BS Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Arizona State University Tempe

Program Overview

The Biomedical Engineering, BSE at Arizona State University combines engineering and life sciences to prepare students to design medical technologies, analyze biological systems, and develop solutions to clinical and biomedical challenges. It suits students interested in healthcare innovation, medical devices, biotechnology and research, with opportunities to develop ideas into viable biomedical prototypes while considering ethics, sustainability and real-world needs.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year:

Students establish their engineering and scientific foundation through subjects such as MAT 265 – Calculus for Engineers I, CSE 101 – Introduction to Computer Science and Programming for Non-Computer Science Majors, and introductory engineering and life-science coursework. This stage develops the mathematical, computational and scientific skills needed for more specialized biomedical engineering study.

Second Year:

Students begin developing their biomedical engineering knowledge through courses such as BME 200 – Conservation Principles in Biomedical Engineering, BME 235 – Physiology for Engineers, and BME 213 – Ethical and Social Dimensions of Biomedical Engineering. These subjects connect engineering principles with human physiology while introducing the ethical and social considerations involved in healthcare technologies.

Third Year:

Students move into more advanced engineering applications through courses including BME 300 – Bioengineering Product Design, BME 301 – Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering, and BME 316 – Biomechanics for Biomedical Engineers. The curriculum develops skills in product design, computational methods and the analysis of biological movement and systems.

Fourth Year:

The final stage emphasizes advanced biomedical engineering design and application through courses such as BME 417 – Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design I, BME 490 – Biomedical Engineering Capstone Design II, and BME 413/423 – Biomedical Instrumentation and Biomedical Instrumentation Laboratory. Students use their accumulated engineering and biomedical knowledge to develop, prototype and test solutions to current health challenges.

Focus Areas:

Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering Product Design, Biomechanics, Biomaterials, Biomedical Instrumentation, Physiology, Numerical Methods, Biological Systems, Medical Technology, Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Devices

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to apply engineering and life-science principles to biomedical problems, design and prototype health technologies, analyze biological systems, use computational and quantitative methods, and consider ethics, sustainability, teamwork and communication in engineering practice.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Biomedical Engineering, BSE is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Program Criteria. ASU states that the program's accreditation reflects its commitment to academic standards and continuous improvement and supports recognition by employers and graduate schools.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Arizona State University was ranked No. 2 among U.S. public universities for graduate employability in the 2025 Global Employability University Ranking and Survey (GEURS), according to ASU's official reporting. ASU was also ranked No. 36 among U.S. universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Biomedical Engineering, BSE at Arizona State University gain practical experience by working in team-based design projects that connect engineering concepts with real healthcare challenges. The senior BME 417/490 Capstone Project sequence allows students to work with industry, clinical, nonprofit and government partners on real-world medical-device and biological projects, while ASU’s research environment provides access to advanced biomedical facilities and instrumentation. Students can also explore undergraduate research opportunities through the Biodesign Institute, where interdisciplinary teams work across engineering, biology, chemistry and other fields.

These program-specific opportunities include:

BME Capstone Design: Students work in teams on real-world biomedical engineering problems, developing project-management, technical, documentation, presentation and problem-solving skills.
Industry and clinical partnerships: Capstone projects involve partners from industry, clinical environments, higher education, nonprofit organizations and government agencies, giving students direct exposure to professional engineering challenges.
Design standards and tools: The BME capstone uses the FDA Waterfall Model, ISO 9001, ISO 13485 design-control standards and Six Sigma techniques including PDCA and DMAIC.
Biomedical Engineering Design Studio: The BME Design Studio supports undergraduate design projects addressing real-world engineering and medical challenges.
Biodesign Institute: Students can access a major interdisciplinary research environment with facilities including Biodesign Imaging, Bioinformatics, Genomics and Mass Spectrometry facilities.
Biomedical research facilities: ASU research infrastructure includes laboratories supporting areas such as neural, molecular, tissue and cell research, artificial organs, biomaterials, diagnostic technologies and therapeutic devices.
Undergraduate research: Biodesign research centers provide opportunities for undergraduate students to work with faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate mentors on hands-on research projects.
Biomedical Engineering Symposium: Students present healthcare technology innovations developed through their biomedical engineering capstone experience at ASU’s Biomedical Engineering Symposium.

Facilities:

Students benefit from ASU’s Biodesign Institute, its three research buildings and specialized core facilities, including imaging, bioinformatics, genomics and mass spectrometry resources. The university also provides biomedical engineering research and instructional laboratories in facilities such as ISTB1, which supports neural, molecular, tissue and cell research related to artificial organs, biomaterials, diagnostic and therapeutic devices

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biomedical Engineering, BSE at Arizona State University prepares graduates for careers across medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, clinical engineering, diagnostics and biomedical research. The program also supports pathways into graduate study and professional programs, including medicine and physician assistant programs.

Typical job roles: Biomedical Engineer, Biostatistician, Human Factors Engineer, Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Key opportunities and outcomes include:

Career support: ASU’s Career and Professional Development Services helps students develop career plans and prepare for employment, while the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering provides access to career and industry opportunities.
Employment and salary figures: ASU reports a $106,950 median annual salary for Biomedical Engineers based on O*NET data. The broader U.S. Biomedical Engineer occupation had 23,800 employees in 2025, with 1,200 projected job openings from 2025–2035 according to ASU’s career data.
University–industry partnerships: ASU’s School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering collaborates with clinical institutions including Mayo Clinic in Arizona and HonorHealth, while students have internship and career connections with companies such as Medtronic, BD and W. L. Gore & Associates.
Long-term accreditation value: The BSE in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, providing an externally recognized engineering quality framework for the program.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates move into medical device and biotechnology industries as well as pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, clinical engineering, regulatory affairs and biomedical data science; others continue into advanced research or clinical training.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BSE, students can continue into graduate study in biomedical engineering and related fields, including areas such as precision medicine, synthetic biology, computational neuroscience and tissue engineering. The degree can also support progression into professional programs such as medical school and physician assistant programs, depending on the relevant admission requirements.