Biomedical Engineering, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Marshall University

Program Overview

Marshall University’s Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering (B.S.B.M.E.) combines engineering, biology, physiology and medicine to prepare students to develop technologies, procedures and devices that improve health and quality of life. It is a strong choice for students who enjoy mathematics and physics and want to apply engineering problem-solving to healthcare, with specialization opportunities in biomechanics, biomaterials and tissue engineering, or instrumentation, signals and imaging.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their engineering and scientific foundation through subjects such as Calculus/Analytic Geometry I, Principles of Biology I and Introduction to Biomedical Engineering. They also begin engineering-focused study through Introduction to CAD, Engineering Computations and The Engineering Profession, giving them an early understanding of biomedical engineering alongside mathematics, biology and technical problem-solving.

Second Year: The curriculum develops stronger engineering and biomedical foundations through courses including Dynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Circuits and Instrumentation, supported by continued study in biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology. Students also take Biomedical Engineering Seminar, which introduces contemporary issues and research in biomedical engineering and connects their scientific studies with the profession.

Third Year: Students move into specialized biomedical engineering topics through Engineering Biomechanics, Introduction to Biophysical Measurements and Tissue Engineering. They learn to apply engineering mechanics and anatomy to human movement, investigate physiological measurements and explore engineering approaches to cells, tissues and biological systems.

Fourth Year: Advanced study focuses on Modeling & Simulation of Biological Systems, Mechanics and Performance of Biomaterials and Mechanics of Biofluids, allowing students to analyze physiological systems, biomaterials and biological fluid mechanics. The final year also includes Biomedical Engineering Capstone I and II, where students bring together their engineering, scientific and design skills in substantial project work, alongside technical electives that can support their chosen specialization.

Focus areas

Biomechanics, biomaterials and tissue engineering, instrumentation, signals and imaging, biophysics, biomedical imaging, biofluids, medical technology, biomedical device development

Learning outcomes

Graduates develop the ability to identify and solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics; design solutions with consideration for public health, safety and welfare; communicate effectively; work collaboratively; conduct experiments and interpret data; make ethical and professional judgments; and acquire new knowledge throughout their careers.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Marshall University’s B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria. Marshall reports that the B.S.BME received its initial ABET accreditation in 2020, and the university identifies ABET accreditation as an important quality benchmark for engineering education.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Marshall's official program page reports an Earnings Ratio of 1.47, meaning the university estimates that for every $1 spent on a Marshall degree, $1.47 comes back through future earnings; it also reports an average annual cost of $7,502 in the comparison shown on the program page. The university highlights career possibilities in biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, hospitals, research institutions and the public sector.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Marshall's B.S.B.M.E. is designed around applied engineering and biomedical problem-solving, with students gaining experience through laboratory-based courses, design work, research and a two-part senior capstone. Students can use the Arthur Weisberg Family Applied Engineering Complex, collaborate with biomedical engineering and computer science researchers on Parkinson's disease research, and work with clinical partners such as Cabell Huntington Hospital on applications including 3D printing for orthopedic disease and cancer.

Specific practical opportunities include:

Engineering biomechanics: BME 302 – Engineering Biomechanics includes lectures and in-class laboratories where students study human movement using experimental and theoretical techniques.
Biomedical measurements: BME 305 – Introduction to Biophysical Measurements introduces the measurement of physiological processes in living organisms.
Modeling and simulation: BME 310 – Modeling & Simulation of Biological Systems develops skills in modeling, simulation and statistical analysis of physiological systems and their interactions with artificial implants.
Biomedical imaging: Students can take advanced coursework such as BME 410 – Biomedical Imaging, supporting the instrumentation, signals and imaging pathway.
Capstone projects: BME 465 – Biomedical Engineering Capstone I and BME 466 – Biomedical Engineering Capstone II provide a two-course senior project sequence in which students apply their accumulated engineering and biomedical knowledge.
3D-printing applications: Biomedical Engineering faculty collaborate with Cabell Huntington Hospital and Mechanical Engineering faculty on 3D-printing applications for patients with orthopedic disease and cancer.
Research opportunities: BME students can receive research scholarships, and Marshall provides opportunities for collaborative Parkinson's disease research involving Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science.
Applied Engineering Complex: The Arthur Weisberg Family Applied Engineering Complex provides modern classrooms and state-of-the-art research and training facilities for BME students.
Biomedical and engineering laboratories: The Weisberg Applied Engineering Complex houses science, engineering and computer laboratories, including wet-bench biological science, dry technology-development and applied-engineering laboratory spaces.
Interdisciplinary collaboration: Students benefit from collaboration between Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, medical-school faculty, clinicians and external institutions.
Summer research: Marshall's Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) supports undergraduate STEM research through competitive 10-week projects and provides selected students with a research stipend.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Marshall prepares B.S.B.M.E. graduates for professional employment or further education in biomedical engineering, medicine and healthcare, with the program specifically emphasizing technical problem-solving, communication, collaboration and professional development. The university identifies opportunities ranging from biomechanical design and research and development to laboratory, hospital, pharmaceutical and academic careers, while its program page reports an Earnings Ratio of 1.47 for a Marshall degree.

Typical career directions include: Biomedical Engineer, Biomechanical Design Engineer, Research and Development Engineer, Biomedical Laboratory Technician

Career opportunities: Marshall identifies Biomechanical Design, Research and Development, Laboratory Technician, Hospital and Medicine Technologist, Veterinary Medicine Assistant, Pharmaceutical Project Manager, Patent and Trademark Agent and University Faculty among potential career paths.
Industry and clinical connections: BME faculty collaborate with scientists, engineers and clinicians at leading U.S. institutions and work closely with Cabell Huntington Hospital, including on 3D-printing applications for orthopedic disease and cancer.
Research opportunities: Students can pursue research scholarships and interdisciplinary research, including Parkinson's disease projects involving Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science.
Employment/advanced study objective: Marshall's program objectives state that graduates are expected to obtain employment or an advanced educational opportunity in biomedical engineering, medical or healthcare fields.
Earnings indicator: Marshall's official program page reports an Earnings Ratio of 1.47 for its degree, comparing the return in future earnings with the cost of the degree.
Salary figures: The official Marshall Biomedical Engineering sources reviewed do not provide a program-specific graduate median salary, so no unsupported salary figure should be entered.
Long-term accreditation value: ABET accreditation provides an established engineering-quality framework and is relevant to professional engineering preparation; Marshall notes that ABET accreditation helps ensure graduates are prepared for industry needs and can support pathways toward professional engineering licensure.
Professional development: Program objectives emphasize continued development of communication, collaboration and technical skills, together with awareness of professional standards, responsibilities and professional licensure.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S.B.M.E., students can continue into Marshall University's Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) with a Biomedical Engineering major. The master's program is designed for advanced biomedical engineering systems and processes and can also prepare students who wish to pursue further graduate study leading to a Ph.D.; the M.S.E. offers thesis, project or coursework-only routes.