Olin Hall of Engineering 500
(213) 740-7237
FAX: (213) 740-0343
E-mail: marubaya@bcf.usc.eduChair: David Z. D'Argenio, Ph.D.
Faculty
Professors: Michael O. Arbib, Ph.D. (Computer Science, Neurobiology); Michel Baudry, Ph.D. (Natural Sciences and Mathematics); George A. Bekey, Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Speech Science); Theodore W. Berger, Ph.D. (Neurobiology); Edward K. Blum, Ph.D. (Mathematics, Computer Science); David Z. D’Argenio, Ph.D.*; Robert E. Kalaba, Ph.D. (Economics, Electrical Engineering); Vasilis Z. Marmarelis, Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering); Chrysostomos Nikias, Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering); Dennis O’Leary, Ph.D. (Otolaryngology, Physiology and Biophysics); Prakash N. Shrivastava, Ph.D. (Radiation Oncology); Manbir Singh, Ph.D. (Radiology); Stanley M. Yamashiro, Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering)
Associate Professors: Sandra Howell, Ph.D. (Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy); Michael C.K. Khoo, Ph.D.; Kwang-Jin Kim, Ph.D. (Medicine and Physiology); Richard Leahy, Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering and Radiology); Jill McNitt-Gray, Ph.D. (Exercise Science); Bing J. Sheu, Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering); Armand R. Tanguay, Jr., Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering)
Assistant Professors: William R. Dougherty, M.D. (Surgery); Jean-Michel Maarek, Doc.Ing.; Bartlett W. Mel, Ph.D.
Research Professors: Gilbert A. Chauvet, Ph.D., M.D. (Theoretical Biology, University of Angers, France); Warren S. Grundfest, M.D. (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)
Research Associate Professors: Edward T. Chow, Ph.D. (Radiology); Harry A. McKellop, Ph.D. (Orthopaedics); Howard Winet, Ph.D. (Orthopaedics)
Research Assistant Professors: Jim-Shih Liaw, Ph.D.; Xiaping Xie, M.D.
Adjunct Associate Professor: Robert V. Shannon, Ph.D. (House Ear Institute)
*Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award.
Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
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.
First Year, First Semester Units BME 101 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering 3 CHEM 105aL General Chemistry, or CHEM 115aL Advanced General Chemistry 4 MATH 125 Calculus I 4 General education 4 ____ 15
First Year, Second Semester Units CHEM 105bL General Chemistry, or CHEM 115bL Advanced General Chemistry 4 MATH 126 Calculus II 4 General education* Social Issues 4 WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 4 ____ 16
Second Year, First Semester Units BISC 110L Introduction to Biology I 4 CSCI 101L Fundamentals of Computer Programming 3 MATH 226 Calculus III 4 PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4 ____ 15
Second Year, Second Semester Units BISC 112L Introduction to Biology II 4 BME 210a Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods 3 MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4 PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4 Electives technical 3 ____ 18
Third Year, First Semester Units BME 403 Physiological Systems 3 CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry 4 EE 202L Linear Circuits 4 PHYS 153L Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics 4 ____ 15
Third Year, Second Semester Units BME 210b Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods 3 CHEM 322bL Organic Chemistry 4 EE 301a Introduction to Linear Circuits 3 Electives technical 3 General education 4 ____ 17
Fourth Year, First Semester Units BME 402 Control and Communication in the Nervous System 3 BME 423 Statistical Methods in Biomedical Engineering 3 WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 4 Electives technical 3 General education 4 ____ 17
Fourth Year, Second Semester Units BISC 316L Biochemistry and Cell Biology 4 BME 302L Medical Electronics 4 Elective technical 3 General education 4 ____ 15 *Taken concurrently.
**Satisfies general education Category III.
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (Biochemical Engineering)
The requirement for the degree is 130 units. A grade point average of C (2.0) is required in all upper division courses taken in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, and Biological Sciences. See general education and additional common requirements for undergraduate degrees.
First Year, First Semester Units BME 101 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering 3 CHEM 105aL General Chemistry, or CHEM 115aL Advanced General Chemistry 4 MATH 125 Calculus I 4 General education 4 ____ 15
First Year, Second Semester Units CHEM 105bL General Chemistry, or CHEM 115bL Advanced General Chemistry 4 MATH 126 Calculus II 4 General education* Social Issues 4 WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 4 ____ 16
Second Year, First Semester Units BISC 110L Introduction to Biology I 4 CSCI 101L Fundamentals of Computer Programming 3 MATH 226 Calculus III 4 PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4 ____ 15
Second Year, Second Semester Units BISC 112L Introduction to Biology II 4 BME 210a Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods 3 MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4 PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4 Elective technical 3 ____ 18
Third Year, First Semester Units BISC 311 Molecular Biology 4 CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry 4 EE 202L Linear Circuits 4 General education 4 ____ 16
Third Year, Second Semester Units BISC 316L Biochemistry and Cell Biology 4 CHEM 322bL Organic Chemistry, or CHE 350 Introduction to Separation Processes 4 General education 4 WRIT 340 Advanced writing 4 ____ 16
Fourth Year, First Semester Units BISC 300L Introduction to Microbiology 4 BME 402 Control and Communication in the Nervous System 3 BME 403 Physiological Systems 3 BME 423 Statistical Methods in Biomedical Engineering 3 CHE 330 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 4 ____ 17
Fourth Year, Second Semester Units BME 302L Medical Electronics 4 BME 410 Introduction to Biomaterials 3 CHE 489 Biochemical Engineering 3 Electives technical 3 General education 4 ____ 17 *Taken concurrently.
