Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University

Only those students who started Summer or Fall 2012 need a Global Perspectives class. No one else does. Even if it says you are missing it in DegreeWorks, if you started at Tech earlier than Summer 2012, you don't need it.

Students receiving pay for their research work do not register for BMED 2699/4699 courses, and they do not need to fill out a research form. Rather they should register for BMED 2698 (1st and 2nd year students) or BMED 4698 (3rd and 4th year students).  Students contact their academic advisor and let their advisor know whose lab they are working in that semester.  The academic advisor will then put a permit in the system to allow the student to register.  It is important to register paid research to have it recorded on your transcript, you may need this to satisfy the two semester requirement to use research to satisfy the BME depth electives.  This will not add anything to your tuition payment.

To apply for research for pay, go to http://www.undergradresearch.gatech.edu/ for PURA and other opportunities, and http://petitinstitute.gatech.edu/petit-scholars for the Petit Undergraduate Research Scholars program.  Some students may also be paid directly through the lab in which they are working. 

In some cases, students show Humanities credit for the second semester of a foreign language course, such as FREN 1002, while their FREN 1001 course is shown as a "Free Elective". This class should be in the Humanities section as well. The registrar's office will fix this.

A “D” in PHYS 2212 is allowed. We no longer require a grade of “C”. The registrar's office or the academic office can move this to the proper place from the fallthrough area.

For pre-health students, CHEM 4511 can be a substitute for CHEM 3511.

ECE 2026 is the same as ECE 2025, just one less credit hour. It can count as a depth elective course.

HPS 1040 has been replaced by APPH 1040 or APPH 1050. Any of the three will work. For some reason, DW does not recognize this, we will have to manually move it.

A grade of "D" is acceptable for CS 1371, unless the student also took ECE 2025, in which case a grade of "C" is a prerequite requirement. If your CS 1371 is in the in the fallthrough area, it will need to be moved to the CS 1371 area by the registrar's office.

These courses count as depth elective courses: BMED 4400, 4477, 4500, 4603, 4740, 4750, 4751, 4752, 4757, 4758, 4765, 4781, 4783, 4784, 4803, 4813, 4843. Also ECE 3710, ECE 3741, ECE 2025, ECE 2026 and other courses on a case by cases basis, such as BME Special Topics courses like BMED 4803, 4813, etc.

The following courses can be used as pre-health breadth electives: CHEM 1212K, CHEM 2311, CHEM 2380, CHEM 3511 and/or CHEM 4511. None of these courses can be used as depth electives. After completing your Chemistry requirements, if you still need some credits to fulfill your 15 hours of breadth electives, you can use any other class for this purpose. Your advisor or the registrar must move the class there.

While DegreeWorks will show on the top section that you have indeed declared a minor, the system itself does not automatically move your minor or your certificate courses to the breadth elective area. Your advisor or the registrar will have to do this. This just needs to be done before you apply to graduate. Note that there is no section or designation for certificates, only for minors.

A “D” in CHEM 1315 is allowed. We no longer require a grade of “C”. The registrar's office or the academic office can move this to the proper place from the fallthrough area.

• Registration for courses happens twice a year, Phase I before the semester begins, Phase II at the beginning of the semester. 
• Students will receive their time tickets to register the day before registration begins. 
• Students graduating under the 2012-2013 catalog year or later must fulfill the Global Perspective requirement:  http://catalog.gatech.edu/academics/undergraduate/core-curriculum/.  This means any student who started at Tech in Summer 2012 or later.  If you started earlier than Summer 2012, you don't need the GP, no matter what DegreeWorks says! 
• Here is a list of humanity courses: http://catalog.gatech.edu/academics/undergraduate/core-curriculum/core-area-c/
  Here is a list of social science courses: http://catalog.gatech.edu/academics/undergraduate/core-curriculum/core-area-e/
  Here is the list of required US Perspectives courses: http://catalog.gatech.edu/academics/undergraduate/core-curriculum/us-perspectives/
  Here is the list of Global Perspective courses: http://catalog.gatech.edu/academics/undergraduate/core-curriculum/global-perspectives/ 
• We can only give overloads and permits for BME courses.  We have no information on how other departments do their business.  Use this chart to find out who to contact in other departments for information, overloads, and permits:  http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/registration/oprequest.php 
• The Office of the Registrar offers a lot of registration assistance online:
• Common registration: error messages:  http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/registration/error.php
• Registration instructions: http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/registration/reginfo.php

• For many BME courses, the waitlist will be utilized.  The waitlist will be a first come first serve basis.  Advisors reserve the right to move students up on the list if there are problem situations.  Here are the instructions for using the waitlist:  http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/registration/waitlisting.php.  To see your spot on the waitlist for a class, view the "Student Detail Schedule" on OSCAR. 
• BME students can take up to nine hours of courses pass/fail by the time they graduate, but only humanity/social science courses, no BME or core courses, or certain breadth elective courses.  NOTE:  You cannot take courses you are using for Minors or Certificates pass/fail, they must all be taken for a letter grade.   All others must be taken for grade.  However, note that not all humanity/social science courses are offered pass/fall.   If you take a class pass/fail, make sure you know what the professor has in mind for what kind of grade will achieve a grade of "pass".  You also have the option of changing eligible courses from pass/fail to letter grade and vice versa by the first drop date later in the semester.  You would need to submit a Grade Mode Change form:  http://catalog.gatech.edu/rules/10/  
• The most up to date Prerequisite Chart is at http://bme.gatech.edu/bme/mybme-ug
• BMED 3610 and 4602 will be permit only for most of registration so we can be sure that those graduating that semester (including Summer) get into those classes first.
• A minimum grade of C is required for the following courses only:
  • BMED 1300 Problems in BME I​
  • BMED 2210 Conservation Principles in BME​
  • CHEM 1310 or 1211K
  • COE 2001 Statics
  • CS 1371 Computing for Engineers  (only as a prerequisite for ECE 2026)
  • MATH 1501 Calculus I
  • PHYS 2211 Physics I

