<p>Hey, I'm a 2013 applicant and am applying to the McCormick School of Engineering. So, I'm wondering if there is anyone here who has gone through or is going through NU's engineering school and would like to tell us hopefuls what it's like.....coursework, strongest programs, professors, research, etc.?
I think I'm most interested in Biomedical Engineering and some current students on the WashU page have sent me some examples of BME coursework. So, if any NU engineering students (of any program) would like to do the same thing, it would be great. My e-mail address is <a href="mailto:kjuvette09@moundsparkacademy.org">kjuvette09@moundsparkacademy.org</a>
Thanks and have a wonderful winter break everyone!</p>
<p>GENERAL MCCORMICK:</p>
<p>The engineering school is very strong, and because of the first year sequence and clubs, it ends up being a pretty tight-knit community. Most of the departments are very good.</p>
<p>FIRST YEAR: During the first year of engineering, all majors take pretty much the same things. There are two intro engineering classes that everyone takes the first year; EA and EDC. </p>
<p>EA is short for Engineering Analysis. It is a 4 quarter sequence that integrates basic engineering classes like mechanics, circuits, programming, differential equations, and linear algebra. At most engineering schools, these courses are taken independently by the student, but at Northwestern, they are linked together to try show how they interrelate. For example, in the class EA 1, you learn MATLAB (a matrix-based programming language), which is applicable in linear algebra - the other topic also taught.</p>
<p>EDC is short for engineering design and communication. It is a 2-quarter sequence intended on starting design experience early. Each quarter, you work in a group of 4 and you are assigned a real-life client (often the client is someone at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago). For this client, you have to design a device, according to their specifications. For example, one year a group had to design a device to help stroke patients crack an egg easier.</p>
<p>For the rest of your first year, you usually just take gen chem and some humanities (you need to take at least 7 humanities classes in order to graduate).</p>
<p>SECOND YEAR: During you second year, most people take their "Basic Engineering" Requirements. These are different for each deparment, but a lot of them overlap. For example, many departments require Intro to Mat Sci and Intro to EE. So a lot of your classes, you will still see people from all different majors. You might start going into major specific classes now too. For example, BMEs will take some biology.</p>
<p>THIRD and FOURTH YEAR: you are mostly taking classes within your department. I think nearly all departments have a requirements of taking a Senior Capstone Design Class. Students interesting in graduating in the honors program will need to do research as an independent study with an advisor.</p>
<p>BME SPECIFIC:</p>
<p>If you are interested in BME, I would do a lot of research into what type of BME program each school has. Though many schools have BME, they often focus in different things. Northwestern's program is sometimes more biology-focused (you have to take a full year of physiology). In contrast, I have heard that Duke's is much more focused on electronic desgn of medical devices. </p>
<p>This link: Northwestern</a> University - Current Undergraduate Students links to the curriculum for a BME student at Northwestern. You follow a slightly different route, depending on whether you are pre-med or not (pre-med is different so you can get your med school requirements a the same time).</p>
<p>Within the BME department, there are various specializations. Which specialization you choose dictates what sort of classes you take your 3rd and 4th years. Examples are Biomaterials & Biotech, Biomechanics, and Tissue engineering & Transport Processes.</p>
<p>For research inside the BME department, the three big names right now are Vadim Backman (using optical techniques to diagnose GI tract cancers), Phil Messersmith (developing biomimetic adhesives based off geckos and mussels), and Dean Ho (using nano-diamonds for drug delivery). The BME also has a relationship with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (#1 rehab hospital in country), where many professors do stroke / neuroengineering research.</p>
<p>Thanks much sonata123!</p>
<p>I can obviously research myself as well, but do you happen to know what WashU's BME program tends to focus on?</p>