Biomedical Engineering

Director of undergraduate studies: Lawrence H. Staib, N309 B TAC, 785-5958; seas.yale.edu/departments/biomedical-engineering

Engineering methods and strategies are used to address biomedical problems ranging from studies of physiological function using images to the development of novel drug delivery methods and new biomaterials. The B.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering is designed to provide students with an understanding of common fundamental methodologies and the ability to develop quantitative approaches to one of four biomedical engineering tracks: Bioimaging, Biomechanics and Mechanobiology, Biomolecular Engineering, and Systems Biology. The flexible course structure of the major permits students to bridge basic concepts in the life sciences and traditional areas of engineering, while gaining a comprehensive understanding of biomedical engineering as a field of study.

Prerequisites

The following prerequisites are common to all tracks in the major: BIOL 101 and 102 or a higher-level course in MCDB or MB&B, with the permission of the director of undergraduate studies (DUS); a lecture course in chemistry numbered CHEM 161 or higher; ENAS 194; MATH 115 (not necessary if placed into MATH 120 or ENAS 151); MATH 120 or ENAS 151; PHYS 180, 181, 205L, and 206L (or 165L and 166L, with DUS permission).

Requirements of the Major

Students must complete thirteen term courses, totaling at least eleven course credits, beyond the prerequisites, including at least three required courses in the chosen track; two terms of a biomedical engineering laboratory (BENG 355L, 356L); BENG 280, a half-credit course taken sophomore year as part of the senior requirement; and the senior requirement (see below). During the first year, students study basic mathematics, chemistry, and biology. By the end of the sophomore year, students should have taken physics, ENAS 194, BENG 249, and BENG 350. In the junior year, students gain a comprehensive grounding in the field through BENG 351, BENG 352, BENG 353, BENG 355L, and BENG 356L. During the junior and senior years, students acquire depth by taking electives in one of the four areas of concentration. One relevant course (e.g. MB&B 300) may be substituted with DUS permission. A senior seminar and a senior project give students practical, detailed information about their chosen area of concentration. 

Students in all tracks are required to take the following courses: BENG 249, 280, 350, 351, 352, 353, 355L, 356L and 480.

Students in the Bioimaging track must also take three courses chosen from BENG 404, 406, 410, 444, 445, 475, 476, or 485.

Students in the Biomechanics and Mechanobiology track must also take three courses chosen from MENG 185, 361, BENG 404, 406, 410, 434, 453, 455, 456, 457, or 458.

Students in either the Biomolecular Engineering track and the Systems Biology track must also take three courses chosen from BENG 404, BENG 410, 411, 434, 435, 463, 464, 465, 467, 469, MENG 361.

Research Courses Students are permitted and encouraged to engage in research before the senior year by enrolling in BENG 471 and/or BENG 472. These courses, offered Pass/Fail, may be taken more than once for credit, but repeated courses do not count toward the major. See Academic Regulations, section C, Course Credits and Course Loads.

Credit/D/Fail No course taken Credit/D/Fail may count toward the major, including prerequisites.

Roadmap See visual roadmap of the requirements.

Senior Requirement

In their sophomore year, all students must enroll in BENG 280 and in their senior year, all students must enroll in BENG 480; both are half-credit courses. They must also complete a one-term senior project in their final term of enrollment (BENG 474) or a two-term, yearlong project (BENG 473, 474).

Advising

Preparation for graduate study The Biomedical Engineering curriculum is excellent preparation for graduate study in engineering, science, and medicine.

Combined B.S./M.S. degree program Exceptionally able and well-prepared students may apply to complete a course of study leading to the simultaneous award of the B.S. and M.S. degrees after eight terms of enrollment. See Academic Regulations, section L, Special Academic Arrangements, “Simultaneous Award of the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees.â€ Interested students should consult the DUS prior to the sixth term of enrollment for specific requirements in Biomedical Engineering.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR

Prerequisites BIOL 101 and 102, or higher-level course in MCDB or MB&B with DUS permission; 1 lecture course in chemistry numbered CHEM 161 or higher; ENAS 194; MATH 115 (not necessary if placed into MATH 120 or ENAS 151); MATH 120 or ENAS 151; PHYS 180, 181, and 205L, 206L (or 165L, 166L with DUS permission)

Number of courses 13 term courses, totaling at least 11 course credits, beyond prerequisites (incl senior req)

Specific courses required All tracks—BENG 249, 280, 350, 351, 352, 353, 355L, 356L, 480; Bioimaging track—3 from BENG 404, 406, 410, 444, 445, 475, 476, 485; Biomechanics and Mechanobiology track—3 from MENG 185, 361, BENG 404, 406, 410, 434, 453, 455, 456, 457, 458; Biomolecular Engineering track and Systems Biology track—3 from BENG 404, 410, 411, 434, 435, 463, 464, 465, 467, 469, MENG 361

