Biomedical Engineering (BS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Rose Hulman Institute of Technology

Program Overview

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering combines engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, biology, and physiology to prepare students to solve healthcare problems and develop technologies that improve quality of life. The program is particularly well suited to students interested in medical devices, biomechanics, biomaterials, bioinstrumentation, healthcare technology, and research, with opportunities to customize advanced study around individual career goals through the Advanced Individualized Mission (AIM).

Curriculum Structure

Freshman Year: Students establish their engineering and mathematical foundation through courses such as BE 100 Problem Solving in the Biological Sciences & Engineering, BE 118 Design Thinking and Communication, and MA 111 Calculus I. They then build practical engineering understanding through BE 121 DC Circuits, BE 128 Design Thinking and Realization, and physics and calculus courses.

Sophomore Year: The curriculum moves further into biomedical engineering applications with BE 211 Circuits Sensors and Measurements, BE 222 Mechanics of Materials, and BE 232 Biomechanics. Students also study BIO 110 Cell & Molecular Biology, BE 233 Biomaterials, and BE 238 Regulatory Affairs and Product Design, connecting biological science with engineering design and medical-product development.

Junior Year: Students develop more specialized biomedical expertise through BE 314 Musculoskeletal Systems Physiology with Applications, BE 315 Biomedical Engineering Lab I, and BE 318 Medical Device Research and Design. The year progresses into BE 321 Biosignal Processing, BE 324 Neural and Endocrine Systems Physiology with Applications, and the first capstone course, BE 328 Capstone Design I: Designing Products for the Real World.

Senior Year: The final year emphasizes advanced product development and professional practice through BE 418 Capstone Design III: Product Verification and Validation, followed by BE 428 Capstone Design IV: Integrated Product Design and Practice. Students also complete their individualized advanced coursework through the AIM and finish with BE 438 Engineering Portfolio Development, giving them a portfolio that demonstrates their engineering capabilities.

Focus Areas

Biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, biomaterials, medical device design, biomedical product development, biosignal processing, human physiology, biomedical research, engineering design, healthcare technology.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to solve complex biomedical engineering problems using engineering, science, and mathematics; design solutions while considering health, safety, ethical, social, environmental, and economic factors; communicate effectively; work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams; conduct experiments and interpret data; and continue acquiring new technical knowledge throughout their careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Biomedical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This accreditation supports the program's alignment with recognized engineering education standards and reinforces preparation for professional engineering practice and further study.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Rose-Hulman states that its Biomedical Engineering program has been ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Its latest official Class of 2025 outcome data reports 97% of Biomedical Engineering graduates placed within six months of commencement, with an average accepted offer of $68,324 and a highest reported offer of $76,960.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Biomedical Engineering students at Rose-Hulman gain substantial practical experience through laboratory work, engineering design, research, prototyping, and multidisciplinary projects. The program includes dedicated biomedical engineering laboratories and a multi-stage capstone sequence that takes students from designing products for real-world needs through prototyping, verification, validation, and integrated product practice. Students can also pursue faculty-guided research through opportunities such as IPROP, R-SURF, and the Interdisciplinary Research Collaborative.

Specific opportunities include:

Biomedical Engineering Laboratories: Students have access to an instrumentation lab, tissue culture lab, motion capture lab, material testing lab, physiology lab, and Orthopaedic Biomedical Engineering Lab.
Orthopaedic Biomedical Engineering Lab: Operated in cooperation with the Joint Replacement Surgeons of Indiana Research Foundation, providing opportunities for undergraduate research connected to orthopaedic medicine.
Biomedical Engineering Lab I & II: BE 315 and BE 335 provide dedicated laboratory experience within the degree curriculum.
Medical Device Research and Design: BE 318 gives students direct exposure to medical-device research and design.
Multistage Capstone: Students progress through Capstone Design I–IV, covering real-world product design, prototyping, verification and validation, and integrated product design and practice.
Undergraduate Research: Students can work with faculty through IPROP, R-SURF, and the Interdisciplinary Research Collaborative, with opportunities to present research at regional and national conferences.
Advanced Individualized Mission (AIM): Students create a 24-credit advanced study plan around a clearly identified theme and biomedical engineering application, allowing them to tailor their education toward their professional goals.
Internships and Co-ops: Rose-Hulman strongly encourages relevant work experience through summer internships and co-ops; its co-op program includes more than 50 participating companies.
Industry-linked projects: The John T. Myers Center for Technology Research provides specialized instrumentation and project space for engineering design projects involving external clients and houses the Orthopaedic Biomedical Engineering Lab.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can move directly into biomedical engineering and healthcare technology careers or continue into graduate and professional education. Rose-Hulman specifically identifies opportunities in medical-device design, biomedical research, technical and health-related industries, government or industrial laboratories, and health-profession programs.

Typical career roles include Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomedical Research Engineer, Biomedical Design Engineer:

Career Services: Rose-Hulman's Career Services & Employer Relations team supports students with post-graduate employment, internships, co-ops, interview preparation, networking, and employer connections.
Employment outcomes: For the Class of 2025, 97% of Biomedical Engineering graduates were placed within six months of commencement, with an average accepted offer of $68,324 and a highest reported offer of $76,960.
Industry connections: Recent Biomedical Engineering employers include Cook Medical, Epic Systems, GE Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson, Johnson Controls, Modality Solutions, Paragon Medical, Performance Validation, Simtra Biopharma Solutions, and Toralgen.
Additional industry exposure: Rose-Hulman's official Biomedical Engineering materials identify employers and industry destinations including Baxter Healthcare, Boston Scientific, Cook Group, Eli Lilly and Company, Medtronic, and Zimmer Biomet.
Career fairs: Hundreds of companies visit Rose-Hulman each year, with three career fairs providing opportunities for full-time employment, internships, and co-ops.
Accreditation value: ABET accreditation provides a recognized quality framework for the engineering curriculum and supports preparation for professional engineering practice.
Graduate and professional study: Rose-Hulman reports that Biomedical Engineering graduates pursue graduate degrees and health-profession programs, including medical school.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, students can continue into Rose-Hulman's Master's Degree in Biomedical Engineering, pursue graduate study in biomedical engineering or related engineering and life-science fields, or apply to professional programs such as medical school and other health professions. Rose-Hulman also provides a thesis option involving faculty-mentored research, an oral presentation, and formal thesis submission for students seeking a stronger research pathway.