B.S. in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute combines life sciences, engineering and basic sciences to prepare students to solve challenges at the intersection of biology and medicine. Students can specialize in biomaterials, biomechanics, biomedical data science, bioimaging or medical devices, with options to add pre-med preparation or a minor in management or data science.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish a foundation in mathematics, science and engineering before progressing into biomedical engineering concepts. The program's integrated approach connects life sciences with engineering and basic sciences from the beginning, preparing students for more specialized biomedical coursework.

Second Year: Students deepen their understanding of engineering principles and biological systems, building the technical foundation needed to analyze biomedical problems. Coursework increasingly connects engineering methods with areas such as medical devices, biomaterials, biomechanics and biological systems.

Third Year: Students move into more specialized biomedical engineering study and can begin developing expertise around areas such as biomaterials, biomechanics, biomedical data science, bioimaging and medical devices. These areas connect classroom learning with active research in biomedical imaging, biomolecular engineering, musculoskeletal biomechanics and healthcare analytics.

Fourth Year: Students apply their engineering and biomedical knowledge to more advanced design, research and professional work, with opportunities to pursue interdisciplinary projects. The department's hands-on studio model and Prototype Fabrication studio allow students to manufacture and test devices developed through their capstone design experience.

Focus Areas

Biomaterials, biomechanics, biomedical data science, bioimaging, medical devices, biofabrication, biomolecular science, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, healthcare analytics

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to solve complex engineering problems, design solutions for healthcare needs, communicate effectively, work in multidisciplinary teams, conduct experiments, analyze data and apply ethical and professional engineering judgment.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the criteria for Bioengineering, Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Reputation (Employability)

RPI reports an average starting salary of $74,050 for the Biomedical Engineering B.S. and an average BME class size of 25. More than 50% of BME students engage in undergraduate research, highlighting the program's strong research and practical focus.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

RPI's Biomedical Engineering program emphasizes hands-on learning through its studio-based teaching model, research opportunities and design experiences. More than half of BME students participate in undergraduate research, while the department's Prototype Fabrication studio gives students the opportunity to manufacture and test devices developed through their capstone design work.

Students can gain practical experience through:

Studio-based learning: Biomedical engineering content is delivered using RPI's studio model, emphasizing hands-on experiences.
Prototype Fabrication Studio: Students can manufacture and test biomedical devices developed as part of their capstone design experience.
Undergraduate Research Program: Students can conduct research for academic credit or as paid Undergraduate Research Program assistants in RPI faculty laboratories.
Surgery in the Classroom: Students can receive live video and audio feeds from operating surgeons at Albany Medical College, connecting classroom learning with real surgical environments.
Biomedical imaging: Research opportunities cover X-ray, optical tomographic and multimodality imaging, image analysis, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Biofabrication: Students can engage with research involving cellular bioprinting, electrospinning and 3D printing for engineered tissues and biological models.
Tissue engineering: Research includes biomaterials, cells, tissue models, regenerative medicine and engineered tissues for applications such as cartilage, bone and neural regeneration.
Healthcare analytics: RPI research combines systems biology, engineering, computer science and molecular/cell biology with large healthcare datasets and computational approaches.
Research centers: Students can connect with the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Center for Computational Innovation, Biomedical Imaging Center, Center for Modeling, Simulation & Imaging in Medicine and Center for Stem Cell Research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering prepares graduates for professional practice in biomedical engineering across industry, academia and government, while also supporting progression into graduate and professional education. RPI's program objectives specifically identify both professional biomedical engineering practice and further graduate, medical, law, business or other professional study as graduate pathways.

Typical career roles include Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomedical Researcher, Biomedical Data Scientist.

Key career advantages include:

Career support: RPI's Center for Career and Professional Development helps students explore career paths, develop professional skills and prepare for careers in a technology-driven environment.
Research opportunities: The Undergraduate Research Program helps students identify research projects and offers opportunities for academic-credit or paid research with RPI faculty.
Starting salary: RPI reports an average starting salary of $74,050 for the Biomedical Engineering B.S.
Industry and medical collaboration: BME research has collaborations with medical schools, hospitals and medical centers, while biomedical imaging research has industrial connections including the GE Global Research Center.
Accreditation value: ABET accreditation confirms that the program meets established engineering education standards and supports preparation for professional engineering practice.
Graduation outcomes: Within five years of graduation, RPI's BME educational objectives expect graduates to be engaged in biomedical engineering professional practice and/or enrolled in graduate or professional education.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into RPI's M.S. or M.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering, M.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering Data Science, or Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Eligible B.S. students can also apply for RPI's Accelerated Master's pathway and begin taking graduate courses during their senior year.