L, CHEM 112/CHEM 112L, CHEM 333, CHEM 333L, CHEM 331L) | ||
| CLAS 220 and above | ||
| CRJU 101 and above | ||
| CYBR 390 | Special Topics in Cyber Intelligence | 3 |
| CSCE higher than 106 | ||
| ECHE 200 and above (except for ECHE 310) | ||
| ECIV 200 and above | ||
| ECON 224 | Introduction to Economics | 3 |
| EDCE 210 | Career Planning and Development | 3 |
| EDCE 340 | Counseling Through a Multicultural Lens: Understanding Self and Others | 3 |
| EDCE 350 | Interpersonal Communication Skills | 3 |
| EDCE 360 | Introduction to the Counseling Profession | 3 |
| EDEX 205 | Understanding the Foundations of Disability | 3 |
| EDEX 301 | Introduction to Students with Autism | 3 |
| EDEX 523 | Introduction to Exceptional Children | 3 |
| EDFI 300 | Schools in Communities | 3 |
| EDFI 361 | Comparative and International Education | 3 |
| EDLP 317 | Law and Policy Studies in Education | 3 |
| EDPY 401 | Learners and the Diversity of Learning | 3 |
| EDTE 202 | Global Citizenship and Social Responsibility through Education | 3 |
| EDTE 218 | Convergence and Divergence in African American and Jewish Relations: Historical and Contemporary | 3 |
| ELCT 200 and above | ||
| EMCH 200 and above | ||
| ENCP 200 and above | ||
| ENGL 300 and above | ||
| ENHS 223 and above | ||
| ENTR 201 | Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise | 3 |
| ENTR 301 | Startup Finance, Legal Structures, and Business Systems | 3 |
| ENTR 401 | Applied Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ENTR 501 | Independent Study in Entrepreneurship | 1-3 |
| ENVR 101 and above | ||
| EPID 349 and above | ||
| EXSC 191 and above (except EXSC 335 if used as Biomedical Elective) | ||
| FINA 333 | Finance and Markets | 3 |
| HGEN 400 and above | ||
| HPEB 300 and above | ||
| HSPM 401 and above | ||
| INDE 200 and above | ||
| ITEC 200 and above | ||
| MATH (except MATH 122) | ||
| MGMT 371 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| MGSC 290 | Computer Information Systems in Business | 3 |
| MKTG 350 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| MKTG 457 | Introduction To Sales | 3 |
| NSCI 300 and above | ||
| PEDU 302 | Foundations of Coaching | 3 |
| PEDU 420 | Motor Learning in Physical Education | 3 |
| PEDU 520 | Observational Analysis of Sports Techniques and Tactics | 3 |
| PHIL 200 and above | ||
| PHYS 200 and above (except PHYS 101/PHYS 101L, PHYS 102/PHYS 102L, PHYS 151/PHYS 151L, PHYS 155/PHYS 155L, PHYS 201/PHYS 201L | ||
| POLI 101 and above | ||
| PSYC 101 and above | ||
| PUBH 302 and above | ||
| SOCY 101 and above | ||
| SPCH 200 and above | ||
| STAT except for STAT 201, STAT 205, or STAT 206 | ||
| UNIV 101 | The Student in the University | 3 |
Electives (0-5 hours)
A minimum of 120 hours are required for the Biomedical Engineering, B.A. Electives are required if needed to reach to that total. Any course in the university can be used to satisfy the elective requirement (including additional electives in the major).
4. Major Requirements (36-38 hours)
Major Courses (24-26 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BMEN 101 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering | 1-3 |
| or ENCP 101 | Introduction to Engineering | |
| BMEN 240 | Cellular and Molecular Biology with Engineering Applications (must be passed with a grade of C or better) | 4 |
| BMEN 345 | Human Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineers | 4 |
| BMEN 270 | Materials in Medicine | 3 |
| BMEN 360 | Biomedical Analysis | 3 |
| BMEN 302 | Professional Development and Ethics in Biomedical Engineering | 2 |
| BMEN 340 | Biochemistry with Engineering Applications | 4 |
| BMEN 363 | Biomedical Instrumentation | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 24-26 | |
Biomedical Engineering Major Electives (12 hours)
Students must take 12 credit hours of Biomedical Engineering electives. Of these 12 credit hours, at most 3 credit hours may come from BMEN 499. Undergraduate courses that may be used to satisfy this requirement are listed below.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BMEN 212 | Fundamentals of Biomedical Systems (must be passed with a grade of C or better) | 3 |
| BMEN 263 | Introduction to Biomechanics | 3 |
| BMEN 290 | Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems | 3 |
| BMEN 342 | Infectious Disease & Immunology for Biomedical Engineers | 3 |
| BMEN 346 | Medical Microbiology for Biomedical Engineers | 3 |
| BMEN 389 | Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering for Undergraduates | 1-3 |
| BMEN 392 | Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering | 3 |
| BMEN 499 | Independent Research | 1-3 |
| BMEN 532 | Micro/nanofluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip | 3 |
| BMEN 537 | Bio Nano/Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems | 3 |
| BMEN 546 | Delivery of Bioactive Agents | 3 |
| BMEN 547 | Immunoengineering | 3 |
| BMEN 548 | Cardiovascular System: From Development to Disease | 3 |
| BMEN 565 | Advanced Biomechanics | 3 |
| BMEN 572 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| BMEN 575 | Engineering of Soft Materials | 3 |
| BMEN 589 | Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering | 1-3 |
| ECHE 430 | Chemical Engineering Kinetics | 3 |
| ELCT 391 | Biometric Measurements in Healthcare and Wearables | 3 |
| EMCH 580 | Mechanics of Solid Biomaterials | 3 |
| EXSC 335 | Biomechanics of Human Movement | 3 |
Major Map
A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.
Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 101 | Critical Reading and Composition | 3 |
| MATH 122 or MATH 141 |
Calculus for Business Administration and Social Sciences 3 or Calculus I |
3-4 |
| BIOL 101 | Biological Principles I | 3 |
| BIOL 101L | Biological Principles I Laboratory | 1 |
| BMEN 101 or ENCP 101 |
Introduction to Biomedical Engineering or Introduction to Engineering |
1-3 |
| Specialty Course (UNIV 101 recommended) 4 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 102 | Rhetoric and Composition | 3 |
| BIOL 102 | Biological Principles II | 3 |
| BIOL 102L | Biological Principles II Laboratory | 1 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 111L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| PHYS 201 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 201L | General Physics Laboratory I | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BMEN 240 | Cellular and Molecular Biology with Engineering Applications (fall only) | 4 |
| CSCE 106 | Scientific Applications Programming | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 112L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| Specialty Course 4 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core AIU 5 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BMEN 345 | Human Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineers (spring only) | 4 |
| STAT 201 |
Elementary Statistics or Elementary Statistics for the Biological and Life Sciences or Elementary Statistics for Business |
3 |
| CHEM 333 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 331L or CHEM 333L |
Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory I or Comprehensive Organic Chemistry Laboratory I |
1-2 |
| Specialty Course 4 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core GHS 5 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17-18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BMEN 270 | Materials in Medicine (fall only) | 3 |
| BMEN 360 | Biomedical Analysis (fall only) | 3 |
| Specialty Course 4 | 3 | |
| Specialty Course 4 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core GSS 5 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BMEN 302 | Professional Development and Ethics in Biomedical Engineering (spring only) | 2 |
| BMEN 340 | Biochemistry with Engineering Applications (spring only) | 4 |
| BMEN 363 | Biomedical Instrumentation (spring only) | 3 |
| Specialty Course 4 | 3 | |
| Specialty Course 4 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Biomedical Engineering Major Elective 6 | 3 | |
| Biomedical Engineering Major Elective 6 | 3 | |
| Specialty Course 4 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core VSR 5 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core GFL or Elective 7 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Biomedical Engineering Major Elective 6 | 3 | |
| Biomedical Engineering Major Elective 6 | 3 | |
| Specialty Course 4 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core CMS or Elective | 3 | |
| Carolina Core GFL or Elective (only if needed to meet CC or hours to graduate) | 0-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12-15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-127 | |
- 1
Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA.
- 2
Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses.
- 3
Students who place into MATH 115 will be required to successfully complete it before taking MATH 141.
- 4
Specialty Courses: Students must take 27 credit hours of specialty courses. Undergraduate courses that may be used to satisfy this requirement are: ACCT 222; ANTH 101 and above; BIOL 120 and above; CHEM (except CHEM 111/111L, 112/112L, 333/333L/331L); CLAS 220 and above; CRJU 101 and above; CYBR 390; CSCE higher than 106; ECHE 200 and above (except for ECHE 310); ECIV 200 and above; ECON 224; EDCE 210, 340, 350, 360; EDEX 205, 301, 523; EDFI 300, 361; EDLP 317; EDPY 401; EDTE 202, 218; ELCT 200 and above; EMCH 200 and above; ENCP 200 and above; ENGL 300 and above; ENHS 223 and above; ENTR 201, 301, 401, 501; ENVR 101 and above; EPID 349 and above; EXSC 191 and above (except EXSC 335 if used as Biomedical Elective); FINA 333; HGEN 400 and above; HPEB 300 and above; HSPM 401 and above; INDE 200 and above; ITEC 200 and above; MATH (except MATH 122); MGMT 371; MGSC 290; MKTG 350; MKTG 457; NSCI 300 and above; PEDU 302, 420, 520; PHIL 200 and above; PHYS 200 and above (except PHYS 101/101L, 102/102L, 151/151L, 155/155L, 201/201L); POLI 101 and above; PSYC 101 and above; PUBH 302 and above; SOCY 101 and above; SPCH 200 and above; STAT (except for STAT 201, 205, or 206); UNIV 101.
- 5
The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students.
- 6
Biomedical Engineering Major Electives (12 hours): BMEN 212, 263, 290, 342, 346, 389, 392, 499, 532, 537, 546, 547, 548, 565, 572, 575, 589; ECHE 430, ELCT 391; EMCH 580; EXSC 335.
- 7
Students in the College of Engineering & Computing are required to demonstrate proficiency in one foreign language equivalent to the 121 course by 1) a score of two or better on the foreign language placement test; or 2) completion of the 109 & 110 courses in FREN, GERM, LATN, or SPAN or completion of the 121 course in another foreign language. Students who do not place out of the GFL requirement may need to take additional hours to meet this requirement.
Program Notes:
- All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
- A student cannot repeat courses from the College of Engineering and Computing in which they earned a grade of C or better. In addition, a student cannot repeat any course from the College a second time. No more than four courses from the College of Engineering and Computing may be repeated in order to satisfy the requirements for any degree from the College, regardless of satisfactory work. For this purpose, withdrawal from a course with a grade of W is not regarded as enrollment in that course. A student that does not satisfactorily complete a degree-required College course within two attempts must change major or transfer out of the College of Engineering and Computing.
- The last 25% of a student’s degree must be completed in residence at the University, and at least half of the hours in the student’s major courses and in the student’s minor courses (if applicable) must be taken at the University.
- Disclaimer: Prerequisites on courses are subject to change. Please refer to Bulletin.