Biomedical engineering is an exciting, multidisciplinary field that lies at the interface of medicine, biology and engineering. Biomedical engineers use engineering principles to analyze and solve problems in biology and medicine, providing an overall enhancement to healthcare. Biomedical engineers create technology to save lives and improve the quality of life. Much of the equipment in hospitals and clinics across the globe was designed, built and tested by biomedical engineers. At the same time, biomedical engineers employ concepts learned from biology and medicine to generate new (biomimetic) engineering designs in fields such as robotics and artificial intelligence. 

Course code for this program is BMEN. 

Requirements

Prerequisites and Passing Grades

The minimum passing grade for a course that is a prerequisite or corequisite for another required course is C-If a grade of D+ or lower is received in a course which is a prerequisite to another, the student may not register for the subsequent course and must repeat the prerequisite course until a grade of C- or higher is achieved. 

The minimum passing grade for a course that is not specifically a prerequisite or corequisite for another required course is D-. 

The biomedical engineering program reserves the right to drop students enrolled in BMEN courses who have not met the minimum prerequisite requirements. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with the program if summer coursework and/or transfer credit will be used to meet the prerequisite requirement. 

Required Courses and Credits

Required courses in engineering, physical science, and mathematics are interwoven throughout the curriculum to provide a balanced education in the fundamentals of the biomedical engineering profession. The core courses are complemented by technical electives, humanities and social sciences electives, free electives, and a writing course, for a total of 128 credits required for the degree. 

Required Biomedical Courses
BMEN 1000Exploring Biomedical Engineering1
or AREN 1316 Introduction to Architectural Engineering
or ASEN 1000 Introduction to Aerospace Engineering Sciences
or CHEN 1300 Introduction to Chemical Engineering
or CSCI 1000 Computer Science as a Field of Work and Study
or CVEN 1317 Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering
or ECEN 1100 Exploring ECE
or EVEN 1000 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
BMEN 1025Computer-Aided Design & Fabrication4
or MCEN 1025 Computer-Aided Design and Fabrication
BMEN 2000Introduction to Biomedical Engineering3
BMEN 2010Biomaterials3
BMEN 3010Biotransport3
BMEN 3030Bioinstrumentation3
BMEN 4010Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design I3
BMEN 4020Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design II3
BMEN 4117Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineering3
or MCEN 4117 Anatomy and Physiology for Engineers
