Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Ohio State University Columbus

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at The Ohio State University combines engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, and life sciences to prepare students to develop technologies that address healthcare and human-health challenges. The program suits students interested in areas such as medical imaging, biomaterials, biomechanics, biotransport, micro/nanotechnologies, and molecular, cellular and tissue engineering.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish the core engineering and scientific foundation through mathematics, chemistry, physics, English, and introductory engineering courses. The standard first-year sequence includes CHEM 1210 – General Chemistry I, MATH 1151 – Calculus I, and ENGR 1181 – Fundamentals of Engineering I, followed by subjects such as General Chemistry II, Engineering Mathematics, Fundamentals of Engineering II, and Physics.

Year 2: Students add life sciences and engineering fundamentals while beginning their dedicated biomedical engineering studies. Coursework includes BIOLOGY 1113 – General Biology, BIOMEDE 2000 – Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, and MECHENG 2040 – Statics & Mechanics, alongside linear algebra and differential equations, physics, engineering materials, statistics, and anatomy/physiology.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes strongly focused on biomedical engineering, combining engineering analysis with practical biomedical measurement and laboratory work. Students study BIOMEDE 2700 – Numerical Simulation in Biomedical Engineering, BIOMEDE 3701 – Biomedical Engineering Labs, and BIOMEDE 3702 – Measurement & Instrumentation Lab, while beginning advanced domain courses in areas such as bioimaging, biomaterials, biomechanics, biotransport, and micro/nanotechnology.

Year 4: Students deepen their expertise through advanced biomedical engineering coursework, technical engineering electives, and a substantial team-based design experience. The program requires an advanced BME course, an individually designed two-course technical engineering elective sequence, and a two-semester team design project in which teams of four to five students work with a specific disabled client from the local community.

Focus Areas

Bioimaging, biomaterials, biomechanics, biotransport, micro/nano-biotechnologies, molecular cellular and tissue engineering, biomedical devices, medical imaging, cancer engineering, cardiopulmonary applications, ocular applications, drug and gene delivery.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to integrate engineering and life sciences to address human-health problems, analyze biological and biomedical systems, conduct measurements and experiments, design biomedical technologies, work collaboratively on interdisciplinary projects, and apply engineering knowledge to real healthcare needs.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Ohio State University 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 Engineering. This provides external recognition that the undergraduate engineering program meets established quality standards for biomedical engineering education.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Ohio State's official Biomedical Engineering undergraduate page cites U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections showing 5% employment growth for biomedical engineers from 2022–2032, faster than the average for all occupations. The department also highlights career opportunities involving medical devices and equipment, pharmaceutical manufacturing, imaging systems, and technologies such as automated insulin-delivery systems.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Ohio State's Biomedical Engineering program is strongly oriented toward hands-on engineering, with dedicated biomedical measurement and techniques laboratories, team-based design, undergraduate research, and access to specialized research facilities. The department is housed in Mars G. Fontana Laboratories, alongside Materials Science and Engineering, while the recently opened Engineering Research and Education Laboratories adds teaching labs, makerspace facilities, and specialized research space for areas including wearable health sensors and biomaterials.

Students can build practical skills through:

Biomedical Engineering Labs: Third-year students complete dedicated BME laboratory coursework, including BIOMEDE 3701 – Biomedical Engineering Labs and BIOMEDE 3702 – Measurement & Instrumentation Lab.
Team design project: Fourth-year students work in interdisciplinary teams of four to five on a two-semester design project involving a specific disabled client from the local community, giving students experience translating biomedical needs into engineering solutions.
Undergraduate research: Students can work directly with faculty on research projects and can pursue Honors or Research Distinction through an undergraduate thesis. The Research Distinction pathway requires at least six hours of BME 4999 – Research in Biomedical Engineering.
Biomedical research domains: Undergraduate research can connect with departmental work in bioimaging, biotransport, biomaterials, biomechanics, molecular/cell/tissue engineering, and micro/nanotechnology biomedical devices.
Fontana Laboratories: The department's home provides dedicated teaching and research space and is designed to encourage collaboration between biomedical engineering and materials science.
Engineering Research and Education Laboratories (EREL): Opened for the 2026 academic year, EREL adds 10 STEM teaching laboratories, a 5,100-square-foot makerspace, and specialized research facilities focused on wearable health sensors, biomaterials, and computational materials discovery.
Makerspace equipment: The EREL makerspace includes 3D printers, oscilloscopes, soldering irons, woodworking and metal-shop equipment, sewing machines, and hand and power tools, giving students opportunities to prototype physical solutions.
Medical research connections: BME research is closely connected with the Wexner Medical Center, College of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Dentistry, and other clinical and research facilities across Ohio State.
Specialized research facilities: Department research connects students with facilities including the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Nanotech West Lab, Ohio State Medical Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Eye & Ear Institute.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Ohio State's Biomedical Engineering B.S. prepares graduates to apply engineering to medical devices, imaging, biomaterials, biomechanics, pharmaceutical technologies, and other healthcare applications. The program's six research domains and strong connections with medical and clinical institutions also provide a foundation for careers in industry as well as continued study and research.

Typical roles include Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomaterials Engineer, Biomedical Research Engineer.

Undergraduate research and distinction: Students can complete independent research with faculty, develop a thesis, and graduate with Honors or Research Distinction, strengthening preparation for research-oriented employment or graduate school.
Industry and clinical connections: BME collaborates across Ohio State with the Wexner Medical Center, College of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Dentistry, while research facilities include Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Eye & Ear Institute.
Career outlook: The department cites BLS projections of 5% biomedical-engineering employment growth from 2022–2032, driven by demand for medical devices, equipment and healthcare technologies.
Employment and salary statistics: The official BME sources reviewed do not provide a current program-specific employment rate or starting-salary figure, so no unsupported figure is included.
Professional preparation: The ABET-accredited curriculum combines engineering design, biomedical laboratory work, experimentation, technical electives, and team-based design, providing a strong foundation for professional biomedical engineering work.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates can enter biomedical engineering-related industries or continue into advanced study, with the department's research environment supporting preparation for graduate-level biomedical engineering and interdisciplinary research.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's or doctoral study in biomedical engineering and related engineering, life-science, medical, and research disciplines. The undergraduate research and thesis options provide particularly strong preparation for students planning to pursue advanced research degrees.