Biomedical Engineering, Additional Major
Additional Major in Biomedical Engineering (BME)
Overview
Students who elect Biomedical Engineering (BME) as a major must also declare a major in one of the traditional engineering disciplines: Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering. The Biomedical Engineering additional major program takes advantage of curricular overlaps between Biomedical Engineering and traditional engineering majors, such that the additional major can be completed in four years with only a modest increase in course requirements. The requirements for Biomedical Engineering consist of the core, the tracks, and the capstone design course. The core exposes students to basic facets of biomedical engineering to lay a foundation. The tracks allow students to build depth in a specific aspect of biomedical engineering. The capstone design engages students in teamwork to develop real-world applications. The additional major in Biomedical Engineering should be declared at the same time when declaring a traditional engineering major or by the second semester of the first year.
Program Requirements
Student majoring in Biomedical Engineering must meet three sets of requirements: 1) Biomedical Engineering 2) Traditional engineering discipline 3) CIT General Education sequence. The Quality Point Average (QPA) for courses that count toward the additional major must be 2.00 or higher. No course taken on a pass/fail or audit basis may be counted toward the additional major.
Minimum units required for additional major (BME Core + Track Courses)93-102
BME Core courses
All core courses are required.
| Units | ||
| 03-121 | Modern Biology | 9 |
| or 03-151 | Honors Modern Biology | |
| 42-101 | Introduction to Biomedical Engineering | 12 |
| 42-201 | Professional Issues in Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| 42-202 | Physiology | 9 |
| 42-203 | Biomedical Engineering Laboratory * | 9 |
| 42-302 | Biomedical Engineering Systems Modeling and Analysis | 9 |
| 42-401 | Foundation of BME Design ** | 6 |
| 42-402 | BME Design Project | 9 |
| Total units of BME Core courses | 66 | |
- *
Also known as 03-206 for Health Professions Program students.
- **
42-401 serves as the precursor/pre-requisite for 42-402 BME Design Project.
Track courses
Completion of one track is required. See Tracks for BME/BMT Major.
| Units | ||
| 42-XXX | Track Core course from the selected track | 9-12 |
| XX-XXX | Track Core or Track Elective course from the selected track | 9-12 |
| XX-XXX | Track Core or Track Elective course from the selected track | 9-12 |
| Total units of Track courses | 27-36 | |
Biomechanics (BMEC) Track
OVERVIEW
The Biomechanics track addresses the application of solid or fluid mechanics to biological and medical systems. It provides quantitative understanding of the mechanical behavior of molecules, cells, tissues, organs, and whole organisms. The field has seen a wide range of applications from the optimization of tissue regeneration to the design of surgical and rehabilitation devices.
TARGETS
This track is ideally suited to the combined education of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering or Civil & Environmental Engineering. Both provide the necessary foundation in the underlying physical principles and their non-Biomedical Engineering applications. This track may also appeal to students of Electrical & Computer Engineering who are interested in biomedical robotics. Education in biomechanics enables students to pursue careers in medical devices or rehabilitation engineering.
REQUIREMENTS
Students in this track must take the following combination of three courses:
- One (1) BMEC Track Core course
- Two (2) BMEC Track Core or Track Elective courses
BMEC Track Core courses (must take at least one of the following)
| Units | ||
| 42-649/24-664 | Introduction to Biomechanics | 12 |
| 42-648/24-612 | Cardiovascular Mechanics | 12 |
| 42-691/24-663 | Special Topics: Biomechanics of Human Movement | 12 |
| 42-697 | Special Topics: Orthopedic Tissue Mechanics | 12 |
BMEC Track Elective courses
| 42-444 | Medical Devices | 9 |
| 42-640/24-658 | Image-Based Computational Modeling and Analysis | 12 |
| 42-641 | Rehabilitation Engineering | 9 |
| 42-662 | Special Topics: Human Factors for Medical Device Development | 9 |
| 42-696/24-665 | Special Topics: Wearable Health Technologies | 12 |
| 16-868 | Biomechanics & Motor Control | 12 |
| 16-879 | Medical Robotics | 12 |
| 42-X00 | BME Research* or 39-500 CIT Honors Research Project* or 42-6XX Clinical Course (Surgery for Engineers or ICU Medicine) | 9-12 |
- *
The 42-X00 research project (42-200/300/400 Sophomore/Junior/Senior Biomedical Engineering Research Project OR 39-500 Honors Research Project) must be on a BME topic that is aligned to the track, supervised or co-supervised by a BME faculty member, and conducted for 9 or more units of credit.
