Many undergraduate students participate in research under mentorship by primary and secondary BME faculty. While some students seek opportunities early in their academic careers via contact with faculty members, others begin their research when they have taken more advanced classes and have identified research areas of interest. Students can receive up to 3 hours of course credit toward their degree through undergraduate research.
All BME undergraduates are eligible to enroll in the BME 289-389-489 course sequence. Students must first identify a research advisor who agrees to mentor and support the student’s research. A commitment of approximately 3-4 hours of research work per week will count as 1 hour of course credit and three hours of credit will satisfy one BME elective. Students must spread these research hours over at least two semesters: Specifically, one hour each of BME 289, 389, and 489 over three semesters; two hours of BME 289 in one semester followed by one hour of BME 389 or 489 in a later semester; or one hour of BME 289 or 389 in one semester followed by two hours of BME 489. Students must produce a work product documenting their work in each semester which must be approved by the BME 289/389/489 instructor.
The BME Honors program is another way to receive BME elective course credit for undergraduate research. Students may count BME 289/389/489 or BME 494 as a BME elective, but not both.