BS Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Duke University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University combines engineering, biology, medicine, mathematics, computing, and design to prepare students to solve complex healthcare challenges. It is well suited to students interested in medical technologies, biomedical devices, imaging, biomechanics, tissue engineering, or continuing into industry, graduate study, or professional health programs.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year: Students establish their engineering and scientific foundation through courses such as EGR 101L: Engineering Design and Communication, EGR 103L: Computational Methods in Engineering, BIO 201L: Gateway to Biology: Molecular Biology, and calculus, chemistry, and physics. Duke also introduces students to hands-on design, computing, data science, research, and entrepreneurship from the first semester.

Second Year: Students begin applying engineering principles directly to biological systems through courses such as BME 244L: Quantitative Physiology with Biostatistical Applications and BME 260L: Modeling Cellular and Molecular Systems, alongside mathematics, chemistry, physics, and engineering coursework. This stage strengthens students' ability to understand physiological systems and use quantitative approaches to biomedical problems.

Third Year: Students move into more specialized biomedical engineering concepts through courses such as BME 271: Signals and Systems, BME 354L: Introduction to Medical Instrumentation, and area-core courses such as BME 301L: Bioelectricity, BME 302L: Fundamentals of Biomaterials and Biomechanics, or BME 303: Modern Diagnostic Imaging Systems. Students can also begin shaping their studies around areas such as imaging, biomechanics, electrobiology, or biomolecular and tissue engineering.

Fourth Year: Students apply their knowledge through advanced electives and biomedical design experiences, with options such as BME 436L: Biophotonic Instrumentation, BME 460L: Devices for People with Disabilities, and BME 464L: Medical Instrumentation Design. Students can further personalize their degree through elective sequences, double majors, independent study, or the BME Design Fellows opportunity.

Focus Areas:

Imaging and Instrumentation, Biomechanics, Electrobiology, Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering, Biomedical Devices, Biomedical Data and Computing, Medical Technology, Independent Research.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to apply engineering, biology, physiology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and statistics to biomedical problems; design and evaluate biomedical devices and systems; conduct experiments and interpret data from living systems; solve complex engineering problems; communicate effectively; and work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

Duke's Biomedical Engineering undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the criteria for bioengineering and biomedical and similarly named engineering programs. Duke also identifies BME as the first accredited biomedical engineering program in the United States, with ABET accreditation dating to 1972.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Duke Biomedical Engineering reports a #3 U.S. News & World Report ranking for undergraduate biomedical engineering programs. The department also reports that 94% of recent graduates are working or continuing their education within six months of graduation, while about one-third attend graduate school and about one-fifth enter medical or dental school

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, students gain practical experience from their first semester through Duke BME’s emphasis on hands-on design, computing, research, prototyping, and clinical problem-solving. Students work with engineering tools and laboratory methods, collaborate on biomedical design projects, and can gain research experience with faculty or participate in the BME Design Fellows program, which connects students with clinicians and real medical needs.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

First-Year Design: EGR 101L: Engineering Design & Technical Communication uses hands-on, collaborative team activities to introduce engineering design and problem-solving from the first semester.
Medical Device Prototyping: BME 254L: MedTech Device Prototyping Skills teaches CAD using Onshape, 3D printing, PCB design using KiCad, soldering, microcontroller development with Visual Studio Code, Git version control, and testing with oscilloscopes and multimeters.
Senior Capstone Design: Students can complete BME 473L/474L: Medical Device Design I & II, or design courses such as BME 463L: Biophotonic Instrumentation and BME 464L: Medical Instrumentation Design, developing biomedical solutions through practical design work.
BME Design Fellows: Students design and test a medical instrument based on a clinical need identified by a Duke Health clinician, with opportunities to work with departments such as Surgery, Gastroenterology, Urology, Neurology, and Pediatrics.
Internships: Design Fellows frequently undertake summer internships with biomedical companies including Stryker, Garmin, Edwards Lifesciences, Zimmer Biomet, LivaNova, and Blur, as well as opportunities connected with Duke University Medical Center.
Independent Research: About one-third of BME majors take an independent study course, where students can conduct laboratory experiments or computer simulations under faculty supervision.
Pratt Research Fellows: Eligible students can conduct research in a BME faculty laboratory for three academic semesters plus a full summer term, gaining sustained research experience.
Research Centers & Institutes: Students can engage with research environments such as the Center for Biomolecular & Tissue Engineering, Center for Global Women’s Health Technologies, Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics, Center for Quantitative Biodesign, Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, and Center for Computational & Digital Health Innovation.
Clinical & Research Environment: Duke BME benefits from its close proximity to Duke University Medical Center, allowing engineers, physicians, and biomedical researchers to collaborate on healthcare-focused research and technology development.

Facilities:

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University have access to specialized facilities and research environments including the Duke University Medical Center, Center for Biomolecular & Tissue Engineering, Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics, Center for Quantitative Biodesign, Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, and Center for Computational & Digital Health Innovation. These facilities support biomedical device development, medical imaging, tissue engineering, genomics, computational research, and collaboration between engineers, researchers, and clinicians.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, graduates can move into biomedical engineering, medical technology, biotechnology, research, and healthcare-related careers, while the degree also provides a strong foundation for graduate and professional education. Duke reports that 94% of recent BME graduates are working or continuing their education within six months of graduation, with graduates also progressing into medical, dental, and graduate programs.

Typical Job Roles: Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Research Engineer, Clinical Engineer

Career development and progression opportunities include:

Career Support: Duke BME students can use the Duke Career Center for career advising, internship and job-search support, résumé guidance, networking, and employer connections.
Employment & Salary: Duke BME reports 94% of graduates working or continuing education within six months; approximately one-third pursue graduate school and around one-fifth enter medical or dental school.
University–Industry Connections: Duke BME's Design Fellows and senior design programs connect students with Duke Health clinicians and biomedical companies, giving students opportunities to develop solutions around real clinical needs.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The Duke undergraduate Biomedical Engineering program is ABET-accredited, providing an established professional engineering accreditation framework for graduates pursuing engineering careers.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates enter employment, graduate programs, and professional health programs, including pathways into medicine and dentistry, as well as biomedical engineering and related industries.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, students can continue into graduate programs in biomedical engineering and related engineering or life-science fields, or pursue professional education such as medical or dental school. Duke BME also provides research opportunities that can help students build experience for advanced academic and research careers.