Some Special Topics and newly offered or intermittently offered courses may be acceptable as track electives. Students should consult with their BME advisors and petition the BME Undergraduate Affairs Committee for permission to include such courses as track electives. The course petition form can be found here.
Biomedical Computation and Modeling (BCAM) Track
OVERVIEW
The Biomedical Computation and Modeling track integrates computational methods, data analytics, and engineering principles to analyze complex biomedical data and develop predictive models of biological and physiological systems. Students learn to apply mathematical modeling, data analysis, machine learning, and computational techniques to interpret biomedical data, understand biological processes, simulate physiological function, and support biomedical research and clinical decision-making. The development and application of computational models and data-driven approaches for biomedical and healthcare applications require interdisciplinary training in engineering, computational methods, data science, mathematics, and the life sciences.
TARGETS
This track aligns naturally with a combined education of Biomedical Engineering and any primary major with a strong computational and numerical foundation. Students in this track develop expertise in computational modeling, data analytics, machine learning, and the quantitative analysis of biomedical systems. These skills prepare graduates for careers in biomedical data science, computational biomedical engineering, healthcare AI, and related fields.
REQUIREMENTS
Students in this track must take the following combination of three courses:
- One (1) BCAM Track Core course
- Two (2) BCAM Track Core or Track Elective courses
BCAM Track Core courses (must take at least one of the following)
| 42-656 | Introduction to Machine Learning for Biomedical Engineers | 9 |
| 42-671 | Special Topics: Precision Medicine for Biomedical Engineers | 9 |
| 42-640/24-658 | Image-Based Computational Modeling and Analysis | 12 |
| 42-648/24-612 | Cardiovascular Mechanics | 12 |
| 42-675 | Fundamentals of Computational Biomedical Engineering | 12 |
BCAM Track Elective courses
| 42-630 | Introduction to Neural Engineering | 12 |
| 42-631 | Neural Data Analysis | 12 |
| 42-632 | Neural Signal Processing | 12 |
| 42-633 | Brain-Computer Interface: Principles and Applications | 12 |
| 42-650 | Introduction to Biomedical Imaging | 9 |
| 42-651 | "Fun"-damentals of MRI and Neuroimaging Analysis | 9 |
| 42-655 | Biostatistics | 9 |
| 42-696/24-665 | Special Topics: Wearable Health Technologies | 12 |
| 42-697 | Special Topics: Orthopedic Tissue Mechanics | 12 |
| 42-698 | Special Topics: Machine Learning Applications in Experimental BME Research | 12 |
| 02-512 | Computational Methods for Biological Modeling and Simulation | 9 |
| 06-663 | Analysis and Modeling of Transport Phenomena | 12 |
| 15-386 | Neural Computation | 9 |
| 42-X00 | BME Research* or 39-500 CIT Honors Research Project* or 42-6XX Clinical Course (Surgery for Engineers or ICU Medicine) | 9-12 |
- *
The 42-X00 research project (42-200/300/400 Sophomore/Junior/Senior Biomedical Engineering Research Project OR 39-500 Honors Research Project) must be on a BME topic that is aligned to the track, supervised or co-supervised by a BME faculty member, and conducted for 9 or more units of credit.
Some Special Topics and newly offered or intermittently offered courses may be acceptable as track electives. Students should consult with their BME advisors and petition the BME Undergraduate Affairs Committee for permission to include such courses as track electives. The course petition form can be found here.
Biomedical Devices (BMDV) Track
OVERVIEW
The Biomedical Devices track studies design, construction, and testing of devices at the interface of medicine and engineering. The topics include biomedical sensors, actuators, diagnostic devices, therapeutic devices, instruments, systems, and fundamental topics of device material, device fabrication, and device interaction with biological cells, tissues and organs. This track will prepare students for leaders in the biomedical device industry and for further education in graduate/medical schools.
