BS Degree in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Florida State University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering combines engineering, biology, chemistry and medicine to prepare students to develop technologies and solutions for healthcare challenges. Students can build deeper expertise through one of three majors—Cell & Bioprocess Engineering, Biomaterials & Polymers Engineering, or Image & Signal Process Engineering—while developing skills in biomedical design, computation, physiology, biomaterials, instrumentation and biomechanics.

Curriculum structure

First Year: Students build the mathematical, scientific and engineering foundation required for biomedical engineering, studying subjects such as Calculus with Analytic Geometry I, General Chemistry I with Laboratory, General Biology I, General Physics A, and First Year Engineering Lab. This stage establishes the quantitative and experimental skills that students use in later biomedical engineering coursework.

Second Year: The curriculum connects core engineering and chemistry concepts with the biomedical field through courses such as Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, Mass and Energy Balances I, Mass and Energy Balances II, Process Analysis and Design, and Organic Chemistry. Students also progress through advanced mathematics and physics, preparing them for quantitative analysis of biological systems.

Third Year: Students move into the main biomedical engineering sciences, studying Biothermodynamics, Biotransport Phenomena, BME Computations, Quantitative Physiology, Biomaterials, Biostatistics, Biomechanics, and Bioinstrumentation. This year develops the ability to model biological systems, analyze biomedical data and understand how engineering principles can be applied to physiological processes and medical technologies.

Fourth Year: The final year emphasizes advanced specialization and engineering design. Depending on the chosen major, students may study Cellular & Tissue Engineering, Polymer Science and Engineering, or Medical Imaging and Biosignals & Signal Processing, alongside BME Design I and BME Design II, giving them the opportunity to apply their knowledge to substantial biomedical engineering problems.

Focus areas

Cell and bioprocess engineering, biomaterials and biopolymers engineering, medical imaging, biosignals and signal processing, biomedical computation, quantitative physiology, biotransport, bioinstrumentation, biomechanics, cellular and tissue engineering, biodynamics and control

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems at the interface of engineering, biology and medicine; design systems, components and processes under realistic constraints; communicate effectively; work as members or leaders of teams; conduct biomedical experiments and interpret data; make ethical and professional judgments; and continue learning throughout their careers.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering programs. The program's educational objectives emphasize careers across industrial, professional and academic settings, technological innovation, awareness of regulatory and ethical issues, and effective participation in interdisciplinary teams.

Reputation (employability rankings)

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering emphasizes a research-led engineering education, with biomedical research connected to areas such as advanced materials, life and health, theory, computation and artificial intelligence. The department also collaborates with organizations and research units including the Florida State University Institute of Molecular Biophysics, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Biomedical Research Facility, Department of Scientific Computing, FAMU Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and other engineering departments.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical experience through laboratory-based engineering courses, biomedical measurement and instrumentation, computational work, experimental research and a two-course senior design sequence. The College of Engineering also encourages undergraduates to enter research laboratories early, while the Chemical and Biomedical Engineering department offers a dedicated Undergraduate Research Program for juniors and seniors to undertake independent and original research.

The senior design experience gives students an opportunity to work collaboratively on real biomedical engineering problems, with recent projects including a bioreactor, kyphoplasty device, drop-foot device, targeted drug delivery, and projects involving Biosense Webster.

Specific opportunities include:

BME 4503 Bioinstrumentation and BME 4503L Bioinstrumentation Lab: practical study of biomedical instrumentation and measurement.
BME 4332 Cellular & Tissue Engineering and BME 4332L Cellular & Tissue Engineering Lab: hands-on work for students in the Cell & Bioprocess and Biomaterials & Polymers pathways.
BME 4531 Medical Imaging and BME 4531L Medical Imaging Lab: specialized practical experience for the Image & Signal Process Engineering pathway.
BME 4801 and BME 4802 BME Design I and II: substantial design experiences where students apply engineering knowledge to biomedical problems.
BME 3702 BME Computations: develops computational skills relevant to biomedical engineering analysis and modelling.
Undergraduate Research Program: juniors and seniors can undertake independent and original research with the Chemical and Biomedical Engineering department.
EUREKA Undergraduate Research Fellowship: eligible third- and fourth-year engineering students with a 3.0+ GPA can receive a stipend, faculty mentorship and support for research supplies or conferences; biomedical research is among the supported areas.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory: the department collaborates with the National MagLab, providing access to a major research environment connected to health, materials and technology research.
Engineering Library, Machine Shop and Makerspace: these are listed among the College's undergraduate resources supporting engineering students.
Collaborative research: students can potentially work in research environments associated with the Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Scientific Computing, Biomedical Research Facility and other FAMU-FSU engineering departments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering can pursue careers in biomedical research, medical technology, biotechnology, healthcare and engineering. The degree also gives students a strong foundation for further study in biomedical engineering, medicine, biotechnology, patent law and other related professional fields.

Typical job roles include Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Research Engineer, Biomaterials Engineer, Medical Imaging Engineer.

Students can build their career through a combination of practical projects, research and professional development opportunities:

Career preparation: The program prepares graduates for industrial, professional and academic careers, with an emphasis on technical knowledge, communication, teamwork, leadership and adapting to new technologies.
Senior design experience: Students complete a two-semester senior design project where they work in teams to solve practical biomedical engineering problems. Recent projects have included a bioreactor, kyphoplasty device, drop-foot device, targeted drug delivery and a project with Biosense Webster.
Industry and research connections: Students can benefit from connections with organizations and research facilities such as the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Biomedical Research Facility and Department of Scientific Computing.
Professional accreditation: The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is ABET accredited. This provides graduates with a degree that has been evaluated against established engineering standards covering problem-solving, design, experimentation, teamwork, communication, ethics and lifelong learning.
Graduate outcomes: The program prepares graduates to work effectively in multidisciplinary environments, respond to technological and regulatory developments, and take on professional and leadership responsibilities.
Employment and salary information: The official FAMU-FSU Biomedical Engineering pages reviewed do not publish a current program-specific employment rate or graduate salary figure, so no unofficial figures have been included.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can continue their education through graduate study in Biomedical Engineering or related areas. FAMU-FSU College of Engineering offers master's and doctoral-level study in related engineering fields, providing opportunities for students who want to move into advanced research, specialized biomedical innovation or academic careers.