This site is for current undergraduate students in the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, and is designed to help these students navigate their curriculum as efficiently and painlessly as possible. Students will be able to find information about the advising, curriculum, opportunities, forms needed, the degree process, and finances. This site will also serve as a space for reminders and the undergraduate program calendar. If you have a program-related question, please consult this site first. If you cannot locate your answer, please feel free to email the program directly.
DegreeWorks (DW) shows what classes you have taken, what you still need to take, provides a "What If" scenario if you want to see what would happen if you change majors, or graduate in a different catalog year, and several other useful tools.
DegreeWorks is not perfect, particularly because some of the courses you all will take will fall to the "Fallthrough Courses" area, when in reality they are going to be used, probably for depth or breadth elective credit. The registrar's office or your advisor can move these to their proper place in time.
DegreeWorks Notes: (fyi, click on "Process New" to see your most updated DW record)
The Degree Requirement Spreadsheet is a way for students to figure out their GPA via a spreadsheet. This can be helpful if you are trying to figure out if you get a certain grade in all of your classes how it will affect your overall GPA. Just plug in your grades, the GPA appears at the top. Make sure it matches your transcript to be accurate. See your advisor if you need help. Also, if you need help figuring out your GPA, go to http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/students/gpa.php.
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SAB Course Guide
The unofficial course guide represents the opinions and experiences of bmedSAB members and other students in the Biomedical Engineering Program at Georgia Tech. While this guide is by no means official, we do hope that it gives you insight on the nature of the classes you will be taking while pursuing your BME degree.
SGA Course Critique
Registering for classes just got a whole lot easier.
Students may satisfy the requirements for the B.S. BME degree by meeting all the requirements listed in any one of the catalog years in effect during the period of their enrollment at Georgia Tech. Click on the 4 year plan below to view the required BME core courses.
- The suggested schedule for the current degree requirements is listed here: 4 year plan. Click on the BME courses for a description and syllabus.
- The suggested schedule for the current degree requirements for students following the pre-health breath electives is listed here: 4 year plan pre-health
Planning your schedule
Our curriculum offers great flexibility in setting your semester-by-semester schedule. To facilitate this flexibility, we offer all core BMED courses in both fall, spring, and summer semesters. Use the BME Academic Planning Form to help with your long term planning. In addition, use the 2019-2021 Projected Course Offerings to help plan your schedule.
General Education Courses
Students must have 12 hours of humanities. Six hours are satisfied by ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102. The other six hours will be satisfied by Institute approved humanities course courses.
Students must have 12 hours of social sciences. Three hours are satisfied by one of the following courses: HIST 2111, HIST 2112, INTA 1200, POL 1101 or PUBL 3000. The other six hours will be satisfied by Institute approved social science course courses.
Students must also take a two hour health course, either APPH 1040 or APPH 1050.
Twelve hours of biomedical engineering depth elective courses are required. These may be selected from the following list of courses, or from the list of approved courses other majors: Depth Electives From Other Majors. In addition, up to six hours of research for credit (BMED 2699/4699) will be allowed to count as BMED depth elective credit, provided the research was conducted in the same lab over a period of at least two semesters (Note: BMED 2698/4698 (research for pay) may be used to help satisfy the two-semester requirement). Students who want to use BME-related research conducted in a lab in another school/department will have to have this pre-approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Note: Research credit cannot be used as Depth Elective credit if the Research Option is selected for the Breadth Electives.
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Students may use these electives to probe more deeply into multiple sub-disciplines, or choose to concentrate all courses within the same sub-discipline. For the latter case, the following combinations of electives are suggested:
- Cardiovascular Systems: BMED 4751, 4757, 4758, 4781 and/or 4784
- Biomechanics: BMED 4751, 4757 and 4758
- Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering: BMED 4500, 4751, 4758 and/or 4765
- Neuroengineering: BMED 4781 and 4784
- Medical Imaging: BMED 4750, 4752 and 4783
Seniors with a grade point average of at least 3.5 may schedule graduate level BMED courses as acceptable alternatives, subject to the approval of the course professor and the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
This is a list of courses needed to take a follow up course. Note that students no longer need a C in any BME courses. However, an average grade of C is need for the core math course and the core BME courses.
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Doing engineering research for credit can be used for BME depth or breadth elective credit, not both. Details are below. Students must register research in the same lab for at least two semesters (does not have to be consecutive) to be able to count that research for credit, with the rare exception that research for two semesters in the same lab is not possible (see #7 below). Students can satisfy the two semester requirement by doing research for pay for one of the semesters. Note: Volunteer research, meaning you are not registering the research, does not count as one of the two semesters.
