B.S. in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Cincinnati

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati combines engineering, biology and medicine to prepare students to develop medical technologies, devices and therapies that address real healthcare challenges. The program suits students interested in areas such as medical devices, biomechanics, biomedical research and healthcare innovation, with opportunities to choose between Medical Device Innovation and Entrepreneurship or Research Translational Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students establish their engineering and scientific foundation through courses such as CHEM 1040: General Chemistry I, MATH 1061: Calculus I, and ENED 1100: Engineering Design I. They then progress to BME 1050: Computer-Aided Design, CHEM 1041: General Chemistry II, ENED 1120: Engineering Design II, MATH 1062: Calculus II, and PHYS 2001: College Physics I, building the mathematics, chemistry, physics and design skills needed for biomedical engineering.

Year 2: Students move into core biomedical engineering concepts through courses such as BME 2020: Statics & Dynamics, BME 2040: Solid Mechanics, BME 2081C: Basic Electric Circuits, and BIOL 2001C: Anatomy & Physiology I. BME 2030: Quantitative Psychology and BME focus courses add quantitative and application-based perspectives, while the first co-op experiences give students the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a professional setting.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes more specialized with BME 3020C: Sensing and Measurement, BME 4051: Biomaterials, and advanced BME focus courses such as BME 4010 or BME 4050. Students also complete ENGL 4092: Technical Writing and further biological science study, developing the technical, analytical and communication skills needed to work with biomedical technologies and research.

Year 4: Students bring their engineering knowledge together through the BME 5001: Senior Capstone sequence, supported by advanced BME electives and technical electives. The capstone gives students an opportunity to integrate engineering and biomedical concepts into a substantial design or problem-solving experience while preparing for professional practice, graduate education or medical school.

Focus areas

Medical device innovation, research translational innovation, biomedical design, biomechanics, biomaterials, biomedical instrumentation, sensing and measurement, medical imaging, regenerative medicine, bioinformatics, healthcare technology and biomedical entrepreneurship.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to solve complex biomedical engineering problems, design solutions for healthcare needs, conduct experiments and analyze data, communicate technical information, work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, consider ethical and societal impacts, and apply new engineering knowledge throughout their careers.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs Program Criteria. The program's educational objectives emphasize career advancement, graduate or professional education, innovation, problem solving and leadership in biomedical engineering and related fields.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of Cincinnati's cooperative education program is ranked No. 4 in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report, according to UC's official fact sheet. UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science also reports that students graduate with more than 1.5 years of professional experience through its integrated co-op model.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Cincinnati's Biomedical Engineering program is built around practical, applied learning, with students gaining professional experience through the university's cooperative education model as well as research and laboratory opportunities. Students can work with medical centers, research laboratories and biomedical companies while developing skills in computer-aided design, sensing and measurement, biomaterials, biomechanics and biomedical research. The program's location also places students close to a full medical campus and 11 hospitals within five miles of the Uptown campus.

Students can develop hands-on expertise through:

Computer-aided design: BME 1050: Computer-Aided Design introduces students to CAD-based design work early in the curriculum.
Engineering design: ENED 1100: Engineering Design I and ENED 1120: Engineering Design II give students structured engineering design experience before they progress into advanced biomedical engineering work.
Laboratory-based learning: Courses such as BME 3020C: Sensing and Measurement, BME 4051: Biomaterials, and the senior capstone provide opportunities to apply engineering principles to biomedical problems.
Five co-op experiences: UC's engineering co-op model allows students to alternate academic semesters with paid, full-time professional work. Biomedical engineering students can gain experience with organizations including AtriCure, Boston Scientific, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Mitek Sports Medicine, Enable Injections and Kinetic Vision.
Medical and clinical exposure: Students benefit from proximity to UC's medical campus and hospitals, while the BME program collaborates with research laboratories in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
Biomedical research laboratories: Department research facilities include the Biomedical Acoustics Lab, Bioresponsive Materials Lab, Center for Medical Device Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Emission Tomography Imaging Lab, Integrative Biosensing Laboratory, Personalized Bioengineering Laboratory, Tissue Engineering Lab, Ultrasound Research Laboratory and Vascular Tissue and Cellular Engineering Lab.
Undergraduate research: The Undergraduate Research Co-op Fellowship allows students to work with CEAS faculty, receive financial compensation, develop a pathway toward graduate study and potentially build research that contributes to a capstone project.
Medical device innovation: The Center for Medical Device Innovation & Entrepreneurship (MDIEP) provides a direct connection between biomedical engineering research, medical-device development and entrepreneurship.
Senior capstone: BME 5001: Senior Capstone provides an extended design experience in which students integrate the engineering and biomedical knowledge developed throughout the degree.
Student organizations: Students can customize their experience through more than 600 organizations, including the Biomedical Engineering Society, EnableUC, CadUCea and May We Help.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Biomedical Engineering BS can move into medical-device development, biomedical research, manufacturing, healthcare, technical consulting and other engineering-related fields. The program's strong emphasis on professional practice means students can graduate with substantial industry experience through co-op, while the research environment also supports progression into graduate or professional education.

Typical career roles include Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomedical Research Engineer and Medical Equipment Engineer.

Students can strengthen their career prospects through:

Co-op career support: UC's co-op advisors guide students through the job-search process, while students alternate classroom study with paid professional experiences in their field.
Strong employment outcomes: UC reports that 98% of co-op students are employed or continuing their education at graduation across the university.
Biomedical Engineering co-op wages: UC's latest self-reported wage data lists an average hourly wage of $22.11 for Biomedical Engineering students for paid co-op experiences during fall 2025, spring 2026 and summer 2026.
University-industry partnerships: Biomedical Engineering students have co-op opportunities with companies including AtriCure, Boston Scientific, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Biomet & DePuy, Johnson & Johnson, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Enable Injections and Kinetic Vision.
Major biomedical employer connection: UC reports that AtriCure annually hires more biomedical engineering students than any other co-op employer, with UC BME alumni continuing their careers there and mentoring current students.
Research progression: Undergraduate research through the Undergraduate Research Co-op Fellowship can provide paid faculty-mentored research, preparation for graduate admission and opportunities to develop research into a capstone project.
Professional accreditation: ABET accreditation provides an established engineering-quality framework and supports the program's emphasis on complex problem solving, engineering design, experimentation, communication, teamwork and professional responsibility.
Graduate outcomes: UC's BME educational objectives specifically prepare graduates to advance in biomedical and related industries and research or continue into graduate or professional schools.
Long-term career development: UC's co-op model gives students multiple opportunities to test different areas of biomedical engineering before graduation, helping them identify preferred industries and build professional networks.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, students can progress to graduate or professional education in biomedical engineering, related engineering disciplines, medicine and other health-focused fields. The program's ABET-accredited engineering foundation and undergraduate research opportunities can also support applications to graduate programs and research-oriented careers.