<p>First and foremost, congrats to everyone who got accepted into the Class of 2017! I was accepted into the Honors Program and I was wondering if anyone here could shed some more light on the BME program at UF? I applied and got accepted into both UF and Georgia Tech; I know that the BME program at UF just started-up while the program at Georgia Tech is #2 in the country, and I could really use some input on which school I should go to.</p>
<p>1.) Is there an official BME undergrad program at UF?
I have visited Georgia Tech twice, and both times I had the opportunity to talk to undergraduate professors specifically for BME. They seemed to have a solid framework for how the class should be taught. Can this be said about UF?</p>
<p>2.) Are there opportunities for Undergraduate Research in BME at UF?
One of the things that I loved most about GTech was the plethora of undergraduate research opportunities, and honestly, it is what I am looking forward to the most. I have done biotech internships with USF and Moffitt Cancer Center in high school, so the research aspect isn't completely new to me. I also do the IB program and all of my HLs are Maths/Sciences related. Can I expect truly competitive, challenging, and immersive opportunities for Undergrad BME research at UF?</p>
<p>UF is far cheaper, but I feel as if there would be more opportunities at Tech?</p>
<p>Thanks for all of your answers/inputs, and as always: GO GATORS!</p>
<p>The Honors program at UF is really honors light – Hume Hall is a reasonably nice dorm, and that’s pretty much it – 4 sidelight courses. I would not factor UF Honors into your decision. Other SUS programs in Florida are much more focused on their honors programs than UF… </p>
<p>A co-worker’s son graduated with a BS in ChemE last spring from UF. He got involved with undergrad research and a publication of his caught the eye of a professor at Stanford…where he is now a fully-funded PhD student in BioMed Engineering as a result.</p>
<p>@mfhettig - I checked it out; thanks for the post!</p>
<p>@rogracer - Wow, that’s amazing! That’s great for him! Out of curiosity, do you know how he felt about the program? Was it challenging, what were the professors like, etc? Thanks for your post, it is really going to help me make a decision!</p>
<p>^ I haven’t spoken to him directly, but his parents seem to think he got a first-rate education. The ChemE program is pretty highly ranked. In any case, he had no problem passing Stanford’s PhD qualifying exams, so obviously UF’s preparation was up to Stanford’s standards.</p>
<p>1.) Is there an official BME undergrad program at UF?
Yes, they just launched it, but have limited the first group to 20 students (its a “limited access program”). The plan is to increase this number, each year going forward. Applications for admission are accepted in the spring of the second year. Students who want to pursue BME may register as Exploratory Engineering (undecided) or choose another eng major (Bio Eng, ChemE, Electrical Eng, and Materials Science and Engineering. All offer combined degree programs leading to a Masters in Biomedical Engineering. The “combined degree program” is an accelerated program that allows you to earn credits that count toward both your Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at the same time. UF believes a Master’s degree is required to work in the Biomedical Engineering field.
2.) Are there opportunities for Undergraduate Research in BME at UF?
I don’t have a way to compare GT to UF, other than to say being part of the honor’s program does make it easier to land undergraduate research slots, and UF is focusing on making research slots more accessible. I would think Shands and UF med school would be a big plus for any BME’s when looking for research opportunities.</p>
<p>@rogracer - Thank you for your comment! I have finally committed to UF taking into account your advice and @Gator88NE. Thank you for your time!</p>
<p>@Gator88NE - Thank you for firmly answering my original questions. Your answers definitely clarified my concerns. Thank you for your time as well!</p>