Scheduling Caveats and Frequently Asked Questions
Following is a list of common scheduling caveats/difficulties
and questions that are frequently asked about the undergraduate
curriculum. Please be sure to check this list frequently, as
more information is added all the time.
Scheduling Caveats
• Students planning to take senior project, EBME 398, in spring of senior year must plan for this before fall senior year. In the first days of class in EBME 370, you will be asked to provide a draft senior project proposal signed by your senior project advisor. Many students start planning their senior project in the summer before their senior year.
• BME courses and many other engineering
courses are only offered in the spring or fall, but not both.
If you take courses out of order, keep in mind that courses in
your sequence should probably move up and down columns rather
than across rows in the sequence chart.
• To graduate in four years, it is important
to take four semesters of calculus be-fore Fall of junior year,
so that you will be prepared to take EBME 308. If you fall behind
in the calculus sequence, a summer calculus class is advised
to get you back on track.
• To graduate in four years, it is important
to take EBME 308 in the fall of junior year. EBME 308 is a pre-requisite
for many advanced BME courses, including EBME 310 and 309.
• Another important milestone is to finish
EBME 201/202 sophomore year. Again, EBME 201/202 are prerequisites
for advanced BME courses such as EBME 313/314, 306, 308, and
310. If there are unusual circumstances, it is possible to take
some of these courses concurrently with the consent of your advisor
and instructor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does EBME 398 fit in with SAGES?
A: The combination of EBME 398 and ENGL 398N (3 credits total) qualifies as a SAGES departmental seminar.
Q: Should I take MATH 224 or MATH 234?
A: Both MATH 224 and 234 will fulfill graduation requirements for a 4th semester of calculus. MATH 234, specifically for BME students, is no longer offered, but will still fulfill the graduation requirement.
Q: Which version of the specialty sequence
should I follow?
A: If you are unsure about which version of the sequence you should follow, please read the guide here or consult with your academic advisor. Transfer and binary students should contact Professor David Wilson to discuss individual requirements.
Q: What if I want to go to medical school?
A: Many BME students go to medical school. Please see Premed
Advising for Biomedical Engineers.
Q: How do I learn about coop and internship
opportunities?
A: Contact Kathy Gill (kag13@case.edu).
Q: How do I obtain a senior project?
A: Dr. Gratzl (mxg13@case.edu)
is in charge of EBME 398 (senior projects), and he maintains
a list of potential projects, which is sometimes dated. A much
better way to obtain a good project is to talk to primary and
associated faculty members about potential projects. You should
do this well before fall senior year, when you would normally
sign up for senior project.
Q: What is the difference between Design for
Biomedical Engineers (EBME
380) and Senior Project (EBME
398)?
A: Both provide a capstone engineering design experience. In
EBME 380, you will learn about the design process in the didactic
portion of the course and work in a team to de-sign a biomedical
solution. In EBME 398, you will work in the laboratory of an
engineering professor. Typically projects are for one person,
but you will be in contact with graduate students, post docs,
and the professor. EBME 398 is a good choice for persons planning
to go to graduate school. EBME 380 is a good experience for persons
intending to take a job with a BS degree. Note that one can take
both courses, using one as an open elective.
Q: How can I get involved in research as an
undergraduate?
A: Identify professors working
in areas of interest to you and contact them. You can volunteer
to work in their lab. You might ask if you can attend lab meetings.
Sometimes students get paid for working in research labs. Many
professors pay students from research grants. If you qualify
for work study, this can be applied towards laboratory work.
Funding is also available from other sources. The Undergraduate
Re-search Case School of Engineering (UR-CSE) http://www.oesp.case.edu/ugresearch/URCSE.html is
a group that helps match engineering students with research experiences.
They have funds to support summer research internships on campus.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering often funds summer research
internships, as well.
Q: Is EBME 105 required?
A: No
Q: What kinds of careers do Case BME graduates
have?
A: An undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering prepares
you for a very wide variety of careers. Previous graduates are
involved in industrial research, industrial product development,
industrial management, technical sales, technical specialists
who assist customers in research and clinical use of complex
biomedical engineering solutions (e.g., persons who work with
customers of biomedical imaging companies), marketing, government
relations (principally interaction with FDA from the business
side), FDA (within the government), research institutes, and
entrepreneurship. Graduates are also professors, physicians,
high school teachers, and lawyers (typically patent law).
Q: What are some resources for learning about
careers in biomedical engineering?
A: There are multiple websites with good information. Case Department
of Biomedical Engineering Student
Employment. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
(IEEE EMBS) (http://embs.gsbme.unsw.edu.au/)
has great introductory materials, including a video on careers
in biomedical engineering. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
(http://www.bmes.org/careers.asp)
Q: How can I learn about coop/internship opportunities
at companies?
A: Kathy Gill, Director of Employer and Student Relations (kag13@case.edu)
helps students find opportunities. Make an appointment to meet
with her.
Q: How can I engage in life long learning about
biomedical engineering?
A: A good way is to join professional societies. The Biomedical
Engineering Society (BMES) (http://www.bmes.org/)
and the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (IEEE
EMBS) (http://embs.gsbme.unsw.edu.au/)
both sponsor publications and conferences related to biomedical
engineering. There are also other organizations in specific fields
of biomedical engineering. All are great places to continue to
learn about biomedical engineering and network throughout your
career. As a student, you can often join these societies very
cheaply!
Q: Are there any undergraduate student groups
involved in biomedical engineering?
A: Yes, the Case Biomedical Engineering Society has activities
promoting the biomedical engineering discipline. You are strongly
encouraged to join. Information can be obtained at http://bme.cwru.edu/bmes/.
Q: What are TiME and MEM?
A: TiME is the Institute for Management and Engineering, a group
bridging the University's Case School of Engineering and Weatherhead
School of Management. It has multiple programs, including an
educational program MEM, the Master of Engineering and Management
program. It is designed to meet the needs of industry by offering
young engineers the critical skills needed to be successful
in an engineering career. Engineering and Business Management
do not happen independently in industry. For the first time,
they are fully integrated into an educational program. BME
students have participated in this program. For more information,
contact TiME staff.
