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. Any course being used to satisfy major or minor requirements beyond the prerequisites may not be taken under the non-recording option.

* Students with prior experience in calculus (as demonstrated through AP or IB exams, A-level credit, or placement exam) may place out of MATH 3 and/or Math 8, and may be required instead to take the MATH 8 and 13 sequence, or MATH 11.
** Students with no prior experience in chemistry will be placed in CHEM 5. Students with prior experience with chemistry (as demonstrated through AP or IB exams, A-level credit, or placement exam) automatically receive credit for CHEM 5 and will be placed in CHEM 11, a required course for the biomedical engineering major.

*Students wishing to pursue the BE degree are advised to choose an engineering sciences course as their elective.

In addition to coursework, all biomedical engineering sciences majors are required to complete a culminating experience, which may include a thesis or an advanced engineering sciences course chosen from an approved list. Please note: The culminating experience should be consistent with the student’s career objectives and courses taken.

The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth offers opportunities for highly qualified engineering sciences majors to apply for admission to Geisel through the Biomedical Engineering Early Assurance Program (BME EAP). A small number (generally two or three) of highly qualified Dartmouth biomedical engineering and engineering sciences students in their junior year (for AB candidates) or senior year (for BE candidates) who plan to attend medical school will be considered for admission to Geisel.

Benefits

Because admission typically occurs in a student's final year before graduation, the BME EAP provides admitted students additional time for academic and research activities in their final year prior to matriculation at Geisel. In addition, students nominated for application through the BME EAP do not need to take the MCATs to apply.

Eligibility

The BME EAP is open to highly qualified engineering sciences majors one year prior to graduation (current juniors, or current seniors planning to pursue the BE in a fifth year). This is the final year (2023) where intent to pursue a BE is not required. Subsequent years will require that applicants intend to pursue a BE.

The BME EAP is a separate program from the Geisel Early Assurance program for Dartmouth juniors. Students may only apply to ONE early assurance program. Students majoring in biomedical engineering or engineering sciences are strongly advised to apply through Thayer via the BME EAP.

How to Apply

1. By August 1: Send an email expressing interest in the program to Professor Katie Hixon at katherine.r.hixon@dartmouth.edu. Students may also request an appointment with Professor Hixon to discuss the program.
2. The following week: Look for an email from Thayer notifying you if you are a finalist.
3. By August 15: Finalists must submit two documents to Professor Hixon:
   1. CV (three pages maximum) describing research, project, leadership, community, and extracurricular activities;
   2. Essay (one page maximum, one-inch margins, 12-point font, single-spaced) describing your motivations for engineering and medicine, ideally discussing specific example(s) of your own experiences and their relevance to medicine, based upon the educational pathway that you have taken.
4. By the end of August: Schedule a 30-minute interview with the BME EAP committee. Interviews will begin with the finalist making a brief opening statement (no more than a few minutes) describing their interest in pursuing engineering, medicine, and the BME EAP, followed by approximately 20 minutes of question and answer, and conclude with an opportunity for the applicant to ask any final questions.
5. The first week of September: Finalists are notified if they have been nominated for application through the BME EAP.
6. By the first week in October: Thayer EAP Candidates must complete Geisel School Admissions materials. MCAT exam not required.
7. By the beginning of January: Look for an invitation from Geisel to schedule a medical school entrance interview.
8. By the beginning of March: Thayer EAP Candidates will be notified whether or not they have been selected for admission.

Admissions & Matriculation

The BME EAP committee reviews the academic records (overall transcript, as well as major and non‐major courses) of all those submitting this email expression of interest, and identifies finalists.

Nomination by Thayer is not a guarantee of admission to Geisel and all applications are reviewed by the Geisel School Admissions Committee. Nominees admitted to Geisel who wish to apply to other medical schools must first withdraw from the BME EAP. Students not selected as finalists or nominees may apply to Geisel through the regular admissions process.

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 Geisel are selected.

Additional questions regarding official submission by the Thayer EAP Candidate(s) may be directed to Aileen Panitz at aileen.k.panitz@dartmouth.edu.

For additional information about majors, courses, and degree requirements, see:

Guide to Programs and Courses

Questions? Contact Professor Ryan Halter or Douglas Van Citters, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education & Chair of the Department of Engineering Sciences.