Transcript Document

School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Undergraduate Program in Biomedical Engineering
Are you still trying to decide which course of undergraduate studies best fits your intellectual and
professional objectives? If so, the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health
Systems is eager to answer your questions. We have compiled answers to some of the questions
that are most frequently asked by applicants regarding Drexel's undergraduate biomedical
engineering program.
Q. What is biomedical engineering?
A. According to the working definition of the National Institutes of
Health (NIH), biomedical engineering integrates physical, chemical,
mathematical and computational sciences and engineering
principles to study biology, medicine, behavior, and health. It
advances fundamental concepts, creates knowledge from the
molecular to the organ system levels, and develops innovative
biologics, materials, processes, implants, devices and informatics
approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of
disease; for patient rehabilitation; and for improving health.
Q. What can you tell me about the biomedical engineering
majors at Drexel?
A. Biomedical engineering majors at Drexel have distinguished
academic records. They meet and exceed our high admission
standards. Our biomedical engineering undergraduates have won
many national and university awards and honors for their research,
service, and academic achievements.
Q. What distinguishes Drexel's School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health
Systems undergraduate program from those of other universities?
A. Our School offers one of the most unique and comprehensive ABET-accredited programs in
the country. Our cooperative education (co-op) program offers a healthy mix of classroom and
real world experience. Coursework alternates with real-world employment in industry, healthcare
institutions, and medical laboratories, including work with our distinguished faculty in Drexel's
world-class laboratories on tissue engineering, bionanotechnology, biosensors and bioimaging,
neuroengineering, and bioinformatics. These emerging research directions in biomedical
engineering anchor our curriculum and set it apart from other universities.
Q. Are there opportunities to participate in research and design while taking classes?
A. Students who are interested in research are welcome to join one of the teams working in our
laboratories on breakthrough research in tissue engineering, bionanotechnology, biosensors and
bioimaging, neuroengineering, and bioinformatics. Our program also provides students with
design experience, beginning in their freshmen year and culminating in a capstone senior design
project. Many of our students' designs have intellectual property value (such as patents and
copyrights) that has become the basis of new companies they have formed, with support from
our Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship.
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School of Biomedical Engineering, Science & Health Systems
Q. What can you tell me about academic and professional advising in biomedical
engineering?
A. Our faculty is dedicated to the success of our students. All undergraduate biomedical
engineering students are assigned to a faculty member for academic and professional advice and
guidance throughout their education at Drexel. Our faculty and staff provide critical support for our
students' transition to becoming professional biomedical engineers.
Q. I am told that biomedical engineering is the best practical pre-med major. Can you
explain why?
A. Biomedical engineering is a natural course of study that leads to successful enrollment in
medical, dental, or veterinary schools. It equips students with engineering skills that are an
excellent preparation for rewarding and productive careers in modern medicine, which is
technology driven and research based. Recent statistics indicate that biomedical engineering
majors outpace majors in all other disciplines in admission to medical schools.
Q. Does Drexel offer accelerated and integrated academic programs?
A. Qualified biomedical engineering students may elect to apply to our combined and accelerated
Bachelor of Science/Master of Science (BS/MS) program, Bachelor of Science/Doctor of
Philosophy (BS/PhD) program, or Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Medicine (BS/MD) program. The
latter program is offered in collaboration with Drexel's College of Medicine.
Q. Does Drexel offer an honors program?
A. Yes, biomedical engineering majors may also be invited to enroll in our Pennoni Honors
College, which offers special curricular, social, and service experiences for more competitive
students.
Q. What's the Philadelphia region like?
A. The Philadelphia region is ideal for studying biomedical engineering, since our region boasts
one of the highest concentrations of medical universities and hospitals, biomedical device and
systems companies, bio-pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and health systems industries in the
United States. Our School takes advantage of this richness by forming academic alliances with
regional academic and research institutions and by partnering with a large number of
corporations. Our urban setting and our proximity to a vast array of cultural centers in and around
Philadelphia are a bonus for those students who wish to grow not only academically, but also
intellectually and socially during their college years.
For more in-depth answers to your questions, please e-mail:
Caryn Glaser
[email protected]
To learn more, please visit our web site:
WWW.BIOMED.DREXEL.EDU
Drexel University General Admissions web site:
www.drexel.edu/ecm
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