An average grade of C (as computed using most recent grade for repeated courses) is required for the following sets of course:

• MATH* 1501/1502/1551/1552/1553/2401/2551/2403/2552
• All required BMED core courses (1300 or 2250, 2210, 2300 or 2310, 3100, 3110, 3300 or 3310, 3400, 3510 or 3520, 3600, 3610, 4602)
• AP or transfer credit for MATH courses would be considered as a “B” for the purposes of computation of the average grade

• Depth and Breadth electives:  Remember that you will need 12 hours of depth elective credits, and 15 hours of breadth elective credits to graduate.  The requirements are described here: 
  Depth:  https://www.bme.gatech.edu/bme/undergrad-depth
  Breadth:  https://www.bme.gatech.edu/bme/undergrad-breadth
   
• Students who have taken MATH 3770 can still use that for their statistics requirement.  MATH 3670 cannot be used for statistics credit. 
• BMED 3400 is a prerequisite for BMED 3110.  You cannot take the concurrently.
• ECE 2026:  This three credit course is equal to the four credit ECE 2025, which was discontinued.  You can use either for depth elective credit.
• APPH 1040/1050:  This course replaces HPS 1040.  You can take either APPH 1040 or 1050 to satisfy the wellness requirement.  If you already took HPS 1040, that also satisfies the requirement.
• Yes, you can take CHEM 4511 instead of CHEM 3511 for the pre-health Biochemistry requirement. 
• No, you can't take ECE 3710 and 3741 concurrently, 3710 is a prerequisite for 3741.

If you want to do research in the BME department, you need to start by going to https://bme.gatech.edu/bme/research, which gives an overview of research conducted by BME faculty and graduate students in their labs.  Clicking on an area of focus will takes you to another page which shows faculty who have labs in that area.  Click on the faculty link and go to their sites (some don't have them, but most do) and read up on their research.  After that, contact a few faculty members by email expressing your interest in working in their labs, and asking for an interview.  If you don’t get a response in a few days, send another email, or stop by their offices.  You must be persistent to try to get something arranged. 

Once you have that contact established, and you and the professor have come to an agreement on what you will do, fill out the attached undergraduate research form, have your faculty advisor sign it (professor or grad student), attach a short write up explaining the nature of your research, and bring the form to your academic advisor.  The forms are online at http://bme.gatech.edu/bme/undergrad-forms and also in a tray outside the Academic Offices.  Once you have turned in the form, a permit will be put in the system for you, which kicks out an email with the CRN number that allows you to register for the research.  Associate Chair Dr. Joe Le Doux does not need to sign the form.  Students register research for credit with either BMED 2699 (freshmen/sophomores) or BMED 4699 (juniors/seniors), based on your current hours.

Consult with your research advisor to determine the appropriate number of credit hours desired for the experience.  It is expected that you should spend approximately three hours per week on research for every hour of credit for fall and spring semesters, while you should spend approximately four hours per week on research for every credit hour in summer. 

A final report is required. Your research advisor assigns a final course grade.  The assumption is that your research advisor will require a report.  If so, just turn in a copy of the same report to your academic advisor.  You can send it the form electronically or deliver a hard copy.  If your research advisor does not require a report, then create one yourself, based on the criteria on the front page of the instructions, and then turn it into your academic advisor. 

Students receiving pay for their research work do not register for BMED 2699/4699 courses, and they do not need to fill out a research form. Rather they should register for BMED 2698 (1st and 2nd year students) or BMED 4698 (3rd and 4th year students).  Students contact their academic advisor and let their advisor know whose lab they are working in that semester.  The academic advisor will then put a permit in the system to allow the student to register.  It is important to register paid research to have it recorded on your transcript, you may need this to satisfy the two semester requirement to use research for credit towards BME depth elective credit.  This will not add anything to your tuition payment.

To apply for research for pay, go to http://www.undergradresearch.gatech.edu for PURA and other opportunities, and http://petitinstitute.gatech.edu/petit-scholars for the Petit Undergraduate Research Scholars program.  Some students may also be paid directly through the lab in which they are working. 

Up to six hours of research for credit (BMED 2699/4699) are allowed to count as BMED depth elective credit, provided the research was conducted for credit in the same lab over a period of at least two semesters.  These do not have to be consecutive semesters.  This is retroactive, so if you have done 2699/4699 research in a Biomedical Engineering lab in the past, you can use this credit as long as it adheres to the specifications above.  Note:  Although you can only use up to six hours for elective credit, there is no limit to the number of research hours you can do.

Undergraduate research credit (2699/4699 courses) performed for faculty outside the Coulter Department may be used to satisfy up to a total of 6 credit hours of BME depth elective requirements, provided that the research: (1) was conducted in the same lab over a period of at least two semesters (2698/4698 courses can be used to satisfy the two-semester requirement), and (2) has a significant engineering component that relates to the student’s studies in the BME curriculum.  Otherwise, the credit can be used to satisfy only BME free elective requirements.  This research must be approved by the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies.  The Undergraduate Research Form for non-BME labs form must be filled out and turned into your academic advisor.  The advisor will give it to the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies for his/her approval consideration.  He/she will return it to the advisor, the advisor will contact the student to inform her/him that the research was approved/not approved.  NOTE:  You register for this credit through the other department where you are doing research.  If you are doing research in an MSE lab, you register through that department, not BME.  The non-BME form you fill out is only to see if your research can be approved for BME depth elective credit.  The form is located here:  http://bme.gatech.edu/bme/undergrad-forms

