Biomedical Engineering (BS)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of California Davis

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at UC Davis combines engineering, life sciences and biomedical sciences to prepare students to address challenges in human health, from medical devices and imaging to regenerative medicine and engineered biological systems. It suits students who enjoy applying mathematics, science and engineering to healthcare problems, while the flexible upper-division curriculum allows students to develop deeper expertise in areas such as biomechanics, cellular and tissue engineering, imaging, medical devices, or systems and synthetic biology.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students begin by building the mathematical, scientific and engineering foundation required for biomedical engineering. The introductory BIM 001 – Introduction to Biomedical Engineering exposes students to medical devices, cellular and tissue engineering, biomechanics, systems and synthetic biology, and biomedical imaging, while ENG 006 – Engineering Problem Solving with Applied AI introduces engineering problem-solving approaches and ECS 032A – Introduction to Programming develops essential computational skills.

Year 2

The second year develops stronger engineering and biomedical fundamentals, connecting physical principles with biological and medical applications. Courses such as BIM 020 – Fundamentals of Bioengineering apply mass, energy and momentum conservation to biological and medical problems, while BIM 020L – Graphics Design for BME develops computer-aided design skills for biomedical applications; students also progress through mathematics, chemistry, physics and biological-science requirements.

Year 3

Students move into advanced biomedical engineering analysis and begin shaping their individual area of emphasis through engineering and science electives. The curriculum can include subjects such as BIM 105 – Probability & Data Science for BME, BIM 106 – Biotransport Phenomena and BIM 108 – Biomedical Signals and Control, developing skills in biomedical data analysis, transport processes, physiological systems and engineering control.

Year 4

The final year places greater emphasis on design, instrumentation, professional practice and the application of engineering knowledge to real biomedical challenges. Students complete BIM 110A/B/C – Senior Design, BIM 111 – Biomedical Instrumentation Lab and ENG 190 – Professional Responsibilities of Engineers, while upper-division electives can be selected to deepen expertise in areas such as medical-device design, bioinformatics, microcontrollers, rapid prototyping, biomaterials or synthetic biology.

Focus Areas

Biomechanics, Cellular and Tissue Engineering, Biomedical Imaging, Medical Devices, Systems and Synthetic Biology, Medical Imaging, Regenerative Medicine, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Instrumentation, Computational Biomedical Engineering.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates are prepared to apply engineering principles and scientific knowledge to biomedical problems, develop innovative solutions through cross-disciplinary collaboration, analyse biological and physiological systems, and contribute to engineering practice, research, healthcare, education or related professional activities. The program also develops the ability to communicate effectively, work responsibly, design and conduct experiments, interpret data, and pursue continuous professional and technological development.

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. This accreditation aligns the program with recognised engineering education standards and supports preparation for professional engineering practice, research and further graduate or professional study.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

UC Davis reports strong recognition for its engineering programs. In U.S. News & World Report's rankings reported by UC Davis, Biomedical Engineering was tied for No. 28 among undergraduate biomedical engineering programs in a recent published university ranking, while the UC Davis College of Engineering was ranked No. 19 among public universities in the 2026 Best Graduate Schools engineering ranking. The department also reports that 47% of its BME alumni attend graduate school and 16% attend professional school, highlighting substantial progression into advanced education.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UC Davis places a strong emphasis on learning by doing from the beginning of the degree. Students work in teams on engineering design projects from their first-year BIM 001 experience, while later opportunities include laboratory courses, year-long senior design projects, undergraduate research, internships and clinical experiences connected with UC Davis Health. More than 50% of BME students participate in undergraduate research, and students can also gain experience through the UC Davis Tech Foundry, biomedical laboratories, the Quarter at Aggie Square and study-abroad opportunities.

Students can build practical experience through:

Team-based engineering design: First-year students work in teams on engineering design projects, establishing a practical design approach from the start of the program.
Senior Design: The three-part BIM 110A, BIM 110B and BIM 110C – Senior Design sequence gives students a year-long opportunity to address real biomedical problems and develop functional prototypes, including projects originating from clinical needs.
Biomedical Instrumentation Lab: BIM 111 – Biomedical Instrumentation Lab provides hands-on experience with biomedical instrumentation and experimental techniques.
UC Davis Tech Foundry: Students can participate in client-based design and manufacturing work for clinicians and researchers, developing custom devices, research tools and prototypes with advanced fabrication equipment.
Biomedical research: Students can join faculty research laboratories and receive research credit through BIM 199. Approved research projects can involve at least two quarters of laboratory work followed by a formal presentation of results.
Internships: BIM 192 – Internship in Biomedical Engineering can provide academic recognition for approved external work at companies or other academic institutions. Internship opportunities span industry, academia, national laboratories and healthcare environments.
Quarter at Aggie Square: BME students can take part in a bench-to-bedside experience at the UC Davis Health campus, where they learn clinical needs-finding and industry-relevant product design and development methods.
Clinical exposure: Through UC Davis Health and related opportunities, students can observe clinical environments and work on biomedical problems connected to physicians and healthcare professionals.
Study abroad: BME students can study abroad during summer or the fall quarter of junior year, with options including engineering internships and biomedical or global-health experiences.
BMES Student Chapter: The UC Davis Biomedical Engineering Society chapter provides opportunities to network with BME students, faculty, graduate students and professionals and participate in activities such as the annual BMES Make-A-Thon.
Specialised facilities: The program is supported by facilities including the Center for Molecular and Genomic Imaging, UC Davis Tech Foundry, the Genome and Biomedical Sciences Facility and other research laboratories supporting biomedical engineering research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A UC Davis Biomedical Engineering degree can lead into engineering practice, medical-device development, clinical and academic research, healthcare, biotechnology, manufacturing and regulatory work. The university reports that its BME alumni work with organisations including Medtronic, Stryker, Abbott, Intuitive Surgical, Siemens, Genentech, BioMarin, Roche, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Gilead, Moderna, Regeneron and Epic.

Typical career directions include: Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Clinical Engineer, Research and Development Engineer.

Students can strengthen their career progression through:

Career support: The UC Davis Internship and Career Center provides internship and career advising, one-to-one support, workshops and multiple career fairs throughout the year.
Internship preparation: Students can receive support with resumes, interviews, networking and internship searches, while Handshake provides access to job opportunities.
Industry experience: The department identifies employment opportunities across medical devices, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, biotechnology, research equipment and software.
Research progression: More than 50% of BME students participate in undergraduate research, giving students opportunities to work directly with faculty and develop research experience before graduation.
Employment examples: UC Davis reports alumni employment with organisations such as Abbott, Boston Scientific, Genentech, St. Jude Medical and Varian Medical Systems, with roles including research and development, manufacturing, quality, systems and product-development positions.
Employment and salary information: UC Davis states that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 2023 median annual pay of $100,730 for biomedical engineers. This is a U.S. occupational figure rather than a UC Davis-specific graduate salary.
Graduate outcomes: According to the department, 47% of BME alumni attend graduate school, while 16% attend professional school, including programs in medicine, dentistry, optometry, public health, orthotics/prosthetics, physical therapy, business, education and law.
Accreditation value: The program's ABET accreditation provides a recognised engineering-quality framework that supports professional engineering preparation and further academic progression.
Clinical and professional pathways: UC Davis identifies engineering practice, academic or clinical research, healthcare, education and service among the program's intended graduate pathways.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into master's and doctoral programs in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, biological sciences and related engineering disciplines. UC Davis also reports progression into translational medicine and professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, optometry, public health, orthotics/prosthetics, physical therapy and law; students interested in medicine should plan additional prerequisite coursework beyond the standard BME degree requirements.