Minor Program

The Biomedical Engineering Minor is open to undergraduate students who are interested in an exciting, multidisciplinary field that lies at the interface of medicine, biology and engineering.Ìý Students rostered outside of the College of Engineering and Applied Science may earn the minor as long as the meet the requirements below.

Biomedical engineers use engineering principles to analyze and solve problems in biology and medicine, providing an overall enhancement to healthcare. At the same time, biomedical engineers employ concepts learned from biology and medicine to generate new engineering designs.

Current research in biomedical engineering focuses on innovative areas such as biomechanics and mechanobiology; medical devices;Ìýimaging and diagnostics; and therapeutics.

Admission Process & Requirements

Selected admitted students are invited to participate in the minor.Ìý Otherwise, admission to the minor is byÌýapplication. Students must have a minimum Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØcumulative GPA of at least 2.5 to apply. Students can apply at any time and will beÌýnotified of their admission status on a rolling basis.Ìý

A minor in Biomedical Engineering can be earned in conjunction with any Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder major degree, except for BS degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Grade Requirements

A grade point average (GPA) of 2.000 or better is required in the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for this minor. Each individual course that is counted towards these degree requirements must be passed with a D- or better. Note, however, that a C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses to move on to a subsequent course.

Completing the Biomedical Engineering Minor

The College of Engineering and Applied Science requires confirmation of Biomedical Engineering Minor completion. Please email biomed-minor@colorado.eduÌýfor final approval.

Questions or Degree Audit Updates?

Please emailÌýbiomed-minor@colorado.edu.

Course Requirements

Completion of 18 credit hours (typically 6 courses) is required for the minor, distributed as follows:

  • BMEN 2000 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (3 credit hours):
    • This course cannot apply towards your major degree requirements
    • Starting in Fall 2023, this course will require a prerequisite course of BiologyÌý(CHEN 2810, EBIO 1210, or MCDB 1150) and Ìýa prerequisite of Chemistry (CHEN 1201, CHEN 1211, CHEM 1113 or MCEN 1024).
    • This course utilizes Matlab.Ìý Prior experience using Matlab is ideal. Students without Matlab experience may need to spend additional time learning Matlab to complete certain assignments.Ìý Resources will be made available.
  • 15 elective credit hours (typically 5 courses)*

Requirements for the minor are met by completing the required gateway course and 15 elective credit hoursÌýidentified below.Ìý Here are additional guidelines regarding the requirements:

  • At least 12 credit hours must be upper-division (3000 or higher level)
  • 6 credit hoursÌýmust be taken in engineering courses (including Computer Science).ÌýHere to submit enrollment requests for department restricted courses.Ìý
  • Up to 9 credit hoursÌýcan be takenÌýoutside of engineering (i.e. IPHY, MCDB, PHIL)
  • Relevant Independent Study coursework can be petitioned
  • 5000-level courses are allowed where undergraduate students are eligible to enroll
  • Prior coursework may be transferred from other institutions with approval.
  • At least 9 credit hoursÌýneed to be taken on the CU-Boulder campus- at least 6 credit hours of whichÌýmust be at the upper-division level.Ìý

Starting in Spring 2024 – newly matriculated students in the minorÌýwill need to select one of the focused technical electives below with the added condition that the course prefix cannot match your major.Ìý Existing students in the minorÌýprogram may choose this option.

For more information

Email us at:
biomed-minor@colorado.edu

BME Independent Study Form

An independent study is a collaboration between a student and a faculty member on a special project that provides the student with a learning experience. An independent study may also fill an academic need of importance to the student that cannot be filled by regular course offerings. Independent studies are opportunities to earn credit for learning outside the normal lecture and laboratory class structure.Ìý Learn more.

