BMCE: BS in Biomedical Engineering, Emphasis in Molecular-Cellular Engineering
All BME degrees combine high-level coursework from mathematics, the sciences, engineering, and USC's general education program. The molecular-cellular area of emphasis begins with the BME core curriculum and then adds a carefully selected course sequence that allows for more in depth work in these areas. The sample 4-year schedules show the recommended sequence of courses for the BS in Biomedical Engineering, Emphasis on Molecular-Cellular Engineering. The sequences listed ensure that all prerequisite and co requisite requirements are met and take into consideration the many courses which are only offered once a year, during either the spring or fall semester. In many cases, it is not possible for students to follow the recommended schedule exactly. Factors such as an academic minor, AP or transfer credits, participation in sports, or the need for preparatory courses may necessitate taking courses in a different order. When a student deviates from the recommended course schedule, he/she should make an alternative four-year plan along with their academic advisor to ensure a timely graduation. It is important in the planning of an alternative schedule to consider the following:- Prerequisites and co requisites Many courses in the BMCE curriculum involve prerequisite and co requisite courses.
- Class Scheduling Not all classes are offered every semester. The catalog provides information in the course description about what term classes are being offered, but please refer to the Schedule of Classes issued during the pre-registration period.
BMCE Program Course Plan Beginning Fall 2025
This course plan template is for students who started the program in Fall 2025 or later. If you are following an earlier set of course requirements, please check with your advisor.
A print-friendly version of this flowchart may be found in the Viterbi Undergraduate Bulletin.
Your personal course plan sequence may vary due to numerous factors including AP exam scores, transfer coursework, and specific course choices.
BS BMCE: First Year: Fall
BME 101 or GE: Intro to Biomedical Engineering or GE Category A/B/C - 4 units
CHEM 105aL: General Chemistry - 4 units
MATH 125: Calculus I - 4 units
WRIT 150: Writing and Critical Reasoning - 4 units
ENGR 102: Engineering Freshman Academy - 2 units (Recommended elective)
Total Units - 18
BS BMCE: First Year: Spring
CHEM 105bL: General Chemistry - 4 units
MATH 126 or MATH 129: Calculus II - 4 units
BME 101 or GE: Intro to Biomedical Engineering or GE Category A/B/C - 4 units
GE: GE Seminar Category A/B/C - 4 units
Total Units - 16
BS BMCE: Second Year: Fall
BME 202: Control and Communication in the Nervous System - 4 units
GE: GE Category A/B/C - 4 units
MATH 226 or MATH 229: Calculus III - 4 units
PHYS 151L: Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics & Thermodynamics - 4 units
Total Units - 16
BS BMCE: Second Year: Spring
BISC 220L: General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology - 4 units
BME 210: Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods - 4 units
MATH 245: Mathematics of Physics & Engineering I - 4 units
PHYS 152L: Fundamentals of Physics I: Electricity and Magnetism - 4 units
BME Technical Elective - 2 units
Total Units - 18
BS BMCE: Third Year: Fall
CHEM 322aL: Organic Chemistry - 4 units
BISC 320L: Molecular Biology - 4 units
BME 423: Statistical Methods - 4 units
First Panel Course - 4 units
Total Units - 16
BS BMCE: Third Year: Spring
GE A/B/C - 4 units
CHEM 322bL: Organic Chemistry - 4 units
BISC 330L: Biochemistry - 4 units
Second Panel Course - 4 units
Total Units - 16
BS BMCE: Fourth Year: Fall
GE A/B/C - 4 units
BME 413: Bioengineering Signals & Systems - 4 units
BME 445aL: Senior Design Project - 2 units
EE 202L: Linear Circuits - 4 units
Third Panel Course - 4 units
Total Units - 18
BS BMCE: Fourth Year: Spring
BME 403: Physiological Systems - 4 units
BME 415: Regulation of Medical Products - 2 units
BME 445bL: Senior Design Project - 2 units
WRIT 340: Advanced Writing - 4 units
Fourth Panel Course - 4 units
BMCE Panel Courses beginning Fall 2025
Select 3 courses from a panel of 4 options below:
BME 406 Introduction to Bioengineering and Medicine
BME 410L Introduction to Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
BME 430 Principles and Applications of Systems Biology
BME 459L Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery
BMCE Technical Electives Beginning Fall 2025
6 units of engineering technical electives, of which at least 2 units must be upper division BME courses.
Technical electives include all courses listed below. Additional courses can be requested by petition.
