<p>Anyone on here a biomedical engineering major? Since Tulane has closed most of the engineering departments, we're curious as to how much of an engineering background the biomedical engineering program offers.</p>
<p>Also curious as to whether a grad student in that program who got an undergrad in a traditional engineering program, like mechanical or chemical, would fare, as they would not have as much of a premed background as students with a biomedical engineering undergrad degree.</p>
<p>I’m not bme but a lot of my close friends are. I’d say it’s more engineering focused than biological. They take statics, engineering design, mechanics of materials, circuits, biochem, physiology, fluids… that’s all I can remember off the top of my head… but also a handful of math (calc1-3, ordinary differential equations, a lot go on to double major/minor in math) and laboratory courses. A lot of coursework involves multisim, labview, matlab and solid work as any engineering discipline would have. Here’s the pamphlet that they refer to if you want the details: <a href=“http://tulane.edu/sse/bme/academics/undergraduates/upload/Student-Handbook.pdf[/url]”>http://tulane.edu/sse/bme/academics/undergraduates/upload/Student-Handbook.pdf</a></p>
<p>^^^Thank you so much. Son is a mechanical engineering major and has a lot of those undergrad courses, but no biology courses. He may have slots for one or two extra classes his senior year, next year, and may want to fill some bio classes in to get a leg up on bme grad school. We’re local to Tulane and it may be an option at least for an application to grad school.</p>
<p>Montegut - Since you are local and I assume he will be home for the winter break, why not have him meet with the head of Tulane’s BME department and find out what would be best for him to do next semester and next year? I feel confident the vast majority of his ME coursework will be highly relevant to the BME discipline, since BME does stand for BioMechanical Engineering as well. I know a lot of people say BioMedical, and that is also correct. There may be a technical difference between the two terms, but they are essentially interchangeable.</p>
<p>He should try and set an appointment now, since that person may travel for the break as well.</p>
<p>So then what is BioMOLECULAR Engineering? (signed: clueless mom)</p>
<p>That actually is different. It involves the purposeful manipulation of molecules on a larger scale using techniques such as bacteria, recombinant DNA, etc. to solve a problem or achieve a goal. The BME mentioned above involves actual mechanical devices. Biomolecular is biochemistry generally involving very large molecules such as enzymes, proteins and the like. It has cross-over into chemical engineering in that there are always issues involved in commercial scale-up of these processes. Just like in traditional chemistry, making something that works in the lab work in a processing plant is often quite challenging. In the case of biomolecular, there can be issues involved around the use of live organisms.</p>
<p>Obviously in making that very broad, I oversimplified a bit, but that is the general idea. Some examples could be making gasoline from plants using bacteria, gene modification, and many others. It is a broad, rather unspecific term that encompasses quite a bit of biotech in general.</p>
<p>Great!! Thanks so much for explaining. In his Why Tulane? essay, my son specifically mentioned Neuroscience and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, as well as interest in the Hayward Genetics Center. </p>
<p>Just trying to figure out what class/classes might be good for him to audit in January if possible.</p>
<p>More importantly, any work to be had in these areas after college?</p>
<p>
A most emphatic, loud, energetic YES! Very hot and should be for decades to come. To do more than assist in a lab does usually require an advanced degree. Other possibilities are to double major in business and get in on the business side of these areas. Or communications and report on them. Lots of potential.</p>
<p>I will be happy to ask my DS, a recent Chem E grad from the “school of chemical and biomolecular engineering”. Any specific question for him?</p>
<p>Thanks FC! Good to know.</p>
<p>Jym, mostly we’re wondering what would be a good class for him to audit when we go visit in January. The class schedule won’t be posted for a few weeks I think.</p>
<p>mavitale-
He said that he would recommend biomedical electronics and lab or quantitative physio. for flasses offered in teh spring. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>*** And if it does, there’s some new gizmo to “like” on our posts now:)</p>
<p>You can see the class schedule now. [Tulane</a> University - Class Schedule](<a href=“http://classschedule.tulane.edu/Search.aspx]Tulane”>Tulane University Schedule of Classes) It is preset to Spring 2013, so that is what you want. So for example, if under Subject Area you just select Biomedical Engineering, then click All Courses in the lower right hand corner, you will see all the courses being offered for that starting January 14. You are going at a good time since they won’t be too far into the material yet, although many are continuing courses from first semester. Most likely the stuff will be over his head, these are sophomore level courses and up. Most BME’s take chemistry, physics, Calc, and Statics their freshman year, along with English and a non-science elective. Here is the web page that shows the typical courses all four years. [Department:</a> - Biomedical Engineering - Tulane University - Acalog ACMS?](<a href=“http://catalog.tulane.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=39&ent_oid=1784&returnto=1045]Department:”>http://catalog.tulane.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=39&ent_oid=1784&returnto=1045)</p>
<p>So if he wanted to sit in on a freshman class like statics, that might be a good choice since there was no precursor for that first semester. That is listed under Engineering Physics, and it looks like there is only one section of that. It is on MWF from 9-9:50 with a fourth session on Tuesday from 3:30-4:45. Looks like a medium sized class (although for Tulane a fairly large one) of about 60-70, although it is capped at 80. Don’t know how exciting it will be, but it certainly will give him a view as to how it all works.</p>
<p>If you have time, he might want to sit in on a second class, something non-science like history or philosophy. If he decides to do this, he might have to poke around to see all the possibilities. Some classes that are about history might be under Asian Studies or African Studies, that kind of thing. Takes some effort, but for someone excited about college it should be fun. Just be sure to e-mail the professor ahead of time asking permission to sit in. It is just the polite thing to do, and also they can tell you if for some reason it is a bad idea. No class that day because they are out, or they are giving a quiz, or who knows.</p>
<p>Perfect! Thanks both. He sat in on a few classes already at other schools (“The Science of Weapons of Mass Destruction” at Clark, and a seminar/lecture for graduate students on bioluminescence at the U Miami Rosenstiel School) so we know the drill about auditing. ;)</p>
<p>He really loved both of those experiences, so I know he’ll be excited to do it at Tulane.</p>
<p>Ah, he’s an old pro! Great, that does make it easier. Have a great trip, keep us all informed.</p>
<p>ack. I cant type. That should say “for classes offered in the spring”</p>
<p>Will do, FC!</p>
<p>And jym, since I can’t READ it worked out just fine. ;)</p>