**Satisfies general education Category III.
Combined Major in Biomedical/Electrical Engineering
The requirement for the degree is 136 units. Both majors are listed on the diploma upon completion of the dual major curriculum. See common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.
Technical electives are to be selected from an approved list available in the department office.
First Year, First Semester Units BME 101 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering 3 MATH 125 Calculus I 4 WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 4 General education* Social Issues 4 ____ 15
First Year, Second Semester Units CHEM 105aL General Chemistry, or CHEM 115aL Advanced General Chemistry 4 CSCI 101L Fundamentals of Computer Programming 3 EE 101 Introduction to Digital Logic 3 MATH 126 Calculus II 4 PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4 ____ 18
Second Year, First Semester Units CHEM 105bL General Chemistry, or CHEM 115bL Advanced General Chemistry 4 EE102L Introduction to Digital Circuits 2 MATH 226 Calculus III 4 PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4 General education 4 ____ 18
Second Year, Second Semester Units BME 210a Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods 3 EE 202L Linear Circuits 4 MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4 PHYS 153L Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics 4 ____ 15
Third Year, First Semester Units BISC 110L Introduction to Biology I 4 BME 423 Statistical Methods in Biomedical Engineering 3 CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry 4 EE 301a Introduction to Linear Systems 3 EE 338 Physical Electronics 3 ____ 17
Third Year, Second Semester Units BISC 112L Introduction to Biology II 4 EE 357 Basic Organization of Computer Systems 3 MATH 445 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II 4 WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3 General education 4 ____ 18
Fourth Year, First Semester Units BME 402 Control and Communication in the Nervous System 3 BME 403 Physiological Systems 3 BME 425 Basics of Biomedical Imaging 3 EE 348L Electronic Circuits I 4 General education 4 ____ 17
Fourth Year, Second Semester Units BISC 316L Biochemistry and Cell Biology 4 EE 330 Electromagnetics I 3 EE 454L Introduction to Systems Design Using Microprocessors, or EE 478L Digital Electronic Circuit Design 4 Electives technical 3 General education 4 ____ 18 *Taken concurrently.
**Satisfies general education Category III.
Combined Major in Biomedical/Mechanical Engineering
The requirement for the degree is 133 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. Technical electives are to be selected from the approved list available from the department.
First Year, First Semester Units BME 101 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering 3 MATH 125 Calculus I 4 WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 4 General education* Social Issues 4 ____ 15
First Year, Second Semester Units CHEM 105aL General Chemistry, or CHEM 115aL Advanced General Chemistry 4 CSCI 101L Fundamentals of Computer Programming 3 MATH 126 Calculus II 4 PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4 ____ 15
Second Year, First Semester Units CHEM 105bL General Chemistry, or CHEM 115bL Advanced General Chemistry 4 MATH 226 Calculus III 4 ME 203 Mechanics I 5 PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4 ____ 17
Second Year, Second Semester Units BME 210a Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods 3 MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4 ME 205 Mechanics II 5 PHYS 153L Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics 4 ____ 16
Third Year, First Semester Units BISC 110L Introduction to Biology I 4 CE 309 Fluid Mechanics 3 CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry 4 MASC 310 Mechanical Behavior of Materials 3 General Education 4 ____ 18
Third Year, Second Semester Units BISC 112L Introduction to Biology II 4 EE 202L Linear Circuits 4 ME 308 Computer-Aided Analysis for AeroMechanical Design 3 ME 310 Engineering Thermodynamics I 3 General education 4 ____ 18
Fourth Year, First Semester Units BME 402 Control and Communication in the Nervous System 3 BME 403 Physiological Systems 3 BME 404 Biomechanics 3 BME 423 Statistical Methods in Biomedical Engineering 3 ME 451 Linear Control Systems I 3 WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3 _____ 18
Fourth Year, Second Semester Units BISC 316L Biochemistry and Cell Biology 4 BME 405L Computers in the Biomedical Laboratory 4 General Education 8 _____ 16 *Taken concurrently.
**Satisfies general education Category III.
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements of the 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, and four units must be thesis BME 594abz.
The master’s 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 courses Units BME 501 Advanced Topics in Biomedical Systems 4 BME 502 Advanced Studies of the Nervous System 4 BME 513 Signal and Systems Analysis 3 BME 523 Measurement and Processing of Biological Signals 3 BME 533 Seminar in Bioengineering 1 BME 591a Mathematical Biophysics 3 BME 594abz Master's Thesis 2-2-0 Electives technical 6 ____ 28 Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (Biomedical Imaging and Telemedicine)
The entrance requirements are identical to those for admission to the existing program for the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering. Completion of the Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (Biomedical Imaging and Telemedicine) requires that at least 28 approved units must be satisfactorily completed of which at least 19 units must be at the 500 level or above.
Required courses Units BME 403 Physiological Systems 3 BME 425 Basics of Biomedical Imaging 3 BME 513 Signal and Systems Analysis 3 BME 523 Measurement and Processing of Biological Signals 3 BME 525 Advanced Biomedical Imaging 4 BME 527 Introduction to Teleradiology and Multimedia Technology 3 BME 528 Medical Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Informatics Applications 3 EE 569 Introduction to Digital Image Processing 3 Electives technical 3 ____ 28 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. At the end of the first year of graduate study the student must pass a screening examination. During the second year he or she is required to make a tentative major field selection (e.g., endocrine system, cardiopulmonary system, neurological system) 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
At the end of the first year of graduate study, all students must take a screening examination 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 Examinations
The qualifying examinations will normally be taken during the fourth semester of full-time academic study. The examinations require the preparation of a comprehensive written research proposal which 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.
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