Curriculum & Advising

Duke BME students learn the classical engineering disciplines, as well as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. They also gain broad exposure to Duke University's excellent offerings in social sciences and humanities.

Refer to the Undergraduate Program Handbook for course planning. This resource is updated every semester.

In addition to engineering courses, our curriculum includes:

  • five social science and humanities courses;
  • one undergraduate writing course;
  • two introductory courses each in physics and chemistry;
  • two life-science courses;
  • five mathematics courses;
  • one computational methods course.

Majors and Specialization

The numbers of required and elective courses in BME as well as unrestricted electives depend on the choice of majors (e.g., single BME major or BME/EE dual major). 

To obtain depth in the curriculum, students can declare a dual major in biomedical engineering and electrical engineering or mechanical engineering. Or, they can choose an elective-course sequence to learn specific knowledge in biomedical imaging and instrumentation, biomechanics, electrobiology, or biomolecular and tissue engineering. With advance preparation, students may also undertake a second major or a minor in any fields offered by the University. To do it, they can use unrestricted electives to take specific courses in these fields.

Duke also offers a range of certificate programs for undergraduates.

Advising

Due to the high student/faculty ratio in the BME program, the BME faculty do not directly advise freshmen. Freshmen who indicate an academic interest in BME on the ACES website for the first semester registration will be assigned to BME faculty advisers in the sophomore year.

Faculty adviser assignment is based upon the major interests (e.g. BME/EE dual major) expressed by the students and the need to balance the number of advisees per faculty. The advisers' primary role is to help students identify course work for each upcoming semester. They are also available to discuss overall career directions, research opportunities, and other concerns of students.

Other helpful resources for students are the Director of Undergraduate Studies, the Dean's Office, and the Department Chair.

Useful links:

Contacts

Wanda Krassowska Neu
Professor
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Phone: (919) 660-5105
wanda.neu@duke.edu

Robert Malkin
Professor of the Practice
Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies
Phone: (919) 660-8266
robert.malkin@duke.edu

Susan Story
Staff Assistant
Phone: (919) 660-5133
sshstory@acpub.duke.edu