Biomedical Engineering, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida Institute of Technology

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology combines biology, medicine and engineering to prepare students to develop technologies, devices and procedures that address real healthcare challenges. It is well suited to students interested in biomedical technology, biotechnology, medical research or medicine, with study spanning biomedical instrumentation, biomechanics, biofluids, biological systems, computational methods and engineering design.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students establish the mathematical, scientific and biomedical foundations needed for engineering study, beginning with subjects such as Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, General Chemistry 1, Calculus 1, Biological Discovery 1, Introduction to Biotechnology, General Chemistry 2, Calculus 2 and Physics 1. This stage introduces students to the connection between engineering and biological systems while developing the quantitative skills needed for later biomedical engineering courses.

Second Year: The curriculum becomes more specialized, combining biology, chemistry, mathematics and engineering systems. Courses include Rigid Body Biomechanics, Biomaterials, Electric and Electronic Circuits, Calculus 3, Differential Equations/Linear Algebra, and Physics 2, giving students a stronger understanding of how mechanical, electrical and material principles can be applied to the human body and medical technologies.

Third Year: Students move into advanced analysis, computational work and biomedical design, studying Biofluid Mechanics, Biomechanics, Computational Methods for Biological Systems, Biomechanics and Biomaterials Lab, Mammalian Physiology, Design Methodologies and Practice, Transport in Biological Systems and Signals and Systems. This stage brings together physiological knowledge, mathematical modelling, experimentation and engineering design, while technical electives allow students to explore areas such as biomedical instrumentation, imaging, computational or neural engineering, biomaterials and tissue engineering.

Fourth Year: The final year emphasizes professional-level biomedical measurement, imaging and design. Students complete Biomedical Measurement and Instrumentation, Biomedical Engineering Design 1, Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Design 2 and Bioethics, alongside control systems and technical/restricted electives.

Focus areas

Biomechanics, biomedical instrumentation, medical imaging, computational biomedical engineering, neural engineering, biomaterials, tissue engineering, biofluid mechanics, biotransport, biomedical software and programming, cardiovascular engineering

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to solve biomedical engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics; design biomedical products, processes and systems; conduct experiments and interpret data; communicate effectively; work in multidisciplinary teams; and consider ethical, social, environmental and public-health factors when developing engineering solutions.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Biomedical Engineering B.S. at Florida Tech is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Bioengineering, Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The program's stated objectives include technical competence, interdisciplinary communication, preparation for advanced study or professional programs, and the design of biomedical products, processes and systems within ethical, societal and environmental contexts.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Florida Tech's official program page identifies the university as a Tier 1 Best National University according to U.S. News & World Report and places its engineering offerings in the Top 15% of Best Colleges for Engineering according to Niche. Florida Tech also reports that 50% of 2023–24 graduates in the Biomedical Engineering and Science department were employed six months after graduation, while 42% were continuing education, military or other; among those employed, 80% were in full-time major-related fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Florida Tech places strong emphasis on learning by doing. Biomedical engineering students can work with faculty on research involving lasers for cancer detection and therapy, medical imaging, cardiovascular engineering and neural engineering, while the program's design courses use teamwork to address real biotechnology problems. Students also have access to internships and cooperative education involving biotechnology, healthcare and medical organizations, including interaction with practicing physicians in the local medical community.

The program culminates in a substantial senior design experience in which students work with peers, faculty and area physicians to conceptualize, design, construct and present biomedical devices or solutions, giving them a professional project they can demonstrate to employers and industry leaders.

Key practical opportunities include:

Biomedical Engineering Design 1 and 2: Students undertake a multi-semester design experience focused on developing and presenting biomedical engineering solutions.
Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation Laboratory: Provides dedicated practical work in biomedical imaging and instrumentation during the senior curriculum.
Biomechanics and Biomaterials Lab: Students gain laboratory experience connecting mechanical behaviour, biological systems and biomedical materials.
Laser, Optics and Instrumentation Laboratory: Supports work related to biomedical instrumentation, optical technologies and research.
Structural Testing Laboratory and Materials Laboratory: Provide engineering environments relevant to testing biomedical structures and materials.
Bioengineering and Sciences Building: Includes teaching laboratories for human anatomy, augmented and virtual reality tools, orthopedics, tissue studies and advanced computational simulations.
High Resolution Microscopy and Advanced Imaging Center: Provides electron microscopy capabilities and facilities for eukaryotic cell culture, supporting advanced biomedical research.
Research with faculty: Students can participate in research areas including cardiovascular engineering, medical imaging, neural engineering and cancer-detection technologies.
Internships and co-op: Students can gain professional experience with biotechnology, healthcare and medical organizations and interact with local physicians and industry professionals.
Biomedical software and computational work: Biomedical Software and Programming and Computational Methods for Biological Systems develop programming and computational analysis skills relevant to biomedical applications.
Research tools and techniques: Florida Tech's biomedical engineering research includes computational fluid dynamics, virtual surgery, optimization, 3D printing and rapid prototyping within cardiovascular engineering research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Florida Tech's Biomedical Engineering B.S. can enter medical-device, healthcare, biotechnology and engineering industries or use the degree as preparation for professional and graduate study. The program develops expertise in engineering and biology that can lead to work involving medical instrumentation, imaging, biomechanics, healthcare technology and biomedical research, while also supporting students planning for medical school.

Typical job roles include Biomedical Engineer, Design Engineer, Clinical Engineer, Medical Imaging Specialist.

Career Services: Florida Tech Career Services supports students and alumni with career planning, job-search skills and resources, while its Career Toolbox provides additional employment preparation.
Employment outcomes: For 2023–24 graduates in Biomedical Engineering and Science, Florida Tech reports 50% employed six months after graduation and 42% continuing education, military or other; of those employed, 80% were in full-time major-related positions.
University-wide outcome: Florida Tech reports that 91% of recent graduates were employed, enrolled in graduate school or serving in the military within six months, with many working graduates reporting starting salaries in the $50,000–$60,000 range.
Industry connections: Biomedical engineering students work with local biotechnology, healthcare and medical leaders, practicing physicians and industry partners through internships, co-op and senior design.
Professional preparation: ABET accreditation provides a recognized quality framework emphasizing engineering problem solving, design, experimentation, teamwork, communication, ethics and lifelong learning.
Research and innovation: Students can work with internationally recognized faculty on biomedical research involving medical imaging, cardiovascular engineering, neural engineering, cancer detection and other areas.
Professional and medical pathways: Florida Tech specifically positions the B.S. as preparation for industry, graduate study and medical school, with pre-med advising and pathways involving Burrell College of Health Sciences and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Further Academic Progression: After the B.S., students can continue into Florida Tech's Biomedical Engineering M.S., Biomedical Engineering Ph.D. or Biotechnology M.S. The engineering foundation can also support progression into medical school and other health-related professional programs, while Florida Tech offers a fast-track combined B.S./M.S. option for eligible students.