B.S. in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Central Oklahoma

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) combines engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science to prepare students to design technologies that improve healthcare and patient quality of life. It is particularly suited to students interested in medical devices, biomedical instrumentation, imaging, biomechanics, prosthetics, artificial organs, surgical robotics or a future in medical school, industry, government or biomedical research.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students establish the mathematical, scientific and engineering foundation needed for biomedical engineering through subjects such as Calculus I, Physics for Science and Engineering I and Laboratory, Introduction to Engineering and Laboratory, and Introduction to Biomedical Engineering (BME 1311). The introductory biomedical course begins connecting engineering principles with biological interaction, instrumentation and medical imaging.

Year 2: The second stage builds stronger scientific and engineering fundamentals through courses such as Calculus II/III, Physics for Science and Engineering II and Laboratory, Electrical Science and Electrical Science Laboratory, alongside biology and chemistry. Students also progress into Biomaterials (BME 3043), examining material properties, structures and biocompatibility for biomedical applications.

Year 3: Students move deeper into biomedical engineering with Principles of Biomedical Engineering (BME 3113), Signals and Systems, Biomedical Engineering Laboratory (BME 4132) and related engineering subjects. The curriculum develops understanding of biomedical materials, biofluids, physiological signals, electrical systems and quantitative approaches to biological and medical problems.

Year 4: The final year focuses on specialist applications including Biomedical Imaging (BME 4223), Biomedical Instrumentation (BME 4233) and Biomechanics (BME 4343), followed by the two-course Senior Engineering Design sequence. Students can choose a concentration oriented toward pre-med preparation, biomechanics or instrumentation, and eligible students may also begin selected graduate-level coursework toward UCO's biomedical engineering master's degree.

Focus areas

Biomedical engineering principles, medical imaging, biomedical instrumentation, biomechanics, biomaterials, physiological signals, medical devices, engineering design, pre-med preparation, instrumentation, biomechanics, biomedical research

Learning outcomes

Graduates are prepared to solve complex engineering problems using mathematics, science and engineering principles; design solutions that consider public health, safety and societal factors; communicate effectively; work in multidisciplinary teams; conduct experiments and analyze data; apply ethical and professional judgment; and continue developing new technical knowledge.

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 Biomedical and similarly named engineering programs. UCO states that the accreditation confirms the program meets standards intended to prepare students for engineering occupations in the global workforce.

Reputation (employability rankings)

UCO's School of Engineering was ranked No. 197 nationally in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, improving from No. 205 in 2025. UCO also reports that the university ranked No. 62 among Regional Universities–West and No. 32 among Top Public Schools–West in the 2026 U.S. News rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UCO's Biomedical Engineering program places substantial emphasis on applying engineering and scientific knowledge to practical biomedical problems. Students have access to engineering laboratories, undergraduate research opportunities and a Makerspace, while the School of Engineering encourages students to participate in faculty-led laboratory and field research and present their work to the scientific community. The senior capstone provides particularly strong practical experience: students work in teams of three to four on open-ended projects, often sponsored by faculty or industry partners, and progress from problem definition and conceptualization through analysis, prototyping, testing and delivery of an engineered system or product.

Key opportunities include:

Biomedical Engineering Laboratory (BME 4132): Students measure physiological signals, interpret measured data and design/build digital and analog circuits applicable to biomedical instrumentation and prosthetic devices.
Biomedical Imaging (BME 4223): Students study X-ray, ultrasound and MRI systems together with medical-image reconstruction, enhancement, segmentation, registration and analysis.
Biomedical Instrumentation (BME 4233): Practical concepts include transducers, biological-signal processing, data acquisition and controls, instrument design and electrical safety.
Biomedical research: Engineering faculty conduct laboratory and field research projects involving students, with opportunities for students to present their research to the scientific community.
Makerspace: UCO's School of Engineering provides a collaborative space where students can develop prototypes, conduct experiments and work on class projects using engineering tools and resources.
Senior Design I and II: ENGR 4882 Senior Design I and ENGR 4892 Senior Design II form the required engineering capstone. Teams of three to four students tackle real-world, interdisciplinary challenges and develop, prototype and test their designs.
Internship and field-study options: The UCO Biomedical Engineering curriculum includes BME 4940 Field Study in Biomedical Engineering and BME 4950 Internship in Biomedical Engineering, providing routes for structured experience beyond conventional classroom study.
Biomedical engineering research areas: UCO faculty research includes areas such as cell and tissue biomechanics, developmental biomechanics, optical coherence tomography, micropipette aspiration and manipulation, and computational fluid dynamics.
OK-INBRE: UCO participates in the Oklahoma IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, a collaborative network connecting research universities, undergraduate institutions, community colleges and tribal colleges to strengthen biomedical and healthcare research and career pathways.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can move into biomedical engineering roles across medical technology, diagnostics, instrumentation, biomaterials, medical imaging, healthcare technology and research. UCO specifically highlights opportunities involving development and testing of medical technologies, medical diagnostics, artificial organs, patient monitoring, biomedical sensors, therapeutic and surgical devices, medical imaging, physiological-system modelling, biomaterials and biomechanics.

Typical career directions include: Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomedical Instrumentation Engineer, Clinical Engineering Specialist

Students can strengthen their transition from university into professional employment through:

Career support: UCO's CMS Career Connection provides career counselling, workshops, networking opportunities with industry professionals, internship guidance and hands-on career preparation.
Employment outlook: UCO's program page cites U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing 6% projected growth for bioengineers and biomedical engineers between 2020 and 2030. UCO does not publish a program-specific graduate salary figure on the official Biomedical Engineering page, so a salary figure has not been added here rather than substituting an unofficial estimate.
University–industry collaboration: Senior engineering design projects are typically sponsored by faculty and industry partners, giving students opportunities to work on real-world engineering problems.
Research connections: Through faculty research and UCO's participation in OK-INBRE, students can engage with biomedical and healthcare research activities and broader research networks.
Professional accreditation value: ABET accreditation provides an important quality and professional benchmark for the engineering degree and confirms that the program meets established engineering education standards.
Program outcomes: UCO reports 40 students enrolled in Biomedical Engineering in 2024–25 and 5 Biomedical Engineering graduates in 2024–25.

Further Academic Progression: The B.S. can lead directly into UCO's M.S. in Engineering – Biomedical Engineering, which offers advanced study in biomedical imaging, biomedical instrumentation and biomechanics. Eligible undergraduate students can apply for UCO's accelerated B.S.-to-M.S. pathway and take up to nine graduate credit hours during the bachelor's degree; approved courses include Biomedical Imaging, Biomedical Instrumentation and Biomechanics, allowing those credits to count toward both degrees.