Aerospace Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • ASEN 3036Ìý Ìý Intro to Human Spaceflight
  • ASEN 4128ÌýÌý ÌýHuman Factors in Engineering and DesignÌý Ìý
  • ASEN 5226ÌýÌý ÌýMedicine in Space and Surface EnvironmentsÌý Ìý
  • ASEN 5016ÌýÌý ÌýSpace Life SciencesÌý Ìý

Biomedical Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • BMEN 2010Ìý Ìý Biomaterials (focus elective)
  • BMEN 3010Ìý Ìý Biotransport
  • BMEN 3030Ìý ÌýBioistrumentation
  • BMEN 4117/5117Ìý Ìý Anatomy & Physiology for Biomedical Engineering (focus elective)Ìý

Chemical & Biological Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌý

  • BIENÌý2810Ìý Ìý Biology for EngineersÌý ÌýÌý(focus elective)
  • BIEN 3800 ÌýFundamentals of BiotechnologyÌý(focus elective)
  • BIEN 4801Ìý Ìý Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • BIEN 4802ÌýÌý ÌýTissue EngineeringÌýÌý(focus elective)
  • BIEN 4805ÌýÌý ÌýBiomaterialsÌý Ìý
  • BIEN 4830ÌýÌý ÌýBiokinetics and Reactor Design
  • CHEN 4803ÌýÌý ÌýMetabolic EngineeringÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 4804ÌýÌý ÌýProtein and Enzyme EngineeringÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 4820ÌýÌý ÌýBiochemical SeparationsÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 4838ÌýÌý ÌýSpecial Topic: ImmunoengineeringÌý Ìý

Computer Science CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • CSCI 2270ÌýÌý ÌýData StructuresÌý Ìý
  • CSCI 3104ÌýÌý ÌýAlgorithmsÌý ÌýÌý
  • CSCI 3352ÌýÌý ÌýBiological NetworksÌý Ìý
  • CSCI 3702ÌýÌý ÌýCognitive ScienceÌý Ìý
  • CSCI 4314ÌýÌý ÌýDynamic Models in BiologyÌý ÌýÌý

Electrical Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • ECEN 4341/5341ÌýÌý ÌýBioelectromagneticsÌý ÌýÌý
  • ECEN 4933/5933ÌýÌý ÌýEngineering Genetic CircuitsÌý Ìý (focus elective)
  • ECEN 4111 ÌýEngineering Applications in Biomedicine: Cardiovascular Devices and Systems
  • ECEN 4121/5121ÌýÌý ÌýDesign of Implantable Medical DevicesÌý ÌýÌý
  • ECEN 4021/5021ÌýÌý ÌýSpecial Topics: Engineering Applications in Biomed: NeuromodulationÌý ÌýÌý

Mechanical Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌý

  • MCEN 4111/5111ÌýÌý ÌýIntro to MicrofluidicsÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 4113/5113ÌýÌý ÌýMechanics of Cancer
  • MCEN 4117/5117Ìý Ìý Anatomy & Physiology for EngineersÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 4127/5127ÌýÌý ÌýBiomedical UltrasoundÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 4133/5133Ìý ÌýIntro to Tissue Biomechanics
  • MCEN 4157/5157ÌýÌý ÌýModeling of Human MovementÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4195/5195ÌýÌý ÌýBioinspired RoboticsÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4292/5292ÌýÌý ÌýMaterials and Devices in MedicineÌý ÌýÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4171/5171ÌýÌý ÌýBiofluids at the Micro ScaleÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4228/5228ÌýÌý ÌýSpecial Topics: Regenerative Bio/Tissue RepairÌý ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 4228/5228ÌýÌý ÌýSpecial Topics: Fluid Mechanics in the Human BodyÌý ÌýÌý

Recommended non-engineering technical electives:ÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

Applied Math CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • APPM 4390ÌýÌý ÌýModeling in Math BiologyÌý ÌýÌý

Biochemistry CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • BCHM 4400ÌýÌý ÌýCore Concepts in Physical Chemistry for BiochemistsÌý Ìý Ìý
  • BCHM 4611ÌýÌý ÌýPrinciples of BiochemistryÌý Ìý Ìý

