Jul 10, 2014 04:03 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education approved a new Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering at the Alabama State University.

The program, set to roll out in 2015, aims to ready students to be at the forefront of biomedical innovations and prepare them for jobs in biomedical engineering - the country's fastest growing career fields.

The University officials also aspire to produce graduates capable of applying engineering and design concepts and research findings to problems in medicine, life sciences and practical health care.

Dr. Kennedy S. Wekesa, interim dean and professor of biology in ASU's College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, said the degree program comprises of a wide range of disciplines including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

"Bringing engineering for the first time in history of ASU to the campus is a huge accomplishment that would not have been possible without the support of the President and faculty in the College of Science Mathematics and Technology," Wekesa said in a statement. "This new program will provide students with another degree option. Now we can say that we have a complete STEM college."

Biomedical engineers enhance patient's quality of life by developing artificial organs, new devices to detect disease, diagnostic tests and therapies to treat disease and injury, advanced computer models to create efficient drugs among others.

ASU students interested to enrol at the Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering program should have a competitive GPA (2.75 or higher), a minimum ACT score of 27 or SAT score of 1250 (critical reading and math) and a career statement.

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