Required Mechanics Courses
MCEN 2023Statics and Structures3
or GEEN 2851 Statics for Engineers
or CVEN 2121 Analytical Mechanics 1
MCEN 2063Mechanics of Solids3
or CVEN 3161 Mechanics of Materials 1
MCEN 4133Intro to Tissue Biomechanics3
Required Electrical Courses
ECEN 2250Introduction to Circuits and Electronics3
or ECEN 3010 Circuits and Electronics for Mechanical Engineers
or GEEN 3010 Circuits for Engineers
ECEN 2260Circuits as Systems3
ECEN 2270Electronics Design Lab3
ECEN 3301Biomedical Signals and Systems3
or ECEN 3300 Linear Systems
Technical Electives
Choose 15 credit hours of technical elective coursework. At least 12 of 15 must be 3000 level or above, and at least 6 of 15 must be BME-Approved Engineering technical electives. 115
Required Mathematics Courses
APPM 1350Calculus 1 for Engineers4
or MATH 1300 Calculus 1
or APPM 1345 Calculus 1 with Algebra, Part B
APPM 1360Calculus 2 for Engineers4
or MATH 2300 Calculus 2
APPM 2350Calculus 3 for Engineers4
or MATH 2400 Calculus 3
APPM 2360Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra4
or MATH 2130
MATH 3430
Introduction to Linear Algebra for Non-Mathematics Majors
and Ordinary Differential Equations
or MATH 2135
MATH 3430
Introduction to Linear Algebra for Mathematics Majors
and Ordinary Differential Equations
CHEN 3010Applied Data Analysis3
or STAT 4000 Statistical Methods and Application I
or GEEN 3853 Data Analysis for Engineers
or MCEN 3047 Data Analysis and Experimental Methods
Required Physics Course
PHYS 1110General Physics 14
or PHYS 1115 General Physics 1 for Majors
PHYS 1120General Physics 24
or PHYS 1125 General Physics 2 for Majors
PHYS 1140Experimental Physics 11
Required Chemistry Courses
Select one of the following chemistry sequence options:7
Option 1:
General Chemistry for Engineers 1
General Chemistry 1
Accelerated Chemistry for Engineers
General Chemistry for Engineers 2
General Chemistry 2
Engineering General Chemistry Lab
Laboratory in General Chemistry 2
Laboratory in General Chemistry 1
Option 2: (Students who take Option 2 must take two extra Free Electives)
Accelerated Chemistry for Engineers
Engineering General Chemistry Lab
Laboratory in General Chemistry 2
Laboratory in General Chemistry 1
Required Biology Course
CHEN 2810Biology for Engineers3
or MCDB 1150 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
or EBIO 1210
EBIO 1220
General Biology 1
and General Biology 2
Required Computing Courses
CHEN 1310Introduction to Engineering Computing3
or CSCI 1300 Computer Science 1: Starting Computing
or ASEN 1320 Aerospace Computing and Engineering Applications
or ECEN 1310 C Programming for ECE
Humanities, Social Sciences and Writing
Complete the college's humanities, social sciences and writing requirement as specified 218
Free Electives
Choose at least 7 credit hours of free electives to meet the minimum 128 credit hours required for the bachelor's degree.7
Total Credit Hours128