Students cannot use research to satisfy the Research Option requirement for the breadth electives, and also to satisfy depth elective credit.  Research must be used for one or the other.  If students are using the Research Option to satisfy breadth elective credit, they will need to fulfill their 12 hours of depth electives by taking classes.  For more information on the Research Option, go here:  http://undergradresearch.gatech.edu/research-option

If students are using the Research Option to fulfill their 15 required hours of breadth electives, they can do research anywhere at Georgia Tech.  Their research does not have to be in the engineering department, or in engineering at all.  To complete the Research Option, students must do at least nine hours of research for either credit or pay.  They will also take two thesis writing courses, LMC 4701 and LMC 4702.  If students complete the Research Option by doing less than the 15 hours of required breadth electives, they can use any elective credit hours to substitute towards the 15 hours.  So, for example, a student does six hours of research for credit, is awarded PURA for one semester and does three hours for pay, takes the two LMC courses and writes the thesis.  In this scenario, the student has satisfied the requirements for the Research Option, and has a total of eight hours of credit.  The student will still need seven hours of credit in other courses to achieve the 15 required hours for breadth elective credit. 

Students may elect to satisfy their breadth elective requirements by completing an Institute approved minor. A list of minors can be found at http://catalog.gatech.edu/academics/minors/#minorsofferedtext. Minors are a minimum of 15 hours, although some minor courses have prerequisite courses that students will need to take as well.

There is no designation or track for pre-health at Georgia Tech, no pre-health minor or certificate. BME students who are pre-health, meaning they are seeking a career in the healthcare field (medical, dental, pharmacological, etc.), will take the same curriculum as all the other BME students, with the exception of their Chemistry courses. The suggested schedule for the current degree requirements for students following the pre-health breath electives is listed here: 4 year plan pre-health

Students who are not pursuing a pre-health degree will take the following Chemistry classes:

• CHEM 1211K, General Chemistry (with lab), four credits
• CHEM 1315, Survey of Organic Chemistry, three credits

Students who are pursuing a pre-health degree will take the following Chemistry classes:

• CHEM 1211K, General Chemistry (with lab), four credits
• CHEM 1212K, Inorganic Chemistry, four credits
• CHEM 2311, Organic Chemistry I, three credits
• CHEM 2313, Organic/Bioorganic Chemistry I, three credits
• CHEM 2380, Synthesis Lab for Organic, two credits
• CHEM 3511, Survey of Biochemistry, or CHEM 4511, Biochemistry I, three credits

Note

Pre-health students also are required to have taken two semesters of English, two semesters of Calculus, two semesters of Physics with lab, and two semesters of Biology with lab prior to matriculating into a U.S. medical school. The two semester Biology requirement can be satisfied in the BME curriculum with BMED 3100, Systems Physiology, BMED 3110, Quantitative Engineering Physiology Lab I, BMED 3600, Cellular and Molecular Physiology Systems, and BMED 3610, Quantitative Engineering Physiology Lab II.

 

Georgia Tech Pre-Health Advising

Students interested in pre-health should become familiar with the pre-health website: http://www.prehealth.gatech.edu. Georgia Tech also has a Director of Pre-Health Advising. The advisor works with Tech students interested in health related careers. For students who are pre-health, please sign up for the pre-health listserve. To join the pre-health listserv, please visit lists.gatech.edu/sympa/ , search for “pre-health” and sign up for the pre-health listserv (pre-health@lists.gatech.edu) to keep up with the latest pre-health issues and workshops. Here is information on making an appointment with the pre-health advisor: www.prehealth.gatech.edu/individual-advising.

Students cannot use research to satisfy the Research Option requirement for the breadth electives, and also to satisfy depth elective credit. Research must be used for one or the other. If students are using the Research Option to satisfy breadth elective credit, they will need to fulfill their 12 hours of depth electives by taking classes. For more information on the Research Option, go here: http://undergradresearch.gatech.edu/research-option

If students are using the Research Option to fulfill their 15 required hours of breadth electives, they can do research anywhere at Georgia Tech. Their research does not have to be in the engineering department, or in engineering at all. To complete the Research Option, students must do at least nine hours of research for either credit or pay. They will also take two thesis writing courses, LMC 4701 and LMC 4702. If students complete the Research Option by doing less than the 15 hours of required breadth electives, they can use any elective credit hours to substitute towards the 15 hours. So, for example, a student does six hours of research for credit, is awarded PURA for one semester and does three hours for pay, takes the two LMC courses and writes the thesis. In this scenario, the student has satisfied the requirements for the Research Option, and has a total of eight hours of credit. The student will still need seven hours of credit in other courses to achieve the 15 required hours for breadth elective credit.

Students may elect to satisfy their breadth elective requirement by completing a certificate. A list certificates can be found here. For certificates less than 15 hours, students can use any other course to satisfy the remaining needed credit hours, including research. Certificates are a minimum of 12 hours, although some minor courses have prerequisite courses that students will need to take as well.

If you want to do research in the BME department, you need to start by going to https://bme.gatech.edu/bme/research, which gives an overview of research conducted by BME faculty and graduate students in their labs.  Clicking on an area of focus will takes you to another page which shows faculty who have labs in that area.  Click on the faculty link and go to their sites (some don't have them, but most do) and read up on their research.  After that, contact a few faculty members by email expressing your interest in working in their labs, and asking for an interview.  If you don’t get a response in a few days, send another email, or stop by their offices.  You must be persistent to try to get something arranged. 

Once you have that contact established, and you and the professor have come to an agreement on what you will do, fill out the attached undergraduate research form, have your faculty advisor sign it (professor or grad student), attach a short write up explaining the nature of your research, and bring the form to your academic advisor.  The forms are online at http://bme.gatech.edu/bme/undergrad-forms and also in a tray outside the Academic Offices.  Once you have turned in the form, a permit will be put in the system for you, which kicks out an email with the CRN number that allows you to register for the research.  Associate Chair Dr. Joe Le Doux does not need to sign the form.  Students register research for credit with either BMED 2699 (freshmen/sophomores) or BMED 4699 (juniors/seniors), based on your current hours.