TARGETS
This track will prepare students to be leaders in the biomedical device industry and for further education in graduate/medical schools. It is ideal for students interested in combining the education of Biomedical Engineering with Electrical and Computer Engineering, or with Mechanical Engineering, or with Materials Science & Engineering.
REQUIREMENTS
Students in this track must take the following combination of three courses:
- One (1) BMDV Track Core course
- Two (2) BMDV Track Core or Track Elective courses
BMDV Track Core courses (must take at least one of the following)
| 42-660 | Bioinstrumentation | 12 |
| 42-662 | Special Topics: Human Factors for Medical Device Development | 9 |
| 42-664/18-418 | Micro/Nano Biomedical Devices | 12 |
BMDV Track Elective courses
| 42-433 | Neural Technology: Sensing and Stimulation | 12 |
| 42-444 | Medical Devices | 9 |
| 42-611/27-709 | Biomaterials | 12 |
| 42-616/27-514 | Bio-nanotechnology: Principles and Applications | 9 |
| 42-630 | Introduction to Neural Engineering | 12 |
| 42-633 | Brain-Computer Interface: Principles and Applications | 12 |
| 42-641 | Rehabilitation Engineering | 9 |
| 42-648/24-612 | Cardiovascular Mechanics | 12 |
| 42-650 | Introduction to Biomedical Imaging | 9 |
| 42-652/18-416 | Nano-Bio-Photonics | 12 |
| 42-675 | Fundamentals of Computational Biomedical Engineering | 12 |
| 42-678 | Medical Device Innovation and Realization | 12 |
| 42-696/24-665 | Special Topics: Wearable Health Technologies | 12 |
| 16-467 | Introduction to Human Robot Interaction | 12 |
| 16-879 | Medical Robotics | 12 |
| 42-X00 | BME Research* or 39-500 CIT Honors Research Project* or 42-6XX Clinical Course (Surgery for Engineers or ICU Medicine) | 9 |
- *
The 42-X00 research project (42-200/300/400 Sophomore/Junior/Senior Biomedical Engineering Research Project OR 39-500 Honors Research Project) must be on a BME topic that is aligned to the track, supervised or co-supervised by a BME faculty member, and conducted for 9 or more units of credit.
Some Special Topics and newly offered or intermittently offered courses may be acceptable as track electives. Students should consult with their BME advisors and petition the BME Undergraduate Affairs Committee for permission to include such courses as track electives. The course petition form can be found here.
Neuroengineering and Biomedical Imaging (NEBI) Track
Note: This track combines the Biomedical Signal and Image Processing (BSIP) and Neuroengineering (Neuro) tracks together. Students entered CMU prior to Fall 2026 may switch to this track.
OVERVIEW
Students in the Neuroengineering and Biomedical Imaging track may choose to focus on neuroengineering, biomedical imaging, or both. They will develop an understanding of the technologies used to acquire biomedical images, the mathematical principles underlying image processing and analysis, methods for monitoring and modulating the nervous system, and computational approaches for analyzing neural data. Research areas include the development of advanced biomedical imaging systems, neuroengineering technologies for neural sensing, interfacing, and modulation, as well as computational methods for interpreting neural signals. Representative applications include brain–computer interfaces for individuals with paralysis, neural stimulation devices for sensory and motor prostheses, tools for basic neuroscience research, and advanced neural recording and imaging technologies.
TARGETS
This track aligns most synergistically with a combined education of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering, which lays a solid foundation in biomedical image acquisition and analysis, neural sensing and interfacing, neural signal processing, and neurotechnology development. This track prepares students for careers in medical imaging, brain-computer interfaces and/or smart prosthetics. It also interfaces with many clinical practices including radiology, neurology/neurosurgery, and pathology.
