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| Undergraduate Program |
The School of Biomedical Engineering, Sciences and Health Systems offers an innovative undergraduate degree program in Biomedical Engineering in partnership with the College of Engineering.
Biomedical Engineers Make a Difference
The biomedical engineering (B.M.E.) bachelor of science (B.S.) degree program prepares students to conceive, design, and develop devices and systems that improve human health and quality of life. Biomedical engineering integrates the life sciences and engineering education that underlie the development of cost-effective technology for health care, including medical devices and diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology
Graduates of the biomedical engineering B.S. program can go on to develop:
- Artificial skin for burn patients
- Ultrasound probes to accelerate wound healing
- Miniature pacemakers to prevent heart failure
- Functional artificial limbs for amputees
- Orthopedic implants for anatomical joint replacement
- Systems to enhance drug delivery
- New drugs with fewer side effects
- Medical imaging systems that make exploratory surgery obsolete
- Ultrasound imaging system to show parents three-dimensional images of their baby at its earliest stages
- Surgical lasers to battle diseases that cause blindness
- Intraocular lens implants for patients with cataracts
- Artificial retinas to correct blindness
- Incubators to safeguard premature infants
ACADEMIC ALLIANCES
The school enjoys close working relationships with select medical schools and institutes, health care institutions, and industries in the region that provide students with a broad array of research and employment opportunities. Drexel University recently entered into a merger with the former Allegheny medical school (a.k.a. MCP-Hahnemann) and launched several joint collaborative initiatives between the School of BME and the Drexel College of Medicine. One recent initiative of the School was to launch a Bioinformatics partnership with the Coriell Institute for Medical Research.
ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT
The School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems is a nationally recognized center for biomedical engineering education and research. Prior to the foundation of the new undergraduate program in Biomedical Engineering Science and Health Systems, an institute of Biomedical Engineering and Science administered Drexel's graduate program. The institute offered one of the oldest and most reputable graduate research programs of its kind in the US and worldwide. Ongoing research is focused on biomedical ultrasound, biomedical imaging, biomedical systems and signal processing, cardiovascular systems, biomechanics, biomaterials, and tissue and cellular engineering. New academic initiatives include biomedical sensors and optics, human performance, neuroengineering, bioinformatics and computational biomedicine, and health systems technologies. Active research is pursued in the Nano Technology Institute, Biomaterials Laboratory, Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Biomedical Signal Processing Laboratory, Calhoun Comparative Medicine Laboratory, Cardiovascular Laboratory, Chronobiology Research Laboratory, Imaging and Computer Vision Center, Scaling Signals and Systems Laboratory, Sensor / Bioelectrode Laboratory, and Ultrasound Laboratories.
DREXEL CO-OP: "THE ULTIMATE INTERNSHIP®"
The Drexel plan of Cooperative Education ("Co-op") enables the undergraduate student to balance classroom theory with practical experience prior to graduation. The Drexel Co-op program alternates classroom study with periods of paid professional employment to prepare students to work in industry and to adapt to rapid changes in the work environment.
CO-OP AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Metropolitan Philadelphia has one of the highest concentrations of medical institutions, pharmaceutical industries, and biotechnology industries in the nation. The bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering gives access to a broad range of career opportunities. These opportunities exist in such industries as medical device development, prosthetics, orthotics and assist technology for persons with disabilities, biomaterials and implants technology, as well as telemedicine and telesurgery, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and agriculture. Biomedical engineering graduates are also ideally prepared for pre-professional education in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and law. Those who choose to pursue graduate education can aim for careers in research and development, biomedical technology innovation and transfer, as well as health care technology management and of course, basic science and higher education.
COURSE WORK
The Drexel Engineering Curriculum (tDEC)
During the first two years, undergraduate biomedical engineering students are enrolled in the Drexel Engineering Curriculum (tDEC) developed by the College of Engineering. Since its institutionalization in 1994, tDEC has served as a national model for integrated lower division engineering curricula and has established Drexel as a leader in engineering education innovation. Its success culminated in the evolution of the upper division engineering curricula, which was developed under the auspices of the Gateway Engineering Education Coalition, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and composed of 10 major academic institutions led by Drexel University. Reaching beyond curricular innovation to the human dimension of learning, educational methods, and assessment tools, the Gateway project has set in motion an academic culture change that has provided a framework for curricular integration and a launching pad for exciting interdisciplinary programs.
