Minor Program

The Biomedical Engineering Minor is open to all undergraduate students who are interested in an exciting, multidisciplinary field that lies at the interface of medicine, biology and engineering.Ìý Biomedical engineers use engineering principles to analyze and solve problems in biology and medicine, providing an overall enhancement to healthcare. At the same time, biomedical engineers employ concepts learned from biology and medicine to generate new engineering designs.

Current research in biomedical engineering focuses on innovative areas such as biomechanics and mechanobiology; medical devices;Ìýimaging and diagnostics; and therapeutics.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply principles of engineering, biology, human physiology, chemistry, physics, mathematics(through differential equations) and statistics.​

  • Solve biomedical engineering problems, including those associated with the interaction betweenliving and non-living systems.​

  • Analyze and model biomedicalÌýengineering devices, systems, components or processes.​

  • Interpret data from living systems.​

Admission Process & Requirements

Admission to the minor is byÌýapplication. Students must have a minimum CU cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 to apply. Students can apply at any time and will beÌýnotified of their admission status on a rolling basis.Ìý

A minor in Biomedical Engineering can be earned in conjunction with any ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ major degree, except for BS degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Grade Requirements

A grade point average (GPA) of 2.000 or better is required in the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for this minor. Each individual course that is counted towards these degree requirements must be passed with a D- or better. Note, however, that a C- or better is required in all prerequisite courses to move on to a subsequent course.

Completing the Biomedical Engineering Minor

The College of Engineering and Applied Science requires confirmation of Biomedical Engineering Minor completion. Please email biomed-minor@colorado.eduÌýfor final approval.

Questions or Degree Audit Updates?

Please emailÌýbiomed-minor@colorado.edu.

For more information

Email us at:
biomed-minor@colorado.edu

BME Independent Study Form

An independent study is a collaboration between a student and a faculty member on a special project that provides the student with a learning experience. An independent study may also fill an academic need of importance to the student that cannot be filled by regular course offerings. Independent studies are opportunities to earn credit for learning outside the normal lecture and laboratory class structure.Ìý Learn more.

BME Minor Degree Requirements starting fall 2027

Course Requirements

To receive the minor, complete 18 credit hours by taking either Intro to Calculus, Intro to Physics, Intro to Biology or Intro to Chemistry; Ìýthe required gateway course and 12 elective credit hours.

  • BMEN 2100: ÌýBiomedical Engineering Principles and Methods (3 credit hours): prerequisites include BiologyÌý(BIEN 2810, EBIO 1210, or MCDB 1150) and Chemistry (CHEN 1201, CHEN 1211, CHEM 1113 or MCEN 1024) and Calculus (APPM 1350 or Math 1300 or APPM 1345) and Physics (PHYS 1110 or PHYS 1115)
  • 12 elective credit hours - here are additional guidelines regarding elective requirements:
    • 6 credit hoursÌýmust be taken in engineering courses.ÌýHere to submit enrollment requests for department restricted courses.
    • Prior coursework may be transferred from other institutions with approval.
    • At least 9 credit hoursÌýneed to be taken on the CU-Boulder campus.

