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VideoBiomedical Engineering Sciences Major
The biomedical engineering sciences major is offered to students interested in medical school. 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 engineering sciences majors to apply for admission to The Geisel School through the Biomedical Engineering Early Assurance Program (BME EAP).
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 (may not be taken under the Non-Recording Option)
- 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: 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 Biomedical Engineering Early Assurance Program (BME EAP)
Starting in 2010, a small number (up to two or three) of highly qualified Dartmouth BME or engineering sciences 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 Geisel Biomedical Engineering Early Assurance Program (BME 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.
The Geisel Biomedical Engineering Early Assurance Program is a separate program from the Geisel Early Assurance program for Dartmouth juniors, which became available in 2012. BME and engineering sciences majors may only apply to one Geisel early assurance program, and are strongly advised to apply through Thayer via the BME EAP.
Students interested in this program are encouraged to contact Professor Brian Pogue for information on 
how to apply (2012, PDF). Applicants whose academic records, leadership, and research experience are judged by Thayer School to be suitable for the BME EAP will be informed after an interview process by a Thayer School panel and no later than end of January. Nominated Thayer School applicants must then complete application materials, available from The Geisel School Admissions Office, by February 15 of the calendar year before they plan to matriculate for review by The Geisel School Admissions Committee. Nomination is not a guarantee of admission to the Geisel School. Taking the MCAT exam will not be required for applicants nominated through the BME EAP.
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 BME EAP. Students selected are free to decide to apply to other medical schools, but must withdraw from the BME EAP if they do. Students not selected 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. Matriculation is contingent upon successful completion of engineering studies.and continuing during their final undergraduate (senior or fifth) year to meet the criteria with respect to academic record, leadership, and research excellence by which all successful applicants to The Geisel School are selected.