Consult with your research advisor to determine the appropriate number of credit hours desired for the experience.  It is expected that you should spend approximately three hours per week on research for every hour of credit for fall and spring semesters, while you should spend approximately four hours per week on research for every credit hour in summer. 

A final report is required. Your research advisor assigns a final course grade.  The assumption is that your research advisor will require a report.  If so, just turn in a copy of the same report to your academic advisor.  You can send it the form electronically or deliver a hard copy.  If your research advisor does not require a report, then create one yourself, based on the criteria on the front page of the instructions, and then turn it into your academic advisor. 

Students receiving pay for their research work do not register for BMED 2699/4699 courses, and they do not need to fill out a research form. Rather they should register for BMED 2698 (1st and 2nd year students) or BMED 4698 (3rd and 4th year students).  Students contact their academic advisor and let their advisor know whose lab they are working in that semester.  The academic advisor will then put a permit in the system to allow the student to register.  It is important to register paid research to have it recorded on your transcript, you may need this to satisfy the two semester requirement to use research for credit towards BME depth elective credit.  This will not add anything to your tuition payment.

To apply for research for pay, go to http://www.undergradresearch.gatech.edu for PURA and other opportunities, and http://petitinstitute.gatech.edu/petit-scholars for the Petit Undergraduate Research Scholars program.  Some students may also be paid directly through the lab in which they are working. 

Up to six hours of research for credit (BMED 2699/4699) are allowed to count as BMED depth elective credit, provided the research was conducted for credit in the same lab over a period of at least two semesters.  These do not have to be consecutive semesters.  This is retroactive, so if you have done 2699/4699 research in a Biomedical Engineering lab in the past, you can use this credit as long as it adheres to the specifications above.  Note:  Although you can only use up to six hours for elective credit, there is no limit to the number of research hours you can do.

Undergraduate research credit (2699/4699 courses) performed for faculty outside the Coulter Department may be used to satisfy up to a total of 6 credit hours of BME depth elective requirements, provided that the research: (1) was conducted in the same lab over a period of at least two semesters (2698/4698 courses can be used to satisfy the two-semester requirement), and (2) has a significant engineering component that relates to the student’s studies in the BME curriculum.  Otherwise, the credit can be used to satisfy only BME free elective requirements.  This research must be approved by the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies.  The Undergraduate Research Form for non-BME labs form must be filled out and turned into your academic advisor.  The advisor will give it to the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies for his/her approval consideration.  He/she will return it to the advisor, the advisor will contact the student to inform her/him that the research was approved/not approved.  NOTE:  You register for this credit through the other department where you are doing research.  If you are doing research in an MSE lab, you register through that department, not BME.  The non-BME form you fill out is only to see if your research can be approved for BME depth elective credit.  The form is located here:  http://bme.gatech.edu/bme/undergrad-forms

Students cannot use research to satisfy the Research Option requirement for the breadth electives, and also to satisfy depth elective credit.  Research must be used for one or the other.  If students are using the Research Option to satisfy breadth elective credit, they will need to fulfill their 12 hours of depth electives by taking classes.  For more information on the Research Option, go here:  http://undergradresearch.gatech.edu/research-option

If students are using the Research Option to fulfill their 15 required hours of breadth electives, they can do research anywhere at Georgia Tech.  Their research does not have to be in the engineering department, or in engineering at all.  To complete the Research Option, students must do at least nine hours of research for either credit or pay.  They will also take two thesis writing courses, LMC 4701 and LMC 4702.  If students complete the Research Option by doing less than the 15 hours of required breadth electives, they can use any elective credit hours to substitute towards the 15 hours.  So, for example, a student does six hours of research for credit, is awarded PURA for one semester and does three hours for pay, takes the two LMC courses and writes the thesis.  In this scenario, the student has satisfied the requirements for the Research Option, and has a total of eight hours of credit.  The student will still need seven hours of credit in other courses to achieve the 15 required hours for breadth elective credit. 

Q1. How do I know if I am a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior or Senior?

Your class level is based on the total number of earned hours you have at Georgia Tech, including transfer hours.

• Freshman: 0-29 credit hours
• Sophomore: 30-59 credit hours
• Junior: 60-89 credit hours
• Senior: 90 + credit hours

Q1. How many hours are needed to be a full time student?

You will need to take at least 12 hours in any semester, including summer, to be considered a full time student. Full time status is based on attempted hours.

Q2. How many hours am I allowed to take?

The maximum number of hours a student is allowed to take during Fall and Spring Semesters is based on Academic Standing:

• Good Standing: 21 semester hours
• Warning: 16 semester hours
• Probation: 14 semester hours

The maximum number of hours a student is allowed to take during Summer:

• Good Standing: 16 semester hours
• Warning: 14 semester hours
• Probation: 12 semester hours

Q3. Do I need to be a full time student?

You will need to take at least 12 hours in any semester, including summer, to be considered a full time student. Full time status is based on attempted hours.

Co-op - Co-op students are required to be full time. Exceptions can be made in the summer if necessary. Please direct questions to the Co-op Office.

Financial Aid / Loans / Scholarships - If you have loans, scholarships or financial aid usually need to be full time during fall and spring, but not always during the summer. Students needs to verify this with the Financial Aid Department.

Health Insurance - If students are using their parent's health insurance, the insurance company may require the student to be full time (except during the summer semester.) Students need to check with each individual insurance company.

HOPE - Hope does not require that students be full time. Click here for more information.

International Students - International students are required to be full time students. Questions about this should be directed to the Office of International Education (OIE).