REQUIREMENTS
Students in this track must take the following combination of three courses:
- One (1) NEBI Track Core course
- Two (2) NEBI Track Core or Track Elective courses
NEBI Track Core courses (must take at least one of the following)
| 42-630 | Introduction to Neural Engineering | 12 |
| 42-631 | Neural Data Analysis | 12 |
| 42-632 | Neural Signal Processing | 12 |
| 42-633 | Brain-Computer Interface: Principles and Applications | 12 |
| 42-650 | Introduction to Biomedical Imaging | 9 |
| 42-651 | "Fun"-damentals of MRI and Neuroimaging Analysis | 9 |
NEBI Track Elective courses
| 42-433 | Neural Technology: Sensing and Stimulation | 12 |
| 42-437 | Biomedical Optical Imaging | 9 |
| 42-640/24-658 | Image-Based Computational Modeling and Analysis | 12 |
| 42-641 | Rehabilitation Engineering | 9 |
| 42-652/18-416 | Nano-Bio-Photonics | 12 |
| 42-656 | Introduction to Machine Learning for Biomedical Engineers | 9 |
| 42-660 | Bioinstrumentation | 12 |
| 42-675 | Fundamentals of Computational Biomedical Engineering | 12 |
| 42/86-783 | Neural Engineering Laboratory | 12 |
| 15-386 | Neural Computation | 9 |
| 16-725 | (Bio)Medical Image Analysis | 12 |
| XX-XXX | 18-370 Fundamentals of Control or 18-460 Optimization or 18-491 Digital Signal Processing or 16-720 Computer Vision | 12 |
| 42-X00 | BME Research* or 39-500 CIT Honors Research Project* or 42-6XX Clinical Course (Surgery for Engineers or ICU Medicine) | 9-12 |
- *
The 42-X00 research project (42-200/300/400 Sophomore/Junior/Senior Biomedical Engineering Research Project OR 39-500 Honors Research Project) must be on a BME topic that is aligned to the track, supervised or co-supervised by a BME faculty member, and conducted for 9 or more units of credit.
Some Special Topics and newly offered or intermittently offered courses may be acceptable as track electives. Students should consult with their BME advisors and petition the BME Undergraduate Affairs Committee for permission to include such courses as track electives. The course petition form can be found here.
Tissue and Cell Biotherapeutics (TCB) Track
OVERVIEW
The Tissue and Cell Biotherapeutics track addresses issues at the interface of materials science, biology and engineering. The topics include the interactions between materials and cells or tissues, the effects of such interactions on cells and tissues, the design of materials for biological applications, and the engineering of new tissues. It emphasizes fundamentals and applications of biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, material science, and processes on the nanometer to centimeter size scale. Students in this track acquire an understanding of the molecular and cellular bases of life processes and build skills in quantitative modeling of biological mass transport, drug delivery, and live cell-based biotechnologies and in technologies that exploit the unique properties of biomolecules and materials in non-biological settings.
TARGETS
This track is ideal for students interested in combining the education of Biomedical Engineering with Materials Science & Engineering or with Chemical Engineering. The track may also interest students in Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Engineering who have an interest in molecular aspects of Biomedical Engineering. It provides the necessary foundation in chemistry, molecular processing, and/or materials science. Students of this track may develop careers in biotechnology, tissue engineering, biopharmaceuticals, biosensors, drug delivery, and biological aspects of environmental engineering.
REQUIREMENTS
Students in this track must take the following combination of three courses:
- One (1) TCB Track Core course
- Two (2) TCB Track Core or Track Elective courses
TCB Track Core courses (must take one of the following)
| 42-611/27-709 | Biomaterials | 12 |
| 42-612/27-520 | Tissue Engineering | 12 |
| 42-620 | Engineering Molecular Cell Biology | 12 |
| 42-624 | Biological Transport and Drug Delivery | 9 |
TCB Track Elective courses
| 42-613/27-570 | Polymeric Biomaterials | 12 |
| 42-616/27-514 | Bio-nanotechnology: Principles and Applications | 9 |
| 42-618 | Nanoscale Manufacturing Using Structural DNA Nanotechnology | 12 |
| 42-626/06-634 | Drug Delivery Systems | 9 |
| 42-667 | Biofabrication and Bioprinting | 12 |
| 42-671 | Special Topics: Precision Medicine for Biomedical Engineers | 9 |
| 42-695 | Special Topics: Engineering Protein Therapeutics | 12 |
| 42/06-722 | Bioprocess Design | 12 |
| 03-320 | Cell Biology | 9 |
| or 03-232 | Biochemistry I | |
| 06-685 | Bioseparations and Bioprocess Analytical Technologies | 12 |
| 42-X00 | BME Research* or 39-500 CIT Honors Research Project* or 42-6XX Clinical Course (Surgery for Engineers or ICU Medicine) | 9-12 |
- *
The 42-X00 research project (42-200/300/400 Sophomore/Junior/Senior Biomedical Engineering Research Project OR 39-500 Honors Research Project) must be on a BME topic that is aligned to the track, supervised or co-supervised by a BME faculty member, and conducted for 9 or more units of credit.
