BS in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Missouri

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Missouri combines engineering, biological sciences and design to prepare students to develop solutions for human health and medical technology. It is well suited to students interested in medical devices, biomedical data, imaging, biomaterials or biomechanics, with four specialized tracks that allow students to build expertise around their career interests.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students build their mathematical, scientific and engineering foundation through courses such as Analytic Geometry and Calculus I, College Chemistry I and College Chemistry I Laboratory, University Physics I, and Foundations of Engineering. This first year establishes the quantitative and laboratory skills needed for more advanced biomedical engineering study.

Second Year: Students move further into biomedical and engineering principles through courses including Introduction to Biological Systems with Laboratory, Cell and Molecular Biology for Engineers, Engineering Analysis of Bioprocesses, and Professional Development in Engineering. They also strengthen their understanding of mathematics, physics, organic chemistry and engineering analysis.

Third Year: Students begin applying engineering concepts directly to biological systems through Heat and Mass Transfer in Biological Systems, Applied Electronic Instrumentation, and advanced engineering coursework. Technical electives allow students to begin developing depth in areas such as bioinformatics, biomedical imaging and instrumentation, biomaterials or biomechanics.

Fourth Year: The final year focuses on advanced technical electives and practical design, culminating in Biomedical Engineering Design – Writing Intensive, where students undertake a biomedical design project under faculty mentorship. Students can also complete additional technical electives to strengthen their chosen specialization and prepare for professional or graduate pathways.

Focus Areas

Bioinformatics, biomedical imaging and instrumentation, biomaterials, biomechanics, biomedical design, medical technology, biological systems, health data

Learning Outcomes

Students develop skills in quantitative analysis, engineering design, experimentation, data interpretation, problem-solving, technical communication, teamwork, ethical decision-making and applying engineering and biological sciences to biomedical systems.

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. The program also prepares students to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, the first step toward professional engineering licensure.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Mizzou reports a $70,000 median salary for Biomedical Engineering graduates in 2025, while its program page reports a $73,000 average starting salary for 2024 Biomedical Engineering graduates. The program also reports graduates working across healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biomechanics, rehabilitation, veterinary medicine, policy and academia.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Mizzou's Biomedical Engineering program places strong emphasis on learning by doing through undergraduate research, engineering design and collaboration across medicine, veterinary medicine and other disciplines. Students can begin research as early as their freshman year, while the senior capstone sequence gives teams the opportunity to develop, prototype, test and redesign biomedical devices or processes with guidance from faculty and an industrial cooperator.

Students can gain practical experience through:

Biomedical Engineering Design: BME 4980W provides the capstone design experience, where students design biomedical devices or processes under faculty mentorship.
Bioengineering Design II: BME 4985 continues the senior design project through prototyping, testing and redesign, with the same faculty mentor and industrial cooperator.
Engineering internships: BME 4940 allows students to receive academic credit for approved engineering work experience and complete a supervised engineering report based on an industry-defined problem.
Undergraduate research: Students can join faculty research projects from as early as their freshman year, developing skills in project management, data analysis, experimental design, teamwork and scientific communication.
Research fellowships: Mizzou Engineering offers Undergraduate Research Fellowships with a $1,500-per-semester research stipend, alongside paid hourly and volunteer research opportunities.
Biomedical research laboratories: Department research opportunities span areas such as biosensors, biomedical imaging, biomaterials, bioengineering and healthcare-related research, allowing students to explore projects aligned with their interests.
Interdisciplinary collaboration: Students can work with researchers and programs connected to the School of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and NextGen Precision Health.
ForagerOne research platform: Students can use ForagerOne to explore faculty research profiles and identify potential research mentors and projects.
Medical imaging experience: Courses such as Engineering in Medical Imaging I cover MRI, ultrasound, optical imaging, image analysis, clinical decision-making and emerging machine-learning techniques.
Research presentation: Undergraduate researchers can present their findings through events such as Show Me Research Week at Mizzou.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering prepares graduates for engineering careers across healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical technology and research, while also supporting progression into medicine, veterinary medicine, law and graduate education. Mizzou reports that Biomedical Engineering graduates have entered industries including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biomechanics, rehabilitation and veterinary medicine, with graduates employed by organizations such as Medtronic, Pfizer, Bayer, GE, Procter & Gamble and Oracle Cerner.

Typical job roles include Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomedical Researcher, Biomedical Imaging Engineer.

Career advantages include:

Career services: Mizzou's Career Center provides support with career exploration, resumes, interviewing and job searches, while Handshake provides access to job and internship opportunities.
Employment outcomes: 93.6% of Mizzou Engineering students reported a successful career outcome within six months of graduation. For 2025, the median salary reported specifically for Biomedical Engineering graduates was $70,000.
Industry connections: Mizzou Biomedical Engineering graduates work for companies including Medtronic, Pfizer, Bayer, General Electric, Procter & Gamble, BioMérieux, Eurofins and Oracle Cerner.
Internship preparation: The department provides internship opportunities and emphasizes career and leadership development, with students able to gain industry experience through engineering internships and applied projects.
Professional accreditation: ABET accreditation provides an established quality framework for the engineering curriculum, while the program prepares students for the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and potential progression toward professional engineering licensure.
Graduate outcomes: Mizzou's program educational objectives expect graduates to meet employer expectations, pursue advanced study or continuing education and progress toward leadership in their profession or communities.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can progress to graduate study in areas related to biomedical and biological engineering. Mizzou offers a Master of Science in Biological Engineering with research areas including biomedical imaging, neuroengineering, regenerative medicine and bioelectronics, as well as a Ph.D. in Biological Engineering; qualified senior undergraduates can also use Mizzou's Dual Enrollment pathway to earn graduate credit toward a master's degree. The B.S. also provides preparation for medical, veterinary, pharmacy and other professional programs.