Other - Other things to think about are car insurance (if you are getting a discounted rate for being a full time student), etc.

Parents / Guardians - Students should always consult their parents or guardians if they intend to be part time students.

Q1. What are the levels of academic standing?

• Good Standing
• Warning
• Probation
• Drop/dismissal

Here is a link to definitions for each level here.

Q2. What is the required GPA to be in Good Standing?

Class Standing / Required GPA

• Freshman - 1.70
• Sophomore - 1.80
• Junior - 1.95
• Senior - 2.00

Q3. I am on Warning or Probation. How do I get back to Good Standing?

You must have a term GPA above the required GPA for good standing AND your overall GPA must be above the required GPA for good standing.

Q. What are the requirements for dean's list and faculty honors?

Dean's List Requirements

An academic standing of GOOD
No Incomplete (I) grades
At least 12 hours of course work on a letter grade basis
Academic average of 3.00 or higher

Faculty Honors Requirements

An academic standing of GOOD
No Incomplete (I) or Withdrawal (W) grades
At least 12 hours of course work on a letter grade basis
Academic average of 4.00

Q1. Classes requiring a "C" or better

Your class level is based on the total number of earned hours you have at Georgia Tech, including transfer hours.

A minimum grade of C is required for the following courses:

• MATH 1501 Calculus I
• MATH 1502 Calculus II
• CHEM 1310 or 1211K General Chemistry
• COE 2001 Statics
• PHYS 2211 Physics I
• BMED 1300 Problems in BME I
• BMED 2210 Conservation Principles in BME
• * CS 1371 Computing for Engineers

* Note: Students graduating in the 2011-12 catalog year and beyond do not need a C in CS 1371, as they will not be taking ECE 2025. Any students graduating in prior catalog years, where ECE 2025 is a requirement, still need a C in CS 1371.
 

An average grade of C (as computed using most recent grade for repeated courses) is required for the following sets of courses:

• MATH 1501/1502/2401/2403
• All required BMED courses

A student who does not receive a grade of "C" or better in one of these courses must repeat the course and satisfy this requirement prior to enrolling in follow-on courses.

Q2. Can I take a class as Pass/Fail instead of a letter grade?

The only classes that BME students can take as pass/fail are Humanities and Social Science classes. You must follow the credit hour guidelines set by the Institute. You can find those guidelines here. Note: LCC classes cannot be taken on a pass/fail unless approved by that department.

Q3. Can I take a class at another school which I have already taken at Georgia Tech?

No. Georgia Tech will NOT award credit for courses successfully completed at another institution which were previously taken at Georgia Tech. This is regardless of the grade you received at Georgia Tech. However, if you have a ' W ' for a particular class on your transcript, you may retake the class at another institution and then transfer the credit back to Tech.

Q4. I'm doing poorly in my classes, what can I do?

There are many Tutoring and Academic Workshops available on campus.

Q5. If I repeat a class, will my first grade be removed from my GPA?

Beginning with Freshmen who started in Fall 2005, a limited Grade Substitution Policy exists for first time freshmen who receive a "D" or an "F" in a course within their first two terms in residence. Transfer students are not eligible for the Grade Substitution Policy. The repeat course must be taken within the student's first four terms in residence at Georgia Tech. In residence is defined by taking classes at Georgia Tech, taking classes over the Summer at another institution will not count as one of the semesters. The proper paperwork must be filled on time for this to be effective. The paperwork is due after the class has been completed and the new grade has been issued. Be sure to understand the rules of the Grade Substitution Policy.

Q6. I transferred a class into Georgia Tech, but decided to take it over at Georgia Tech. Can I still use my original transfer credit?

No. If you decide to repeat a class at Georgia Tech and complete the class, your transfer credit will be removed from your transcript. If you receive a 'W' on your transcript, then you may still use your original transfer credit.

Q1. How do I calculate my overall GPA?

Click here for GPA calculation instructions. We do not calculate a separate major GPA.

Q2. If I take classes at another school, are those grades included in my Georgia Tech GPA?

No. Your Georgia Tech GPA consists of only classes taken at Georgia Tech.

Q3. If I repeat a class, will my first grade be removed from my GPA?

Students Starting Summer 2005 and Earlier:
No. Both grades will be averaged into your overallGPA.

Transfer Students Starting Fall 2005 and Later:
Both grades will be averaged into your overall GPA.

Freshman Starting Fall 2005 and Later:
Yes, a limited Grade Substitution Policy exists for first time freshman who receive a "D" or an "F" in a course with in their first two terms in residence. The proper paperwork must be filled on time for this to be effective. The paperwork is due after the class has been completed and the new grade has been issued. Please see the official Grade Substitution Policy for details.

Q1. How do I calculate my overall GPA?

Click here for GPA calculation instructions. We do not calculate a separate major GPA.

Q2. Do my Midterm Grades count in my GPA?

No. They do not show up on a transcript and they are not counted toward your GPA.

Q3. How do I see my Midterm Grades?

• Go to OSCAR.
• Select Secured Access Login and log in to OSCAR.
• Select Student Services & Financial Aid.
• Select Student Records.
• SelectView Progress Reports.

Q4. What happens if I get a "U", or more than one "U"?

You may need to speak with the academic advisor to make sure you are doing okay.

Q5. Do I need to have my Midterm Grades changed if they are incorrect?

No. Midterm Grades are not counted toward your GPA, so you there is no way to change them if they are incorrect.

Q1. When is registration?

Click here to view the registration calendar for each semester.

Q2. What are Time Tickets?

Time tickets are the earliest time that you are allowed to register. These times are generally prioritized based on the number of hours that you have.

Q3. How do I view my time ticket?

Time tickets are available on OSCAR a few days before registration begins. Click here for instructions to view your time ticket.

