Academics

Undergraduate Studies

The Biomedical Engineering Department at Columbia University is dedicated to preparing our graduating students for the following:

  1. Professional employment in areas such as the medical device industry, engineering consulting, biomechanics, biomedical imaging, and biotechnology
  2. Graduate studies in biomedical engineering or related fields
  3. Attendance at medical or dental school

As an ABET-accredited engineering program, we must define a set of specific program outcomes that relate to our educational objectives. We strive to ensure that our students successfully attain the following:

  1. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering
  2. An ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and interpret data
  3. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs
  4. An ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
  5. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
  6. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
  7. An ability to communicate effectively
  8. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
  9. A recognition of the need for an ability to engage in life long learning
  10. A knowledge of contemporary issues
  11. An ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering

Our undergraduate curriculum is designed to provide broad knowledge of the physical and engineering sciences and their application to the solution of biological and medical problems.

In an undergraduate’s first two years at Columbia, students are provided with a strong grounding in the physical and chemical sciences, engineering fundamentals, and mathematics. This background is used to provide a unique physical approach to the study of biological systems. The last two years of our undergraduate Biomedical Engineering program provide substantial exposure to modern biology and include courses in engineering and engineering science that extend the work of the first two years.