The Bioengineering Pre-med Major

New technology has always played an important role in fueling advances in both the biomedical sciences and the practice of clinical medicine. Increasingly, clinical practice demands the ability to understand and assimilate tools developed by engineers, such as sophisticated implantable devices, high-resolution imaging methods, and bioanalytical diagnostic systems. Thus, undergraduate study in bioengineering offers outstanding preparation for a career in modern medicine.

The Bioengineering Pre-Medical track enables students to take all courses commonly required for admission to medical school while completing a B.S. in Bioengineering. This includes one year of biology (with laboratory), one year of general/inorganic chemistry (with laboratory), one year of general physics (with laboratory), one year of organic chemistry (with laboratory), and six semesters (19 credits) of humanities and social sciences. In addition, students have the opportunity to take advanced technical electives in areas of biology, chemistry, and bioengineering that provide preparation for careers in medicine, including physiology, immunology, biochemistry, biomedical devices, and much more.

Approved courses:
BioE Topics
Upper Division Biology
Engineering Topics
Technical Electives

1. Students must complete 42 units of upper-division course work in technical subjects such as engineering, chemistry, physics, integrative biology, molecular & cell biology, mathematics or statistics. Of these 42 units, at least 22 must be in bioengineering. Students are advised to consult the approved sample programs, or Options, to identify an appropriate course sequence for bioengineering specialty areas. Students may also design their own program that meets with above requirements with permission from their faculty adviser. Regular consultation with an adviser is strongly recommended. Most medical schools require one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, and one year of general biology.

2. Chem 112A/B is intended for students majoring in chemistry or a closely related field and is more intensive than Chem 3A/3B. Please note that pre-requisites to Chem 112A/B include Chem 1A and Chem 1B (or Chem 4A and Chem 4B).

3. Electives: COE Humanities/Social Studies requirement is comprised of six courses of at least 3 units each in humanities or social studies selected from an approved list of courses. Two of these courses must fulfill the College of Engineering Reading and Composition requirement and two must be in the upper division (refer to http://www.coe.berkeley.edu/current_students/hssreq.pdf).

4. This requirement may be completed at any time in the program.

5. Select one from the following list: BioE 101, BioE C105B, E45, EE20N, EE40/100, CS61B, Chem C130/MCB 100A; Chem 120B may be taken instead of BioE C 105B with consent of adviser.

6. Choose courses from approved Bioengineering Fundamentals list.

7. Choose courses from approved Engineering Topics list.

8. Choose courses from approved Technical Elective list. Cannot include BioE 100, E 124 or E 195.