The BME Department @ GT & Emory is a vibrant community filled with diverse individuals who come together to form innovative and groundbreaking organizations!
Undergraduate Organizations
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The Biomedical Engineering Honor Society
AEMB is the national biomedical engineering honor society. Founded in 1979, AEMB recognizes scholarship, leadership, and service in Biomedical Engineering students.
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American Medical Student Association
The largest pre-health organization on the Georgia Tech campus. Providing opportunities for students who are interested in a future involving various types of health care ranging from surgery to pediatrics to dentistry.
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Capstone Design Project
The BME capstone senior design courses provide student teams with hands-on experience in project planning, concept and prototype development, design verification testing, FDA Quality Systems Regulations, design controls and regulatory pathways for the commercialization of medical devices.
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Have you ever wanted to build something you designed from the bottom up?
The BME machine shop is available for use by students & faculty. It is equipped with several mills, a lathe, a drill press, 3D printers, and assorted hand tools. Machining and manufacturing experience is a valuable complement to the biomedical engineering curriculum.
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Undergraduate Mentoring Program
The mentoring program is a face to face peer mentoring program that ensures all incoming freshman have an upperclassmen mentor, and is part of a family of mentors there to support them.
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Ready to Learn, Design, Build Robots that help save lives?
BME Robotics is a club that learns, designs and builds robots related to medicine and healthcare. Our goal is to learn skills to build robots and apply those skills to design, prototype and build robots that save or improve people's lives!
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Student Ambassadors
The group’s primary role is to provide tours and information to prospective BME students and their families.
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BMED Student Advisory Board
This group serves as a liaison between nominated students and the faculty. Dedicated to representing students and improving the BME experience for all.
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The Biomedical Engineering Society
The Georgia Tech branch of the national BMES organization. The BMES exists to promote the increase of Biomedical Engineering knowledge and its utilization. The organization holds social events, performs philanthropic and outreach activities, and hosts industry speakers.
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Engineering World Health
Engineering World Health at Georgia Tech is one of the student chapters of the global non-profit organization. Their mission is to mobilize the biomedical engineering community to improve the quality of healthcare in resource-poor communities of the developing world.
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U.A. Whitaker’s 4th Floor Student Learning Commons
The BME Learning Commons is an area for students to study, socialize, and get involved. Students can use the space in any way they please and take full advantage of the new technology and activities held there to help them further their BME success here at GT!
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Medical Device Entrepreneurship Society
GT-MDEA is dedicated to providing its members and the campus community with resources that include (but are not limited to) design and business related education, mentorship, professional development and networks, and a collaborative community.
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GTNeuro
Encouraging undergraduate research in neuroscience at Georgia Tech, Emory, and Georgia State.
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oSTEM
The Georgia Tech Chapter of oSTEM, promoting professional development among the LGBTQIA community at Georgia Tech.
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BME Student Newsletter
The Pioneer is a BME Student Newsletter. It is a monthly student newsletter based in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech & Emory.
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GTSBE
Dedicated to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.
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GT-SHPE
Enhancement of the college experience for Hispanic students and students of Hispanic descent at Georgia Tech.
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Undergraduate Achievements in Research
The Tower is an interdisciplinary research journal for undergraduate students at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The best thing to do if you are interested in studying abroad is to visit the Office of International Education’s Study Abroad website. Most BME students study abroad through Georgia Tech faculty-led and exchange programs, but students can study through other college and university programs as well. Humanities/social science courses, and introductory science and engineering courses are readily available in most of these programs, which make them attractive to students from many majors. A few programs, including three BME programs, offer courses targeted to appeal to specific majors.

The BME Galway Summer Program is situated in the West of Ireland, which has become the European capital for the healthcare and medical device industries. This program, a collaboration between the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering and the National University of Ireland, Galway, seeks to leverage this remarkable concentration of medical device companies. It is designed for third and fourth year BME students who are interested in an international experience which enables them to combine classroom learning with field trips to medical device companies to learn first-hand their R&D and manufacturing practices.

The BME Beijing Summer Program is a collaboration between the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Peking University (PKU). It is designed for third and fourth year BME students who are interested in an international experience which immerses them in a multicultural learning environment. All courses will be taught by Georgia Tech faculty in English. Some of the courses offered will also be attended by PKU BME students. This program affords the opportunity for an undergraduate research experience in the laboratory of a member of the PKU BME faculty. Field trips to biomedical device companies (e.g. GE Healthcare and Siemens Healthcare) and hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai complement classroom studies and allow students to gain insight into the field of biomedical engineering in China.