Aerospace Engineering​

  • ASEN 4128: Human Factors in Engineering/DesignÌý ​

Biomedical EngineeringÌý Ìý Ìý​

  • BMEN 2010: Biomaterials​

  • BMEN 3010: Biotransport​

  • BMEN 3030: Bioinstrumentation​

  • BMEN 4117/5117: Anatomy & Physiology​

Chemical & Biological Engineering​

  • BIEN 3800: Fundamentals of Biotechnology​

  • BIEN 4801: Pharmaceutical Biotechnology​

  • BIEN 4802: Tissue Engineering​

  • BIEN 4803: Metabolic Engineering​

  • BIEN 4805: BiomaterialsÌý Ìý​

  • BIEN 4806: Immunoengineering​

  • BIEN 4807: Drug Delivery​

  • BIEN 4830: Biokinetics and Reactor Design​

  • CHEN 4804: Protein and Enzyme EngineeringÌý Ìý​

Computer Science​

  • CSCI 3352: Biological NetworksÌý Ìý​

  • CSCI 4314: Dynamic Models in BiologyÌý ÌýÌý​

Electrical EngineeringÌý​

  • ECEN 4341/5341: BioelectromagneticsÌý ÌýÌý​

  • ECEN 4933/5933: Engineering Genetic Circuits​

  • ECEN 4111: Cardiovascular Devices and Systems​

  • ECEN 4121/5121: Design of Implantable Medical DevicesÌý ÌýÌý​

  • ECEN 4021/5021: Applications in Biomed: NeuromodulationÌý ÌýÌý​

Mechanical EngineeringÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌý​

  • MCEN 4111/5111: Intro to MicrofluidicsÌý Ìý​

  • MCEN 4113/5113: Mechanics of Cancer​

  • MCEN 4117/5117: Anatomy & Physiology for EngineersÌý Ìý​

  • MCEN 4127/5127: Biomedical UltrasoundÌý Ìý​

  • MCEN 4133/5133: Intro to Tissue Biomechanics​

  • MCEN 4157/5157: Modeling of Human MovementÌý ÌýÌý​

  • MCEN 4195/5195: Bioinspired RoboticsÌý ÌýÌý​

  • MCEN 4292/5292: Materials and Devices in MedicineÌý ÌýÌý​

  • MCEN 4171/5171: Biofluids at the Micro ScaleÌý ÌýÌý​

  • MCEN 4228/5228: Regenerative Tissue RepairÌý ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌý Ìý​

  • MCEN 4228/5228: Fluid Mechanics in the BodyÌý ​

Engineering, Ethics and Society​

  • ENES 3430: Ethics in Genetic Engineering​

Non-engineering electives​

Applied MathÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Ìý​

  • APPM 4390: Modeling in Math BiologyÌý ÌýÌý​

BiochemistryÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý​

  • BCHM 4400: Core Concepts in Physical Chemistry for BiochemistsÌý Ìý Ìý​

  • BCHM 4611: Principles of BiochemistryÌý Ìý Ìý​

Integrative PhysiologyÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌýÌý​

  • IPHY 3410: Intro to Human Anatomy​

  • IPHY 3430: Intro to Human Physiology​

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology​

  • MCDB 3450: Biological Data ScienceÌý ÌýÌý​

  • MCDB 4312: Quantitative Optical Imaging​

BME Minor Requirements before Fall 2027

Course Requirements

To receive the minor, complete 18 credit hours by taking the required gateway course, one focused elective and 12 elective credit hours.

  • BMEN 2000: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (3 credit hours): prerequisites include BiologyÌý(CHEN 2810, EBIO 1210, or MCDB 1150) and Chemistry (CHEN 1201, CHEN 1211, CHEM 1113 or MCEN 1024).
    • This course utilizes Matlab.Ìý Prior experience using Matlab is ideal. Students without Matlab experience may need to spend additional time learning Matlab to complete certain assignments.Ìý Resources will be made available.
  • 15 elective credit hours - here are additional guidelines regarding the focus elective and electives requirements:
    • At least one focus elective (from the list below)
    • At least 12 credit hours must be upper-division (3000 or higher level)
    • 6 credit hoursÌýmust be taken in engineering courses (including Computer Science).ÌýHere to submit enrollment requests for department restricted courses.
    • Up to 9 credit hoursÌýcan be takenÌýoutside of engineering (i.e. IPHY, MCDB, PHIL)
    • Relevant Independent Study coursework can be petitioned
    • 5000-level courses are allowed where undergraduate students are eligible to enroll
    • Prior coursework may be transferred from other institutions with approval.
    • At least 9 credit hoursÌýneed to be taken on the CU-Boulder campus- at least 6 credit hours of whichÌýmust be at the upper-division level.Ìý

Ìý

Aerospace Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • ASEN 3036Ìý Ìý Intro to Human Spaceflight
  • ASEN 4128ÌýÌý ÌýHuman Factors in Engineering and DesignÌý Ìý
  • ASEN 5226ÌýÌý ÌýMedicine in Space and Surface EnvironmentsÌý Ìý
  • ASEN 5016ÌýÌý ÌýSpace Life SciencesÌý Ìý

Biomedical Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • BMEN 2010Ìý Ìý Biomaterials (focus elective)
  • BMEN 2100 Ìý ÌýBiomedical Engineering Principles and Methods (focus elective)
  • BMEN 3010Ìý Ìý Biotransport
  • BMEN 3030Ìý ÌýBioistrumentation
  • BMEN 4117/5117Ìý Ìý Anatomy & Physiology for Biomedical Engineering (focus elective)

