UAB School of Engineering

Purpose
The Honors Program in Biomedical Engineering is designed to offer an opportunity for successful and motivated students interested in the application of engineering to medicine and biology an opportunity to develop design and research skills in preparation for graduate school and/or professional careers while earning graduate credit towards a Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Eligibility

Completed at least 32 hours, with at least an earned 3.5 GPA in those courses

Although not required, students can also be simultaneously enrolled in the University Honors Program, the Science and Technology Program, or the Global and Community Leadership Honors Program.

Benefits
Students will benefit from mentoring by faculty members and graduate students in a structured experience that fosters a spirit of inquiry, initiative and independence at a level that is similar to graduate school. This experience will develop confidence and independence, plus give the student important experience in communication and research skills. Ideally, the research project will result in a publication and presentation at a national conference, giving the Honors graduate strong credentials for graduate or medical/professional school, for industrial research, for science writing and for teaching. Additionally, students who successfully complete the program will receive an Honors certificate at the UAB Honors Convocation Recognition and transcript will read “Graduation with Honors in Biomedical Engineering”. Further, students may graduate with up to 6 hours of credit to be applied towards a Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Requirements
Complete BME undergraduate curriculum plus:

1 additional Biomedical Engineering Seminar
EGR 301 Honors Research (1 credit hour). EGR 302 Honors Research (1 credit hour). Ideally taken as a sophomore, however, transfer students may take junior year
Junior year, periodic meetings with BME Honors Advisor
Maintain a 3.5 GPA overall
BME 494 (Honors Research) (3 credit hours)
3-9hours in BME 495 (Honors Research II) Biomedical Research under a research advisor arranged by the student
Selection of 3 person Honors committee (Undergraduate director, Honors program director, and research advisor plus any other primary or secondary faculty in BME)
Submission of a formal proposal at least one week prior to proposal meeting
Proposal approval by the end of summer semester junior year by the Honors committee, preferably at the end of the spring semester junior year, coinciding with proposal preparation in ENG 301.
Written Honors Thesis in Biomedical Engineering, in the form of a scientific paper, due one month prior to graduation
Conference type presentation of Thesis (at least three weeks prior to graduation)
Final review by the honors committee
Where appropriate, the Honors Committee may recommend that the Honors student make a formal presentation of the work at a scientific meeting. Funds will be provided for travel and subsistence for participation in such a meeting.