Welcome Message from the BME Faculty

Welcome to the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Iowa. We hope that you can find the information that you need in these pages. If you need other information, please contact us via e-mail or by phone.

Biomedical Engineering as a discipline has developed rapidly over the past four decades and finds applications in all aspects of human health care. Biomedical engineers apply engineering science and technology to problems arising in biology and medicine. Examples of such problems include instrumentation and device design, the design of computerized medical imaging algorithms and equipment, artificial heart valve analysis and design, the analysis of spinal biomechanics, biomaterials development and tissue engineering applications to implants design, and quantitative modeling and simulation of physiological systems.

We are one of the six departments in a medium sized College of Engineering in a large university setting. Taking advantage of a premier medical school and one of the largest teaching hospitals in the country, the program provides a well-rounded education with personal attention to the students' needs. The biomedical engineering curriculum is designed to educate and train people in quantitative thinking and to pursue life-long learning. The successful biomedical engineer also possesses excellent oral and written communication skills. The undergraduate curriculum is designed to provide education, training, and practice in all of these areas. Our curriculum provides a strong foundation in fundamental engineering principles, and exposes the students to the broad field of biomedical engineering. The elective courses in the program allow the students to obtain in-depth knowledge in areas such as biomechanics, biomaterials, tissue engineering, medical imaging and biological systems. A student will also, in consultation with the academic advisor, be able to tailor the elective course work in order to fulfill his/her own particular career objective.

 A student who declares an intention to major in biomedical engineering receives an academic advisor from the primary faculty in the Biomedical Engineering Department. Though it is not necessary to declare a major until the sophomore year, the first-year students meet as a group to learn about biomedical engineering as a profession. The program is flexible so that a change of major in the first or second year is easily accomplished if a students wishes to pursue another profession or discipline within engineering. Many biomedical engineering students pursue diverse careers outside engineering. The program is flexible and it allows the student to satisfy the requirements for entrance into graduate work in engineering, medicine, law or business. A BS/MS Fast-track program has also been introduced for exceptional students to complete the requirements for BS degree at the end of the fourth year and receive a MS degree at the end of the fifth year.

 Students may pursue independent research work with a Biomedical Engineering faculty member willing to serve as a sponsor for the project. Examples of biomedical engineering research in our laboratories include biomechanics and prosthesis, ultrasound, medical imaging processing and quantitative analysis, biofluids, biomaterials, and tissue engineered implants.

 Iowa City is a university town of approximately 70,000 persons. As such, there are many activities associated with The University of Iowa, community, and environment -- some require active participation skills, and others require only spectator skills.

 If you are having trouble making up your mind about this (or any other school), you can find useful information that will help you choose wisely under Useful Links. There is information about how to choose schools, careers, financial aid, etc.

 The faculty would like to welcome you to the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The University of Iowa. Feel free to contact any faculty or staff in the Department if you desire additional information. We would also invite you to make a personal visit to learn more about the program.

 Best regards,

 The Biomedical Engineering faculty