Students may also choose to pursue opportunities to work abroad. The Georgia Tech Global Internship Program provides students the opportunity to gain experience in their field, develop the skills employers need in a global economy and get exposure to cross-cultural communication and learning. Registering an internship is free and the internships are often paid positions. The duration can be from 10 weeks to one year.
Our Biomedical Engineering Department aspires to be the best in the world. Our vision is to be a leading force in the new era of medicine, and our mission is to shape and advance biomedical engineering through innovative research and inspiring education. Central to achieving this vision is the success of our biomedical engineering undergraduate program.
In 2014 the Learning Commons was launched to support our undergraduate program in new and innovative ways.
Our graduates must be ready to play a leading role in creatively solving global and complex healthcare challenges. They must be capable of working on collaborative teams whose members come from multiple disciplines with culturally and philosophically diverse viewpoints.
Our graduates must have outstanding communication and social skills and be capable of explaining complex engineering challenges and advances to policy makers who lack scientific and technological expertise.
In short, our graduates must have the scholarly and entrepreneurial confidence needed to thrive in today’s healthcare industry, which is characterized by an ever-quickening pace of technological change and innovation. The Learning Commons prepared our undergraduates for all of these things.
What will the learning commons be used for?
1. Space to meet, study, collaborate, connect, and relax
2. Opportunities to make personal connections with each other and with faculty
3. Tutoring and support for core BME courses
4. Guidance for navigating the BME curriculum
5. A mechanism to explore and better understand post-undergraduate career options
6. Inspirational events and activities
7. Technological resources to support undergraduates work
For assistance with cooperative education (co-op) programs, contact the Georgia Tech Center for Career Discovery and Development.
For assistance with internship programs, contact the Georgia Tech Center for Career Discovery and Development.
The Center for Career Discovery and Development has an advisor assigned to assist specifically Biomedical Engineering students with career opportunities and exploration. At present, our advisor is Mr. Rob Rogers, rob.rogers@gatech.edu.
Global internship opportunities are available through the Office of International Education.
For more information on co-ops, internships, and other career related matters, contact the BME Corporate Relations Manager Brenda Morris, brenda.morris@bme.gatech.edu.

The International Plan is a challenging and coherent academic program for undergraduates that develops global competence within the context of a student's major. It is a degree-long program that integrates international studies and experiences into any participating major at Georgia Tech. Students will work closely with the International Plan office and the Biomedical Engineering Academic Office to make sure they are taking the right classes to lead to graduation.
Here are some quick facts about the program.
- Students must apply and be admitted into the program.
- There is no GPA requirement for first semester freshmen applying to the International Plan. All other applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA at the time of application.
- The IP is intended for students in their first four semesters of college level study, but students who have already completed more than four semesters may still apply.
- Students can choose either the Foreign Language Option (recommended) or the English Language Option.
- Students must be abroad for 26 weeks. This time can be study, work or research, approved by the IP and academic major offices. The time abroad can be all at once, or broken up.
- International Plan students must complete a core set of courses that address international issues that transcend the student's major. These courses may be taken at Georgia Tech and/or overseas and include at least one course focused on international relations, at least one course that provides an understanding of the global economy and at least one course that provides familiarity with an area of the world or a country.
- There will be a capstone course in the BME major designed to tie the international studies and experiences together with the student's major.
- Undergraduate Research Form for BME Students doing BME research
Use this form if you are interested in doing research for credit in a BME lab. You do not need to fill out this form if you are doing research for pay.
- Undergraduate Research Form for BME Students doing non-BME research
Use this form if you are interested in doing research for credit in a non-BME lab.
Use for any of the following:
- To withdraw from school past the deadline
- To be readmitted after being placed on DROP status
- To be granted an individual course substitution
- Waiver of the 10-Year Rule
- Other various requests for the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
- Grade Substitution Form
Use this form only after you have received the new grade that you want to "replace". Turn in the form by the drop date the semester after you received the new grade.
- Major Change Form
Use this form to change majors, or add another major.
- Readmission Form
This is the information and link page to the readmission form, used by students who want to be readmitted to the school. Use this form if you have been out of Georgia Tech for two or more terms. Also use this form if you have been academically dismissed, or withdrew for a semester.
- Transient/Special Student Form
This form is for Georgia Tech students who wish to attend another institution for a term and plan to return to Georgia Tech, such as attending school somewhere else over the Summer.
- Degree Petition Form and Instructions
Download and print out this form. Then fill it out and make an appointment with the academic advisor to go over your petition.