Optional Program Tracks

Two distinct tracks are offered for students preparing for medical school:

Premedical Biomechanics Track

For more information, including curriculum requirements, visit the program's Advising & Curriculum webpage.

Required Biomedical Courses
BMEN 1000Exploring Biomedical Engineering1
or AREN 1316 Introduction to Architectural Engineering
or ASEN 1000 Introduction to Aerospace Engineering Sciences
or CHEN 1300 Introduction to Chemical Engineering
or CSCI 1000 Computer Science as a Field of Work and Study
or CVEN 1317 Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering
or ECEN 1100 Exploring ECE
or EVEN 1000 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
BMEN 1025Computer-Aided Design & Fabrication4
or MCEN 1025 Computer-Aided Design and Fabrication
BMEN 2000Introduction to Biomedical Engineering3
BMEN 2010Biomaterials3
BMEN 3010Biotransport3
BMEN 4010Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design I3
BMEN 4020Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design II3
BMEN 4117Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineering3
or MCEN 4117 Anatomy and Physiology for Engineers
or IPHY 3410
IPHY 3430
Human Anatomy
and Human Physiology
Required Mechanics Courses
MCEN 2023Statics and Structures3
or GEEN 2851 Statics for Engineers
or CVEN 2121 Analytical Mechanics 1
MCEN 2063Mechanics of Solids3
or CVEN 3161 Mechanics of Materials 1
MCEN 4133Intro to Tissue Biomechanics3
Technical Electives
Choose 12 credit hours of technical elective coursework. At least 9 of 12 must be 3000 level or above, and at least 9 of 12 must be BME- Approved Engineering technical electives. 112
Required Mathematics Courses
APPM 1350Calculus 1 for Engineers4
or MATH 1300 Calculus 1
or APPM 1345 Calculus 1 with Algebra, Part B
APPM 1360Calculus 2 for Engineers4
or MATH 2300 Calculus 2
APPM 2350Calculus 3 for Engineers4
or MATH 2400 Calculus 3
APPM 2360Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra4
or MATH 2130
MATH 3430
Introduction to Linear Algebra for Non-Mathematics Majors
and Ordinary Differential Equations
or MATH 2135
MATH 3430
Introduction to Linear Algebra for Mathematics Majors
and Ordinary Differential Equations
CHEN 3010Applied Data Analysis3
or STAT 4000 Statistical Methods and Application I
or GEEN 3853 Data Analysis for Engineers
or MCEN 3047 Data Analysis and Experimental Methods
Required Physics Course
PHYS 1110General Physics 14
or PHYS 1115 General Physics 1 for Majors
PHYS 1120General Physics 24
or PHYS 1125 General Physics 2 for Majors
PHYS 1140Experimental Physics 11
Required Chemistry Courses
CHEN 1201General Chemistry for Engineers 14
or CHEM 1113 General Chemistry 1
or CHEN 1211 Accelerated Chemistry for Engineers
CHEM 1114Laboratory in General Chemistry 11
or CHEM 1221 Engineering General Chemistry Lab
CHEM 1133General Chemistry 24
CHEM 1134Laboratory in General Chemistry 21
CHEM 3311Organic Chemistry 14
CHEM 3321Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 11
CHEM 3331Organic Chemistry 24
CHEM 3341Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 21
Required Biochemistry Course
BCHM 4611Principles of Biochemistry3
Required Biology Courses
CHEN 2810Biology for Engineers3
or MCDB 1150 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology
or EBIO 1210
EBIO 1220
General Biology 1
and General Biology 2
MCDB 1161From Dirt to DNA: Phage Genomics Laboratory I2
or MCDB 1171 Antibiotics Discovery Through Hands-on Screens I
or MCDB 1181 Biological Probiotic/Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens
or MCDB 2171 Chemotherapeutic Discovery Through Hands-On Screens 2
MCDB 2150Principles of Genetics3
MCDB 2161From DNA to Genes, Phage Genomics Laboratory II2
or MCDB 1171 Antibiotics Discovery Through Hands-on Screens I
or MCDB 1181 Biological Probiotic/Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens
or MCDB 2171 Chemotherapeutic Discovery Through Hands-On Screens 2
Required Computing Courses
CHEN 1310Introduction to Engineering Computing3
or CSCI 1300 Computer Science 1: Starting Computing
or ASEN 1320 Aerospace Computing and Engineering Applications
or ECEN 1310 C Programming for ECE
Humanities, Social Sciences and Writing
Complete the college's humanities, social sciences and writing requirement as specified 218
Free Electives
Choose at least 2 credit hours of free electives to meet the minimum 128 credit hours required for the bachelor's degree. 2
Total Credit Hours128

Premedical Bioinstrumentation Track

For more information, including curriculum requirements, visit the program's Advising & Curriculum webpage.