Q4. What are Holds?

Holds are placed on your registration and will prevent you from being able to register for classes. They are placed because there is some problem that you need to resolve.

Q5. How do I find out if I have any holds?

Click here for instructions to view holds.

Q6. How do I clear any holds?

You must talk to the department which has placed the hold on your registration. The BME advisor can only remove BME academic holds. Financial and student health related holds must be cleared by those departments.

Q7. How do I Register for classes?

Click here for registration instructions.

Q8. How do I fix any errors that I get while I am trying to register?

Please click here for a list of common registration errors and instructions for resolving these errors.

Q9. How do I drop a class?

Click here for instructions to drop a class.>

Q1. What are the types of overrides available?

Your class level is based on the total number of earned hours you have at Georgia Tech, including transfer hours.

Permit Override - A permit is given for classes you are not normally required to take, or if you are not at the correct level (for example, an undergraduate taking a graduate level class). A permit is required if you get a major restriction error, class restriction error, or a level restriction error while trying to register for a class.

Overload Override - An overload is given when a class is full and you have a close section error while trying to register for the class.

Prerequisite Override - A prerequisite permit is given when you do not have all of the required prerequisites for the classes and you get a prerequisite error while trying to register for the class.

Q2. How do I request a permit or overload for a class?

For BME classes, contact the Academic Advisor, Paul Fincannon, Email.

For other departments, click here to see how the department grants permits and overloads.

Q3. Do I still need to register for the class if I have been given an overload, permit or prerequisite override?

Yes! We cannot register you for a class; you must do this yourself.

Q4. I am an undergraduate student and I want to take a graduate level class. How can I do this?

You must request a permit and a level restriction override. Click here for instructions.

Q1. How do I find a list of prerequisites or prerequisites with concurrency for courses (classes that must be taken with the class in question)?

Prerequisites for required classes are listed on the BME Prerequisite Chart. Prerequisites for non-BME classes can be found in OSCAR.

Q2. How do I know if the class is a prerequisite or prerequisite with concurrency?

All prerequisites with concurrency have an one (1) after each class. All prerequisites do not have an one listed.

Q3. Do I really need to take the prerequisites for the classes?

Yes. The prerequisites and concurrent prerequisites are there to make sure that you have all of the background information for the class you are going to take.

Q4. OSCAR let me sign up for a class without the correct prerequisites or corequisites. Can I still take the class?

No. The prerequisites and concurrent prequisites are there to make sure that you have all of the background information for the class you are going to take.

Q1. How many social science and humanities classes do I need?

Your class level is based on the total number of earned hours you have at Georgia Tech, including transfer hours.

Humanities (12 hours)	Social Science (12 hours)
ENGL 1101 (3 hrs)	U.S. Perspective (3 hrs) HIST 2111, HIST 2112, POL 1101, INTA 1200 or PUBP 3000
ENGL 1102 (3 hrs)	Social Science Elective * (3 hrs)
Humanities Elective * (3 hrs)	Social Science Elective (3 hrs)
Humanities Elective (3 hrs)	Social Science Elective (3 hrs)

* For all students graduating using the 2011-12 catalog and beyond, a Global Perspectives Overlay course is required. This course will meet either Humanity or Social Science elective credit. The courses are listed here. Humanity courses are listed here and Social Science courses are listed here.

Note #1: Students can only get credit for either INTA 1200 or POL 1101.

Note #2: Students can receive credit for either ECON 2100 or ECON 2101,or for ECON 2105/2106. Students can not receive credit for ECON 2100 and ECON 2101 or for ECON 2100 and ECON 2105/2106 or for ECON 2101 and ECON 2105/2106.

Note #3: Humanities credit will only be awarded for Modern Languages 1001 classes upon successful completion of the corresponding 1002 classes. Example: Humanities credit is awarded for SPAN 1101 only upon the successful completion of SPAN 1102.

Note #4: Undergraduate Research courses numbered 2698, 2699, 4698, and 4699 cannot be used to fulfill requirements for Humanities or Social Science.

Q2. Which classes count as social science electives?

Click here to find out about being a transient student.

Q3. Which classes count as humanities electives?

Click here for a list of humanities electives.

Q1. How do I know what classes transfer into GT?

Many classes are listed on the Transfer Equivalency Table. If the class is not listed on this table, you need to contact the appropriate person in that particular department.

Q3. I took a class that I did not get credit for at Georgia Tech. Can I test out of that class?

Click here to find out about being a transient student.

Q2. What do I need to do?

Click here to find out about being a transient student.

Q3. I took a class that I did not get credit for at Georgia Tech. Can I test out of that class?

Students who offer satisfactory evidence that they are qualified to do so may receive credit for a course by examination. This is called an an Advanced Standing Exam.

Q4. How do I transfer into the Biomedical Engineering department from another school?

Click here to find out about being a transfer student.

Q1. What are minors, certificates, double majors and second undergraduate degrees?

• Minor - A minor consists of a minimum of 15-18 credit hours in an area outside your major, 12 of which must be at a 3000 level or above. A minor will appear on your transcript. A list of current minors approved for Biomedical Engineering students can be found here.
• Certificate - A certificate consists of a minimum of 12 semester hours in an area outside your major, 9 of which must be at a 3000 level or above. A certificate will not appear on your transcript.
• Double Major - The Biomedical Engineering department does not allow students to matriculate into the department for the purpose of seeking a second major. However, we do allow our Biomedical Engineering students to be double majors in other departments, dependent on the permission of the other department. Students must meet all of the requirements for both degrees and earn credit for a total of at least 36 additional hours in excess of the first degree.
• Second Undergraduate Degree - The Biomedical Engineering department does not allow students to matriculate into the department for the purpose of seeking a second undergraduate degree.

Q2. How do I sign up for a minor or certificate?