- General information about minors, and the form to add or remove a minor
http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/students/formlanding/changeminor.php
- Links to all minors at Georgia Tech
http://catalog.gatech.edu/programs/#minorstext
- Grade mode change form
https://registrar.gatech.edu/info/grade-mode-form
- FOCUS tutoring this semester is for BMED 2210, 3100, and 3520. The tutors are all BME students. It's like an open office hour hosted by students, for students. FOCUS leaders can help with homework, test review, or just concept review, depending on the student's needs Check out the FOCUS flyer. http://gtbmelc.wixsite.com/bme-learning-commons/academic-support
- Reboot — An academic recovery program for first- and second-year students who are not meeting their own academic expectations. http://success.gatech.edu/programs
- PLUS Program - The Peer Lead Undergraduate Study (PLUS) Program provides opportunities for students enrolled in traditionally challenging courses to work together to review course content, develop learning and study strategies, and prepare for exams. These voluntary sessions are offered several times each week and are facilitated by peer leaders (PLUS leaders) who have successfully completed the course in a previous semester. See the attached PLUS flyer. http://success.gatech.edu/tutoring/plus
- Professor/ TA Office Hours - Every TA and professor has office hours, which are usually listed in the course syllabus. Be sure to use professor/TA office hours for questions and extra course support.
- 1-to-1 Tutoring – 1-on-1 tutoring is a free, appointment-based, CRLA Certified, tutoring program offered to all Georgia Tech undergraduate students by the Center for Academic Success. It is available for weekly appointments, day and evening hours.This service is free to all GT students through the Center for Academic Success. http://success.gatech.edu/1-1-tutoring
- OMED - OMED offers walk-in tutoring services for all students in math, computer science, chemistry, management, biology, and major specific engineering courses. Go to http://omed.gatech.edu/academic-support/tutoring for the schedule and list of supported courses. Individual and group study sessions available at all times per student request.
- Commons Tutoring – Commons tutoring is on the 2nd floor of the Clough Commons in Suite 273, offering tutoring in chemistry, computer science, math and physics. Please check the schedule for Help Desk hours each semester. http://success.gatech.edu/tutoring/commons
- Learning Assistance Program - The Learning Assistance Program is designed to provide residents with academic support through tutoring in core courses outlined by Georgia Tech core curriculum, Areas A-E. The Learning Assistance Program provides tutoring in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Statics , Computer and Electrical Engineering courses and Computer Science. http://oldweb.housing.gatech.edu/academicservices/lap.cfm
- Tech Prep: The Calculus Advantage — This non-credit, residential program reviews fundamental calculus concepts as well as strategies critical for academic success in calculus and other first-year courses. http://success.gatech.edu/programs
- Communications Lab - The Communication Center is located in Clough Commons 447 with trained professional and peer tutors to help undergraduate and graduate students with written projects, multimodal projects, graduate school applications, lab reports, senior design papers, individual and group presentations, poster designs, grant proposals, cover letters, resumes and CVs, and much more. http://www.communicationcenter.gatech.edu/
- Academic Coaching — Provides students with the chance to work individually with professional staff members to enhance their academic skills, gain confidence, discover motivation, and improve performance. http://success.gatech.edu/programs
- Success Summit – A half-day program especially designed for Tech students who are on academic probation and who want to make changes to move into good standing. http://success.gatech.edu/programs
Change of Major
In order for a "Change of Major" form to be processed, the form must be completed by the student, signed by all appropriate offices, and submitted to the Registrar's Office in room 104 of the Tech Tower (Administration Building), or faxed to 404-894-0167.
Changes are generally made within 5 business days of submission. IF PHASE 2 REGISTRATION FOR THE TERM HAS ENDED, CHANGES ARE NOT MADE FOR THE CURRENT TERM, BUT ARE EFFECTIVE FOR THE NEXT TERM.
- Apply to graduate here:
http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/students/deginfo/oag.php
- Degree Candidate FAQ’s are here:
http://www.registrar.gatech.edu/students/deginfo/degcandfaq.php
- Commencement Information is here:
http://www.commencement.gatech.edu/
Accreditation assures that a program has met quality standards set by the profession.
To employers, graduate schools, licensure, certification and registration boards, graduation from an accredited program signifies adequate preparation for entry into the profession. In fact, many of these groups require graduation from an accredited program as a minimum qualification.
The following undergraduate programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.abet.org):
- Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Assessment
Enrollment and Graduation Statistics
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone 404-679- 4500, http://www.sacscoc.org for questions about the accreditation of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Resources in BME
Brenda Morris is a critical resource to the career development of our BME students. She serves as a sounding board to students when brainstorming their career options, and provides many other services to students, a few of which are listed here:
- Full time advisement
- Internship searching and application guidance
- Networking opportunities
- Resume/CV advice
- Career workshops as well as other career development events
- GT Biotechnology Career Fair
- Job postings