Required Biomedical Courses
BMEN 1000Exploring Biomedical Engineering1
or AREN 1316 Introduction to Architectural Engineering
or ASEN 1000 Introduction to Aerospace Engineering Sciences
or CHEN 1300 Introduction to Chemical Engineering
or CSCI 1000 Computer Science as a Field of Work and Study
or CVEN 1317 Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering
or ECEN 1100 Exploring ECE
or EVEN 1000 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
BMEN 1025Computer-Aided Design & Fabrication4
or MCEN 1025 Computer-Aided Design and Fabrication
BMEN 2000Introduction to Biomedical Engineering3
BMEN 2010Biomaterials3
BMEN 3010Biotransport3
BMEN 3030Bioinstrumentation3
BMEN 4010Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design I3
BMEN 4020Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design II3
Required Electrical Courses
ECEN 2250Introduction to Circuits and Electronics3
or ECEN 3010 Circuits and Electronics for Mechanical Engineers
or GEEN 3010 Circuits for Engineers
ECEN 2260Circuits as Systems3
ECEN 2270Electronics Design Lab3
ECEN 3301Biomedical Signals and Systems3
or ECEN 3300 Linear Systems
Technical Electives
Choose 9 credit hours of technical elective coursework. At least 6 of 9 must be 3000 level or above, and at least 6 of 9 must be BME-approved engineering technical electives. 19
Required Mathematics Courses
APPM 1350Calculus 1 for Engineers4
or MATH 1300 Calculus 1
or APPM 1345 Calculus 1 with Algebra, Part B
APPM 1360Calculus 2 for Engineers4
or MATH 2300 Calculus 2
APPM 2350Calculus 3 for Engineers4
or MATH 2400 Calculus 3
APPM 2360Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra4
or MATH 2130
MATH 3430
Introduction to Linear Algebra for Non-Mathematics Majors
and Ordinary Differential Equations
or MATH 2135
MATH 3430
Introduction to Linear Algebra for Mathematics Majors
and Ordinary Differential Equations
CHEN 3010Applied Data Analysis3
or STAT 4000 Statistical Methods and Application I
or GEEN 3853 Data Analysis for Engineers
or MCEN 3047 Data Analysis and Experimental Methods
Required Physics Courses
PHYS 1110General Physics 14
or PHYS 1115 General Physics 1 for Majors
PHYS 1120General Physics 24
or PHYS 1125 General Physics 2 for Majors
PHYS 1140Experimental Physics 11
Required Chemistry Courses
CHEN 1201General Chemistry for Engineers 14
or CHEM 1113 General Chemistry 1
or CHEN 1211 Accelerated Chemistry for Engineers
CHEM 1114Laboratory in General Chemistry 11
or CHEM 1221 Engineering General Chemistry Lab
CHEM 1133General Chemistry 24
CHEM 1134Laboratory in General Chemistry 21
CHEM 3311Organic Chemistry 14
CHEM 3321Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 11
CHEM 3331Organic Chemistry 24
CHEM 3341Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 21
Required Biochemistry Course
BCHM 4611Principles of Biochemistry3
Required Biology Courses
MCDB 1150Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology3
or CHEN 2810 Biology for Engineers
or EBIO 1210
EBIO 1220
General Biology 1
and General Biology 2
MCDB 1161From Dirt to DNA: Phage Genomics Laboratory I2
or MCDB 1171 Antibiotics Discovery Through Hands-on Screens I
or MCDB 1181 Biological Probiotic/Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens
or MCDB 2171 Chemotherapeutic Discovery Through Hands-On Screens 2
MCDB 2150Principles of Genetics3
MCDB 2161From DNA to Genes, Phage Genomics Laboratory II2
or MCDB 1171 Antibiotics Discovery Through Hands-on Screens I
or MCDB 1181 Biological Probiotic/Drug Discovery Through Hands-on Screens
or MCDB 2171 Chemotherapeutic Discovery Through Hands-On Screens 2
Required Computing Courses
CHEN 1310Introduction to Engineering Computing3
or CSCI 1300 Computer Science 1: Starting Computing
or ASEN 1320 Aerospace Computing and Engineering Applications
or ECEN 1310 C Programming for ECE
Humanities, Social Sciences and Writing
Complete the college's humanities, social sciences and writing requirement as specified 218
Free Electives
Choose at least 2 credit hours of free electives to meet the minimum 128 credit hours required for the bachelor's degree. 2
Total Credit Hours128