Engineering, Ethics and Society Courses

  • ENES 3430Ìý ÌýEthics in Genetic Engineering
  • ENES 3843Ìý Special Topic: Humanities and Medicine

Integrative Physiology CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • IPHY 3410ÌýÌý ÌýIntro to Human AnatomyÌý Ìý (focus elective)
  • IPHY 3415ÌýÌý ÌýHuman Anatomy LabÌý ÌýÌý
  • IPHY 3430ÌýÌý ÌýIntro to Human PhysiologyÌý Ìý (focus elective)
  • IPHY 3490ÌýÌý ÌýIntroduction to EpidemiologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • IPHY 4060ÌýÌý ÌýCell PhysiologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • IPHY 4300ÌýÌý ÌýPathophysiology of DiseaseÌý ÌýÌý
  • IPHY 4540ÌýÌý ÌýBiomechanicsÌý ÌýÌý
  • IPHY 4580ÌýÌý ÌýSleep PhysiologyÌý ÌýÌý

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Courses

  • MCDB 1150Ìý Ìý Intro to Cellular and Molecular Biology (focus elective)Ìý
  • MCDB 2150ÌýÌý ÌýPrinciples of Genetics (focus elective)Ìý
  • MCDB 3000ÌýÌý ÌýSynthetic Biology: Engineering Biomolecular Systems in the LaboratoryÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3135ÌýÌý ÌýMolecular BiologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3145ÌýÌý ÌýCell BiologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3150ÌýÌý ÌýBiology of the Cancer CellÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3160Ìý Ìý Infectious Disease
  • MCDB 3300ÌýÌý ÌýPersonalized Medicine - Recent Advances in Diagnostics and TherapeuticsÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3333ÌýÌý ÌýBiomed Innovations and DiscoveriesÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3350ÌýÌý ÌýFertility, Sterility and Early Mammalian DevelopmentÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3450ÌýÌý ÌýBiological Data ScienceÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3501ÌýÌý ÌýStructural Methods for Biological MacromoleculesÌý ÌýÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3700ÌýÌý ÌýPoisons in Cell Biology and SocietyÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4105ÌýÌý ÌýFunction of Cellular and Nuclear, Assemblies, and MachinesÌý ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4300ÌýÌý ÌýImmunologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4312ÌýÌý ÌýQuantitative Optical ImagingÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4410ÌýÌý ÌýHuman Molecular GeneticsÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4420ÌýÌý ÌýGenetics of Brain and BehaviorÌý ÌýÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4425ÌýÌý ÌýTopics in Membrane Biology: Cell Biology, Physiology and DiseaseÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4426ÌýÌý ÌýCell Signaling and Developmental RegulationÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4444ÌýÌý ÌýCellular Basis of DiseaseÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4520ÌýÌý ÌýBioinformatics and GenomicsÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4615ÌýÌý ÌýBiology of Stem CellsÌý ÌýÌý

Neuroscience Courses

  • NRSC 4062Ìý Ìý The Neurobiology of Stress

Philosophy Courses

  • PHIL 1160Ìý Ìý Intro to Medical Ethics (focus elective)
  • PHIL 3160Ìý ÌýBioethics (focus elective)Ìý

Additional Course Information for Minor

Starting in spring 2024,Ìýnewly matriculated students in the minor will need to select one of the focused technical electives (labeled) with the added condition that the course prefix cannot match your major. Existing students in the minor program may choose this option.

This list may evolve as new courses are developed/offered. Some courses have prerequisites which students in the minor will need to fulfill prior to enrollment—consult the online University Course Catalog for guidance.

In addition to the courses listed above, there may be special topics courses offered which are suitable for the requirements of this minor.ÌýMost MCEN 4228 Special Topics that are approved for the Mechanical Engineering Biomed Option will count for this minor. Please email biomed-minor@colorado.edu for information about whether a specific course can serve as a technical elective for the minor.

