University General Course Catalog 2023-2024 
    
    Nov 24, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2023-2024 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Biomedical Engineering, B.S. in B.M.E.


Biomedical Engineering is the application of engineering to problems in biology and medicine. Biomedical engineers address these problems by designing measuring and diagnostic systems and analyzing biological and physiological data. The BS BME curriculum provides students with an interdisciplinary education that includes a strong background in math, science and electrical engineering. With a few additional courses, graduates of the program have the option to apply for admission to medical school. The Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering also cooperates with local industry to offer a number of summer internships for qualified undergraduate students. The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering degree is listed below.

NOTE: The professional FE examination, administered by the state board of engineering registration, must be taken by all biomedical engineering students before graduation during the senior year of study.

Accreditation information is available at https://www.unr.edu/ebme/about/assessment/bme

Contact Information


Electrical and Biomedical Engineering Department 
332 Scrugham Engineering and Mines 
(775) 784-6927
ebme@unr.edu
http://www.unr.edu/ebme

Incoming students, freshmen and sophomores should contact the Engineering Advising Center.
Scrugham Engineering and Mines, Suite 131
(775) 682-7721
coenadvising@unr.edu

Juniors and seniors should contact their faculty advisor directly.

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreements  and the degree planner (available by clicking  at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval. If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the Core Agreements  if available. If neither is available, access established transfer course equivalencies to assist in your planning.

Admission Requirements


Admission requirements and procedures are available at http://www.unr.edu/admissions#requirements.

Only students who are eligible to enroll in MATH 181  (as demonstrated through placement tests) may enter specific major programs within the College of Engineering. Others may enter the undeclared engineering program. Undeclared engineering students must be admissible to a specific major program within four regular semesters (fall and spring). 

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 129
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0
  • Residency Requirement | 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR including ENGR 301  and BME 491  
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 40 Upper-Division Units
  •  As per engineering accreditation requirements, students are required to have the following:
    • a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of a combination of college-level mathematics and basic sciences with experimental experience appropriate to the program
    • a minimum of 45 semester credit hours of engineering topics appropriate to the program, consisting of engineering and computer sciences and engineering design, and utilizing modern engineering tools

I. Core General Education Requirements (27-30 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding  the “Core English and Math Completion Policy .” Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (4 units) - CO2


  • (4 units) CO2 *
  • NOTE: Engineering students are expected to place in MATH 181 or higher. Students who do not place in MATH 181 may be required to take additional credits before declaring their major. 

D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


Students should choose a course that simultaneously fulfills both Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression, CO7, and Diversity & Equity, CO10, requirements.

Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO7  courses.

F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8


Refer to Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

II. Additional Core Requirements (0 units maximum)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV). Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter in this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


Students should choose a course that fulfills both the CO7 and CO10 requirements. Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO10  courses that also meet the CO7 requirement.  (Units counted in the General Education Requirement if a course approved for both CO7 and CO10 is used to fulfill this requirement.)

C. Global Context - CO11


D. Ethics - CO12


E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


F. Application - CO14


III. Additional College Requirements (0 units)


IV. Major Requirements (99 units)


C. Technical Electives (12 units)


Senior-year technical electives consist of 12 units. Students must have at least three units from the biomedical engineering courses listed below.  

1. Biomedical Engineering Technical Elective (3 units)


Students must complete at least one of the following BME courses.

V. Minor Requirements (0 units)


VI. Electives (0-3 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


For Pre-Med Students: One more Fall semester is suggested for additional course work in genetics, immunology and biochemistry (15 units from the suggested Pre-Med electives).

Students majoring in BME can earn a second BS degree in EE (BME emphasis) by completing 14 required units: BCH 400 (4 units), EE 370/L (4 units), EE 330 (3 units) and CHEM 341 (3 units) + additional 11 units from the following TE list: EE 410 ,EE 420, EE 421, EE 426, EE 433, EE 471, EE 472, EE 480, EE 296, EE 396, EE 496.

Use the Planner in MyNEVADA to build a custom graduation plan. Review and adjust the plan in each academic advisement session.

First Year


Second Year


Third Year


Fourth Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


Spring Semester (13 units)