The Major in Biomedical Engineering
The undergraduate biomedical engineering curriculum is designed to create a balance between academic breadth in biomedical engineering and specialization in more specific focus areas. Advanced senior courses or sequences are offered in areas such as neuroengineering, biomedical imaging, biosensors, biomaterials, biomechanics, tissue engineering, bioinformatics, and biomedical signals. Such courses / sequences enable students to specialize in the more specific focus areas.
Following the tDEC / Gateway model, the program provides innovative experiences in hands-on experimentation and engineering design, as well as opportunities for personal growth and development of leadership and communication skills. Working with a faculty advisor, students can select their core courses, and can choose elective courses from the curricula offered by the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems, as well as courses offered by the various departments in the College of Medicine, College of Arts and Science, College of Engineering, and the College of Information Science and Technology.
Read more about Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering Program Objectives.
SAMPLE COURSE SEQUENCE
Freshman Year (Terms 1, 2, 3)
Chemical and Biological Foundations of Engineering I (3 Credits)
University Seminar (1 Credits)
Engineering Design and Laboratory I (4 Credits)
Mathematical Foundations of Engineering (3 Credits)
Physical Foundations of Engineering I (3 Credits)
Humanities and Communication I (3 Credits)
Chemical and Biological Foundations of Engineering II (3 Credits)
Engineering Design and Laboratory II (3 Credits)
Mathematical Foundations of Engineering II (3 Credits)
Physical Foundations of Engineering II (3 Credits)
Humanities and Communication II (3 Credits)
University Seminar (1 Credits)
Chemical and Biological Foundations of Engineering III (3 Credits)
Engineering Design and Laboratory III (3 Credits)
Mathematical Foundations of Engineering III (3 Credits)
Physical Foundations of Engineering III (3 Credits)
Humanities and Communication III (3 Credits)
Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (2 Credits)
Engineering Principles of Physiology I (3 Credits)
Materials I (3 Credits)
Systems I (3 Credits)
Energy I (3 Credits)
Evaluation and Presentation of Experimental Data I (4 Credits)
Engineering Principles of Physiology II (3 Credits)
Materials II (3 Credits)
Systems II (3 Credits)
Energy II (3 Credits)
Evaluation and Presentation of Experimental Data II (3 Credits)
Interdisciplinary Courses* (4 required, 3-4 Credits Ea.)
BME Core Courses* (8 Required, 3-4 Credits Ea.)
BME Laboratories (4 Required, 2 Credits Ea.)
Liberal Studies Electives (3 Credits)
Biomedical Ethics & Law (3 Credits) Senior Year
Senior Project Design (8 Credits Total)
BME Core Electives* (3 Required, 3 Credits Ea.)
BME Professional Electives* (2 Required, 3 Credits Ea.)
Liberal Studies Electives (3 Required, 3 Credits Ea.)
Free Electives (6 Credits)
* Working with a faculty advisor, biomedical engineering majors can satisfy the interdisciplinary courses and biomedical engineering core and professional elective requirements by selecting from the following list of courses or sequences.
Recommended Interdisciplinary Courses include:
- Engineering Biotechnology
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Evolutionary Systems
- Complex Physiological Systems
- Case-Study: The Body Synthetic
- Case-Study: The Living Engine
Click here to view the Undergraduate Check-off Sheets (Templates).
ACADEMIC OPTIONS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Pre-med, pre-dental, and pre-vet options; minor/major and dual degrees with other engineering and science disciplines; as well as accelerated BS/MS, BS/PhD, and BS/MD programs are available for qualified students.
* Preprofessional Programs
The Biomedical Engineering BS program provides options for pre-medical, pre-dentistry, and pre-veterinary education. Students who want to prepare for admission into schools of medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine may obtain professional counseling and assistance from the following preprofessional health and pre-law counselors:
- Preprofessional Advising: Prehealth (medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine) Tom Coyne
- Pre-law Grant Keener
Email: tcoyne@drexel.edu
Phone: 215.895.2437
Special Program with Drexel's College of Medicine: Early Assurance Program
Email: grant.w.keener@drexel.edu
Phone: 215.895.1632
* Minor/Major Programs; Double Major Programs; BS/MS Program
Biomedical engineering students can minor in another engineering or science discipline. A double major option is also available with other engineering disciplines. Qualified students can also enroll in the accelerated combined BS/MS program and complete their BS and MS degrees in 5 years. The BS/MS program allows students to earn an MS degree in either a single major or two different majors of engineering. For example: BS in Materials Engineering and MS in Biomedical Engineering.
