Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Gannon University

Program Overview

Gannon University’s Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering combines engineering, biology and medicine to prepare students to design medical technologies, prosthetics, biomaterials and other solutions that improve healthcare and quality of life. It suits students interested in applying engineering to real healthcare challenges, with opportunities to choose biomechanics, bioelectric or biomaterials pathways and gain experience through research, laboratory work and engineering design projects.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their engineering and scientific foundation through courses such as Calculus I, Calculus II, Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics, General Chemistry I and Molecular and Cell Biology. Engineering-focused study also begins with Engineering Graphics, Engineering Computer Graphics Lab, Digital Computer Usage and Introduction to Engineering and Computing, giving students the mathematics, laboratory and technical foundation needed for biomedical engineering.

Year 2: The curriculum moves into more specialized engineering and biological concepts through Materials Science, Animal Form and Function, Biomaterials, Dynamics and Differential Equations. Students begin connecting engineering principles with biological systems and medical applications, particularly through Biomaterials and the study of animal form and function.

Year 3: Students develop deeper biomedical engineering expertise through Computer Simulation of Human Movement, Motion Capture Laboratory, Biofluid Mechanics, Bioengineering Research Methods and Research Project in Clinical Biomechanics. Coursework in Engineering Statistics, Biosignal Processing and electronics strengthens students’ ability to collect, model and interpret biomedical data and investigate human movement and physiological systems.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes professional application, design and advanced biomedical systems. Students study Bioengineering Laboratory, Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering Design, Senior Design Lab in Biomedical Engineering and Biomedical Systems Modeling, culminating in design and modeling work that brings together engineering, biology, experimentation, communication and professional ethics.

Focus areas

Biomechanics, Bioelectrics, Biomaterials, Biomedical devices, Human movement analysis, Biofabrication, Rehabilitation engineering, Biomedical systems, Biomedical research, Pre-health preparation.

Learning outcomes

Students learn to solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics; design solutions while considering public health, safety and societal factors; communicate effectively; work collaboratively in teams; conduct experiments and interpret data; apply biology and statistics; recognize professional and ethical responsibilities; and acquire new technical knowledge as needed.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Bioengineering, Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria. This provides an important professional-quality benchmark for an engineering degree and supports the program’s emphasis on engineering design, experimentation, professional responsibility and technical competence.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Gannon’s official Biomedical Engineering page reports that graduates work at organizations including Lockheed Martin, Johnson & Johnson and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Gannon also reports a $97,410 median annual wage for biomedical engineers, citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; no program-specific QS or Guardian employability ranking is stated on the university’s official Biomedical Engineering pages.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Gannon’s Biomedical Engineering program is designed around practical application from the beginning of the degree, with students using specialized biomedical engineering laboratories to investigate human movement, medical procedures, biomaterials and physiological systems. The Biomedical Engineering Laboratory in the Center for Advanced Engineering provides access to a virtual-reality robotic system, research-grade motion capture, a Lap-Mentor surgery simulator and 3D printers, while the curriculum includes laboratory, research and senior design experiences.

Students can also participate in undergraduate research, interdisciplinary engineering projects and work with industry and community partners. Gannon’s School of Engineering and Computing specifically highlights applied research, senior design collaborations and industry-connected projects, with partners including Lockheed Martin, Wabtec, John Deere, Abbott, Parker Hannifin, Siemens, Boeing and Bayer at the school level.

Key practical opportunities include:

Motion Capture Laboratory: Students use research-grade motion-tracking technology to analyze human movement and physical activities such as running.
Virtual-reality robotic system: The Biomedical Engineering Laboratory includes an undergraduate VR robotic system used to investigate how the brain controls movement.
Lap-Mentor Surgery Simulator: Students can practice virtual surgical procedures in a simulated environment.
3D printing and biofabrication: 3D printers are available for creating composite and ceramic materials for biofabrication projects.
Bioengineering Laboratory: Students conduct practical experiments, including work related to safely returning athletes to sports following ACL reconstruction.
Biomedical research: Students can participate in undergraduate research across different industries and apply classroom principles to real-world biomedical problems.
Biomedical systems modeling: Students use MATLAB in Biomedical Systems Modeling to analyze physiological data, develop mathematical models and investigate human physiological systems.
Research and design projects: The curriculum includes Bioengineering Research Methods, Research Project in Clinical Biomechanics and Senior Design Lab in Biomedical Engineering, giving students opportunities to develop, investigate and present engineering solutions.
Industry-connected learning: Gannon’s School of Engineering and Computing describes embedded industry experiences involving applied research and senior design collaborations with external organizations.
Library and research support: Gannon’s library resources provide access to books, journals, databases, electronic resources and research assistance supporting academic and research work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Gannon’s Biomedical Engineering program can apply engineering and biological knowledge across medical technology, healthcare, research and industrial environments. The degree also provides preparation for further study in graduate engineering, medical and other professional programs, while Gannon identifies employers of its biomedical engineering alumni such as Lockheed Martin, Johnson & Johnson and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Typical career directions include: Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Researcher, Medical Device Engineer, Rehabilitation Engineer.

Career development and progression opportunities include:

Career support: Gannon’s Student Success Center provides academic advising, career counseling, tutoring and career-development resources, while its career services assist students and alumni with résumé development, job searches, interview preparation, graduate-school applications and career advice.
Employer connections: Gannon’s School of Engineering and Computing highlights partnerships and project opportunities with organizations including Lockheed Martin, Wabtec, John Deere, Abbott, Parker Hannifin, Siemens, Boeing and Bayer, providing an industry-connected environment for engineering students.
Employment and salary indicator: Gannon cites a $97,410 median annual wage for biomedical engineers, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Professional preparation: ABET accreditation provides a recognized quality framework for the engineering curriculum, with program objectives emphasizing leadership in biomedical engineering, professional or scholarly development and adoption of new biomedical technologies.
Graduate and professional study: Gannon states that the degree provides foundational preparation for medical school, graduate school and professional programs in law, pharmacy or veterinary medicine.
Accelerated pathways: Gannon’s Biomedical Engineering curriculum provides 4+1 pathways, including combinations involving an MS in Biomedical Engineering, MS in Mechanical Engineering and MBA programs, depending on the applicable track and pathway.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, students can continue into graduate-level engineering study, including Gannon’s 4+1 pathways where eligible, or pursue medical school, graduate school and other professional degree programs. The university’s official program objectives specifically encourage progression into graduate, post-professional health and medical education.