Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Duquesne University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Duquesne University combines engineering, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics with hands-on research to prepare students to develop technologies that improve human health. It is particularly suited to students interested in areas such as biomedical optics, biomaterials, orthopedic biomechanics, biosignals, medical devices, tissue engineering and biomedical imaging.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their engineering and scientific foundation through courses such as ENGR 100 – Introduction to Engineering, ENGR 110 – Introduction to Programming, MATH 115 – Calculus 1, chemistry, physics and biology. This stage builds the mathematical, scientific and programming skills needed for later biomedical engineering work while introducing students to engineering problem-solving.

Year 2: Students move further into biomedical engineering through BMED 201 – Biomedical Electronics 1, BMED 202 – Biomedical Electronics 2 and BMED 210 – Thermodynamics, alongside Calculus 3, Differential Equations, Biology and the remaining foundational science requirements. The combination develops an understanding of electronic instrumentation, thermodynamic principles and the biological systems that underpin biomedical engineering applications.

Year 3: The program becomes more specialized with courses including BMED 220 – Introduction to Biomaterials, BMED 310 – Biosignals and Systems, BMED 320 – Biofluid Mechanics and BMED 430 – Engineering Computation 1. Students begin applying engineering and computational methods to biological materials, physiological signals and fluid systems while strengthening their statistical and experimental skills.

Year 4: The final year focuses on research, design and professional preparation, culminating in BMED 490 – Research in BME, BMED 440W – Capstone 1 and BMED 441W – Capstone 2. Students use the engineering, scientific and computational knowledge developed throughout the degree to conduct research and complete a senior design project focused on solving human-health challenges.

Focus Areas

Biomedical optics, biomaterials, orthopedic biomechanics, biophysical interactions, drug delivery, biosensor development, biomedical electronics and instrumentation, biosignals and systems, biofluid mechanics, biomedical imaging, tissue engineering, biomedical microdevices, computational biomechanics and medical-device design.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems; apply engineering design while considering public health, safety and societal factors; communicate effectively; make ethical and professional judgments; work effectively in collaborative teams; conduct experiments and interpret data; and acquire and apply new knowledge using appropriate learning strategies.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. Duquesne states that this accreditation supports rigorous engineering education, professional licensure preparation, employment opportunities and international recognition.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Duquesne University reports that its Undergraduate Engineering Program is ranked No. 60 nationally by U.S. News & World Report for 2026. The university also reports No. 46 nationally for earning power four years after graduation, according to Washington Monthly's 2026 ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning is a major part of the Duquesne B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. Students can begin research from their first year, work directly with faculty on scientific research and engineering-design projects, complete mandatory laboratory research, and use specialized facilities for biomedical optics, imaging, microdevices, tissue engineering and computational biomechanics. The curriculum also incorporates software tools, research and design activities, an internship option and a senior capstone experience.

Students can build practical experience through several program-specific opportunities:

Early undergraduate research: Students can work with faculty from their first year on scientific research and engineering-design projects, with opportunities that have resulted in student co-authorship on publications.
Biomedical engineering laboratories: Four research laboratories spanning nearly 5,000 square feet provide hands-on opportunities involving advanced laser systems, optical sensing and imaging technologies, 3D printing for flow cytometry, photoacoustic research, fluorescent microscopy, microfluidic fabrication and biological sample preparation.
Research areas: Undergraduate research can connect students with biomedical microdevices, biomedical optics and imaging, therapeutic and diagnostic tools, tissue engineering and computational biomechanics.
Computational tools: The curriculum incorporates four software tools, while BMED 430 – Engineering Computation 1 develops computational engineering skills; the program also offers BMED 456/556 – Digital Image Processing Using MATLAB.
Research course: BMED 490 – Research in BME is an identified experimental-learning requirement, giving students structured experience in biomedical engineering research.
Internship: BMED 491 – Internship is included among the program's biomedical engineering course options, allowing students to gain professional experience alongside their academic studies.
Capstone design: BMED 440W – Capstone 1 and BMED 441W – Capstone 2 provide a substantial senior design experience focused on developing engineering solutions for human-health problems.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program: Students can participate in Duquesne's 10-week Undergraduate Research Program, working on funded projects supported by government agencies, nonprofit organizations and corporate foundations, including projects involving external research and industry partners.
Student organizations: Duquesne reports more than 25 student clubs and organizations, giving STEM students opportunities to collaborate, lead activities and develop professional and leadership skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for employment across biomedical engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, research and government, while the program also explicitly prepares students for graduate and professional study. Duquesne's educational objectives include productive employment in a biomedical engineering field, entry into graduate or professional programs, continued professional competence and ethical professional practice.

Typical roles include: Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Design Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Clinical Engineering Specialist

Students can pursue these opportunities through several university-supported pathways:

Career outcomes: Duquesne reports a 96% career outcomes rate for recent graduates, including employment, continuing education, military service or volunteering. The university also reports that 94% of graduates are employed in their major, based on its 2024–2025 graduate outcomes data.
Career-related experience: 86% of graduates report at least one internship or career-related experience, while 44% report three or more career experiences.
Salary: Duquesne reports an average starting salary of $70,051 across employed 2024–2025 graduates, with a $65,000 median salary. For the School of Sciences, the reported average starting salary is $63,996. These figures are university-wide/School of Sciences figures rather than biomedical-engineering-specific salaries.
Engineering earning potential: Duquesne's engineering page states that engineering graduates earn nearly $100,000 at entry and more than $200,000 with 10 or more years of experience; these figures are presented for the engineering field rather than specifically for BME graduates.
Industry and external connections: The university's 10-week Undergraduate Research Program includes funded projects supported by government agencies, nonprofits and corporate foundations, with projects sometimes extending to major research institutions and industry.
Biomedical research investment: The BME department reports more than $1.4 million in research investment, supporting research in microdevices, optics and imaging, diagnostics, tissue engineering and computational biomechanics.
Professional preparation: ABET accreditation provides an established quality framework for biomedical engineering education and supports preparation for professional engineering practice and further study.
Graduate outcomes: Recent BME graduate Jackson Jewell, a 2025 B.S. Biomedical Engineering alumnus, received an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Bioengineering at Northeastern University.
Healthcare pathway: Students interested in combining engineering with clinical practice can pursue Duquesne's five-year Biomedical Engineering and Nursing dual degree, which combines the BME and BSN degrees.

Further Academic Progression: After the B.S., students can progress to Duquesne's Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, where they can develop advanced expertise in biomedical devices, research and engineering design. Graduates can also pursue doctoral-level or professional education; Duquesne specifically highlights pathways into advanced degrees in areas such as law, medicine and other professional doctoral programs.