University Honors
Program Students in the Biomedical Engineering program may apply for admission to DrexelÕs Pennoni Honors College. Admission depends on superior academic performance at Drexel and may be approved after a personal interview with the Honors Committee. For additional information please refer to http://www.drexel.edu/honors/current/index.html.
| Bachelor's/Master's Dual Degreee Program |
The five-year completion period is possible because fewer undergraduate credits are required for the combined degrees (180 instead of 192). Also, co-op experience may be adjusted (two co-op periods instead of three) giving the BS/MS student two additional quarters to take courses. If needed, students may also take evening courses while on co-op.
The program combines the practical work experience of Drexel undergraduate cooperative education with the graduate credentials of an advanced degree. Students may earn both degrees in the same major, or may complete their master's degree in a different field. With both an undergraduate and graduate degree and practical work experience, BS/MS graduates enter the work force with specialized knowledge and training.
The School of Biomed BS/MS degree policy can be viewed at the following links:
Summary Highlights of the New Combined BS/MS Degree for the School of Biomed
Combined BS/MS Degree for the School of Biomed (Detailed Policy Version)
BS/MS Research Petition Policy and Form
Tuition and Financial Aid
For informataion on tuition billing and financial aid, please see the section titled "Billing and Financial Aid" on the University's "Academic Policies – Accelerated Programs" web page at the following link:
http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/accelerated_programs.html
Eligibility
Exceptional students with a cumulative grade point average of greater than 3.2 and who are enrolled as five-year co-op students are eligible for the program. Students formally apply for the program after they have completed 90 credits and before completion of 120 credits. Students are encouraged to begin planning as early as freshman year. Students who have completed more than 120 credits are not eligible.
Transfer Students
Transfer students are eligible to join the BS/MS program. However, they must be able to complete both the bachelor' and master's programs in the time it would take them to complete the bachelor's degree alone. The co-op requirement for the transfer students may be adjusted up the approval of the academic Dean and the Co-op Office.
Transfer students must be enrolled at Drexel for at least two terms prior to being accepted into the BS/MS program and must have a Drexel GPA of al least 3.2 to be eligible. In addition, past academic performance at previous institutions will be considered. Transfer students may not be accepted to the BS/MS program with more than 120 credits.
International transfer students must have at least the required minimum TOEFL score for their graduate program of study to be admitted to the BS/MS program. If their TOEFL scores do not meet the required minimum, they must make arrangements to retake to TOEFL through Drexel's English Language Program. An additional term of English language study may be required.
Application Process
All BS/MS applicants must formally apply to the program at prescribed times. Applications are available in the Office of Graduate Admissions from the Graduate Advisor. The application is accompanied by a Plan of Study prepared in consultation with an undergraduate and graduate department advisors. The selected students are automatically placed in the non-thesis option. Once selected for the non-thesis option, BS/MS students can petition to participate in the thesis option. Only biomedical engineering undergraduates can study for the BS/MS non-thesis option. The thesis option is open to undergraduates from other academic units.
Requirements
Students enrolled in the non-thesis BS/MS dual degree program must complete 231 overall credits, including 51 graduate credits, which may include a maximum of 3 research credits. Students enrolled in the thesis BS/MS dual degree program must complete 225 overall credits, including 45 graduate credits, which may include a maximum of 6 research credits. The thesis option students have the choice of completing the senior design course sequence concurrent to their MS thesis research; however, it is not a requirement. This condition must be approved by the research advisor and the academic advisor. The thesis option degree requirements may also be satisfied by achieving a publication in a refereed journal as the first author. This achievement precludes a faculty examining committee, a written thesis manuscript and a public defense of the research. The publication must be formally approved by the research advisor and the academic advisor. Students enrolled in the BS/MS program must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in their undergraduate and graduate coursework to remain in the program.
Advising
Students in the BS/Ms dual degree program must work closely with a faculty member to make sure that they are following their plan of study and progressing appropriately. Drexel ensures that each student has an academic and research advisor for the program.
Contact
For more information about the program, please contact:
Dr. Fred Allen
Email: fdallen@drexel.edu
Phone: 215.895.1812
Last Revised 11/8/2007
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Phone 215.895.2215 | Fax 215.895.4983 | Email biomed@drexel.edu |
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| ©2005 School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems. All rights reserved. Terms of Use & Disclaimer | Last Modified: 11/25/2008 |