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Department of Biomedical Engineering

Frequently Asked Questions

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 1. Are there any specific resources for more information about the BME major?

Information about the BME undergraduate program is on the BME web site at engineering.case.edu/ebme/. On the website you can find information about each of our four tracks, advising, notable accomplishments within the department and much more. If there are special questions, contact bmedept@case.edu

2. For a first-year student who is interested in a BME major but is not sure which track may interest them, what course strategy should be considered?

Consider taking EBME 105. All other courses should be those required for any engineering major. Do not take more than 18 credit hours.

3. Why BME 105 is optional?

EBME 105 is intended for students who would like a broader perspective of the field and are not sure which direction to take. If a student has a definite direction in mind, then it is not necessary.

4. Are there certain courses that a prospective BME major must have in his/her first semester?

In the first semester, the student should take required courses, depending on advance placement credit: MATH 121, 122, or 223; CHEM 111 or CHEM 145; ENGR 131 or PHYS 121 or PHYS 122; and SAGES.

5. If a student has credit for MATH 121 and/or MATH 122, should s/he proceed to the next calculus course or is it acceptable for him/her to delay resuming calculus if s/he so desires?

Student should continue with the next calculus course. If a student starts in an advanced math course and finds it too difficult, then the student should switch to a lower level course within the drop-add period.

6. If a student has credit for CHEM 111, should s/he proceed to ENGR 145 or is it advisable/acceptable for the student to take another course (e.g. PHYS 121 or a general education course) in place of CHEM 111 and resume chemistry in the spring semester? If the answer is yes, is there a recommended/preferred course other than ENGR 145?

Student with CHEM 111 credit could take ENGR 145, ENGR 131 or PHYS 121. For PHYS 121, it is recommended that students have credit for MATH 121.

7. If a student has credit for PHYS 121, should s/he proceed to PHYS 122 or is it advisable/acceptable for the student to take another course (e.g. ENGR 131 or a general education course) in place of PHYS 121 and resume physics in the spring semester? If the answer is yes, is there a recommended/preferred course other than PHYS 122?

Student could take ENGR 131. For PHYS 122, it is recommended that students have credit for MATH 122).

 8. Should all BME students take ENGR 131 (MATLAB) even though EECS 132 (JAVA) is required for the Biomedical Computing and Analysis track and advanced computer courses? 

All students need to know MATLAB programming, which is required for several required BME courses. Students who take EECS 132 can either take ENGR 131 or learn MATLAB independently.

9. What are the job opportunities after completing the degree? Do students need to have a graduate degree to land a reliable job?

Upon graduation 40% of our students attend medical school, 30% attend graduate school and 30% enter industry directly. Over the last 6 years we have a 96% placement rate, so students are able to find jobs and other opportunities post-graduation.

10. What is the challenging level of the curriculum? Do we have an average percentage of students completing the undergraduate course work in 4 years?

BME is typically considered one of the more difficult majors. However, the majority of our students do complete the program in four years (this does not include students who do a co-op). Students are able to complete a lot in four years. Some students opt to do double majors, some students opt to complete medical school requirements. The key is for students to engage early with their faculty advisor and plan their four year program accordingly.

11. Do we provide a co-op and internship program?

Top students have the opportunity to participate in the co-op program, usually at the end of the junior year (and following summer), or beginning of senior year (and previous summer). There is a dedicated co-op office that students need to apply to, and once their application is approved, they can then interview with a wide range of biomedical companies that are located all over the country including Phillips Medical, Boston Scientific and Medtronic.

 

Information about the BME curriculum and programs of study:

  • Students entering in the Fall of 2012 or later must follow the BME tracks 
  • Students entering before the Fall of 2012 may follow Sequences or BME tracks
  • For more information visit Curriculum Advising

 

Pre-Health Information

Students interested in securing employment upon obtaining the BS in BME are encouraged to pursue internships and cooperative education experiences as well as to consider a minor in a related engineering program as part of the undergraduate experience.

Students interested in learning more about dental or medical school should visit:
http://case.edu/ugstudies/pre-professional/pre-health.html