Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Rowan University

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Rowan University combines engineering, biology and medicine, preparing students to design technologies and systems that improve healthcare and patient outcomes. It is well suited to students interested in areas such as medical devices, biomaterials, tissue engineering, diagnostics, regenerative medicine and other healthcare technologies, with a strong emphasis on hands-on, project-based learning and clinical collaboration.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their engineering and scientific foundations through courses such as First Year Engineering Clinic I & II (ENGR 01101/ENGR 01102), Chemistry I, Calculus I, Introduction to Scientific Programming (CS 01104) and Foundations in Biology for Biomedical Sciences II (MCB 01102). The Engineering Clinic introduces students to practical engineering, teamwork and problem-solving while mathematics, chemistry, physics, programming and biology establish the core knowledge needed for biomedical engineering.

Second Year: Students move into biomedical engineering fundamentals through Sophomore Engineering Clinic I & II, Chemical Foundations in BME (BME 11201) and Physiological Foundations in BME (BME 11301). These subjects are supported by Calculus III, Math for Engineering Analysis, Chemistry II and Intro to Electricity & Magnetism, strengthening the quantitative and scientific understanding required to analyse biological and healthcare systems.

Third Year: The curriculum develops specialist engineering knowledge through Mechanical Foundations in BME (BME 11303) and Electrical Foundations in BME (BME 11302), alongside the Junior Engineering Clinic. Students also complete Statistics for Biomedical Sciences and choose upper-level BME electives, allowing them to develop deeper expertise while working on research or design projects with faculty and external collaborators.

Fourth Year: Students complete advanced study through Modeling & Simulation for Analysis & Design in BME (BME 11411), upper-level BME electives, Biomedical Engineering Seminar (BME 11100) and the Senior Engineering Clinic. The curriculum also includes Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ENT 06240) and Biomedical Ethics (PHIL 09341), combining advanced technical development with professional, entrepreneurial and ethical preparation.

Focus Areas

Vascular engineering, biomaterials engineering, regenerative medicine, robotic surgery, immunoengineering, synthetic biology, drug delivery, medical devices, biomechanics, diagnostics and imaging, tissue engineering, stem cell research, nanotechnology and pharmaceutical engineering.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics; design solutions that consider public health, safety and welfare; communicate effectively; work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams; conduct experiments and analyse data; make ethical and professional decisions; and acquire new knowledge as needed.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The 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 and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. Rowan states that the program has held ABET accreditation since October 1, 2017.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Rowan's Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering was ranked #112 nationally for undergraduate engineering in the 2026 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings. The university also reports that BME alumni have secured positions at companies including Merck, Stryker, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb and Medtronic, while other graduates have progressed to leading graduate and professional schools.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning is a defining feature of Rowan's BME degree. Engineering Clinics run throughout all four undergraduate years, and junior and senior BME students can spend up to two years on open-ended projects sourced from research faculty, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, nonprofit organisations and industry representatives, using engineering design, experimentation, data analysis and scientific communication.

Students can gain practical experience through:

Engineering Clinics: First-year through senior clinics combine classroom theory with laboratory experiments, design projects, teamwork and real-world problem-solving.
BME Practicum: Junior and senior BME students work on contemporary biomedical problems in multidisciplinary teams with faculty, graduate students and external collaborators.
Industry and healthcare projects: BME clinic projects have involved hospitals, physicians, surgeons, nonprofits and biomedical companies, including work on assistive technology, orthopedic treatments, bone substitutes and 3D-printed prosthetics.
Research areas: Students can work in research areas including vascular engineering, biomaterials, regenerative medicine, robotic surgery, immunoengineering and synthetic biology, drug delivery and medical devices.
Wet laboratories: Rowan's engineering wet labs include microscopes, centrifuges, spectrophotometers, turbidity meters, water-purification systems and specialised facilities for biological and chemical experiments.
Design and prototyping: Engineering facilities provide access to resources such as advanced 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering stations and material-testing equipment, supporting hands-on design and prototyping.
Research outputs: BME clinic students have published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences, developed or licensed intellectual property and participated in startup ventures.
Entrepreneurship: Students can connect biomedical engineering projects with Rowan's innovation ecosystem, including the Rowan Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which provides workshops, mentors and opportunities for funding student ideas.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering prepares graduates for engineering careers across medical technology, biotechnology, healthcare and research, while also providing a foundation for graduate and medical education. Rowan reports that its BME alumni have progressed to top graduate and professional schools and secured positions with companies such as Merck, Stryker, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb and Medtronic.

Typical career directions include: Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomaterials Engineer, Biomechanical Engineer

Key progression and employment opportunities include:

Industry connections: Rowan BME works with regional companies, physicians and hospital systems, while its clinic projects can be sourced from industry representatives, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and nonprofit organisations.
Employer connections: BME alumni have secured positions at Merck, Stryker, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb and Medtronic.
Career preparation: Rowan's Engineering Outreach Office supports students in finding summer and permanent employment opportunities, while the clinic model gives students experience with teamwork, communication, project management and real-world engineering problems.
Research opportunities: The department's research is funded by organisations including the NIH, NSF and Department of Defense, as well as foundations, healthcare systems and industry partners.
Employment and salary statistics: Rowan's current BME pages do not publish a B.S.-in-BME-specific employment rate or current median starting salary. Therefore, a program-specific salary or employment percentage should not be entered without another official Rowan source.
Graduation outcomes: The department states that graduates can enter professional engineering practice, pursue graduate or medical school, and work on diagnostic and therapeutic healthcare technologies and systems.
Professional value: ABET accreditation provides a recognised quality framework for the engineering education and supports preparation for professional engineering practice and further study.

Further Academic Progression: Rowan BME graduates can continue into the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, MD/Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering or DO/Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Rowan also offers the Master of Translational Orthopedic Device Engineering, an interdisciplinary graduate program focused on designing and developing innovative orthopedic devices, giving B.S. graduates additional pathways into advanced biomedical engineering, translational research and physician-engineer careers