B.S. in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Arkansas

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arkansas combines engineering, biology and healthcare to prepare students to develop technologies that improve diagnosis, treatment and human health. It is well suited to students interested in medical technology and research, with study spanning areas such as biomechanics, biomaterials, bioinstrumentation, tissue engineering, imaging and biomedical transport.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build a strong engineering and scientific foundation through courses such as MATH 24004 Calculus I, CHEM 14103 University Chemistry I and GNEG 11101 Introduction to Engineering I, followed by Calculus II, University Physics I and Technical Composition II. This year establishes the mathematics, chemistry, physics and engineering skills needed for more specialized biomedical engineering study.

Year 2: Students begin focused biomedical engineering study with BMEG 26104 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, while developing biological and engineering knowledge through BIOL 10103 Principles of Biology, BMEG 28103 Biomechanical Engineering and BMEG 29004 Biomedical Instrumentation. Linear algebra, differential equations and cell biology add the quantitative and biological background needed to understand medical technologies and biological systems.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes more specialized through BMEG 36304 Biomaterials, BMEG 31204 Biomedical Signals and Systems and BMEG 36503 Biomedical Modeling and Numerical Methods. Students also study BMEG 38204 Biomolecular Engineering, human physiology, biostatistics and clinical observations, giving them experience connecting engineering methods with biological and clinical needs.

Year 4: Students move into advanced design and application through BMEG 48103 Biomedical Engineering Design I and BMEG 48203 Biomedical Engineering Design II, supported by BMEG 46203 Biomedical Transport Phenomena and upper-level biomedical engineering electives. The final year emphasizes engineering design, technical problem-solving and preparation for professional practice or further study.

Focus Areas

Biomechanics and mechanobiology, biomaterials, biomedical optics and imaging, tissue engineering, molecular and biomolecular engineering, bioinstrumentation, biomedical signals and systems, biomedical transport, medical-device technology, genome engineering and regenerative medicine.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics; design solutions that address healthcare needs while considering safety, ethics and societal factors; communicate effectively; work collaboratively in teams; conduct experiments and interpret data; and continue developing their knowledge throughout their careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The program's ABET outcomes emphasize engineering problem-solving, design, communication, ethics, teamwork, experimentation, data analysis and lifelong learning, with these skills applied specifically at the interface of engineering and biology.

Reputation (Employability & Official Statistics)

The University of Arkansas Biomedical Engineering department reports a 93% graduate employment placement rate, an average salary of $92,023, a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 298 students enrolled in 2024 and $7.4 million in research awards in 2023. The department also describes itself as the first and only biomedical engineering program in Arkansas and highlights its research focus across biomechanics, biomaterials, biomedical optics, tissue engineering and molecular engineering.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical experience through laboratory-based courses, clinical observation, biomedical design and faculty-led research. The curriculum includes laboratory components in areas such as biomedical instrumentation, biomaterials, biomedical signals and systems, and biomolecular engineering, while BMEG 38001 Clinical Observations and Needs Finding gives students direct exposure to identifying clinical needs. Students can also pursue undergraduate research through the Biomedical Engineering REU, where participants work with faculty on biomedical optics, imaging, genome engineering, metabolism, cell and tissue engineering, and live-cell imaging.

The program also provides access to computational and design tools, research laboratories and professional work experiences:

Computational tools: BMEG 27102 introduces 3D modeling and CAD using SolidWorks as well as programming fundamentals using Python for biomedical engineering applications.
Clinical experience: BMEG 38001 Clinical Observations and Needs Finding introduces students to identifying and understanding real clinical needs as part of the third-year curriculum.
Biomedical design projects: Fourth-year BMEG 48103 Biomedical Engineering Design I and BMEG 48203 Biomedical Engineering Design II provide a dedicated two-course design sequence for developing engineering solutions.
Undergraduate research: The Biomedical Engineering REU pairs students with faculty in projects involving live-cell metabolic imaging, endoscopic imaging and spectroscopy, cell and tissue engineering, and genome engineering.
Research laboratories: Biomedical Engineering research facilities include the Translational Biophotonics and Imaging Laboratory, Quantitative Tissue Diagnostics Laboratory, Functional Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Laboratory, Stem Cell Bioengineering Laboratory, Therapeutic Testbed Engineering Laboratory, Computational Systems Biology Laboratory, Mechanobiology and Soft Materials Laboratory, Regenerative Biomaterials Laboratory and Cardiovascular Biomechanics Laboratory.
Internships and co-ops: Biomedical Engineering students can receive academic credit for qualifying internships and co-ops through the College of Engineering's Cooperative Education and Internship Course. The University states that participation is strongly encouraged and provides career-coaching and internship-search support.
Research and interdisciplinary projects: Recent University engineering projects have involved Biomedical Engineering students working with faculty mentors on areas such as cardiovascular biomechanics, intra-arterial drug delivery and AI-enabled wearable healthcare technology.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The program prepares graduates to work at the intersection of engineering, life sciences and healthcare, with opportunities to develop medical technologies, research biological systems and contribute to healthcare innovation. The University specifically identifies career activities such as designing diagnostic equipment, collaborating with manufacturers, training clinicians, researching biological systems, developing statistical models and simulations, and communicating research findings.

Typical career directions include Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomedical Researcher, Biomedical Engineering Design Engineer.

The University provides several routes for students to build professional experience and move toward employment:

Career support: College of Engineering Career Connections assists students with internship and co-op searches, career coaching, employer connections and resources such as Handshake and the STEM Career Fair.
Employment and salary: The University of Arkansas Biomedical Engineering department reports a 93% graduate employment placement rate and an average salary of $92,023. These are department-level figures reported on the official Biomedical Engineering page rather than a guarantee for every B.S. graduate.
Industry engagement: The College of Engineering maintains employer partnerships that provide opportunities for campus visits, career fairs, interviews and connections between engineering students and companies. The College also supports internships, co-ops and early recruitment through its employer partnership programs.
Professional value of accreditation: ABET accreditation provides an established quality framework for the B.S. program and ensures that students develop recognized competencies in engineering problem-solving, design, teamwork, experimentation, communication, ethics and continued learning.
Research-to-career preparation: Students can gain research experience in biomedical optics, imaging, genome engineering, metabolism, cell and tissue engineering, and other areas, strengthening preparation for research-oriented employment or postgraduate study.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the University of Arkansas Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, which prepares students for biomedical engineering practice in government agencies, engineering firms, consulting firms and industry. Students interested in advanced research can progress toward the Ph.D. in Engineering with an emphasis in Biomedical Engineering, designed for careers in academia, industry, government or technology-based entrepreneurship.