Chemical & Biological Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌý

  • BIEN 3800 ÌýFundamentals of BiotechnologyÌý(focus elective)
  • BIEN 4801Ìý Ìý Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (focus elective)Ìý ÌýÌý
  • BIEN 4802ÌýÌý ÌýTissue EngineeringÌýÌý(focus elective)
  • BIEN 4803 Ìý Metabolic Engineering (focus elective)
  • BIEN 4805ÌýÌý ÌýBiomaterialsÌý Ìý
  • BIEN 4806 Ìý Immunoengineering (focus elective)
  • BIEN 4807 Ìý Drug Delivery (focus elective)
  • BIEN 4830ÌýÌý ÌýBiokinetics and Reactor Design
  • CHEN 4804ÌýÌý ÌýProtein and Enzyme EngineeringÌý Ìý
  • CHEN 4820ÌýÌý ÌýBiochemical SeparationsÌý Ìý

Computer Science CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌý

  • CSCI 2270ÌýÌý ÌýData StructuresÌý Ìý
  • CSCI 3104ÌýÌý ÌýAlgorithmsÌý ÌýÌý
  • CSCI 3352ÌýÌý ÌýBiological NetworksÌý Ìý
  • CSCI 3702ÌýÌý ÌýCognitive ScienceÌý Ìý
  • CSCI 4314ÌýÌý ÌýDynamic Models in BiologyÌý ÌýÌý

Electrical Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • ECEN 4341/5341ÌýÌý ÌýBioelectromagneticsÌý ÌýÌý
  • ECEN 4933/5933ÌýÌý ÌýEngineering Genetic CircuitsÌý Ìý (focus elective)
  • ECEN 4111 ÌýEngineering Applications in Biomedicine: Cardiovascular Devices and Systems
  • ECEN 4121/5121ÌýÌý ÌýDesign of Implantable Medical DevicesÌý ÌýÌý
  • ECEN 4021/5021ÌýÌý ÌýSpecial Topics: Engineering Applications in Biomed: NeuromodulationÌý ÌýÌý

Mechanical Engineering CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌý

  • MCEN 4111/5111ÌýÌý ÌýIntro to MicrofluidicsÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 4113/5113ÌýÌý ÌýMechanics of Cancer
  • MCEN 4117/5117Ìý Ìý Anatomy & Physiology for EngineersÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 4127/5127ÌýÌý ÌýBiomedical UltrasoundÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 4133/5133Ìý ÌýIntro to Tissue Biomechanics
  • MCEN 4157/5157ÌýÌý ÌýModeling of Human MovementÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4195/5195ÌýÌý ÌýBioinspired RoboticsÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4292/5292ÌýÌý ÌýMaterials and Devices in MedicineÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4171/5171ÌýÌý ÌýBiofluids at the Micro ScaleÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCEN 4228/5228ÌýÌý ÌýSpecial Topics: Regenerative Bio/Tissue RepairÌý ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌý Ìý
  • MCEN 4228/5228ÌýÌý ÌýSpecial Topics: Fluid Mechanics in the Human BodyÌý ÌýÌý

Recommended non-engineering technical electives:ÌýÌý Ìý

Applied Math CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • APPM 4390ÌýÌý ÌýModeling in Math BiologyÌý ÌýÌý

Biochemistry CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • BCHM 4400ÌýÌý ÌýCore Concepts in Physical Chemistry for BiochemistsÌý Ìý Ìý
  • BCHM 4611ÌýÌý ÌýPrinciples of BiochemistryÌý Ìý Ìý

Engineering, Ethics and Society Courses

  • ENES 3430Ìý ÌýEthics in Genetic Engineering
  • ENES 3843Ìý Special Topic: Humanities and Medicine

Integrative Physiology CoursesÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý

  • IPHY 3410ÌýÌý ÌýIntro to Human AnatomyÌý Ìý (focus elective)
  • IPHY 3415ÌýÌý ÌýHuman Anatomy LabÌý ÌýÌý
  • IPHY 3430ÌýÌý ÌýIntro to Human PhysiologyÌý Ìý (focus elective)
  • IPHY 3490ÌýÌý ÌýIntroduction to EpidemiologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • IPHY 4060ÌýÌý ÌýCell PhysiologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • IPHY 4300ÌýÌý ÌýPathophysiology of DiseaseÌý ÌýÌý
  • IPHY 4540ÌýÌý ÌýBiomechanicsÌý ÌýÌý
  • IPHY 4580ÌýÌý ÌýSleep PhysiologyÌý ÌýÌý

