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University of Southern California
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Degree Requirements

Educational Program Objectives

Graduates of our undergraduate program are expected to:

  • engage in a professional career in the biomedical or other related industries, or enroll in advanced graduate studies including medical school;

  • work in a technically competent manner to address challenges in engineering or their chosen professions, taking into consideration ethical and societal concerns;

  • work in multidisciplinary teams and communicate effectively with other engineers and professionals;

  • continue to develop their technical knowledge and professional skills, as evidenced by participation or leadership in relevant professional societies; continuing education; or attendance at relevant workshops, meetings or seminars.

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

The Department of Biomedical Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering. Additionally, there are three possible areas of emphasis within this biomedical engineering program major. These are biochemical engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. An area of emphasis appears in parenthesis after the primary major name on the transcript. The requirement for the degree is 128 units. A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as for all courses taken within the Biomedical Engineering department. See common requirements for undergraduate degrees.

Technical electives are to be selected from an approved list available in the department office.

composition/writing requirementUnits
WRIT 140*Writing and Critical Reasoning4
WRIT 340Advanced Writing3

General education (see here)units
General education* +20

Pre-major requirementsunits
Math Requirement
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4

Physics Requirement
PHYS 151L**Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4

Chemistry Elective
CHEM 105aL**General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL**Advanced General Chemistry4
CHEM 105bLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bLAdvanced General Chemistry4

Major requirementsunits
Biomedical Engineering
BME 101Introduction to Biomedical Engineering3
BME 210Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods3
BME 302LMedical Electronics4
BME 402Control and Communication in the Nervous System3
BME 403Physiological Systems3
BME 405LSenior Projects: Measurements and Instrumentation4
BME 410Introduction to Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering3
BME 414Rehabilitation Engineering3
BME 423Statistical Methods in Biomedical Engineering3

Biology
BISC 120L**General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution4
BISC 220LGeneral Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology4
BISC 320LMolecular Biology4

Chemistry
CHEM 322aLbLOrganic Chemistry4-4

Electrical Engineering
EE 150LEngineering Computational Methods3
EE 200LFoundations of Electrical Engineering Systems4
EE 202LLinear Circuits4

Major Electivesunits
Technical electives9
Total units:128

*WRIT 140 is taken concurrently with GE Category VI.

**Satisfies GE Category III requirement.

+The university allows engineering majors to replace the GE Category IV with a second course in Categories I, II or VI.

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Emphasis in Biochemical Engineering

The requirement for the degree with an emphasis in biochemical engineering is 132 units. A grade point average of C (2.0) is required in all course work taken at USC as well as all courses taken within the Department of Biomedical Engineering. See general education and additional common requirements for undergraduate degrees.

composition/writing requirementUnits
WRIT 140*Writing and Critical Reasoning4
WRIT 340Advanced Writing3

General education (see here)Units
General education* +20

pre-major requirementsUnits
Math Requirement
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4

Physics Requirement
PHYS 151L**Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4

Chemistry Elective
CHEM 105aL**General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL**Advanced General Chemistry4
CHEM 105bLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bLAdvanced General Chemistry4

major requirementsUnits
Biomedical Engineering
BME 101Introduction to Biomedical Engineering3
BME 210Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods3
BME 402Control and Communication in the Nervous System3
BME 403Physiological Systems3
BME 405LSenior Projects: Measurements and Instrumentation4
BME 410Introduction to Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering3
BME 416Development and Regulation of Medical Products3
BME 423Statistical Methods in Biomedical Engineering3

Biology
BISC 120L**General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution4
BISC 220LGeneral Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology4
BISC 320LMolecular Biology4
BISC 330LBiochemistry4

Chemistry
CHEM 322aLbLOrganic Chemistry4-4

Chemical Engineering
CHE 330Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics3
CHE 350Introduction to Separation Processes3
CHE 460LChemical Process Dynamics and Control3
CHE 489Biochemical Engineering3

Electrical Engineering
EE 150LEngineering Computational Methods3
EE 200LFoundations of Electrical Engineering Systems4

Materials Science
MASC 310Materials Behavior and Processing3

Major electivesunits
Technical elective2
Total units:132

Major Electivesunits
Technical electives9
Total units:128

*GE Category VI is taken concurrently with WRIT 140.

**Satisfies GE Category III requirement.

+The university allows engineering majors to replace the GE Category IV with a second course in Categories I, II or VI.