Last updated Nov. 3, 2023

  • BIEN 3800Ìý– Fundamentals of Biotechnology (prereqsÌýof BIEN 2810 or MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1220 and APPM 1350 or MATH 1300 and CHEN 1201 or CHEN 1211 or CHEM 1113 or MCEN 1024)
  • BMEN 2010 – Biomaterials (prereqÌýof CHEN 1201 or CHEN 1211 or CHEM 1113)
  • BMEN 4117 – Anatomy & Physiology for BME (prereqÌýof BMEN 2000)
  • BIEN 2810 – Biology for Engineers (prereq or coreqÌýof CHEN 1201 or CHEN 1211 or CHEM 1113 or MCEN 1024)
  • BIEN 4802Ìý– Tissue Engineering (prereqÌýof CHEN 2810 or MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 and prereq/coreqÌýof CHEN 4520 or BMEN 4010)
  • ECEN 4933 – Engineering Genetic Circuits
  • IPHY 3410 – Human Anatomy (prereqÌýof EBIO 1210 or MCDB 1150 or BIENÌý2810)
  • IPHY 3430 – Human Physiology (prereq of IPHY 3410 and prereq/coreqÌýof CHEM 1133/1134)
  • MCDB 1150 – Introduction to Cellular & Molecular Biology
  • MCDB 2150 – Principles of Genetics (prereq of MCDB 1150ÌýorÌýEBIO 1210Ìýor BIENÌý2810)
  • PHIL 1160Ìý– Introduction to Medical Ethics
  • PHIL 3160Ìý– Bioethics

Course NumberÌýÌý ÌýTitle

  • ASEN 4128    Human Factors in Engineering and Design   
  • BIEN 3800 ÌýFundamentals of BiotechnologyÌý(FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • BMEN 3010    Biotransport
  • BMEN 4117/5117    Anatomy & Physiology for Biomedical Engineering (FOCUS ELECTIVE)  
  • CHEN 4820    Biochemical Separations   
  • CHEN 4838    Special Topic: Immunoengineering   
  • CSCI 2270    Data Structures   
  • CSCI 3104    Algorithms    
  • CSCI 3352    Biological Networks   
  • CSCI 3702    Cognitive Science   ÌýÌý       
  • MCEN 4127/5127    Biomedical Ultrasound   
  • MCEN 4157/5157    Modeling of Human Movement    
  • MCEN 4195/5195    Bioinspired Robotics    
  • MCEN 4228/5228    Special Topics: Regenerative Bio/Tissue Repair          
  • Ìý
  • RECOMMENDED NON-ENGINEERING TECHNICAL ELECTIVES:        
  • BCHM 4400    Core Concepts in Physical Chemistry for Biochemists     
  • BCHM 4611    Principles of Biochemistry     Ìý   
  • IPHY 3410    Intro to Human Anatomy    (FOCUS ELECTIVE)
  • IPHY 3415    Human Anatomy Lab    
  • IPHY 3430    Intro to Human Physiology    (FOCUS ELECTIVE)
  • IPHY 3490    Introduction to Epidemiology    
  • IPHY 4060    Cell Physiology    
  • IPHY 4540    Biomechanics    
  • IPHY 4580    Sleep Physiology    
  • MCDB 1150    Intro to Cellular and Molecular Biology (FOCUS ELECTIVE)  
  • MCDB 2150    Principles of Genetics (FOCUS ELECTIVE)  
  • MCDB 3000    Synthetic Biology: Engineering Biomolecular Systems in the Laboratory    
  • MCDB 3135    Molecular Biology    
  • MCDB 3145    Cell Biology    
  • MCDB 3150    Biology of the Cancer Cell    
  • MCDB 3160    Infectious Disease
  • MCDB 3333    Biomed Innovations and Discoveries    
  • MCDB 4300    Immunology    
  • MCDB 4312    Quantitative Optical Imaging    
  • MCDB 4410    Human Molecular Genetics    
  • MCDB 4426    Cell Signaling and Developmental Regulation    
  • MCDB 4444    Cellular Basis of Disease    
  • MCDB 4615    Biology of Stem Cells    
  • NRSC 4062    The Neurobiology of Stress
  • PHIL 1160    Intro to Medical Ethics (FOCUSED ELECTIVE)
  • PHIL 3160   Bioethics (FOCUSED ELECTIVE)