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Courses

  • MCDB 2150ÌýÌý ÌýPrinciples of Genetics (focus elective)
  • MCDB 3000ÌýÌý ÌýSynthetic Biology: Engineering Biomolecular Systems in the LaboratoryÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3135ÌýÌý ÌýMolecular BiologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3145ÌýÌý ÌýCell BiologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3150ÌýÌý ÌýBiology of the Cancer CellÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3160Ìý Ìý Infectious Disease
  • MCDB 3300ÌýÌý ÌýPersonalized Medicine - Recent Advances in Diagnostics and Therapeutics (focus elective)Ìý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3333ÌýÌý ÌýBiomed Innovations and DiscoveriesÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3350ÌýÌý ÌýFertility, Sterility and Early Mammalian DevelopmentÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3450ÌýÌý ÌýBiological Data ScienceÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3501ÌýÌý ÌýStructural Methods for Biological MacromoleculesÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 3700ÌýÌý ÌýPoisons in Cell Biology and SocietyÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4105ÌýÌý ÌýFunction of Cellular and Nuclear, Assemblies, and MachinesÌý ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4300ÌýÌý ÌýImmunologyÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4312ÌýÌý ÌýQuantitative Optical ImagingÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4410ÌýÌý ÌýHuman Molecular GeneticsÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4420ÌýÌý ÌýGenetics of Brain and BehaviorÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4425ÌýÌý ÌýTopics in Membrane Biology: Cell Biology, Physiology and DiseaseÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4426ÌýÌý ÌýCell Signaling and Developmental RegulationÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4444ÌýÌý ÌýCellular Basis of DiseaseÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4520ÌýÌý ÌýBioinformatics and GenomicsÌý ÌýÌý
  • MCDB 4615ÌýÌý ÌýBiology of Stem CellsÌý ÌýÌý

Neuroscience Courses

  • NRSC 4062Ìý Ìý The Neurobiology of Stress
  • NRSC 4072 Ìý ÌýClinical Neuroscience: A Clinical and Pathological Perspective

Philosophy Courses

  • PHIL 1160Ìý Ìý Intro to Medical Ethics (focus elective)
  • PHIL 3160Ìý ÌýBioethics (focus elective)Ìý

Last updated Nov. 5, 2025

  • Course NumberCourse TitleÌýPrerequisitesÌý
    BIEN 3800Fundamentals of BiotechnologyÌý

    BIEN 2810 or MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1220

    APPM 1350 or MATH 1300

    CHEN 1211 or CHEM 1113 or MCEN 1024

    BIEN 4801ÌýPharmaceutical BiotechnologyÌý

    CHEN 3330Ìý

    BIEN 4830 or CHEN 4330

    BIEN 4802ÌýTissue Engineering and Biofabrication

    CHEN 2810 or MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1210

    EBIO 1220

    CHEN 4520 or BMEN 4010

    BIEN 4803Metabolic EngineeringBCHM 4611
    BIEN 4806Immunoengineering

    CHEN 2810 or MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1210 and 1220

    CHEN 4330/4830 or BMEN 3010Ìý

    BIEN 4807Drug DeliveryN/A
    BMEN 2010BiomaterialsCHEN 1201 or CHEN 1211 or CHEM 1113
    BMEN 2100Biomedical Engineering Principles and MethodsN/A
    BMEN 4117Anatomy & Physiology for BMEÌýBMEN 2000 or BMEN 2100
    ECEN 4006Special Topics: Biomedical OpticsECEN 3300 or ECEN 3301
    ECEN 4933Engineering Genetic CircuitsN/A
    IPHY 3410Human AnatomyEBIO 1210 or MCDB 1150 or BIENÌý2810
    IPHY 3430Human PhysiologyÌý

    IPHY 3410

    CHEM 1133/1134

    MCDB 2150Principles of GeneticsMCDB 1150ÌýorÌýEBIO 1210Ìýor BIENÌý2810
    MCDB 3300Personalized Medicine - Recent Advances in Diagnostics and TherapeuticsN/A
    PHIL 1160Introduction to Medical EthicsN/A
    PHIL 3160ÌýBioethicsN/A

Notes:Ìý

  1. If BMEN 2100 is taken in place of BMEN 2000, it cannot also count as a focused elective.
  2. Students who take IPHY 3410 or 3430 cannot count BMEN 4117 as either a focused elective or general elective.

List updated 3/18/25