Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

California Baptist University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at California Baptist University combines engineering, biology, anatomy and physiology, computer-aided design and biomedical technology to prepare students to develop solutions that improve human health and well-being. It is designed for students interested in areas such as biomechanics, bioimaging, biomaterials, bioinstrumentation and bioengineering, with project-based learning, laboratory work and a required industry internship providing practical preparation for professional careers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their mathematics, science and engineering foundation through courses such as ENGR 1810/1820: Engineering Math, MATH 2450: Calculus I, PHYS 2010: Physics I, CHEM 1150: General Chemistry I and BIOL 1460: General Biology I. They also begin developing technical skills through ENGR 1200: Python, ENGR 1220: Visual Language and introductory engineering/design coursework.

Year 2: Students move into the biomedical engineering discipline with ENGR 2610: Fundamentals of Bioengineering 1 and ENGR 2620: Fundamentals of Bioengineering 2, both incorporating laboratory work. The year also develops engineering analysis through ENGR 2410: Statics, ENGR 2420: Strength of Materials, ENGR 3050: Engineering Statistics and ENGR 3820: ODE/Linear Algebra, while BIOL 1530: Anatomy & Physiology strengthens their understanding of the human body.

Year 3: Students apply engineering principles directly to biomedical systems through ENGR 3630: Biofluid Mechanics with Lab, ENGR 3610: Biomechanics, ENGR 4620: Biomaterials I, ENGR 4630: Biomaterials II with Lab and ENGR 3640: Bio Imaging. They also develop modern computational and research capabilities through ENGR 3670: Machine Learning and ENGR 3650: Biomedical Research and Instrumentation.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes professional biomedical engineering design and application through ENGR 4010: Capstone I with Ethics and ENGR 4020: Capstone II with Ethics. Depending on their chosen concentration and interests, students can also develop further expertise in areas such as Neural Engineering, advanced biomedical research and instrumentation, technical electives and mechanical-systems coursework, while completing the program's required supervised internship experience.

Focus Areas

Biomechanics, bioimaging, biomaterials, bioinstrumentation, biofluid mechanics, neural engineering, machine learning, biomedical research and instrumentation, computer-aided design, biomedical device development, physiological modeling and mechanical systems. Students choose between the General Studies and Mechanical Systems concentrations.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems using mathematics, science and engineering principles; design solutions that consider public health, safety and welfare; communicate effectively with different audiences; and recognize ethical and professional responsibilities while evaluating the broader global, social, environmental and economic impact of engineering solutions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

California Baptist University's B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs criteria. CBU states that its B.S. Biomedical Engineering program is the only accredited undergraduate biomedical engineering program in Alabama? Correction: CBU is located in California; the official CBU page confirms the program's ABET accreditation but does not make that Alabama statement applicable to CBU.

Reputation (Employability / Official Statistics)

CBU highlights the career relevance of its biomedical engineering program through its required industry internship, project-based curriculum and connections with organizations where students have previously interned, including the Keck Graduate Institute, National Institutes of Health and NASA Glenn Research Center. The university also cites U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections of 10% employment growth for bioengineering and biomedical engineers over the relevant decade and a $97,410 median annual salary in the referenced BLS data.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

California Baptist University places substantial emphasis on experiential education in biomedical engineering through traditional coursework, laboratories, project-based learning, faculty-supervised research and a required supervised internship. Students develop practical skills in areas including 3D computer-aided design, programming, biomedical instrumentation, biomechanics, bioimaging, biomaterials and machine learning, while the capstone sequence provides an opportunity to bring these skills together in engineering design.

The program's practical opportunities include:

SolidWorks and 3D CAD: EGR 2630: Introduction to 3D CAD teaches students to use SolidWorks to create sketches, extrusions, revolutions and holes for engineering design.
Python programming: ENGR 1200: Python introduces programming skills used within the engineering curriculum.
Biomedical laboratory work: ENGR 2610 and ENGR 2620: Fundamentals of Bioengineering 1 and 2 include laboratory components, while ENGR 3630: Biofluid Mechanics and ENGR 4630: Biomaterials II also incorporate laboratory work.
Biomedical research and instrumentation: ENGR 3650: Biomedical Research and Instrumentation gives students focused exposure to biomedical research and instrumentation.
Machine learning: ENGR 3670: Machine Learning introduces computational approaches relevant to modern biomedical engineering.
Bioimaging: ENGR 3640: Bio Imaging covers major imaging techniques used in biomedical patient care and research.
Team-based engineering projects: Introductory engineering coursework includes team-based projects, while the program uses project-based curricula to develop biomedical technologies under faculty supervision.
Capstone design: ENGR 4010 and ENGR 4020: Capstone I and II with Ethics provide an advanced engineering design experience in the final year.
Required internship: Students must complete a pre-approved and supervised internship of at least 200 hours, with the curriculum allowing up to 1,200 hours. The program identifies previous internship experiences at organizations including the Keck Graduate Institute, National Institutes of Health and NASA Glenn Research Center.
Engineering facilities: Students learn in the Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building, which CBU describes as providing state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and collaborative workspaces.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering prepares graduates for careers involving medical technologies, biomedical research, engineering design, biomaterials, imaging, instrumentation and other healthcare-related engineering applications. The program combines ABET-accredited engineering education with an internship and practical project experience, giving students preparation for both employment and continued study.

Typical career roles include Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Design Engineer, Medical Device Engineer and Biomedical Research Engineer.

Career and professional opportunities include:

Industry experience: Every student must complete a supervised internship, creating an opportunity to apply engineering knowledge in a professional environment and develop industry experience before graduation.
Internship organizations: CBU identifies previous student internships at the Keck Graduate Institute, National Institutes of Health and NASA Glenn Research Center, demonstrating opportunities extending beyond conventional medical-device companies.
Professional development: The BME program supports professional preparation through engineering design, internship preparation, leadership coursework and an approved professional-exam pathway such as the FE Exam.
Employment outlook: The university cites BLS projections of 10% employment growth for bioengineering and biomedical engineering occupations over the referenced decade, with approximately 1,200 openings annually.
Salary information: CBU cites a $97,410 median annual salary for biomedical engineers in the referenced BLS data, with the university page reporting an industry range of approximately $62,650–$108,690. These figures are BLS occupational statistics rather than CBU-specific graduate salary outcomes.
Accreditation value: ABET accreditation provides an externally recognized quality standard for the B.S. Biomedical Engineering curriculum and its engineering preparation.
Career-focused student community: Students can participate in CBU's student chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), which the university describes as supporting professional excellence and career development.

Further Academic Progression: The degree can provide a foundation for graduate-level study in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, engineering and related technical fields. The accelerated three-year option can also allow eligible students to complete the bachelor's degree earlier and begin graduate education sooner; CBU specifically highlights this as one of the advantages of its accelerated BME pathway.