Some Special Topics and newly offered or intermittently offered courses may be acceptable as track electives. Students should consult with their BME advisors and petition the BME Undergraduate Affairs Committee for permission to include such courses as track electives. The course petition form can be found here.
Biomedical Signal and Image Processing (BSIP) Track
Note: This track is not offered to Classes of 2030+
OVERVIEW
The Biomedical Signal and Image Processing track addresses biomedical phenomena based on the information embedded in sensor-detected signals, including digital images and nerve electrical pulses. Students in this track will gain an understanding of the technologies involved in acquiring signals and images, the mathematical principles underlying the processing and analysis of signals, and the applications of signal/image processing methods in basic research and medicine.
TARGETS
This track aligns most naturally with a combined education of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering, which lays a solid foundation in signal processing principles. This track prepares students for careers in medical imaging or smart prosthetics. It also interfaces with many clinical practices including radiology, neurology/neurosurgery, and pathology.
REQUIREMENTS
Students in this track must take the following combination of three courses:
- One (1) BSIP Track Core course
- Two (2) BSIP Track Core or Track Elective courses
BSIP Track Core courses (must take at least one of the following)
| 42-650 | Introduction to Biomedical Imaging | 9 |
| 42-651 | "Fun"-damentals of MRI and Neuroimaging Analysis | 9 |
| 42-631 | Neural Data Analysis | 12 |
| 42-632 | Neural Signal Processing | 12 |
BSIP Track Elective courses
| 42-437 | Biomedical Optical Imaging | 9 |
| 42-640/24-658 | Image-Based Computational Modeling and Analysis | 12 |
| 42-652/18-416 | Nano-Bio-Photonics | 12 |
| 42-656 | Introduction to Machine Learning for Biomedical Engineers | 9 |
| 42-660 | Bioinstrumentation | 12 |
| 42-675 | Fundamentals of Computational Biomedical Engineering | 12 |
| 16-725 | (Bio)Medical Image Analysis | 12 |
| 18-491 | Digital Signal Processing ** | 12 |
| 42-X00 | BME Research* or 39-500 CIT Honors Research Project* or 42-6XX Clinical Course (Surgery for Engineers or ICU Medicine) | 9-12 |
- *
The 42-X00 research project (42-200/300/400 Sophomore/Junior/Senior Biomedical Engineering Research Project OR 39-500 Honors Research Project) must be on a BME topic that is aligned to the track, supervised or co-supervised by a BME faculty member, and conducted for 9 or more units of credit.
- **
Students make take either 18-491 Fundamentals of Signal Processing OR 18-792 Advanced Digital Signal Processing (but not both)
Some Special Topics and newly offered or intermittently offered courses may be acceptable as track electives. Students should consult with their BME advisors and petition the BME Undergraduate Affairs Committee for permission to include such courses as track electives. The course petition form can be found here.
Neuroengineering (Neuro) Track
Note: This track is not offered to Classes of 2030+
OVERVIEW
The Neuroengineering track uses engineering techniques to examine, understand, and apply the properties of complex neural systems. Areas of interest include the research and development of neuroengineering technologies for sensing, interfacing, imaging, and modulating the nervous systems. Examples of applications include brain-computer interfaces for use in paralysis, neural stimulation device design for sensory and motor prostheses and basic science research, and neural recording and imaging devices.
