Biomedical Engineering - BE - Bachelor of Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

City University of New York

Program Overview

The Biomedical Engineering B.E. at The City College of New York brings together engineering, biology, mathematics, chemistry and physiology to help students understand how technology can be used to improve healthcare. It is a strong choice for students interested in medical devices, biomedical research, healthcare technology or future study in engineering and medicine, with plenty of opportunities to build practical and problem-solving skills.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students start by building a strong foundation in mathematics, science and engineering. Courses such as Introduction to BME, Introduction to Programming for Biomedical Engineers, and Foundations of Biology I introduce students to the field while developing the scientific and computational skills they will use throughout the degree.

Second Year: Students move deeper into biomedical engineering and begin connecting engineering concepts with the way the human body works. Biostatistics & Research Methods, Bioelectrical Circuits with Lab, and Physiological Processes help students develop skills in data analysis, laboratory work, electrical systems and human physiology.

Third Year: The focus becomes more specialized, with students exploring how engineering can be used at the cellular, tissue and medical-device levels. Courses such as Biomedical Transducers and Instrumentation, Experimental Methods in BME, and Cell and Molecular Biology provide practical and technical preparation for areas such as medical instrumentation, tissue engineering, imaging and biomedical research.

Fourth Year: In the final year, students bring together what they have learned through advanced electives and the two-semester BME Senior Design I and BME Senior Design II sequence. Students can explore areas such as Biomedical Imaging, Biomedical Signal Processing, Cell & Tissue Engineering, Microfluidic Devices in Biotechnology, and Neural Engineering and Applied Bioelectricity, while developing solutions to real biomedical challenges.

Focus Areas

Biomedical engineering, biomechanics, biotransport, biomedical imaging, biomedical signal processing, neural engineering, biomaterials, cell and tissue engineering, bioinstrumentation, molecular engineering, biomedical modeling and medical technology design

Learning Outcomes

Students learn to apply mathematics, science and engineering principles to complex biomedical problems, design solutions while considering health, safety, ethical and social factors, conduct experiments and interpret data, communicate technical ideas clearly, work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and make responsible professional decisions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Biomedical Engineering B.E. has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET since 2009 under the criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. This gives the program an established professional quality framework and ensures that students receive an engineering education aligned with recognized industry and professional standards.

Reputation (Employability Outcomes)

Rather than relying on a general QS or Guardian ranking, CCNY provides official graduate outcome information for its Biomedical Engineering program. From 2006 to 2022, 46% of B.E. graduates entered industry jobs and 44% continued into graduate or professional school, showing that the degree supports both direct employment and further academic progression.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students at CCNY get opportunities to move beyond classroom theory and apply biomedical engineering concepts through laboratory work, research, programming, design and practical projects. A major part of the experience is the two-semester senior design sequence, where students work on real biomedical problems connected with hospital and industry partners, while research opportunities allow students to work with faculty and use specialized biomedical engineering facilities.

The program also gives students access to research laboratories and a wider network of medical and research institutions across New York. Students can build experience through independent study, faculty research, internships and hands-on laboratory projects:

Senior Design: BME Senior Design I and II give students a full-year opportunity to develop solutions to real biomedical engineering problems provided by hospital and industry partners.
Undergraduate research: Students can work with BME faculty on research projects and pursue independent study through courses such as BME 59001, BME 59002 and BME 59003.
Biomedical research laboratories: Facilities include the Multiscale Biomechanics and Functional Imaging Laboratory, Microcirculation Laboratory and laboratories focused on cardiovascular engineering, biomaterials, molecular and tissue engineering, nanotechnology, musculoskeletal mechanics, neural engineering and imaging.
Imaging and computational tools: Research facilities include phased-array ultrasound equipment, electronics and machine-shop resources, computational systems for three-dimensional image processing and finite-element modeling, as well as wet-lab facilities for histology.
Programming and engineering tools: Students gain exposure to programming, computer-aided engineering analysis, CAD, computer methods, biomedical imaging, signal processing and mathematical modeling.
Industry internships: The department encourages students to gain professional experience through industry internships and connections with its wider BME network.
Medical and research network: Through the New York Center for Biomedical Engineering, students can connect with institutions such as Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Columbia, Hospital for Special Surgery, Mount Sinai, NYU, Memorial Sloan Kettering and Weill Cornell.
Industry exposure: CCNY's BME network includes connections with companies such as Eli Lilly, GSK, Boston Scientific, Google X and Apple, giving students exposure to biomedical, pharmaceutical and technology industries.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biomedical Engineering B.E. prepares students for careers where engineering and healthcare meet, including roles in biomedical technology, medical devices, research and engineering systems. Graduates can also use the degree as a foundation for medical school, graduate engineering programs and other professional studies.

Typical career roles include Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Instrumentation Engineer, Clinical Specialist, Systems Engineer and other biomedical engineering and healthcare technology positions:

Career support: The Grove School of Engineering's Office of Student Development provides internship and co-op guidance, resume workshops, interview preparation, mock interviews, corporate information sessions, professional-development events and career fairs.
Employment outcomes: CCNY reports that 46% of B.E. graduates entered industry jobs and 44% continued into graduate or professional schools between 2006 and 2022.
Salary information: CCNY does not publish a specific graduate salary figure for this Biomedical Engineering B.E., so no salary figure is included.
Industry connections: BME has industry relationships involving Eli Lilly, GSK, Boston Scientific, Google X and Apple, giving students opportunities to connect their academic learning with real-world biomedical and technology applications.
Clinical connections: The New York Center for Biomedical Engineering connects students with major medical and research institutions across New York, including hospitals, medical schools and research centers.
Long-term accreditation value: ABET accreditation, maintained since 2009, gives the degree a recognized engineering quality framework and supports its professional relevance.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates commonly move in two major directions: entering biomedical and healthcare-related industries or continuing into graduate and professional education.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.E., students can continue into graduate-level study in biomedical engineering and related fields. CCNY also offers pathways into advanced biomedical engineering research and professional education, making the B.E. a useful foundation for students who eventually want to pursue an M.S., Ph.D., medical school or another professional qualification.