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VideoBiomedical Engineering Sciences Major
The biomedical engineering sciences major is offered to students interested in either medical school or graduate studies in biomedical engineering. Faculty from Thayer School and The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth jointly advise the research projects.
The Geisel School of Medicine offers an opportunity for accomplished biomedical engineering sciences majors to apply for admission to The Geisel School through the Early Assurance Program.
For more information, contact Professor Brian Pogue.
Prerequisites
Majors are expected to have a basic understanding of calculus, physics, chemistry, and computer science. First-year students interested in the major should take the placement test in mathematics.
Unless otherwise prohibited, prerequisites may be taken under the Non-Recording Option.
Mathematics (3 courses)
- MATH 3: Introduction to Calculus
- MATH 8: Calculus of Functions of One and Several Variables
- MATH 13: Calculus of Vector-Valued Functions OR MATH 11 Multvariable Calculus for Two-Term Placement First-Year Students
Biology (1 course)
- BIOL 11: The Science of Life
Chemistry (1-2 courses)
- CHEM 5-6: General Chemistry OR CHEM 10: Honors First-Year General Chemistry
Physics (2 courses)
- PHYS 13: Introductory Physics I
- PHYS 14: Introductory Physics II
Computer Science (choose 1 option, 1-2 courses)
- ENGS 20: Introduction to Scientific Computing
- COSC 1: Introduction to Programming and Computation AND COSC 10: Problem Solving via Object-Oriented Programming; OR COSC 5: Introduction to Computer Science
Required Courses
Common Core Courses (2 courses)
Common and Distributive Core Courses (choose 1 course)
- ENGS 23: Distributed Systems and Fields
- ENGS 24: Science of Materials
- ENGS 25: Introduction to Thermodynamics
- ENGS 26: Control Theory
- ENGS 27: Discrete and Probabilistic Systems
Gateway Course (choose 1 course)
- Electrical
- Mechanical
- Chemical/Biochemical
Engineering Course (choose 1 course)
- ENGS 56: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering OR 1 additional course from ENGS 23–36
Biology Courses (choose 2 courses)
- BIOL 12: Cell Structure and Function
- BIOL 13: Gene Expression and Inheritance
- BIOL 14: Physiology
Chemistry Courses (2 courses)
- CHEM 51-52: Organic Chemistry OR CHEM 57-58: Organic Chemistry
Elective (choose 1 course)
Effective with the class of 2011, students wishing to pursue the B.E. degree are advised to choose an Engineering Sciences course as their elective.
- Engineering Sciences course numbered above ENGS 23
- BIOL 40 (formerly BIOL 77): Biochemistry
- CHEM 41: Biological Chemistry
Culminating Experience
Biomedical Engineering Sciences majors complete a culminating experience, which is part of a course (either as one of the two electives or as an additional course). Normally taken during the senior year, the course is chosen from the following options:
- Thesis
- Advanced Course
Transfer Credit
No more than two transfer courses may be used for credit in the major.
Academic Standing
Satisfactory completion of the major requires a grade point average of 2.0 in the courses suitable for satisfying the major.
The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth Early Assurance Program for Biomedical Engineering Sciences Majors at Dartmouth
Beginning Summer 2010
The purpose of the Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BME) major is to prepare engineering students for biomedical careers, following either the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree or the five-year Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree. A small number (up to 2 or 3) of highly qualified Dartmouth BME students in their junior year (for A.B. candidates) or senior year (for B.E. candidates) who are planning to attend medical school will be considered for admission to The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth through the Early Assurance Program (EAP). The Program provides selected students added time for academic and research activities in their final year prior to matriculation at The Geisel School of Medicine.
BME majors interested in The Geisel School EAP are encouraged to contact Professor Brian Pogue for information on 
how to apply (2011, PDF). Applicants whose academic records, leadership, and research experience are judged by Thayer School to be suitable for the EAP will be informed by the end of fall term. Application materials, available from The Geisel School Admissions Office, must then be completed by February 15 of the calendar year before they plan to matriculate. These will be reviewed by The Geisel School Admissions Committee.
Students who are invited to interview at The Geisel School will be notified by the end of May whether or not they have been selected for admission through the EAP. Acceptance to this program is non-binding. Students not selected for the EAP may apply to The Geisel School through the regular mechanism. Students who are selected for the EAP must submit their AMCAS applications on a timetable consistent with beginning their studies at The Geisel School in August of the year following their selection, including taking the MCAT exam (if it was not taken prior to application to the EAP). Matriculation in the program is contingent upon completing the BME major and continuing during their final undergraduate (senior or fifth) year to meet the criteria with respect to MCAT scores, academic record, leadership, and research excellence by which all successful applicants to The Geisel School are selected.