Biomedical Engineering, B.S. in B.M.E.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Nevada Reno

Program Overview

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno combines engineering, mathematics, physics and life sciences to prepare students to develop technological solutions for medical and healthcare challenges. It is particularly suited to students interested in medical devices, biomedical instrumentation, sensors, signal processing, medical imaging, pharmaceuticals and rehabilitation, while also offering a pathway toward medical school or graduate study.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students establish their engineering and scientific foundation through mathematics, physics, chemistry and introductory engineering coursework. Engineering 100 provides an early hands-on experience in which students work in teams to design a hovercraft, while introductory biomedical engineering study begins connecting engineering principles with biological and medical applications.

Year 2: Students progress into core engineering analysis and begin developing the electrical-engineering knowledge that distinguishes the program. Coursework builds preparation in areas such as circuits, electronics, programming, differential equations and the analysis of biological systems, creating the foundation for later work in biomedical instrumentation and sensing.

Year 3: Students move further into biomedical engineering applications, with the curriculum emphasizing biomedical instrumentation, sensors, signal processing and image processing. Students apply engineering concepts to living systems and develop the ability to make measurements, analyze biological data and design biomedical devices and systems.

Year 4: The final year focuses on advanced engineering design and professional application, culminating in a team-based senior capstone project. Students develop a product intended to be ready for the marketplace and present their work to potential employers at the university's annual Innovation Day, giving them an opportunity to demonstrate their engineering skills in a professional setting.

Focus areas: Biomedical Instrumentation, Sensors, Signal Processing, Image Processing, Medical Devices, Biosensing, Biomedical Systems, Rehabilitation Technology, Pharmaceuticals, Medical Imaging

Learning outcomes: Apply engineering, biology, physiology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics to biomedical problems; analyze and interpret measurements from living systems; model and design biomedical devices and systems; conduct experiments and analyze data; communicate effectively; work collaboratively; and apply ethical and professional judgment to engineering solutions.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Biomedical Engineering Program Criteria. The program specifically prepares students to solve biomedical engineering problems and design, analyze and realize biomedical devices, systems, components and processes.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Nevada, Reno reports a median starting salary of $65,384 for its biomedical engineering majors, based on a 2022 National Association of Colleges and Employers salary survey. The university also reports that 76% of its students receive financial aid and 54% graduate with no debt, while the BME department maintains active research and industry connections.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering places practical engineering experience at the center of the degree, beginning with team-based design during the first engineering course and progressing toward a market-oriented senior capstone. Students also gain experience through research laboratories focused on biosensing, bioinstrumentation, biomedical imaging and microdevices, with opportunities to use specialized instrumentation, microscopy, computational tools and fabrication technologies.

The department also provides undergraduate research opportunities and works with local industry to offer summer internships for qualified students. These experiences allow students to apply engineering concepts to real biomedical problems rather than limiting their learning to classroom theory:

Team-based Engineering 100 project: Students work in teams to design a hovercraft capable of traversing a predefined course, providing an early introduction to engineering design and collaboration.
Senior capstone project: Final-year students work in teams to develop a product designed to be ready for the marketplace and present their work to potential employers at Innovation Day.
Bioinstrumentation and Automation Laboratory: Research focuses on bioinstrumentation, automation, sensors and actuators, bio-mechatronics, smart assistive technologies and neurorehabilitation interfaces.
Integrated Bio-Analytical System Laboratory: Students and researchers work with biosensors and BioMEMS using equipment including a PerkinElmer Victor X microplate reader, HPLC system, electrochemistry workstation, Olympus microscope, microfluidics syringe pumps, CO₂ incubator and function generators.
Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory: Research investigates the effects of radiofrequency, microwave and millimeter-wave electromagnetic fields on cells and tissue, as well as clinical applications of electromagnetic fields.
Biosensing research: Undergraduate researchers can work on tissue engineering for biosensing, immunofluorescent staining, microscopy, biomaterial bioprinting and high-throughput imaging of 3D biological models.
COMSOL Multiphysics: The university's biosensing research experience specifically uses COMSOL Multiphysics for biosensor simulation and optimization.
3D printing and fabrication: Research students can work with microprinting and 3D microscopy and develop biosensor structures using nanoparticles, nanofibers and thin films.
Engineering laboratories: The William N. Pennington Engineering Building contains more than 40 laboratories, a large computer laboratory and an ISO-5/Class 100 cleanroom supporting research in biosensing and nanotechnology.
Summer REU opportunities: The department offers undergraduate Research Experiences for Undergraduates in biosensing and intelligent technologies.
Industry internships: The department cooperates with local industry to provide summer internship opportunities for qualified undergraduate students.
Engineering Career Services: Students have access to support for finding employment and internship opportunities through the College of Engineering.
Research collaboration: Biomedical engineering research connects with areas including biosensors, electromagnetics and imaging, intelligent systems and other engineering disciplines.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering prepares graduates for careers spanning medical-device design, pharmaceuticals, research and development, rehabilitation and healthcare technology. Because the curriculum has a strong electrical-engineering component, graduates are particularly well prepared for work involving medical devices, instrumentation, sensors, signal processing and imaging, while additional coursework can also support applications to medical school.

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

Students can strengthen their career pathway through:

Engineering Career Services: The College of Engineering provides dedicated career support to help students find employment and internship opportunities.
Industry internships: The Electrical & Biomedical Engineering department cooperates with local industry to offer summer internships to qualified undergraduate students.
Senior capstone and Innovation Day: Students finish the program by developing a market-oriented product in a team and presenting it to potential employers at Innovation Day.
Salary outcome: The university reports a $65,384 median starting salary for biomedical engineering majors, based on the 2022 National Association of Colleges and Employers salary survey.
Industry preparation: The university states that BME graduates can work in device design, pharmaceuticals, research and development and rehabilitation, with the program's electrical-engineering emphasis particularly suited to medical-device careers.
Research experience: Undergraduate research opportunities include biosensing, tissue engineering, bioinstrumentation, biomedical imaging and intelligent technologies.
Professional accreditation: ABET accreditation provides an established quality framework for the engineering curriculum and supports preparation for professional engineering practice.
Graduate pathways: The College of Engineering offers both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biomedical Engineering, providing opportunities for graduates who want to specialize further in research, advanced device development or biomedical technology.
Accelerated B.S./M.S.: Outstanding College of Engineering students can pursue the accelerated B.S./M.S. pathway and complete the two degrees in a shorter period.
Medical school pathway: The university states that students can take additional courses that allow them to apply for admission to medical school.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the University of Nevada, Reno's M.S. in Biomedical Engineering or Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Qualified students can also pursue the accelerated B.S./M.S. pathway, while students interested in healthcare can use the undergraduate degree and additional prerequisite coursework as preparation for medical school.