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Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Engineering | Heersink School of Medicine

Major Requirements

Full course requirements, admissions information, course descriptions, and a suggested four-year plan of study for the BME major can be found in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.

The bachelor’s degree program is accredited by ABET, the Engineering Accreditation Commission, and is the only accredited BME undergraduate program in Alabama. Learn more about our education objectives and student outcomes.

Forrest Satterfield, an attendee at the Clinton Global Initiative University summit, in a BME lab.

Program Overview

When you major in Biomedical Engineering you will take engineering core courses, mathematics, calculus-based physics, biology, chemistry, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, biomedical engineering core courses, and electives. Your studies will culminate in a capstone design experience — you'll be a member of an interdisciplinary team solving real-world engineering problems.

Concentrations

After you have become familiar with the field and are taking adanced-level classes, you can choose to concentrate in three areas:

  • Biomechanics — the study of how internal and external forces interact with living tissue to influence structure and function. Biomechanical engineers are involved in implantable device design, studies of cell function in response to applied forces, device design for rehabilitation and therapy, and other areas. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Biomaterials — the study of how synthetic or natural materials are used in constructing artificial organs and tissues as well as how devices or prostheses interact with living tissue. Biomaterials are critical to the performance of everything to orthopedic implants to tissue engineered vascular grafts. For information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Tissue Engineering — the practice of combining scaffolds, cells, and biologically active molecules into functional tissues. The goal of tissue engineering is to assemble functional constructs that restore, maintain, or improve damaged tissues or whole organs. Artificial skin and cartilage are examples of engineered tissues that have been approved by the FDA. For information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Admission to the BME Program

You must meet minimum ACT/SAT scores and high-school GPA requirements to be admitted directly into the program. These minimums are listed in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.