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Emphasis in Electrical Engineering

The requirement for the degree with an emphasis in electrical engineering is 133 units. A grade point average of C (2.0) is required in all course work taken at USC, as well as all courses taken within the Department of Biomedical Engineering. See common requirements for undergraduate degrees section

composition/writing requirementUnits
WRIT 140*Writing and Critical Reasoning4
WRIT 340Advanced Writing3

general education (see here)Units
General education* +20

pre-major requirementsUnits
Math Requirement
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4
MATH 445Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II4

Physics Requirement
PHYS 151L**Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 153LFundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics4

Chemistry Elective
CHEM 105aL**General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL**Advanced General Chemistry4
CHEM 105bLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bLAdvanced General Chemistry4

major requirementsUnits
Biomedical Engineering
BME 101Introduction to Biomedical Engineering3
BME 210Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods3
BME 402Control and Communication in the Nervous System3
BME 403Physiological Systems3
BME 405LSenior Projects: Measurements and Instrumentation4
BME 423Statistical Methods in Biomedical Engineering3
BME 425Basics of Biomedical Imaging3

Biology
BISC 220LGeneral Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology4
BISC 320LMolecular Biology4

Chemistry
CHEM 322aLOrganic Chemistry4

Electrical Engineering
EE 101Introduction to Digital Logic3
EE 150LEngineering Computational Methods3
EE 200LFoundations of Electrical Engineering Systems4
EE 201LIntroduction to Digital Circuits4
EE 202LLinear Circuits4
EE 338Physical Electronics3
EE 348LElectronic Circuits I4
EE 357Basic Organization of Computer Systems3

Major electivesunits
Technical electives4
Total units133

*WRIT 140 is taken concurrently with GE Category VI.

**Satisfies GE Category III requirement.

+The university allows engineering majors to replace the GE Category IV with a second course in Categories I, II or VI.

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Emphasis in Mechanical Engineering

The requirement for the degree with an emphasis in mechanical engineering is 132 units. A cumulative GPA 2.0 (C average) is required for all courses taken at USC, as well as all courses taken within the Biomedical Engineering department. See common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

composition/writing requirementUnits
WRIT 140*Writing and Critical Reasoning4
WRIT 340Advanced Writing3

General Education (see here)units
General education* +20

Pre-major requirementsunits
Math Requirement
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
MATH 245Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I4

Physics Requirements
PHYS 151L**Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 153LFundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics4

Chemistry Elective
CHEM 105aL**General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL**Advanced General Chemistry4
CHEM 105bLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bLAdvanced General Chemistry4

Major requirementsunits
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
AME 201Statics3
AME 204Strength of Materials3
AME 301Dynamics3
AME 302Design of Dynamic Systems3
AME 308Computer-Aided Analysis for Aero-Mechanical Design3
AME 309Dynamics of Fluids4

Biomedical Engineering
BME 101Introduction to Biomedical Engineering3
BME 210Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods3
BME 402Control and Communication in the Nervous System3
BME 403Physiological Systems3
BME 404Biomechanics3
BME 405LSenior Projects: Measurements and Instrumentation4
BME 423Statistical Methods in Biomedical Engineering3

Biology
BISC 220LGeneral Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology4
BISC 320LMolecular Biology4

Chemistry
CHEM 322aLOrganic Chemistry4

Electric Engineering
EE 150LEngineering Computational Methods3
EE 200LFoundations of Electrical Engineering Systems4

Materials Science
MASC 310Materials Behavior and Processing3

Major Electivesunits
Technical electives6
Total units:132

* WRIT 140 is taken concurrently with GE Category VI.

** Satisfies GE Category III requirement.

+The university allows engineering majors to replace the GE Category IV with a second course in Categories I, II or VI.

Minor in Craniofacial and Dental Technology

For a complete listing, see the Ostrow School of Dentistry.

Minor in Engineering Technology Commercialization

See listing in the Special Educational Opportunities section.

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements of the Viterbi School of Engineering. At least 28 approved units must be satisfactorily completed, of which at least 19 units must be at the 500 level or above. Four of these units may be thesis BME 594abz.

The master’s degree program provides students with a broad background, linking physiology with engineering science, necessary for entering interdisciplinary careers in medical technology or pursuing further graduate studies in a related field.

Required coursesUnits
BME 501Advanced Topics in Biomedical Systems4
BME 502Advanced Studies of the Nervous System4
BME 511Physiological Control Systems3
BME 513*Signal and Systems Analysis3
BME 533Seminar in Bioengineering1
BME 594abzMaster’s Thesis (2-2-0), or Technical Elective (4)4
ElectivesTechnical9
28

*Students who have taken an advanced undergraduate or master’s level course in system and signal analysis may substitute BME 523 for BME 513 with departmental approval.

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (Medical Imaging and Imaging Informatics)

Completion of the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (Medical Imaging and Imaging Informatics) requires that at least 29 approved units must be satisfactorily completed of which at least 19 units must be at the 500 level or above.

Required coursesUnits
BME 501Advanced Topics in Biomedical Systems4
BME 513Signal and Systems Analysis3
BME 525Advanced Biomedical Imaging4
BME 527Integration of Medical Imaging Systems3
BME 528Medical Imaging Informatics3
BME 535Ultrasonic Imaging3
EE 569Introduction to Digital Image Processing3
ElectivesTechnical6
29

Master of Science in Medical Device and Diagnostic Engineering

This program is designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed for the development of medical devices and diagnostic techniques, including aspects of medical product regulation and product development. The course of study requires successful completion of 28 units of course work and has been designed to be completed in three semesters of full-time study. Students in the program will complete a 19-unit core as well as selecting a 6-unit specialization (or “track”) and one elective from a list provided by the department.

