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The Department of Biomedical Engineering has teamed with UAB's Undergraduate Neuroscience Program to create the Neuroengineering Minor. Neuroengineering is a field that uses engineering techniques to understand, repair, replace, enhance, or otherwise exploit the properties of neural systems. As this area continues to experience rapid growth, there will be an increased demand for graduates who are trained to contribute to the advancement of neuroengineering. For general information regarding the neuroengineering minor for engineering students, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Program Requirements

Applicants for the Neuroengineering Minor must meet the UAB criteria for admission. The minor is open to all interested students who have a 3.0 GPA or better. It is also be available to students who initiate the major course of study in BME or Neuroscience but decide not to complete those requirements.

To attain a minor in Neuroengineering from UAB, you required to complete the following courses (9 hours BME and 9 hours Neuroscience):

UAB Course Catalog

All courses listed for the minor are listed in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog. A full description of the minor will be added to the catalog in upcoming months.

One of the best things about UAB is its amazing diversity of its students — we are one of the top most diverse campuses in the United States. We want you to have every opportunity to succeed in your course work and college life. Here are some easy tips for you to follow:

Are you an international student interested in attending UAB? Explore the INTO UAB initiative.

• Visit UAB's International Student and Scholar Services. They have all sorts of forms, guides, and helpful links to make your life easier.
• Don’t be shy. Let your instructors know that English is your second language.
• Take advantage of class study groups. They let you go over material at your pace.
• Record lectures (with your instructors’ permission). Transcribe your recording to notes.
• Meet regularly with your undergraduate advisor. They are experts and can help!
• Visit the UAB English Language Programs website. They will give you assistance with both oral and written English.
• Visit the UAB Writing Center. They have tutors and instructional workshops.
• Frustrated and out of options? UAB student counselors are there for you.

We invite you to explore all of the programs and services offered to international students. International Student and Scholar Services will be able to advise you about how to apply and who to contact for information. Please visit their website, or send general questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

And remember — you are not alone! There are other international students/non-native English speakers in just about every class you take! Share your stories and help each other!

A bachelor’s degree in BME from UAB provides a foundation in medical devices, biomedical implants, biomaterials, and biomedical instrumentation to compete in an increasingly technical medical field. It also prepares students for graduate or attend medical, dental, or another professional school.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of biomedical engineers is projected to grow 23 percent from 2014 to 2024 — much faster than the average for all occupations. Growing technology and its application to medical equipment and devices, along with an aging population, will increase demand for the work of biomedical engineers. You can learn more about expected salaries, types of employment, and other information from the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Some of our alumni have gone on to:

• careers in medical products companies such as BioHorizons Implant Systems, Biological Innovations, Cook Medical, GE Medical, Evonik Industries, Guidant Corporation, Medtronic, NuTech Medical, Novartis, Phillips Medical Systems, Proctor & Gamble, St. Jude Medical, Smith & Nephew, TransGenRx, and Wright Medical Technology
• careers in medical centers and hospitals, health care groups, consulting companies, and computer application groups
• careers in regulatory agencies like the FDA
• advanced education — master’s, PhD, medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, MD/PhD, DMD/PhD — at institutions such as Duke, Georgia Tech, Rice University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, University of Texas, UAB, and Vanderbilt

Are you interested in research? Do you want the opportunity to develop design and research skills beyond the standard BME curriculum?

Almost half of our undergraduates participate in research under the guidance of one of our primary or secondary faculty members. Typically, undergraduate research students are enrolled in both the UAB Honors College (for example, in the Science and Technology Honors Program) and the BME Honors Program. Many of our honors students go on to participate in the Fifth Year Master’s Program.

The Benefits of Honors Research

You will be mentored by faculty members in a research experience that is similar to graduate school. This will help you develop confidence and independence while boosting your communication and research skills. Ideally, your research project will result in a publication and/or presentation at a professional conference — a good thing to have on a job or graduate school application.

If you successfully complete the program you'll receive a certificate at the UAB Honors Convocation; your transcript will read “Graduation with Honors in Biomedical Engineering.”

Three credit hours of Honors Research may be used to satisfy a 400-level BME course elective. You may graduate with up to 6 credit hours to be applied towards a Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Eligibility for Admission into BME Departmental Honors

• Completion of at least 32 credit hours, with an overall GPA of at least 3.75.
• Completion of MA 227: Calculus III or EGR 265: Math Tools for Engineering Problem Solving.
• For transfer students, a transfer GPA of at least 3.75 and membership in the Phi Theta Kappa Junior College Honor Society.

Requirements

Completion of the BME undergraduate curriculum plus:

• One additional credit hour of BME 496: Biomedical Engineering Seminar.
• EGR 301: Honors Research (1 credit hour). Students in the Science and Technology Honors Program are exempt from this requirement.
• Selection of a three-member honors committee, which includes your research advisor and at least one primary BME faculty member.
• Approval of a formal proposal, which must be submitted to the honors committee at least one week prior to an oral defense of the proposal. It is highly recommended that the proposal be approved by the end of summer semester of the junior year.
• BME 494: Honors Research (3 credit hours). The course grade is based upon completion of the written proposal and oral proposal defense.  The defense should be given using a PowerPoint presentation to the honors committee.
• A written honors thesis in the form of a scientific paper, due one month prior to graduation.
• BME 495: Honors Research II (at least 3 credit hours). The course grade is based upon completion of the written honors thesis and oral thesis defense.  The defense should be given using a PowerPoint presentation to the honors committee.
• Successful oral defense of the honors thesis at least three weeks prior to graduation.
• Up to 6 additional hours of BME 495 may be applied towards a Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering at UAB.

Need More Information?

Contact Dr. Mary Kathryn Sewell-Loftin This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

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1824 6th Ave. South
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