Biomedical Engineering
Applying engineering principles to medicine and the human body.
Biomedical engineering blends engineering fundamentals with biology and physiology to design medical devices, diagnostic tools, prosthetics, and imaging systems. Students take a mix of standard engineering courses (circuits, mechanics, materials) alongside biology, anatomy, and physiology.
Many programs let you concentrate in a subfield, like biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, or tissue engineering, and design projects often involve prototyping devices meant to solve an actual clinical problem.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Human Physiology & Anatomy
- ✓Biomechanics
- ✓Circuits for Bioengineers
- ✓Biomaterials
- ✓Biomedical Instrumentation
- ✓Signals & Systems
- ✓Medical Imaging Fundamentals
- ✓Senior Design Project
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Human Physiology & Anatomy
- +General education requirement
- ✓Biomechanics
- +General education requirement
- ✓Circuits for Bioengineers
- +General education requirement
- ✓Biomaterials
- +Free elective
- ✓Biomedical Instrumentation
- +Free elective
- ✓Signals & Systems
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Medical Imaging Fundamentals
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Senior Design Project
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Interested in both engineering and human biology
- ★Motivated by solving medical or health-related problems
- ★Strong in physics, biology, and math together
- ★Comfortable working across engineering and clinical fields
Common minors & double-major pairings
Biology · Computer Science · Pre-Medicine Studies
Frequently asked questions
What is a Biomedical Engineering major?
Applying engineering principles to medicine and the human body.
What courses do Biomedical Engineering majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Human Physiology & Anatomy, Biomechanics, Circuits for Bioengineers, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Biomedical Engineering program?
Biomedical Engineering coursework typically builds skills like Applying engineering principles to biological systems, Understanding human anatomy and physiology, Device design and prototyping, Working with biomaterials.
Is Biomedical Engineering a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Interested in both engineering and human biology" or "Motivated by solving medical or health-related problems" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What other majors pair well with Biomedical Engineering?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Biology, Computer Science, Pre-Medicine Studies.
How is Biomedical Engineering different from Mechanical Engineering?
They're related but distinct. Biomedical Engineering: Applying engineering principles to medicine and the human body. Mechanical Engineering: Designing machines and physical systems, from engines to robots. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Biomedical Engineering degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/biomedical-engineering