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The Biomedical Engineering Minor at Cornell University is a great option for students who want to add biomedical engineering knowledge to their main area of study. It combines engineering, biology, and healthcare concepts, helping students understand how technologies and engineering solutions can be used to address challenges in human health.
Curriculum Structure
Coursework: Students complete six courses covering key areas of biomedical engineering. They build a foundation through subjects such as BIOMG 1350 – Introductory Biology: Cell and Developmental Biology, before moving into courses such as BME 3010 – Cellular Principles of Biomedical Engineering and BME 3310 – Medical and Preclinical Imaging.
Advanced Study: Students can explore areas such as molecular and cellular engineering, physiological systems, and biomedical applications through courses including BME 3020 – Molecular Principles of Biomedical Engineering, BME 4010 – Biomedical Engineering Analysis of Metabolic and Structural Systems, and BME 4020 – Electrical and Chemical Physiology. The minor allows students to develop a broader understanding of biomedical technologies while complementing their primary degree.
Focus Areas
Biomedical mechanics, biomedical imaging and instrumentation, biomaterials, tissue engineering, molecular and cellular engineering, physiological systems, bioinstrumentation, medical imaging, drug delivery, neurotechnology
Learning Outcomes
Develop quantitative engineering skills, understand biological and physiological systems, apply engineering principles to healthcare challenges, analyze molecular and cellular processes, explore biomedical technologies, understand biomedical devices and applications, prepare for further study or careers related to biomedical engineering
Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
The Biomedical Engineering Minor helps students complement their main degree with practical knowledge of biomedical engineering and prepares them for further study or career opportunities involving engineering, healthcare, biotechnology, and related fields. Students seeking professional training specifically in biomedical engineering can also consider Cornell's Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering.
Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Cornell University is a globally recognized research university, and its Biomedical Engineering program benefits from the research, innovation, and interdisciplinary environment of the College of Engineering. Cornell's official program information does not provide a specific employability ranking for the Biomedical Engineering Minor.
The Biomedical Engineering Minor at Cornell University gives students opportunities to connect what they learn in class with real biomedical engineering applications. Students can develop practical skills through research, hands-on laboratory work, collaborative projects, and professional experiences, with access to specialized facilities and equipment for biomedical research, design, and fabrication. These opportunities help students gain experience with biomedical technologies while working alongside researchers, faculty, and other students.
Students can build practical experience through a range of opportunities:
Undergraduate Research: Students can work with Meinig School faculty on research projects, present their findings at Cornell or scientific conferences, and may have opportunities to contribute to research publications.
Project Teams: Students can join teams such as Debut, Cornell University Genetically Engineered Machines (CU GEM), Engineering World Health, and Engineers Without Borders, working collaboratively on engineering projects, competitions, and community-focused activities.
Internships and Co-ops: Students can pursue summer internships or longer co-op experiences to gain professional exposure and apply their biomedical engineering knowledge in industry settings.
Biomedical Engineering Laboratories: The Meinig School provides specialized laboratory spaces with equipment such as microscopes, incubators, centrifuges, PCR machines, plate readers, syringe pumps, and PDMS fabrication equipment.
Tissue Culture and Microscopy: Students have access to tissue culture facilities with biosafety cabinets, CO₂ incubators, and a flow cytometer, as well as microscopy equipment for examining cells and tissues.
Design and Fabrication: The Design Laboratory provides tools including 3D printers, mini-CNC equipment, microscopes, soldering stations, electronics, software, and data-acquisition systems. The Fabrication Lab includes a laser cutter, CNC milling machine, lathe, and metal-machining equipment.
Cornell-Tanzania Exchange: Students can gain international practical experience by working with Arusha Technical College students to repair medical equipment and collaborate on biomedical engineering design projects.
The Biomedical Engineering Minor allows students to add valuable biomedical engineering knowledge to their main undergraduate degree and explore career opportunities across healthcare, biotechnology, engineering, and research. It can also provide a strong foundation for students who want to continue into advanced study in biomedical engineering or a related field.
Potential career directions include Biomedical Engineer, Research Assistant, Medical or Research Technician, Biotechnology Research Specialist.
Students can also benefit from Cornell's career and professional support:
Career Support: Students can access guidance from faculty, career advisors, academic advisors, and industry professionals, along with resume reviews, mock interviews, and career fairs.
Industry Connections: Cornell's Biomedical Engineering community has connections with companies such as Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pfizer, Regeneron, Genentech, Siemens, GE Healthcare, Boston Scientific, and Illumina, providing exposure to a range of biomedical and healthcare industries.
Employment Statistics and Salaries: Cornell does not publish specific employment-rate or average salary figures for graduates of the Biomedical Engineering Minor.
Professional Value: The minor adds specialized biomedical engineering knowledge to a student's primary degree, helping them develop an interdisciplinary profile for future employment or further study.
Graduation Outcomes: Students can use the minor as a foundation for careers, research opportunities, or advanced study in biomedical engineering, medicine, engineering, and related scientific fields.
Further Academic Progression: Students who complete the minor alongside their bachelor's degree can continue their education through Cornell's one-year Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering. Students interested in research can also explore graduate programs in engineering, medicine, science, or related biomedical fields.
Open to all Cornell undergraduate students, with pre-approval of the Biomedical Engineering minor plan required. Students cannot pursue both the Biomedical Engineering and Biological Engineering minors.
Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in every minor course and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA across all minor courses. US universities use a holistic admissions review. Beyond grades and standardized test scores, they weigh the strength of your overall profile to understand who you are as a student and a person.
Profile Assessment: Engineering applicants are generally assessed on the strength of their preparation in advanced Mathematics and laboratory sciences, particularly Physics and Chemistry. Calculus, technical projects, robotics, engineering competitions, research and evidence of practical problem-solving can strengthen the application. Universities may also look for creativity, teamwork and the ability to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges.Advanced Placement(AP) Guidance: AP availability depends on the student's school. Relevant APs can strengthen an application and may earn university credit, but are not compulsory unless the university or programme explicitly requires them.Extracurricular activities: Estimated extracurricular contribution: 15–25%. Cornell considers activities alongside academic rigour, essays, recommendations and alignment with the selected Cornell college. Research, employment, projects, leadership, service and discipline-related experiences may demonstrate sustained interest and readiness for the chosen academic area.Essays & recommendations: Personal essays and teacher/counselor recommendations give context to your achievements and help demonstrate fit with the program.Biomedical Engineering EngineerResearch AssistantMedical or Research TechnicianBiotechnology Research SpecialistBiomedical ResearcherMedical Device SpecialistBioinstrumentation SpecialistBiomedical Imaging SpecialistDrug Delivery SpecialistBiomaterials SpecialistTissue Engineering Specialist
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