Academics

Engineers who understand biology and who can apply their knowledge and skills to improve human health are increasingly in demand. A professional degree in biomedical engineering (BME) will prepare students to fill this increasingly critical need.

Educational Goal
We expect to prepare students for professional practice in BME. Students in the program will acquire a broad perspective of the biomedical engineering discipline that complements their undergraduate training in engineering or science, and an in-depth knowledge of an essential area in biomedical engineering. Graduates will be equipped to design biomedical devices and develop therapeutic strategies within the bounds of health care economics, the needs of patients and physicians, the regulatory environment for medical devices and pharmaceuticals, and stringent ethical standards of biomedical engineering practice.

Expected Applicant Background
Students from a wide variety of backgrounds in engineering and science may obtain admission and are encouraged to apply.

All students will satisfy the following requirements:

• BS degree or equivalent in engineering or science
• Calculus-based physics (8 credits), mathematics starting with calculus (12 credits) and an introductory computer science course or equivalent
• Knowledge of molecular- and cellular-based biomedical engineering and engineering analysis of physiological systems at the level of BMEP 301, 302, 401, and 402. This knowledge can be demonstrated through appropriate undergraduate coursework or by passing a diagnostic exam before matriculation. Students lacking this background may need to complete additional courses (beyond the normal 30 credits) to demonstrate appropriate knowledge in these two subject areas. 
  
• MEng Program in Biomedical Engineering Admission Requirements for Cornell University Undergraduates and Early Admission Process
  

 Curriculum Requirements

• BMEP 550 – Product Engineering and Design in Biomedical Engineering – 3 credits
• BMEP 591 – BME Design Project – 3 to 6 credits
• BMEP 501 – Bioengineering Seminar – 1 credit
• Biomedical Engineering Foci (12 credits minimum)

Students must choose one of the three areas below as an area of concentration and demonstrate knowledge in the other two:

Biomedical Mechanics and Materials
Bioinstrumentation/Diagnostics
Drug Delivery and Cellular/Tissue Engineering

• Students with educational background in engineering or physics must demonstrate knowledge in: (a) biochemistry/genetics, and (b) physiology. Students with an educational background in biology need to have or gain knowledge in basic engineering courses associated with (a) biomechanics, (b) biomaterials, (c) drug delivery/tissue engineering, or (d) instrumentation.

The precise program requirements must be agreed upon by the student and the M.Eng. faculty coordinator.

Courses
Generally courses numbered 600 and 700 are for PhD students but are available to M.Eng. students (sometimes requiring instructor’s permission). Courses numbered 500 level are primarily for M.Eng. students. Classes at the 300 and 400 level are designed for juniors and seniors but may be taken by M.Eng. students with their advisor’s approval.

The M.Eng. Design Project
The M.Eng. project is a 3 to 6 credit project usually done over two terms. Students may work in teams. Emphasis is on design and typically involves an economic evaluation of a process or product. Projects may be generated by BME faculty, industrial colleagues, or clinicians in the Medical or Veterinary colleges. While it is often a “paper” study, it may involve laboratory projects to explore a new idea and may make a prototype of a device, produce CAD drawings, or design a process. It may be used to design procedures as well as devices. Development of instrumentation for laboratory experiments could be a possible project.

While students could elect to do a design project in a single semester (e.g., spring), we encourage students to work on the project over two terms. Consequently, we encourage students to select a project by mid-September.