BME 302L Medical Electronics
BME 315 Introduction to Deep Learning with Biomedical Applications
BME 404 Computational Neuromechanics
BME 406 Introduction to Bioengineering in Medicine
BME 408 Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technologies
BME 410L Stem Cells and Biomaterials in Tissue Engineering
BME 412 Craniofacial and Dental Technology
BME 426 Basics of Biomedical Imaging: Ionizing Radiation
BME 427 Basics of Biomedical Imaging: Non-Ionizing Radiation
BME 430 Principles and Applications of Systems Biology
BME 431/AME 416 Mechanics and Transport in Medicine and Biology
BME 450 Introduction to Biosensors and Diagnostic Devices
BME 451L Fundamentals of Biomedical Microdevices
BME 459L Introduction to Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery
CHE 330 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
CHE 350 Introduction to Separation Processes
CHE/BME 489 Biochemical Engineering
CHE 460L Chemical Process Dynamics and Control
ENGR 301 Technology Entrepreneurship
ENGR 345 Principles and Practices of Global Innovation
MASC 310L Materials Behavior and Processing
TAC 308 Computer-Aided Design for Bio-Mechanical Systems
Choose one: TAC 115 Programming in Python or TAC 116 Accelerated Programming in Python or TAC 165: Introduction to C++ Programming or TAC 168: Introduction to Matlab TAC 308 Computer-Aided Design for Bio-Mechanical Systems
BMCE Program Course Plan (Fall 2020-Spring 2025)
This course plan is for students who started the program in Fall 2020 - Spring 2025. If you are following an earlier set of course requirements, please check with your advisor.
A print-friendly version of this flowchart may be found in the Viterbi Undergraduate Bulletin.
BS BMCE: First Year: Fall
BME 101 or GE: Intro to Biomedical Engineering or GE Category B - 4 units
CHEM 105aL: General Chemistry - 4 units
MATH 125: Calculus I - 4 units
WRIT 150: Writing and Critical Reasoning - 4 units
ENGR 102: Engineering Freshman Academy - 2 units (Elective)
Total Units - 18
BS BMCE: First Year: Spring
CHEM 105bL: General Chemistry - 4 units
MATH 126: Calculus II - 4 units
BME 101 or GE: Intro to Biomedical Engineering or GE Category B - 4 units
GE: GE Category A - 4 units
Total Units - 16
BS BMCE: Second Year: Fall
BME 202: Control and Communication in the Nervous System - 4 units
GE: GE Category C - 4 units
MATH 226: Calculus III - 4 units
PHYS 151L: Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics & Thermodynamics - 4 units
Total Units - 16
BS BMCE: Second Year: Spring
BISC 220L: General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology - 4 units
BME 210: Biomedical Computer Simulation Methods - 4 units
MATH 245: Mathematics of Physics & Engineering I - 4 units
PHYS 152L: Fundamentals of Physics I: Electricity and Magnetism - 4 units
Total Units - 16
BS BMCE: Third Year: Fall
CHEM 322aL: Organic Chemistry - 4 units
BISC 320L: Molecular Biology - 4 units
BME 423: Statistical Methods - 4 units
First Panel Course - 4 units
Technical Elective - 2 units
Total Units - 18
BS BMCE: Third Year: Spring
GE C - 4 units
CHEM 322bL: Organic Chemistry - 4 units
BISC 330L: Biochemistry - 4 units
Second Panel Course - 4 units
Technical Elective (if needed) - 2 units
Total Units - 18
BS BMCE: Fourth Year: Fall
BME 403L: Physiological Systems - 4 units
BME 413: Bioengineering Signals & Systems - 4 units
EE 202L: Linear Circuits - 4 units
Third Panel Course - 4 units
Total Units - 16
BS BMCE: Fourth Year: Spring
BME 415: Regulation of Medical Products - 2 units
CHE 489: Biochemical Engineering - 4 units
WRIT 340: Advanced Writing - 4 units
BME 405L: Senior Projects: Measurement and Instrumentation - 4 units
GE: GE Category B - 4 units
BMCE Panel Courses beginning Fall 2020
Students will choose three courses from a Panel of four options.
The four options are:
BME 406: Introduction to Bioengineering and Medicine - 4 units
BME 410L: Introduction to Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering – 4 units
BME 430: Principles and Applications of Systems Biology – 4 units
BME 459L: Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery - 4 units
BMCE Technical Electives Beginning Fall 2020
BMCE students are required to take 1-3 technical elective units. The required unit count is determined by whether the student takes BME 416L or BME 415.
All units must be upper-division engineering courses.
Courses may be offered by:
ASTE, AME, BME, CHE, CE, CSCI, EE, ENE, ENGR, ISE, ITP, MASC, and PTE