University Catalog 2023-2024

Biomedical Engineering Honors Program (Honors)

Biomedical Engineering students who want to expand their knowledge of the field through advanced study and independent research may earn departmental honors. Students in the program write a thesis based on the cumulative experience gained from two complete semesters of independent research in addition to completing one BME course for honors credit or at a graduate level. A successful thesis defense to a group of three faculty members results in the designation of Honors in Biomedical Engineering noted on the student’s transcript.

Plan Requirements:

• Seminar Attendance: Students will attend 2 seminars each semester from the BME seminar series or other approved seminars for 2 semesters.

• Advanced Study Course: Complete a 300 or higher level BME course for student-initiated or faculty-initiated honors or complete a graduate-level course that counts toward the undergraduate degree. The advanced study course should be completed with a grade of B or better.

• Independent Research: Complete BME 491 Biomedical Engineering Honors Thesis I and BME 492 Biomedical Engineering Honors Thesis II both with a grade of B or better.

• Thesis Defense: Write a senior thesis based on the work completed in BME 491 Biomedical Engineering Honors Thesis I and BME 492 Biomedical Engineering Honors Thesis II and successfully defend it before a committee of three scholars. At least two of the committee members must be faculty members, but one may be a graduate student. It is recommended, but not required, that one of the thesis committee members be from outside the BME department. A successful defense is when all three committee members unanimously agree the thesis merits honors credit.