Cellular and
Molecular Biotechnology (CMBT) Track

The CMBT track emphasizes fundamentals and applications of biochemistry, biophysics, and cell biology.  Students in this track will acquire a deep understanding of the molecular and cellular bases for life processes, quantitative modeling skills needed to develop biotechnologies based on live cell cultures, as well as technologies that exploit the unique properties of biomolecules in non-biological settings.  One of the unique characteristics of this track is an emphasis on processes and structures occurring on the nanometer to micrometer size scale range. 

The CMBT track is ideally suited to the combined training in BME and Chemical Engineering, which provides a strong core of chemistry and molecular processing principles.  The track may also suit students pursuing combined BME/Mechanical Engineering or BME/Civil and Environmental Engineering training who have an interest in the molecular sciences.  The CMBT track prepares students for careers or advanced education involving bio/pharmaceutical manufacture, pharmacology, medical diagnostics, biosensors, drug delivery devices, and biological aspects of environmental engineering. 

In addition to the general BME requirements, students in the CMBT Track must take the following:

CMBT Gateway Course (required)
42-321 Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology – Fall

CMBT Track Electives (choose 3)
03-232 Biochemistry - Spring
03-240 Cell Biology - Spring
42-426 Biosensors and BioMEMS – Spring, every other year
42-445/24-415 Microfluidics – Spring, every other year
42-509 Stem Cell Engineering – Spring
42-620 Engineering Molecular Cell Biology - Fall
42-622/06-622 Bioprocess Design - Spring, intermittent
42-624 Biological Transport - Spring, intermittent
42-645/24-655 Cellular Biomechanics – Spring, every other year
42-646/06-646/24-657 Molecular Biomechanics – Spring, every other year
42-660 Surgery for Engineers** - Fall/Spring
42-x00 BME Research **

** The 42-x00 research project (42-200/300/400 Sophomore/Junior/Senior Biomedical Engineering Research Project OR 39-500 CIT Honors Thesis) must be on a BME topic supervised or co-supervised by a BME faculty member and conducted for 9 or more units of credit. Students may count EITHER 42-x00 BME Research OR 39-500 CIT Honors Research (with BME supervision) OR 42-660 Surgery for Engineers as a track elective.  Students MAY NOT count both research and Surgery for Engineers as track electives.

03-232 Biochemistry satisfies Chemcial Engineering course requirements.

Sample Schedules

• BME & CEE double major, class of 2009-2012 (PDF)
• BME & CHE double major, class of 2009-2012 (PDF)
• BME & ME double major, class of 2010 (PDF)
• BME & ME double major, class of 2011-2012 (PDF)

Course Planning Worksheet (doc, pdf)

(Updated 10/03/09)