Biomedical Engineering, B.S.
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 (122-133 hours)
See College of Engineering and Computing for progression requirements and special academic opportunities.
Program of Study
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| 1. Carolina Core Requirements | 34-43 |
| 2. College Requirements | 0 |
| 3. Program Requirements | 55-58 |
| 4. Major Requirements | 33 |
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.
Requirements (122-133 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Carolina Core (34-43 hours) | ||
| CMW - Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written | ||
| ENGL 101 | Critical Reading and Composition 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Rhetoric and Composition | 3 |
| ARP - Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving 1 | ||
| MATH 141 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 142 | Calculus II | 4 |
| SCI - Scientific Literacy 1 | ||
| BIOL 101 & 101L | Biological Principles I and Biological Principles I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 111 & 111L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Lab | 4 |
| GFL - Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language | ||
| 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. | ||
| CC-GFL course(s) | 0-6 | |
| GHS - Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking | ||
| CC-GHS course(s) | 3 | |
| GSS - Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences | ||
| CC-GSS course(s) | 3 | |
| AIU - Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding | ||
| CC-AIU course(s) | 3 | |
| CMS - Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component 2 | ||
| CC-CMS course(s) | 0-3 | |
| INF - Information Literacy 2 | ||
| Rhetoric and Composition (overlay with CMW) | ||
| VSR - Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility 2 | ||
| CC-VSR course(s) | 0-3 | |
| 2. College Requirements (0 hours) | ||
| No college-required courses for this program. | ||
| 3. Program Requirements (55-58 hours) | ||
| Supporting Courses (55-58 hours) | ||
| Foundational Courses (18-19 hours): | ||
| 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 | |
| MATH 242 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 211 | Essentials of Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 211L | Essentials of Physics I Lab | 1 |
| STAT 509 | Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| Biomedical Engineering Electives (12 hours): | ||
| Select 12 hours from the following (no more than 3 hours may come from BMEN 499): 3 | ||
| Infectious Disease & Immunology for Biomedical Engineers | ||
| Medical Microbiology for Biomedical Engineers | ||
| Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering for Undergraduates | ||
| Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering | ||
| Independent Research | ||
| Micro/nanofluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip | ||
| Bio Nano/Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems | ||
| Delivery of Bioactive Agents | ||
| Immunoengineering | ||
| Cardiovascular System: From Development to Disease | ||
| Advanced Biomechanics | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Engineering of Soft Materials | ||
| Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Chemical Engineering Kinetics | ||
| Biometric Measurements in Healthcare and Wearables | ||
| Mechanics of Solid Biomaterials | ||
| Biomechanics of Human Movement | ||
| Program Electives (6 hours): | ||
| Select 6 hours from the following: | 6 | |
Any Biomedical Engineering Elective | ||
CSCE 200-level and above | ||
ECHE 300-level and above | ||
ELCT 300-level and above | ||
EMCH 300-level and above | ||
INDE 300-level and above | ||
| Biological Principles II | ||
| Biological Principles II Laboratory | ||
| Microbiology | ||
| Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Biology | ||
| Introduction to Environmental Biology Laboratory | ||
| Ecology and Evolution | ||
| Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory | ||
| Fundamental Genetics | ||
| Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | ||
| Advanced Human Physiology | ||
| Developmental Biology | ||
| Histology | ||
| Parasitology | ||
or ENHS 661 | Parasitology | |
or EPID 661 | Parasitology | |
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Genomics | ||
| Hallmarks of Cancer | ||
| Virology - Classical and Emerging Concepts | ||
| Immunobiology | ||
| Neurophysiology | ||
| Bioinformatics | ||
| Biotechnology | ||
| Experimental Biotechnology | ||
| Signal Transduction and Pathogenesis | ||
| Human Molecular Genetics | ||
| Molecular and Genetic Mechanisms of Disease Pathogenesis | ||
| Ultramicroscopy | ||
| Quantitative Analysis | ||
or CHEM 322 | Analytical Chemistry | |
| Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | ||
or CHEM 322L | Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | |
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | ||
| Elementary Biophysical Chemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry I: Thermodynamics and Kinetics | ||
| Physical Chemistry Laboratory I: Thermodynamics and Kinetics | ||
| Physical Chemistry II: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy | ||
| Physical Biochemistry | ||
| Biochemistry | ||
or BIOL 541 | Biochemistry | |
| Biochemistry Laboratory | ||
or BIOL 541L | Biochemistry Laboratory | |
| Algorithmic Design I | ||
| Introduction to Computer-Aided Design | ||
| Exercise Physiology | ||
| Impairments of the Human Motor System | ||
| Vector Calculus | ||
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
or MATH 526 | Numerical Linear Algebra | |
| Discrete Structures | ||
| Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| Nonlinear Optimization | ||
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Algebraic Structures I | ||
| Algebraic Structures II | ||
| Vector Analysis | ||
| Applied Complex Variables | ||
| Principles of Management | ||
| Introduction To Sales | ||
| Essentials of Physics II | ||
| Essentials of Physics II Lab | ||
| Mathematical Physics I | ||
| Mathematical Physics II | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Statistical Methods II | ||
| Nonparametric Statistical Methods | ||
| Sampling | ||
| Forecasting and Time Series | ||
or MGSC 520 | Forecasting and Time Series | |
| Financial Mathematics II | ||
| Statistical Quality Control | ||
or MGSC 525 | Statistical Quality Control | |
| Environmental Statistics | ||
| Applied Multivariate Statistics and Data Mining | ||
| Bayesian Networks and Decision Graphs | ||
or CSCE 582 | Bayesian Networks and Decision Graphs | |
| The Student in the University | ||
| Lower Division Engineering (19-21 hours): | ||
| BMEN 101 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering | 1-3 |
| or ENCP 101 | Introduction to Engineering | |
| BMEN 212 | Fundamentals of Biomedical Systems | 3 |
| BMEN 240 | Cellular and Molecular Biology with Engineering Applications | 4 |
| BMEN 271 | Introduction to Biomaterials | 3 |
| BMEN 340 | Biochemistry with Engineering Applications | 4 |
| BMEN 345 | Human Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineers | 4 |
| Major Requirements (33 hours) | ||
| Major Courses (33 hours) | ||
| BMEN 263 | Introduction to Biomechanics | 3 |
| BMEN 290 | Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems | 3 |
| BMEN 302 | Professional Development and Ethics in Biomedical Engineering | 2 |
| BMEN 321 | Biomonitoring and Electrophysiology | 3 |
| BMEN 354 | Biotransport | 3 |
| BMEN 363 | Biomedical Instrumentation | 3 |
| BMEN 381 | Biomedical Engineering Laboratory I | 2 |
| BMEN 382 | Biomedical Engineering Laboratory II | 2 |
| BMEN 391 | Kinetics in Biomolecular Systems | 3 |
| BMEN 411 | Modeling and Simulation of Biomedical Systems | 3 |
| BMEN 427 | Senior Biomedical Engineering Design I | 3 |
| BMEN 428 | Senior Biomedical Engineering Design II | 3 |
- 1
Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
- 2
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 must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.
