Managing Requirements for the Health Professions Program

For students interested in a medical career, meeting the double major requirements of Biomedical Engineering on top of those for the Health Professions Program (HPP, or better known as pre-med) can be daunting.  However, while challenging, it is quite feasible to manage these requirements with early planning, tight organization, and strong discipline, which are also key qualities of a physician.

Students in HPP should work closely with their advisors in Biomedical Engineering and in the department for the other major, and with Dr. Justin Crowley, Director of HPP.  Students should also visit the web site of HPP.  While individual consultations are critical, the following analysis provides a general idea of the additional course load.

Course Requirements of HPP for Biomedical Engineering Students

• One year of general biology with lab

  03-121 Modern Biology
  42-202 Physiology
  03-206 Biomedical Engineering Laboratory

• One year of general chemistry with lab

  09-105 Introduction to Modern Chemistry
  09-106 Modern Chemistry II
  09-221 Lab I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis

• One year of organic chemistry with lab

  09-217 Organic Chemistry I
  09-218 Organic Chemistry II
  09-222 Lab II: Organic Synthesis and Analysis

• One year of physics with lab

  33-106 Physics I
  33-107 Physics II
  33-100 Basic Experimental Physics

• One year of English. Click here for English course descriptions

  76-101 Interpretation and Argument
  76-xxx English course of the student's choice,typically 200-level or higher

Breakdown of HPP Course Requirements

• Courses Required by BME or CIT

03-121 Modern Biology (BME Core)
42-202 Physiology (BME Core)
03-206 Biomedical Engineering Laboratory (BME Core)
33-106 Physics I (CIT Common Requirement)
33-107 Physics II (CIT Common Requirement)

• Courses that Meet CIT General Education Requirements

  76-101 Interpretation and Argument
  76-xxx English course of the student's choice, typically 200-level or higher

• Courses Listed as BME Track Electives

  09-217 Organic Chemistry I (BMTE Track Elective)
  or (but not both)
  09-218 Organic Chemistry II (BMTE Track Elective )

• Courses Required by a Traditional Engineering Department but Not by BME

  09-105 Introduction to Modern Chemistry (Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering)
  09-106 Modern Chemistry II (Chemical Engineering)
  09-221 Chemistry Lab I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis (Chemical Engineering)

• Courses that Do Not Meet Any CIT Requirements

  09-222 Chemistry Lab II: Organic Synthesis and Analysis
  33-100 Basic Experimental Physics

• Courses that meet BME Minor Requirements

  03-121 Modern Biology (BME Core)
  42-202 Physiology (BME Core)
  03-206 Biomedical Engineering Laboratory (BME Core)
  09-217 Organic Chemistry I (elective, not for Chemistry majors)
  09-218 Organic Chemistry II (elective, not for Chemistry majors and not for non-CIT students)

Based on the above analysis, the shortest path to meeting HPP requirements is to be a Biomedical Engineering/Chemical Engineering double major and select the BMTE track, taking either 09-217 or 09-218 as one of the track electives.  The student is then left with three extra laboratory courses, 09-222, 33-100, and 09-217 or 09-218, before fulfilling the HPP requirements.  Students majoring in Materials Science & Engineering and taking the BMTE track need to take two additional courses, 09-106 and 09-221.  It is more difficult to meet HPP requirements for students with a second major in other traditional engineering disciplines, requiring up to seven extra courses.  However, students from all the CIT majors have successfully completed the HPP requirements and enter the medical career.

(updated 07/09/2011)

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Campus Office for Student Affairs and Graduate Admissions
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University
Doherty Hall 2100
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Ph: (412) 268-3955
Fax: (412) 268-1173

Administrative Office
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University
PTC 4105
700 Technology Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Ph: (412) 268-6222
Fax: (412) 268-9807