Biomedical Engineering BS

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Michigan Technological University

Program Overview

Michigan Technological University’s Biomedical Engineering BS combines engineering, biological sciences, medicine, and technology to prepare students to develop solutions that improve human health. Students gain practical experience in areas such as medical devices, biomaterials, biomechanics, biosensors, tissue engineering, and biomedical instrumentation while working with modern laboratory facilities and industry-connected faculty.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

The first year establishes a strong foundation in mathematics, engineering analysis, chemistry, physics, and essential education. Students begin with courses such as Calculus with Technology I, Engineering Analysis and Problem Solving, chemistry, physics, and Engineering Fundamentals before progressing into the core biomedical curriculum.

Year 2

Students move deeper into biomedical science and engineering through Cellular and Molecular Biology, Signals and Systems, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Statistical Methods for BME, and Biomaterials I. Mathematics also becomes more advanced through Calculus III, Accelerated Linear Algebra, and Accelerated Differential Equations.

Year 3

The third year focuses strongly on applied biomedical engineering, with courses including Biomechanics I, Lab Techniques, Biomaterials II, Human Biomechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Bio Instrumentation, and Bio Instrumentation Lab. Students also develop practical engineering capabilities through Circuits and Instrumentation and laboratory-based physics work.

Year 4

The final year emphasizes advanced technical study and independent design. Students complete BME Senior Design I and II or may follow an Enterprise Design pathway, while selecting technical and science electives that can support interests such as medical devices, tissue engineering, biomaterials, biomedical optics, or other biomedical technologies.

Focus Areas

Biomedical devices, biomaterials, biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, tissue and stem cell engineering, 3D bioprinting, neural prosthetic systems, cardiovascular engineering, micro and nanotechnologies, medical imaging, cellular biomechanics, and biomedical research.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop the ability to apply engineering principles to biological and medical problems, analyze living systems, design biomedical technologies, work with biomedical instrumentation and materials, and develop practical solutions for healthcare challenges. The curriculum also builds mathematical, scientific, laboratory, design, teamwork, and problem-solving skills needed for careers in biomedical engineering, healthcare technology, research, and further professional study.

Professional Alignment

The Biomedical Engineering BS 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. This accreditation provides an internationally recognized quality framework for the engineering education delivered through the program.

Reputation

Michigan Tech states that it is ranked in the top 10% of public colleges for engineering in America by Niche. The university's biomedical engineering page also lists No. 14 among the best public schools for internships and No. 13 for career placement, based on Princeton Review rankings, while reporting that engineering graduates have a 95% successful employment rate within six months.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning is a major part of the program, with students applying classroom knowledge through laboratory work, undergraduate research, industry-sponsored Senior Design projects, Enterprise teams, and advanced biomedical research facilities. Students can work with industry-standard equipment and explore areas such as medical devices, biomaterials, tissue engineering, biomedical optics, cardiovascular engineering, biosensors, and microdevices.

Senior Design: Students can develop working biomedical prototypes through the BME Senior Design Laboratory.
Enterprise Program: Students can join multidisciplinary Enterprise teams and work on real-world projects for industry sponsors or national competitions.
Undergraduate research: Students can work with biomedical engineering faculty on research projects involving imaging, biosensors, biomaterials, tissue engineering, cardiovascular engineering, and medical devices.
Biofluids Laboratory: Students can gain exposure to cardiovascular flow research using a custom-built pulse duplicator and particle image velocimetry system.
Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Facility: Provides opportunities involving mammalian cell culture, tissue culture, bioreactor design and operation, biomaterial fabrication, and polymer synthesis.
Biomedical Optics Laboratory: Supports work with lasers, optical equipment, biological tissue samples, numerical simulations, and data analysis.
Instrumentation Laboratory: Supports biomedical sensor and instrumentation development using microfabrication and electronic-circuit equipment.
Vascular Engineering Laboratory: Provides access to microscopy, small-animal surgery, tissue imaging, and near-infrared imaging technologies.
H-STEM Engineering and Health Technologies Complex: Provides modern laboratories and collaborative spaces for biomedical and health-related engineering education and research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The degree prepares graduates for careers across medical-device development, biomedical research, healthcare technology, clinical research, rehabilitation engineering, and engineering design. Michigan Tech reports a $70,199 mean entry-level salary for biomedical engineering, based on Payscale data accessed in May 2026, while the university reports that 95% of its engineering alumni find successful employment within six months.

Typical career opportunities include Product Developer, Product Analysis Engineer, Research and Development Engineer, Clinical Research Specialist, Rehabilitation Engineer, Design Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomedical Researcher, Bioinstrumentation Engineer, Biomaterials Engineer, and Medical Technology Specialist.

Career Services: Students receive career advising and can access annual career fairs, internship opportunities, co-ops, and full-time employment support.
Industry experience: The program offers industry-sponsored Senior Design projects and Enterprise projects that allow students to work on real-world engineering challenges.
Research opportunities: Students can work with faculty in biomedical imaging, biosensors, biomedical instrumentation, cardiovascular engineering, microdevices, tissue engineering, and biomaterials.
Industry connections: Michigan Tech engineering graduates work at organizations including NASA, Whirlpool, General Motors, Dow, and Lockheed Martin.
Medical school preparation: The Biomedical Engineering curriculum supports pre-health pathways, and Michigan Tech reports an 85.7% acceptance rate for biomedical engineers into medical school.
Professional preparation: ABET accreditation provides a recognized engineering education framework for graduates entering biomedical engineering and related technical careers.

Further Academic Progression

Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral programs in biomedical engineering, bioengineering, biomaterials, biomechanics, medical devices, tissue engineering, biomedical sciences, or related engineering fields. Michigan Tech also offers an Accelerated Master's pathway that can allow eligible students to earn a master's degree in one additional year, while the university's Pre-Health Professions program supports students pursuing medical, dental, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, veterinary, and other professional healthcare programs.