Biomedical Engineering at NIU Bachelor of Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Northern Illinois University

Program Overview

NIU’s B.S. in Biomedical Engineering combines engineering principles with biology and chemistry to prepare students to design technologies that address healthcare and medical challenges. It is well suited to students interested in science, technology and improving human health, with opportunities to specialize in biomechanics, biomaterials, or biomedical instrumentation, sensors and signal processing.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their scientific and engineering foundation through subjects such as General Chemistry, Calculus I, Physics and Biological Sciences, alongside communication and introductory engineering study. This year develops the mathematics, chemistry, physics and biological knowledge needed for more specialized biomedical engineering coursework.

Year 2: Students move further into engineering fundamentals with courses including Biomedical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Differential Equations, Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering Seminar. The combination of mechanics, electrical systems and biomedical engineering introduces students to the multidisciplinary approach used to develop healthcare technologies.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes more specialized through courses such as Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Materials and track-specific study. Students begin applying engineering analysis to biological systems, materials, instrumentation and other biomedical applications while developing the technical background required for advanced design work.

Year 4: Students bring their technical preparation together through advanced track electives and the two-part Senior Biomedical Engineering Design sequence, BME 495 and BME 496. The senior design experience emphasizes problem identification, conceptual design, analysis, prototyping, project planning, safety, professional ethics and technical communication, giving students a direct opportunity to demonstrate their engineering capabilities.

Focus areas (in a string): Biomechanics, biomaterials, biomedical instrumentation, sensors and signal processing, biomedical systems, medical technology, engineering design and biomedical research.

Learning outcomes (in a string): Integrate engineering, science and medicine to solve biological and medical problems, analyze biomedical systems, design engineering solutions, apply scientific and mathematical principles, communicate technical information, collaborate professionally, and pursue continuous professional development.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the specific program criteria for biomedical engineering. This provides an established quality framework for the engineering curriculum and supports preparation for professional biomedical engineering practice and further education.

Reputation (employability rankings): NIU does not publish a current biomedical-engineering-specific QS or Guardian employability ranking on its official program page. However, the university reports that biomedical engineering graduates have gone on to work with organizations including American Medical Systems, Barrow Neurological Institute, Baxter International and Caterpillar, while CEET provides dedicated engineering job and internship fairs twice each year.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

NIU gives Biomedical Engineering students substantial hands-on exposure through dedicated laboratories, faculty research and senior design. The program's Biomedical Engineering Laboratory is specifically designed for teaching and research in biomedical sensors and instruments, with equipment including NI ELVIS workstations, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, oscilloscopes, function generators and power supplies.

Students can also become involved in CEET research from as early as their freshman year, working with faculty on projects involving new systems, devices and procedures, while the college's laboratory network provides additional opportunities for practical engineering work.

The practical experience is built around several specific opportunities:

Biomedical Engineering Laboratory: A dedicated teaching and research laboratory for biomedical sensors, instruments, biological components, medical and chemical sensors and transducers based on electrochemistry, optics and solid-state devices.
Laboratory equipment: Students have access to NI ELVIS workstations, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrometers, FTIR spectroscopy equipment, oscilloscopes, function generators and power supplies.
Senior design projects: BME 495 and BME 496 provide a two-course senior design sequence covering problem identification, conceptual design, analysis, prototyping, project scheduling, standards, safety codes, professional ethics and technical communication.
Undergraduate research: CEET allows students to join faculty research projects as early as their freshman year, including research involving nanotechnology and other emerging engineering areas.
Biomedical research: The Biomedical Engineering Laboratory supports research into biomedical sensors and transducers, including electrochemical, optical and solid-state approaches.
Industry exposure: CEET's dedicated engineering job and internship fairs are held in both fall and spring, allowing students to meet employers and pursue internships and graduate employment opportunities.
Industry and national-lab connections: CEET reports external research partnerships with organizations including the National Science Foundation and Argonne National Laboratory, creating opportunities connected to externally funded research.
Collaborative engineering environment: NIU highlights practical laboratory work, active student organizations and connections with companies and industry partners as part of its engineering education model.

Progression & Future Opportunities

NIU prepares Biomedical Engineering graduates for careers involving human health and wellbeing, biomedical engineering, biomedical science and related health-professional fields. The university identifies opportunities across life sciences, healthcare, manufacturing and information technology, with graduates having moved into organizations such as American Medical Systems, Barrow Neurological Institute, Baxter International and Caterpillar.

Typical career roles include Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Research Engineer, Biomedical Instrumentation Engineer, Biomechanical Engineer.

Students can strengthen these career outcomes through:

Career services: NIU provides career counseling, resume and cover-letter support, interview preparation, job-search assistance and internship-search resources. Engineering students also have access to Huskies Get Hired and engineering-specific job and internship postings.
Engineering job fairs: CEET runs dedicated job and internship fairs every fall and spring, connecting engineering students directly with employers and recruiters.
Employment connections: NIU's Biomedical Engineering program identifies employers such as American Medical Systems, Barrow Neurological Institute, Baxter International and Caterpillar among organizations where its graduates have worked.
Research partnerships: CEET research includes projects supported by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and Argonne National Laboratory, giving students opportunities to participate in externally connected research.
Accreditation value: ABET accreditation provides a recognized quality benchmark for the Biomedical Engineering curriculum and strengthens the degree's professional relevance for engineering employment and advanced study.
Graduate outcomes: NIU's program educational objectives expect alumni to work as biomedical engineers or biomedical scientists, progress in biomedical or health-professional careers, and continue professional development or postgraduate education.
Salary information: NIU's official Biomedical Engineering page does not publish a current program-specific graduate salary figure, so no salary figure has been added rather than using an external estimate.

Further Academic Progression: NIU offers accelerated pathways that allow Biomedical Engineering students to begin graduate or professional study while completing their undergraduate degree. Options include an accelerated B.S./M.S. in Electrical Engineering, B.S./M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering, B.S./M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and an accelerated B.S./J.D. pathway, giving students several routes into advanced engineering, interdisciplinary or professional education.