Plan(s) of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
BMEN 1025 Computer-Aided Design & Fabrication 4
APPM 1350 Calculus 1 for Engineers 4
CHEN 1201 General Chemistry for Engineers 1 4
Humanities or Social Science Elective 1 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
BMEN 1000 Exploring Biomedical Engineering 1
APPM 1360 Calculus 2 for Engineers 4
CHEN 1203 General Chemistry for Engineers 2 2
CHEM 1221 Engineering General Chemistry Lab 1
CHEN 1310 Introduction to Engineering Computing 3
PHYS 1110 General Physics 1 4
 Credit Hours15
Year Two
Fall Semester
BMEN 2000 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering 3
APPM 2350 Calculus 3 for Engineers 4
CHEN 2810 Biology for Engineers 3
PHYS 1120 General Physics 2 4
Humanities or Social Science Elective 1 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring Semester
BMEN 2010 Biomaterials 3
APPM 2360 Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra 4
ECEN 2250 Introduction to Circuits and Electronics 3
MCEN 2023 Statics and Structures 3
PHYS 1140 Experimental Physics 1 1
Humanities or Social Science Elective 1 3
 Credit Hours17
Year Three
Fall Semester
BMEN 3010 Biotransport 3
ECEN 2260 Circuits as Systems 3
ECEN 2270 Electronics Design Lab 3
MCEN 2063 Mechanics of Solids 3
Technical Elective 3 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
BMEN 3030 Bioinstrumentation 3
MCEN 4133 Intro to Tissue Biomechanics 3
ECEN 3301 Biomedical Signals and Systems 3
Technical Elective 3 3
Humanities or Social Sciences Elective 1 3
Free Elective 3
 Credit Hours18
Year Four
Fall Semester
BMEN 4010 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design I 3
BMEN 4117 Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineering 3
CHEN 3010 Applied Data Analysis 3
Technical Elective 3 3
College-Approved Writing Course 2 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
BMEN 4020 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design II 3
Technical Elective 3 3
Technical Elective 3 3
Humanities or Social Sciences Elective 1 3
Free Electives 4
 Credit Hours16
 Total Credit Hours128

Premedical Biomechanics Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
BMEN 1025 Computer-Aided Design & Fabrication 4
APPM 1350 Calculus 1 for Engineers 4
CHEN 1201 General Chemistry for Engineers 1 4
CHEM 1114 Laboratory in General Chemistry 1 1
Humanities or Social Science Elective 1 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
BMEN 1000 Exploring Biomedical Engineering 1
APPM 1360 Calculus 2 for Engineers 4
CHEM 1133 General Chemistry 2 4
CHEM 1134 Laboratory in General Chemistry 2 1
CHEN 1310 Introduction to Engineering Computing 3
PHYS 1110 General Physics 1 4
 Credit Hours17
Year Two
Fall Semester
BMEN 2000 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering 3
APPM 2350 Calculus 3 for Engineers 4
CHEN 2810 Biology for Engineers 3
PHYS 1120 General Physics 2 4
PHYS 1140 Experimental Physics 1 1
Humanities or Social Science Elective 1 3
 Credit Hours18
Spring Semester
BMEN 2010 Biomaterials 3
APPM 2360 Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra 4
CHEM 3311 Organic Chemistry 1 4
CHEM 3321 Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1 1
MCDB 1161 From Dirt to DNA: Phage Genomics Laboratory I 2
MCEN 2023 Statics and Structures 3
 Credit Hours17
Year Three
Fall Semester
BMEN 3010 Biotransport 3
CHEM 3331 Organic Chemistry 2 4
CHEM 3341 Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 2 1
MCEN 2063 Mechanics of Solids 3
Technical Elective 3 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
MCDB 2150 Principles of Genetics 3
MCDB 2161 From DNA to Genes, Phage Genomics Laboratory II 2
MCEN 4133 Intro to Tissue Biomechanics 3
Humanities or Social Sciences Elective 1 3
Humanities or Social Science Elective 1 3
Free Elective 2
 Credit Hours16
Year Four
Fall Semester
BMEN 4010 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design I 3
BMEN 4117 Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineering 3
CHEN 3010 Applied Data Analysis 3
Technical Elective 3 3
College-Approved Writing Course 2 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
BMEN 4020 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design II 3
BCHM 4611 Principles of Biochemistry 3
Technical Elective 3 3
Technical Elective 3 3
Humanities or Social Sciences Elective 1 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours128