• Minor - To pursue a minor, you must first declare a minor. You can find that form here. The semester that you fill out your degree petition you will also need to fill out the Minor Form. You will turn in the signed Minor form with your degree petition to the Registrar's Office in Tech Tower.
• Certificate - The semester that you graduate, fill out a certificate form and turn it in to the department offering the certificate. Once your certificate is approved the department offering the certificate will mail it to you.

Q3. How many minors am I allowed to declare?

A student is allowed a maximum of 2 minors.

Q1. What is a Degree Petition?

The means that school uses to verify you have met all of your requirements for your Bachelor's Degree.

Q2. Where do I get a blank Degree Petition?

You can pick up a degree petition in the tray outside the BME Advisor's office, Room 1109 in Whitaker. Or you can download one from the Registrar’s Office here.

Q3. When do I turn in my degree petition?

You need to turn in your degree petition no later than drop day the semester before you intend to graduate. (For example, if you are graduating in the Fall, you need to turn your degree petition in by drop day of Summer term). If you will not be on campus that semester, then you need to file it the semester before you leave campus.

Q4. What is the 36 hour rule?

No student may be considered a candidate for a degree unless the final 36 credit hours required for the degree are earned in residence at Georgia Tech and approved by the major school. Students in violation of this rule must Petition the Faculty.

Q5. Can I study abroad as part of the 36 hour rule?

GT policy states: :No student may be considered a candidate for a degree unless the final 36 credit hours required for the degree are earned in residence at GT and approved by the major. Since credits earned on GT programs abroad are considered GT credit hours in residence, you can go abroad on a GT Study Abroad Programs during your final 36 credit hours at GT. Note: This does not apply to non-Georgia Tech study abroad programs!

Q6. What is the 10 year rule?

Course work over 10 years old will not be used toward a BS degree. Students in violation of this rule must Petition the Faculty to use the old coursework.

Q7. What are the GPA requirements for graduating with honors?

Click here for more information about graduating with honors.

Q8. Where do I get more information about graduation?

Click here for more degree candidate information.

Click here for more information regarding Commencement.

Q1. What is DegreeWorks?

DegreeWorks is a web-based product that enables students and their advisors to review past, present, and future academic coursework to evaluate which degree requirements are complete and which degree requirements are remaining. DegreeWorks integrates seamlessly with BuzzPort and the Banner Student System.

Q2. Why do I need to look at DegreeWorks?

It will tell you how far along you are in the curriculum and will identify the required classes that you are missing. Also, using the "What If" feature shows students how progress towards degree completion changes if they add a minor or change majors.

Q3. Where do I find DegreeWorks?

degreeworks.gatech.edu/

Q4. How do I use it?

There are training documents and videos here.

Q1. What is the Hope Scholarship?

The HOPE Scholarship is a scholarship available only to residents of Georgia. It covers in-state tuition, some fees, and some book allowances.

Q2. Do I need to be a full-time student to qualify for the HOPE scholarship?

No. A student is not required to be enrolled full time to receive the HOPE Scholarship. The HOPE Scholarship will prorate based on the number of hours the student is enrolled.

Q3. The BME major requires more than 127 hours, will HOPE pay?

No. With the new changes to HOPE, only 127 hours total are paid with HOPE scholarship dollars.

Q4. What courses are included with HOPE credit and GPA calculations?

Credits: All credit hours attempted after high school graduation are included with HOPE credit hour calculations. All pass/fail classes, courses withdrawn (W), courses withdrawn while failing (WF) and learning support credits are included in the attempted hours.

GPA: Of those, the pass/fail classes and courses withdrawn (W) do not affect the HOPE GPA, while the courses withdrawn while failing (WF) and the learning support grades are configured into the GPA.

Q5. What courses are excluded with HOPE credit and GPA calculations?

The following course types are not included in HOPE calculations.

• Audited / CO-OP courses
• AP, IB, and CLEP courses
• Courses dropped during the Drop / Add period are not included in the HOPE calculations because they are erased from student records.
• Courses withdrawn due to serious medical issues may be forgiven and exempt from consideration in the HOPE calculations. An appeal must be sent to the Georgia Student Finance Commission (www.gacollege411.org).
• Courses withdrawn due to military activation

Q6. Where can I find more information about the HOPE Scholarship?

HOPE Scholarship Webpage and then the financial aid department.

Q1. How do I change my major?

You must obtain a Change of Major Form and have the new department advisor and the old department advisor sign the form. You will then need to turn in the signed form to the Registrar's Office.

Q2. Who are the advisors that will sign the Change of Major Form?

You must have the Academic Advisor in your new department and your old department signs the Change of Major Form.

Q3. Are there restrictions I need to know about before I change my major?

Students have one 'free' change of major before he/she reaches 60 credit hours (including transfer credit hours.) After the one 'free' major change, schools can impose GPA requirements in order to change into their major.

Q4. What are the BME requirements to change my major?

All students who have more than 60 credit hours, or have previously used their 'free' change of major, must have at least a 2.8 GPA to transfer into BME.

Q1. I have been away from school for more than two consecutive terms. Do I need to apply for readmission?

Yes! Click here for the readmission form.

Q2. I have been away from school for just one consecutive terms. Do I need to apply for readmission?

No, you will receive a time ticket to register like normal.

Q3. Who needs to sign my readmission form?

The school which you are applying for readmission to must sign your readmission form.

Q4. Where can I find more information about the readmission process?

Click here for more information about readmission.

Q5. When is my readmission paperwork due to the registrar's office?

Click here to view the registrar's calendar for readmission for students who are not on drop or review status.

To Return... Readmission Deadline
Spring - December 1st
Summer - April 1st
Fall - July 1st

Q1. I've been dropped from school, what do I do now?