Distribution of courses 2 term courses in life sciences among prerequisites and required courses (typically BIOL 101 and 102 and BENG 350)

Substitution permitted Relevant course with DUS permission 

Senior requirement BENG 280, a half-credit course taken sophomore year; BENG 480, a half-credit course taken senior year; a one-term senior project in final term of enrollment (BENG 474) or two-term, yearlong senior project (BENG 473 and 474)

• $80 application fee or fee waiver
• Recommendations from two teachers and one counselor
• School Report with transcript
• Standardized test results (ACT or SAT) - not required for fall 2023 admission. (See below)
• English proficiency test results - required for non-native English-speakers (See below)
• Mid-Year Report & Final Report

See additional details about these required application components below.

Please note that if your application materials include any documents that are not in English, you must provide an official English translation in addition to the original documents.

$80 application fee or fee waiver

Applicants should pay the $80 application fee via the Common Application or Coalition Application website.

Applicants using the Common Application or Coalition Application may request that the application fee be waived. Learn more on the fee waiver page. The fee waiver scale is based on family size and income in US dollars but is applicable to all international students.

Recommendations from two teachers and one counselor

Request recommendations from two teachers who have taught you in core academic subjects (e.g. English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) who know you well, and who have seen you at your best. It is preferable, but not required, that recommendations come from teachers who have taught you during your final or next-to-final year of secondary school.

Also request a recommendation from your school’s college counselor. If your counselor does not know you well, the recommendation may still provide helpful contextual information about your school and its academic programs. If your school does not have someone serving as a college counselor, please request a recommendation from a school administrator such as a house master, principal, or academic advisor. 

School Report with transcript

Your counselor or other school official should submit a School Report with an official transcript that includes all your secondary school courses. If a question on the School Report form is not applicable to your secondary school, leave it blank. 

Recommendations and transcripts should be submitted electronically through the Common Application or Coalition Application website. If necessary, teachers and counselors may also submit their recommendations and transcripts via mail or digital upload. Recommendations may be sent before or after you submit your application; materials that arrive before your application will be kept on file. The admissions office will make reasonable allowances for late school documents in situations where it is not possible for teachers and counselors to meet the application deadlines.

Standardized test results

In response to the extraordinary circumstances associated with the pandemic, Yale has temporarily suspended its requirement that first-year and transfer applicants submit results from the ACT or SAT. The change will be in effect during the 2022-23 admissions cycles for applicants who intend to matriculate in fall 2023. 

More information on Yale’s test policies is available on the standardized testing page. Standardized tests are just one component of a student’s application and are viewed within the context of the student’s entire file. There is no minimum score required for admission, nor is there a score that will guarantee admission.

English proficiency exams

Yale requires that non-native English-speakers who have not taken at least two years of secondary education where English is the medium of instruction submit the results from any of the proficiency tests listed below.

The TOEFL requires pre-registration for available testing dates. Yale’s most competitive applicants have scores of at least 100 on the internet-based TOEFL.

The IELTS offers proficiency tests in locations around the world. Pre-registration is required. Yale’s most competitive applicants have IELTS scores of 7 or higher.

Cambridge English exams are available at testing locations around the world. Pre-registration is required. Yale’s most competitive applicants have Cambridge English scores of 185 or higher on the C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, or B2 First exams.

Applicants may submit the Duolingo English Test (DET), which combines an English proficiency test with a brief video interview. Duolingo’s technology and format allows applicants to complete the test at any time or place with internet access. Yale’s most competitive applicants have DET scores of at least 120.

InitialView provides live, unscripted video interviews that candidates may submit to colleges for consideration with other application materials. Interview times must be reserved in advance. There is no scoring associated with these interviews.

Mid-Year Report & Final Report

Students who do not receive new secondary school grades by February 1, including students who have already completed secondary school, are not required to submit a Mid-Year Report. This includes many international students. Applicants who receive new grades by February 1 should submit a Mid-Year Report.

Only admitted students are required to submit the Final Report, which provides final secondary school grades and examination marks. Admitted students submit the Final Report in the summer before fall matriculation.

If your secondary school provides predicted results for external exams such as A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, and other international or national testing organizations, they should be submitted by your school alongside your transcript or Mid-Year Report.

All applicants for first-year admission must submit one of the following:

• The Coalition Application with Yale-Specific Questions
• The Common Application with Yale-Specific Questions
• The QuestBridge National College Match Application

Yale will accept any one of these applications, without preference for one over another. Students should submit one—and only one—application per admissions cycle.