Premedical Bioinstrumentation Track

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
BMEN 1025 Computer-Aided Design & Fabrication 4
APPM 1350 Calculus 1 for Engineers 4
CHEN 1201 General Chemistry for Engineers 1 4
CHEM 1114 Laboratory in General Chemistry 1 1
Humanities or Social Science Elective 1 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
BMEN 1000 Exploring Biomedical Engineering 1
APPM 1360 Calculus 2 for Engineers 4
CHEM 1133 General Chemistry 2 4
CHEM 1134 Laboratory in General Chemistry 2 1
CHEN 1310 Introduction to Engineering Computing 3
PHYS 1110 General Physics 1 4
 Credit Hours17
Year Two
Fall Semester
BMEN 2000 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering 3
APPM 2350 Calculus 3 for Engineers 4
CHEN 2810 Biology for Engineers 3
PHYS 1120 General Physics 2 4
PHYS 1140 Experimental Physics 1 1
Humanities or Social Science Elective 1 3
 Credit Hours18
Spring Semester
BMEN 2010 Biomaterials 3
APPM 2360 Introduction to Differential Equations with Linear Algebra 4
CHEM 3311 Organic Chemistry 1 4
CHEM 3321 Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 1 1
ECEN 2250 Introduction to Circuits and Electronics 3
MCDB 1161 From Dirt to DNA: Phage Genomics Laboratory I 2
 Credit Hours17
Year Three
Fall Semester
BMEN 3010 Biotransport 3
CHEM 3331 Organic Chemistry 2 4
CHEM 3341 Laboratory in Organic Chemistry 2 1
ECEN 2260 Circuits as Systems 3
ECEN 2270 Electronics Design Lab 3
Humanities or Social Science Elective 1 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring Semester
BMEN 3030 Bioinstrumentation 3
MCDB 2150 Principles of Genetics 3
ECEN 3301 Biomedical Signals and Systems 3
BCHM 4611 Principles of Biochemistry 3
Technical Elective 3 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Four
Fall Semester
BMEN 4010 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design I 3
CHEN 3010 Applied Data Analysis 3
College-Approved Writing Course 2 3
Technical Elective 3 3
Humanities or Social Science Elective 1 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
BMEN 4020 Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design II 3
MCDB 2161 From DNA to Genes, Phage Genomics Laboratory II 2
Technical Elective 3 3
Humanities or Social Science Elective 1 3
Free Electives 2
 Credit Hours13
 Total Credit Hours128

Learning Outcomes

Program Educational Objectives

The Biomedical Engineering Program at CU Boulder is dedicated to preparing our graduating students for the following achievements within 5–10 years of receiving their undergraduate degrees:

  • Professional employment in areas such as the medical device industry, engineering consulting, biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, biomedical imaging, and biotechnology, with promotions and increasing levels of leadership and responsibility over time.
  • Completion of graduate studies in biomedical engineering or related fields, with subsequent employment and success in academy, industry, or related professions.
  • Completion of medical, veterinary, dental or other professional school, with subsequent success in residency, clinical practice and/or other professional employment.

General Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students will be able to:

  • Identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
  • Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
  • Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  • Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
  • Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
  • Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  • Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Biomedical Engineering Specific Outcomes

Upon graduation, students will be able to:

  • Apply principles of engineering, biology, human physiology, chemistry, calculus-based physics, mathematics (through differential equations) and statistics.
  • Solve biomedical engineering problems, including those associated with the interaction between living and non-living systems.
  • Analyze, model, design and realize biomedical engineering devices, systems, components or processes.
  • Make measurements on and interpret data from living systems.

Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program(s)

The bachelor's–accelerated master's (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor's degree first, but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in their senior year).

Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor's and the master's degrees, students receive a master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a stand-alone master's degree program after completion of their baccalaureate degree. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor's–accelerated master's program enables students to continue working with their established faculty mentors.

BS and MS in Biomedical Engineering

Admission Requirements

In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher. 
  • Have no MAPS deficiencies (students admitted to CU Boulder prior to Summer 2023 only).
  • Have at least junior class standing.
  • Have completed all prerequisite courses with a passing grade at the time of admission: BMEN 2000, BMEN 2010 and BMEN 3010.

Program Requirements

Students may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master's degree. However, only 6 credits may be double-counted toward the bachelor's degree and the master's degree. Students must maintain a 3.000 GPA while in the BAM program.

Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor's degree and apply to continue with the master's degree early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.