TARGETS
This track aligns most naturally with a combined education of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical & Computer Engineering, which lays a solid foundation in signal processing principles. This track prepares students for careers in brain-computer interfaces, neural stimulators, and neuroprosthetics.
REQUIREMENTS
Students in this track must take the following combination of three courses:
- One (1) Neuro Track Core course
- Two (2) Neuro Track Core or Track Elective courses
Neuro Track Core courses (must take at least one of the following)
| 42-630 | Introduction to Neural Engineering | 12 |
| 42-631 | Neural Data Analysis | 12 |
| 42-632 | Neural Signal Processing | 12 |
| 42-633 | Brain-Computer Interface: Principles and Applications | 12 |
Neuro Track Elective courses
| 42-433/18-412 | Neural Technology: Sensing and Stimulation | 12 |
| 42-437 | Biomedical Optical Imaging | 9 |
| 42-641 | Rehabilitation Engineering | 9 |
| 42-650 | Introduction to Biomedical Imaging | 9 |
| 42-651 | "Fun"-damentals of MRI and Neuroimaging Analysis | 9 |
| 42-652/18-416 | Nano-Bio-Photonics | 12 |
| 42-656 | Introduction to Machine Learning for Biomedical Engineers | 9 |
| 42-660 | Bioinstrumentation | 12 |
| 42-783 | Neural Engineering Laboratory | 12 |
| 15-386 | Neural Computation | 9 |
| 18-370 | Fundamentals of Control | 12 |
| 18-460 | Optimization | 12 |
| 42-X00 | BME Research* or 39-500 CIT Honors Research Project* or 42-6XX Clinical Course (Surgery for Engineers or ICU Medicine) | 9-12 |
- *
The 42-X00 research project (42-200/300/400 Sophomore/Junior/Senior Biomedical Engineering Research Project OR 39-500 Honors Research Project) must be on a BME topic that is aligned to the track, supervised or co-supervised by a BME faculty member, and conducted for 9 or more units of credit.
Some Special Topics and newly offered or intermittently offered courses may be acceptable as track electives. Students should consult with their BME advisors and petition the BME Undergraduate Affairs Committee for permission to include such courses as track electives. The course petition form can be found here.
Self-Designed Biomedical Engineering (SBME) Track
OVERVIEW
The Self-Designed Biomedical Engineering track is aimed at helping highly motivated students who have a strong sense of career direction that falls beyond the scope of regular Biomedical Engineering tracks. Students are allowed to design the "track" portion of the curriculum in consultation with the faculty. Example themes include medical robotics or embedded medical systems.
REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the Biomedical Engineering/Technology core requirements, students must take three elective courses, each carrying a minimum of 9 units and offered at the 300-level or higher. These elective courses must form a coherent theme that is relevant to biomedical engineering. In addition, at least one of the elective courses must be judged by the Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Affairs Committee to have substantial biological or medical content.
If undergraduate research is part of the SBME track, the research project must be on a biomedical engineering/technology topic that is aligned to the track, supervised or co-supervised by a BME faculty member, and conducted for 9 or more units of credit.
PETITION PROCEDURE
- A student wishing to pursue a self-designed track should first consult with Kristin Kropf (Undergraduate Program and Alumni Relations Coordinator). The student will then be directed to discuss their plan with the Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Affairs Committee Chair, or a relevant BME faculty.
- The student drafts an SBME track proposal. The proposal must be submitted electronically to Kristin Kropf at least three weeks prior to Pre-Registration during the spring of the sophomore year. The proposal must include:
- The three courses of the designed track, including catalog descriptions and when these courses are expected to be taken.
- A justification of how these courses form a coherent theme relevant to biomedical engineering and why the regular tracks do not relate to the proposed theme
- Two alternative courses that may substitute for one of the proposed courses, in case the original course is not available.
- The proposal is reviewed by the Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Affairs Committee. Once approved, the student must sign an agreement listing the theme and the three courses comprising the SBME track.
- In the event that issues beyond the student's control, such as course scheduling or cancellation, prevent the student from completing the approved course plan, the student may petition the Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Affairs Committee to
- Substitute a course with another course that fits the approved theme, OR
- Complete one of the regular tracks (all classes).