Required coursesUnits
BME 501Advanced Topics in Biomedical Systems, or
BME 502Advanced Studies of the Nervous System4
BME 513Signal and Systems Analysis3
BME 650Biomedical Measurement and Instrumentation3
MPTX 511Introduction to Medical Product Regulation, or
BME 416Development and Regulation of Medical Products3
MPTX 515Quality Systems and Standards, or
ISE 527Quality Management for Engineers3
ISE 545Technology Development and Implementation3
Technical elective3

Complete 6 units from one track from the following lists:6
Regulation Track
MPTX 513Regulation of Medical Devices and Diagnostics3
RSCI 527Medical Product Safety3

Medical Technology and Device Science Track
BME 535Ultrasonic Imaging3
BME 551Intoduction to Bio-MEMS and Nanotechnology3
BME 552Neural Implant Engineering3
BME 620LApplied Electrophysiology4

Product Development Track
ISE 515Engineering Project Management3
ISE 555Invention and Technology Development3
28

Technical Elective (one course)
Applicable courses include: AME 503, BME 511, BME 535, BME 551, ISE 507, ISE 508, ISE 544, MPTX 517, RSCI 528 and courses listed in alternate tracks to that chosen. Other courses may be applicable; please see an advisor for approval.

Viterbi Integrated Master of Science Program (VIP) for the General Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

The Viterbi Integrated Master of Science Program (VIP) will allow selected undergraduates from U.S. institutions partnered with the Viterbi School to complete a general Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering with a 6-unit reduction of the total 28 units required.

The VIP Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering is subject to the following requirements: (1) a total of at least 22 units is required; (2) all units must be taken in biomedical engineering; (3) all units must be taken at the 500 or 600 level; (4) minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be earned on all course work applied toward the master’s degree in biomedical engineering. This average must also be achieved on all course work attempted at USC beyond the bachelor’s degree.

The students will complete 400-level preparatory courses at their undergraduate institution before entering USC. The 400-level courses may be taken toward the undergraduate requirements. They must be acceptable equivalents to at least two of the USC courses listed below:

BME 402Control and Communication in the Nervous System 3
BME 403Physiological Systems 3
BME 404Biomechanics 3
BME 405LSenior Projects: Measurements and Instrumentation 4
BME 410Introduction to Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering 3
BME 423Statistical Methods in Biomedical Engineering 3
BME 425Basics of Biomedical Imaging 3

After admission, students will complete the following courses (22 units) within three semesters:

BME 501Advanced Topics in Biomedical Systems 4
BME 502Advanced Studies of the Nervous System 4
BME 511Physiological Control Systems 3
BME 513Signal and Systems Analysis3
BME 533Seminar in Bioengineering 1
BME 594abzMaster’s Thesis, or 2-2-0
Technical Elective4
Electives3

Students applying to the VIP must be recommended by a faculty representative at a partner undergraduate institution; complete the regular graduate admission application (with exception of the GRE); and hold junior standing in biomedical engineering with a 3.5 GPA or better on major related course work.

Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering

The objective of the Doctor of Philosophy is to produce independent investigators who can make original scholarly contributions and apply advanced engineering concepts and techniques to the understanding and solution of biomedical problems. This program is intended to prepare the student for a career in academic research and teaching, or as an independent investigator in industrial or government laboratories.

The requirements listed are special to this department and must be read in conjunction with the general requirements of the Graduate School.

This program is designed to be normally completed in four years of full-time work beyond the Bachelor of Science degree (including summers). The first two years are devoted primarily to formal course work and the last two to research. In view of the flexible program, each student is assigned an advisor who will guide him or her in the selection of courses. By the end of the third semester of graduate study the student must have completed the Ph.D. screening examination. Subsequently, he or she is required to make a tentative major field selection (e.g., biomedical imaging, signal processing, neural engineering) and pass a qualifying examination. In accordance with the requirements of the Graduate School, at least 60 units of credit beyond the Bachelor of Science degree are required, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Students are required to take BME 533, the graduate biomedical engineering seminar course, for three semesters during their studies.

Requirements for Admission
Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or a natural science, and satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examinations. Undergraduate work should include a basic course in biology, physics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, differential equations and digital computation. Students lacking any of these will be required to make up the deficiency during the first two years of graduate work.

Students who have completed all requirements for the Master of Science degree offered in this department may apply for admission to the Ph.D. program. In this case, all courses taken in the M.S. program may be applied toward the requirements of the doctoral degree.

Screening Examination Process
By the end of the third semester of graduate study, all students must have completed the screening examination process to determine whether or not they will be allowed to continue in the Doctor of Philosophy program. Those who fail will be dropped from the program, although they may be permitted to complete the additional requirements necessary to obtain the Master of Science degree.

Guidance Committee
During the third semester, the student must make a tentative major field selection as described above and form a guidance committee. The latter administers the qualifying examination.

Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination will normally be taken during the fourth semester of full-time academic study. The examination requires the preparation of a comprehensive written research proposal that presents a research question, critically reviews the pertinent literature and outlines the proposed experimental, analytical and computational procedures required to answer the question. The proposal must be defended in an oral examination.

Graduate Certificate in Engineering Technology Commercialization

See listing in the Special Educational Opportunities section.