uc davis biomedical engineering undergraduate research

Research

Hands-on Biomedical Engineering Experience

Participating in research is one of the best ways to discover more about your field of study and explore future career options.  There is no substitute for trying something hands-on to figure out if you like it.

You must be a currently-registered UC Davis student to do research at the university.

  1. Visit the Undergraduate Research Center to see how to get started and to ask any questions about the process.
  2. Spend some time thinking about what interests you about your field of study, what you are good at and what you want to learn more about through research. 
  3. Find a faculty member in BMEGG or in other campus departments whose research interests align with your goals. Spend some time on their website familiarizing yourself with the professor’s research and send a professional email inquiring about the possibility of working in their lab.

Research credit

Prosthetic Hand

You may receive up to 5 units of (P/NP) BIM 199 Lab Credit per quarter.  One unit is equal to 3 hours/wk in the lab. Forms need to be turned in to the undergraduate advisor by the 10-day drop deadline. In return, the advisor will provide the CRN for your PI so you can register for your BIM 199. (If you work in a non-BME lab, ask your PI for a 199 form for their department.)

Biomedical engineering majors may petition one time for 4 units of P/NP 199 Engineering (EE) or Science (SE) Elective credit towards their degree. You must complete 2 units/quarter for two quarters for a total of 4 units. This  equates to at least 6 hours/week in the lab for 2 quarters. This 199 credit may come from any PI at UC Davis. At the start of the quarter, you must submit a Research Proposal as well as a petition signed by your PI to the undergraduate advisor for faculty approval.

Once your Research Proposal has been approved, you will work on your research for two quarters before presenting your results in a 10-page paper. Please email the undergraduate advisor for the CRN to register for the second quarter. Once you complete the 199, you must meet with the undergraduate advisor to turn in both the petition signed by your PI and the Presented Results. The petition will be reviewed a second time. If approved, the engineering or science elective paperwork will be uploaded to Oasis as part of your degree.

Internship credit

Internship Credit in the form of a BIM 192 is available for research performed outside UC Davis (i.e. at a company or other academic institution). Students may receive BIM 192 Lab Credit, which does not count towards the BME degree, or BIM 192 Engineering/Science Elective credit, which grants 4 units towards the BME degree and follows similar approvals to the BIM 199 for EE/SE credit above.