If you have been dropped from school, you will not be allowed to return to Tech for at least two semesters. In order to be readmitted you will need to meet with your academic advisor. When you see your academic advisor, you are expected to bring three things: a Readmission Form, a Petition to the Faculty, which includes a letter explaining why this happened, what you have changed, and why you should be readmitted, and the Readmission Contract.

Q2. I've been dropped from school a second time, what do I do now?

Students who have been academically dismissed twice for unsatisfactory grades are rarely readmitted to Georgia Tech.

Q3. When is my readmission paperwork due to the registrar's office?

Click here to view the registrar's calendar for readmission after academic dismissal.

To Return After Academic Dismissal... Readmission Deadline
Spring - October 1st
Summer - February 1st
Fall - June 1st

Q1. What is the EIT or FE exam?

Your class level is based on the total number of earned hours you have at Georgia Tech, including transfer hours.

EIT = Engineer in Training
FE = Fundamentals of Engineering

Passing both these exams is necessary if a student wishes to obtain a professional engineering license. The EIT exam is typically taken just prior to graduation, and is a very broad exam covering a wide range of engineering subject matter. Those who pass the EIT exam are eligible to take the FE exam after they have been a practicing engineer for a couple of years. The FE exam is focused on a specific engineering discipline (e.g. civil, electrical, mechanical engineering etc). At this point in time there is not an FE exam for biomedical engineers. BMEs would have to take one of the other discipline's FE exam.

Q2. Should I take the EIT Exam?

In certain engineering occupations, like civil engineering, a professional engineering license is often required to practice. This is not true in biomedical engineering. That being said, a number of BME majors across the country will take and pass the EIT exam because they believe it will improve their job prospects. Their thinking is that having passed the exam will help dispel the misconception that some in industry have that BME is not a rigorous engineering discipline. This is an individual choice and a recommendation either way by the BME department.

Q3. When do I apply for the Exam?

Applications for the October fall exam are typically due by the first part of July.

Q4. Who is Eligible to take the Exam?

All students must be within two semesters of graduation when they take the exam, including the semester of the exam.

Students are also eligible to register through Georgia Tech for the next exam after graduation only. Students who take the exam after graduation must send an official copy of their transcript to the state of Georgia (an e-mail with instructions will be sent to all students in this situation).

Applicants who graduated prior to Spring 2010, are not eligible to register as a student and must take the exam in Macon. Non-student registration information: http://www.els-examreg.org/

Q5. How do I register for the exam?

Please note that there are 2 parts to the application. The first part is an application for the state of GA to determine if you are eligible for the exam. The second part is to register for the exam through the Engineering and Land Surveying Examination Services (ELSES). You must perform both steps (at different times) to be eligible for the exam. The procedure is as follows:

1. Fill out the Georgia State Board of Professional Engineers FE Exam form. If you have previously registered with the state, then you need to fill out the re-exam form. One registration form for the state of Georgia must be filled out for EACH test date (even if you did not take the test).

Exam Form: http://sos.georgia.gov/acrobat/PLB/09%20EIT%20Senior%20Application.pdf
Re-exam Form: http://www.me.gatech.edu/docs/eit_reexam.pdf

2. Fill out form, attach a picture and have 2 friends sign the form. The AFFILIATION (name of firm) is Georgia Institute of Technology. Do NOT write below the word AFFIDAVIT on the form, unless you are having it notarized yourself (see Step 4 below). You will need to sign the form in front of the person who is notarizing the form for you.

3. Take the completed form and $20 check or money order (no cash) payable to ˜SECRETARY OF STATE" to Claudia Ford in W208 Van Leer. Students taking the re-exam do not need to pay the $20 fee.

4. Claudia Ford will notarize the form for you, have 3 PE's sign the form, and send it to the state of Georgia. If you cannot come in to see Claudia Ford to drop off the application, you must have the form notarized on your own and send it to her at:

Claudia Ford/FE Application
Georgia Institute of Technology
School of Electrical & Computer Engineering
777 Atlantic Dr. N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30332-0250

5. Students who have already graduated must send a copy of their transcript to the address listed on the application. Students who have not graduated must send a copy of their transcript as soon as you graduate.

Sending a transcript: http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/students/formlanding/transcript.php
Application/Payment Address is on the state website: http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/pels/

6. You will not receive a letter of acceptance from the Board office. If your application is complete and you are eligible to take the exam, then ECE will recommend you for the exam and you will be authorized to register for the exam. If there is a problem, you will hear from the ECE Undergraduate Office before July 16.

7. After ECE has recommended you for the exam, you must then register for the exam through ELSES, the company who offers the test. You must register and pay for the exam through their website. Go to the ELSES registration website and select Georgia for registration instructions. The deadline for this registration is approximately September 12, 2010, for the April 2010 exam.

ELSES Website: http://www.els-examreg.org/

8. You will receive a final confirmation for the exam in the mail.

9. Prepare for the exam by knowing what you are allowed to take to the exam. You can buy study materials on the NCEES website (http://www.ncees.org/Exams/FE_exam.php). There are also several good review guides available at bookstores, and Georgia Tech's Tau Beta Pi honor society will offer review sessions the week before the exam.

10. On the day of the exam, take your confirmation card to the testing site.

11. After you graduate, you must send a copy of your transcript to the state board to receive your EIT certification.

Sending a transcript: http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/students/formlanding/transcript.php
Application/Payment Address is on the state website: http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/pels/
(See link under 'Online Services' for 'Check the Status of an Application.')

 

Q6. Additional Information about the Exam

Questions regarding seating arrangements, location of the exam, exam dates, what to take to the exam, etc., should be addressed to NCEES at 1-877-536-7729.

Exam pass rates
More information about the exam available from ELSES
Calculator policy for the exam
Exam day policies
Exam study materials
Review sessions sponsored by Tau Beta Pi just before exam: