Course Requirements

The following core curriculum is required for students entering the graduate program with an undergraduate degree in a physical science or a traditional engineering discipline and that have not had training in the life sciences and/or biomedical engineering. Students that have taken substantially similar courses as undergraduates, students with BS degrees in Biomedical Engineering for example, must select approved alternate courses to fulfill these requirements. Substitute courses must be chosen with the guidance and approval of the departmental track advisor. The plan of study must ultimately be approved by the research supervisory committee and the director of graduate studies. General guidelines for core course substitutions are provided below.

Prerequisites

The bioengineering core courses build upon prerequisite material introduced in undergraduate biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. Students are expected to be familiar with the material covered in the following textbooks prior to enrolling in graduate bioengineering program:

Students that are not familiar with this prerequisite material are strongly encouraged to study the textbooks and/or take appropraite undergraduate courses prior to enrolling in the graduate program. Additional information is avialble through consultation with one of the departmental graduate advisors.

Prerequisites vary by course. Introductory molecular cell biology, physiology, physics, organic chemistry, differential equations and linear algebra are prerequisites for some courses. Students deficient in one or more of these areas should consult with their departmental track advisor and individual course instructors to determine an appropriate course of action.

Course Substitution Guidelines

Students with BS in Physical Sciences / Traditional Engineering

Students entering the program with a B.S. in the physical sciences (physics, chemistry, mathematics) or traditional engineering (electrical, chemical, computer, materials, mechanical) often have little training in the life sciences. Independent self study and/or prerequisite coursework may be required prior to enrolling in the Physiology Fundamentals core courses. Students in this category should take all three courses in the Physiology Fundamentals (9 cr rather than 6 cr). It is rare for advisors to approve core curriculum substitutions for students in this group.

Students with BS in Bioengineering or Biomedical Engineering

Students entering the program with a B.S. in bioengineering or biomedical engineering often have completed introductory courses similar to the Physiology Fundamentals and the Bioengineering Fundamentals core. These students must choose approved alternate life science and engineering courses to fulfill the core credit hour requirements. Considerable flexibility will be allowed in choosing alternate courses to fit the student's background and research interests. Students with a Biomedical Engineering B.S. from the University of Utah must substitute advanced elective 6000+ engineering courses for the 6 credit hour Bioengineering Fundamentals requirement. They must also substitute an approved life science course for Bioen 6050.

Students with BS in Life Sciences / Biology

Students entering the program with a B.S. in biology or another life science sometimes have little training in physics, mathematics and engineering. Independent self study and/or prerequisite coursework should be considered before enrolling in the Bioengineering Fundamentals core courses. Students in this category should take at least three of the Bioengineering Fundamentals core courses (8 cr rather than 6 cr).