Biomedical Engineering, B.S.

At Saint Louis University’s Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, we have developed an innovative, future-focused biomedical engineering program that incorporates the latest trends in the industry to address the current and future needs of the profession and our society.

Our curriculum has a strong focus on the principles of both engineering and medicine. As a student in the biomedical engineering program at SLU, you will be challenged to integrate your knowledge of the biological and physical sciences with the engineering skills you are developing by participating in hands-on projects inside and outside the classroom. In addition, the flexibility of the biomedical engineering program means it can accommodate students with a wide variety of interests.

You will graduate prepared for a number of careers in the health care industry, ranging from fundamental research in science and engineering to the direct application of your knowledge to improve health and the overall quality of life for humanity.

Curriculum Overview

SLU's B.S. degree in biomedical engineering is designed with three tracks to accommodate the different career paths our students take after graduation: pre-health, graduate school and industry. Biomedical engineering courses and laboratory experiences at SLU provide a broad fundamental preparation for any of these paths.

The program is designed with an emphasis on providing a BME focus in all core engineering classes, informed by research, into the student experience from the very beginning. The major also offers considerable flexibility, allowing time for electives within and outside the program. 

Because of the flexibility in our degree, our undergraduates participate in a number of academic programs across campus, including the Medical Scholars Program and the University Honors Program. Biomedical engineering majors at SLU can complete certificates, minors or second majors in a variety of disciplines ranging from the liberal arts or science to business or technology. The program also offers a minor for students interested in developing a focused study within the field of BME.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

The flexibility available within the major offers students an increased opportunity to experience research. More than 25% of our undergraduate student population takes part in an organized research experience within the program.

Careers

There are a variety of career paths to choose from as a biomedical engineer, including industrial or consulting positions; graduate school; and professional schools such as medicine, veterinary medicine or business administration. SLU's curriculum allows BME students to specialize in and explore the biomedical engineering program, while still providing a solid background in biological/physical sciences, mathematics and basic engineering.

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission and matriculation requirements of the University, applicants to Parks College engineering programs must meet the following requirements:

• GPA: Minimum cumulative 3.00 high school GPA for freshmen applicants and 2.70 college GPA for transfer applicants.
• Coursework: Fifteen total units of high school work are required: three or four units of English; four or more units of mathematics including algebra I and II, geometry and precalculus (Algebra II with Trigonometry is not sufficient). Students should be prepared to start the first semester freshmen year in Calculus I or higher; three or four units of science including general science, introduction to physical science, earth science, biology, physics or chemistry; two or three units of social sciences including history, psychology or sociology; and three units of electives.

Admission to Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology degree programs is based on a combination of secondary school grades, college admission test scores, co-curricular activities and attempted college course work, as well as other indicators of the applicant’s ability, career focus and character. This process respects the non-discrimination policy of the University and is designed to select a qualified, competent and diverse student body with high standards of scholarship and character, consistent with the mission of the University.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

Accreditation

The aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering undergraduate curricula are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Enrollment and graduation data for biomedical engineering is listed here

The undergraduate biomedical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (http://www.abet.org).

Program Educational Objectives

The undergraduate program is designed to meet the following specific objectives in order to fulfill the programmatic and institutional missions.

•  Graduates will have established themselves as practicing engineers in biomedical engineering and health-related positions in industry, government and academia.
• Graduates will have acquired advanced degrees or be engaged in advanced study in biomedical engineering or other fields related to their long-term career goals.
• Graduates will attain a major milestone in their career development within the first five to seven years.

Student Outcomes 

Graduates of the BME program at Saint Louis University will demonstrate an ability to:

• Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
• Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

Additionally, our graduates will have experience in:

• Applying principles of engineering, biology, human physiology, chemistry, calculus-based physics, mathematics (through differential equations) and statistics
• Solving bio/biomedical engineering problems, including those associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems
• Analyzing, modeling, designing, and realizing bio/biomedical engineering devices, systems, components or processes
• Making measurements on and interpreting data from living systems

The biomedical engineering curriculum satisfies the Parks College requirements and includes the flexibility, through electives, to tailor the curriculum for each individual student.

All BME courses with the exception of BME 1000 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering I (1 cr) have prerequisites that require a “C-” or better. 

Any waiver of a specified prerequisite for a course must be approved by the BME faculty member offering that course.

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Cultural diversity elective courses must be selected from an approved Arts and Sciences list. See the description of the Parks College core above for more information.

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Students are required to choose at least three courses from the approved advanced BME elective core list and then have the ability to select up to three other advanced BME electives.

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BME-related general electives should be selected in accordance with the student’s long-term educational and career goals. Often, students use these credits for advanced work in math, science, and engineering. However, students may also select courses designed to broaden their education in areas such as liberal arts or business. In all cases the permission of the academic advisor and program coordinator is required. Under no circumstances can prerequisite courses be used as general electives, e.g., Pre-Calculus (MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus (0,3 cr)) or The Process of Composition (ENGL 1500 The Process of Composition (3 cr)).

Humanities Courses Include

• Fine arts (excludes applied, studio, and performance courses)
• Literature (ENGL 2020 Introduction to Literary Study (3 cr)-ENGL 2750 Film, Culture and Literature (3 cr), ENGL 3190 Literature of Ridicule and Satire (3 cr)-ENGL 3740 Medicine and Literature (3 cr), ENGL 4130 Literary Theory (3 cr)-ENGL 4890 Special Topics: American Literature & Culture (3 cr))
• History
• American studies and
• Foreign languages (excludes English or native language)

Social and Behavioral Sciences Courses Include

• Anthropology
• Communication (CMM 1000 Human Communication and Culture (3 cr), CMM 2000 Communication Theory (3 cr), CMM 2800 Communication Research (3 cr))
• Communication sciences and disorders (CSDI 1000 Introduction to Communication Sciences and Disorders (3 cr), CSDI 4700 Clinical Practicum (1 cr))
• Economics
• Education ( EDSP 4240 Classroom Organization and Management (Early Childhood, ECSE, Elementary, Special Education), EDF 3620 Culture and the Classroom (3 cr), EDSP 4310 Ed & Psych of the Exp Ind (3 cr))
• Political science
• Public health
• Psychology
• Social work (SWRK 1000 Introduction to Social Work (3 cr), SWRK 2100 Human Behavior & the Social Environment (3 cr), SWRK 3100 Social Policy for Social Justice (3 cr), SWRK 3200 Dismantling Oppression: Exploring Equity & Inclusion (3 cr)),
• Sociology and 
• Criminology and criminal justice

Non-Technical Elective Shall be Chosen From

• Philosophy
• Theology
• Humanities
• Cultural diversity or
• Social and behavioral sciences

Continuation Standards

• Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.