- 3
BMEN courses numbered 700 and above may be used to satisfy this requirement, provided the student is admitted to an Accelerated Bachelor's/Graduate program.
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 141 | Calculus I 3 | 4 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 111L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| 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 |
| Credit Hours | 16-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 142 | Calculus II | 4 |
| BMEN 212 | Fundamentals of Biomedical Systems | 3 |
| PHYS 211 | Essentials of Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 211L | Essentials of Physics I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 112L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGL 102 | Rhetoric and Composition | 3 |
| BMEN 240 | Cellular and Molecular Biology with Engineering Applications (fall only) | 4 |
| MATH 242 | Elementary Differential Equations | 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 |
| STAT 509 | Statistics for Engineers | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BMEN 263 | Introduction to Biomechanics (spring only) | 3 |
| BMEN 290 | Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems (spring only) | 3 |
| BMEN 345 | Human Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineers (spring only) | 4 |
| Carolina Core AIU 4 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BMEN 271 | Introduction to Biomaterials (fall only) | 3 |
| BMEN 321 | Biomonitoring and Electrophysiology (fall only) | 3 |
| BMEN 381 | Biomedical Engineering Laboratory I (fall only) | 2 |
| Biomedical Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core GSS 4 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core CMS 4 | 0-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BMEN 302 | Professional Development and Ethics in Biomedical Engineering (spring only) | 2 |
| BMEN 340 | Biochemistry with Engineering Applications (spring only) | 4 |
| BMEN 354 | Biotransport (spring only) | 3 |
| BMEN 363 | Biomedical Instrumentation (spring only) | 3 |
| BMEN 382 | Biomedical Engineering Laboratory II (spring only) | 2 |
| Biomedical Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BMEN 427 | Senior Biomedical Engineering Design I (fall only) | 3 |
| BMEN 411 | Modeling and Simulation of Biomedical Systems (fall only) | 3 |
| BMEN 391 | Kinetics in Biomolecular Systems (fall only) | 3 |
| Biomedical Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Program Elective 6 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core GFL 7 | 0-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| BMEN 428 | Senior Biomedical Engineering Design II (spring only) | 3 |
| Program Elective 6 | 3 | |
| Biomedical Engineering Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core VSR 4 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core GHS 4 | 3 | |
| Carolina Core GFL 7 | 0-3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15-18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 122-133 | |
- 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
The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students.
- 5
Biomedical Engineering Electives (12 hours): BMEN 342, 346, 389, 392, 499, 532, 537, 546, 547, 548, 565, 572, 575, 589, ECHE 430; ELCT 391; EMCH 580, EXSC 335. At most 3 credit hours may come from BMEN 499. In addition, BMEN courses numbered 700 and above may be used to satisfy this requirement, provided the student is admitted to an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Graduate Program.
- 6
Program Electives (6 hours): The Program Elective may be satisfied by any Biomedical Engineering Elective, any CSCE course at a 200 level and above, as well as any ECHE, ELCT, EMCH, or INDE course at a 300 level and above, or any of the following: BIOL 102, 102L, 250, 250L, 270, 270L, 301, 302L, 303, 415, 460, 505, 530, 531 (or ENHS 661/EPID 661), 534, 553, 610, 612, 620, 635, 653, 655, 656, 662, 665, 667, 690; CHEM 321 or 322, 321L or 322L, 334, 332L, 340, 541, 541L, 542, 545, 550 (or BIOL 541), 550L (or BIOL 541L); CSCE 145, EMCH 111, EXSC 330, 562; MATH 241, 344 (or MATH 526), 374, 520, 524, 544, 546, 547, 550, 552; MGMT 371; MKTG 457; PHYS 212, 212L, 515, 516, 517; STAT 516, 518, 519, 520 (or MGSC 520), 523, 525 (or MGSC 525), 528, 530, 582 (or CSCE 582); UNIV 101 .
- 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.