Biomedical Engineering (BS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Stevenson University

Program Overview

Stevenson University’s Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering combines biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering to prepare students to solve real-world health and medical challenges. It is particularly suited to students interested in medical devices, biomechanics, biotechnology, rehabilitation, clinical engineering, and research and development, with the curriculum progressing from scientific foundations to hands-on biomedical design.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish the scientific and mathematical foundation needed for biomedical engineering through subjects such as Principles of General Biology/General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics, General Chemistry I, Calculus I, and Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (BME 101). The year introduces students to biomedical engineering while building the biology, chemistry, calculus, and physics knowledge required for later engineering coursework.

Year 2: Students move deeper into engineering problem-solving through courses such as Problem Solving and Design (BME 205), Thermodynamics (BME 210), and Biofluid Mechanics (BME 230). Mathematics, physics, chemistry, and data analysis continue to support the engineering concepts students use to understand biological systems and develop technical solutions.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes increasingly focused on biomedical applications through Biostatistics, Biomechanics (BME 380), Clinical Immersion (BME 320), and related biomedical engineering electives. Students connect engineering principles with human physiology, clinical needs, and real-world biomedical problems while developing the ability to evaluate evidence and work toward practical solutions.

Year 4: Students apply their accumulated knowledge through advanced subjects including Instrumentation (BME 335), Systems Physiology (BME 340), and Biomaterials (BME 315), followed by the two-part Design Capstone I and II (BME 470/BME 475). The capstone sequence integrates engineering, clinical, biological, ethical, economic, safety, and sustainability considerations into a substantial team-based biomedical design experience.

Focus Areas

Medical devices and diagnostics, biomechanics, biomaterials, clinical engineering, biotechnology, rehabilitation engineering, biomedical instrumentation, systems physiology, biomedical research and development.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop the ability to apply mathematics, science, and engineering to living systems; design and conduct experiments; analyze and interpret data; develop biomedical solutions under real-world constraints; collaborate effectively in teams; evaluate primary research; communicate technical findings; and work according to ethical and professional standards.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Stevenson’s B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The accreditation evaluates areas including curriculum, faculty, facilities, and institutional support, giving students an externally recognized quality framework for engineering education.

Reputation (Employability)

Stevenson identifies employers of its Biomedical Engineering graduates including University of Maryland School of Medicine, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Ottobock, Siemens, and Toyota. The university also reports that 100% of students complete a senior research or internship experience, while its Biomedical Engineering program highlights career pathways in medical device and diagnostic design and production, clinical engineering, research and development, and product management and marketing.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Stevenson’s Biomedical Engineering program places strong emphasis on applying classroom knowledge to practical biomedical problems. Students have access to dedicated biomedical engineering laboratories and the Kahlert Foundation Makerspace, where they can work with tools and technologies such as 3D printers, a laser cutter, and CNC mill; the program also provides clinical immersion, research opportunities, internships, and a two-semester design capstone. Stevenson reports that its science labs are designed for approximately 20 students, supporting close faculty interaction and hands-on work.

Students can put these resources and experiences into practice through:

Biomedical Engineering Laboratory: Students work in dedicated biomedical engineering laboratory spaces for practical experimentation and engineering applications.
Kahlert Foundation Makerspace: Provides access to a dedicated Biomedical Engineering Lab and Innovation Lab, with 3D printers, a laser cutter, CNC mill, hand tools, power tools, and other high-tech equipment.
Clinical Immersion: BME 320 Clinical Immersion connects students with clinical and biological problems that can subsequently inform their engineering design work. The capstone sequence uses problems identified through clinical immersion.
Design Capstone: BME 470 Design Capstone I and BME 475 Design Capstone II form a two-course sequence in which students work on biomedical design problems, considering customer needs as well as economic, environmental, ethical, safety, and sustainability constraints.
Independent research: BME 365 Independent Research in Biomedical Engineering allows students to conduct faculty-supervised research in an on-campus laboratory.
Summer research: Stevenson offers paid summer research opportunities with faculty, including biomedical engineering projects such as developing a model fall simulator; students can also attend conferences, present research, and participate in scientific field trips.
Internships: The curriculum includes BME 320 Biomedical Engineering Internship, and Stevenson reports that 100% of students complete a senior research or internship experience.
Community engineering project: Biomedical Engineering students partnered with The Image Center of Maryland and Volunteers for Medical Engineering to build adaptive bicycles for children with disabilities, working alongside engineers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.
Hands-on biomechanics: BME 380 Biomechanics incorporates hands-on experiments, analysis, and a design project focused on applying mechanics to human movement.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Stevenson’s Biomedical Engineering B.S. can progress into engineering and healthcare-related careers involving medical devices, diagnostics, biomechanics, biotechnology, rehabilitation, clinical engineering, and research and development. The program is also designed to support postgraduate study and professional pathways in areas such as medicine and other health professions, while Stevenson’s employer connections include major organizations such as Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, Siemens, Toyota, and the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Typical job roles include:

Biomedical Engineer, Clinical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomedical Research Engineer

Career support: Stevenson’s Career Connection Center provides career advising, résumé and cover-letter resources, interview preparation, internship and job-search support, Handshake access, career pathways, graduate-school resources, and networking tools. Students can also use Parker Dewey for short-term paid micro-internships.
Employment and experiential outcome: Stevenson reports that 100% of students complete a senior research or internship experience, providing students with professional or research experience before graduation.
Employer connections: Stevenson identifies University of Maryland School of Medicine, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Ottobock, Siemens, and Toyota among employers connected with Biomedical Engineering graduates.
Career pathways: The university specifically identifies medical device and diagnostic design and production, clinical engineering, research and development, and product management and marketing as pathways for Biomedical Engineering graduates.
Accreditation value: The program’s ABET EAC accreditation provides an externally reviewed engineering-quality framework and confirms that the program meets established engineering education criteria covering curriculum, faculty, facilities, and institutional support.
Graduate outcomes: Stevenson’s program objectives include progression into postgraduate training or professional programs and successful transition into professional practice. The university also documents graduates continuing into advanced biomedical engineering research, including a Biomedical Engineering graduate who progressed to a Ph.D. program at the University of Florida.

Further Academic Progression: Students can continue into graduate-level engineering or science programs, biomedical engineering research, or professional health programs. Stevenson also offers a Bachelor’s to Master’s option across eligible programs, allowing students to take graduate-level coursework during the junior and senior years and potentially complete bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years.