 Last updated March 12, 2024

Ìý

Course Number and Title Ìý Ìý

  • ASEN 3036Ìý Ìý Intro to Human Spaceflight
  • ASEN 4128Ìý Ìý Human Factors in Engineering and DesignÌýÌý
  • ASEN 5226Ìý Ìý Medicine in Space and Surface EnvironmentsÌýÌý
  • ASEN 5016Ìý Ìý Space Life SciencesÌýÌý
  • BMEN 2010Ìý Ìý Biomaterials (focus elective)
  • BMEN 3030 Ìý Bioistrumentation
  • BIEN 2810Ìý Ìý Biology for EngineersÌý Ìý (focus elective)
  • BIEN 4802Ìý Ìý Tissue EngineeringÌý (focus elective)
  • BIENÌý4805Ìý Ìý Biomaterials Ìý NOT A CHEN COURSE CHEN 4805→ BIEN 4805
  • BIEN 4830Ìý Ìý Biokinetics and Reactor Design
  • CSCI 2270Ìý Ìý Data StructuresÌýÌý
  • CSCI 3104Ìý Ìý AlgorithmsÌýÌýÌý
  • CSCI 3702Ìý Ìý Cognitive ScienceÌýÌýÌý
  • ECEN 4121/5121Ìý Ìý Design of Implantable Medical DevicesÌýÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 4113/5113Ìý Ìý Mechanics of Cancer
  • MCEN 4117/5117Ìý Ìý Anatomy & Physiology for EngineersÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4133/5133 Ìý Intro to Tissue BiomechanicsÌýÌýÌýÌý

Recommended non-engineering technical electives: Ìý Ìý Ìý

  • BCHM 4400Ìý Ìý Core Concepts in Physical Chemistry for BiochemistsÌýÌýÌýÌý
  • BCHM 4611Ìý Ìý Principles of BiochemistryÌýÌýÌýÌý
  • ENES 3430 Ìý Ethics in Genetic Engineering
  • IPHY 3410Ìý Ìý Intro to Human AnatomyÌý Ìý (focus elective)
  • IPHY 3415Ìý Ìý Human Anatomy LabÌýÌýÌý
  • IPHY 3430Ìý Ìý Intro to Human PhysiologyÌý Ìý (focus elective)
  • IPHY 3490Ìý Ìý Introduction to EpidemiologyÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
  • IPHY 4300Ìý Ìý Pathophysiology of DiseaseÌýÌýÌý
  • IPHY 4540Ìý Ìý BiomechanicsÌýÌýÌý
  • IPHY 4580Ìý Ìý Sleep PhysiologyÌýÌýÌý
  • MCDB 1150Ìý Ìý Intro to Cellular and Molecular Biology (focus elective)
  • MCDB 2150Ìý Ìý Principles of Genetics (focus elective)Ìý
  • MCDB 3135Ìý Ìý Molecular BiologyÌýÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3145Ìý Ìý Cell BiologyÌýÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3160Ìý Ìý Infectious DiseaseÌý
  • MCDB 3350Ìý Ìý Fertility, Sterility and Early Mammalian DevelopmentÌýÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3450Ìý Ìý Biological Data ScienceÌýÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4420Ìý Ìý Genetics of Brain and BehaviorÌýÌýÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4425Ìý Ìý Topics in Membrane Biology: Cell Biology, Physiology and DiseaseÌýÌý
  • PHIL 1160Ìý Ìý Intro to Medical Ethics (focus elective)
  • PHIL 3160 Ìý Bioethics (focus elective)Ìý