Title

Undergraduate Research

Subhead
Learn how Coulter BME students can engage in a range of undergraduate research opportunities that allow students to contribute to cutting-edge discoveries.
Sections

Engaging in research as an undergraduate is one of the most rewarding ways to deepen your understanding of biomedical engineering, build valuable skills, and explore potential career paths. The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering offers a wide range of research opportunities for students interested in contributing to cutting-edge discoveries in healthcare, biotechnology, and medical innovation.

Why Do Research?

Participating in research allows you to:

  • Apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges
  • Work alongside faculty, graduate students, and research teams
  • Explore topics like tissue engineering, neuroengineering, medical imaging, and more
  • Strengthen your resume for graduate school, medical school, or industry careers
Learn more about research at Coulter BME.
Photo of two BME students showcasing their product at the COE Capstone Expo
Campus Research Opportunities

Outside of Coulter BME, you can participate in other research opportunities across campus.

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) offers the Research Option to all undergraduate students. The program permits students to conduct substantial, in-depth research experience, culminating in a field-appropriate thesis. Students often publish in journals or present at an academic conference or professional meeting in their field.

PairME is a database of research opportunities across all 7 colleges at Georgia Tech.

Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) is a program where undergraduate students from across campus work in teams with faculty and graduate students on research in their areas of scholarship.

Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium

As Georgia Tech’s largest colloquium showcasing undergraduate research, scholarship, and creativity, the Symposium is a great opportunity to share your work with students, staff, and faculty from all over campus and gain valuable presentation experience. Students can apply to give talks or poster presentations, and all presenters will receive feedback at the event. 

Learn More About the Symposium

Begin Your Research Journey

Undergraduate research is a valuable way to gain hands-on experience and can count toward your depth or breadth elective credit—but not both.

  • Depth Elective Credit: Up to 6 credit hours of research may count. You can complete these hours in one semester.
  • Breadth Elective Credit: Research can also fulfill the Research Option, which satisfies the 15-hour breadth requirement.

Catalog Year Matters:

  • Matriculating during the 2024–2025 catalog and beyond: 128 total hours to graduate; 9 hours of BME depth electives. You may use as little as 3 hours of research credit toward depth.
  • Matriculating during catalog years before 2024–2025: 131 total hours to graduate; 12 hours of BME depth electives. You must complete two semesters of research (in the same lab) for up to 6 credit hours to count toward depth. Research does not have to be completed in two consecutive semesters.
  • Want to update your catalog year? Talk to your BME academic advisor.

Register for Labs

Once a PI agrees to mentor you, complete the UG Research Permits and Tracking Form to receive registration access. Once approved, you can register for BMED 4699.

You will coordinate with your PI or research advisor to determine the appropriate number of credit hours for the semester. Typically, one credit hour corresponds to three hours of research per week during fall and spring, or four hours per week in the summer.