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.