Biomedical Engineering Major, B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Program Overview

The Biomedical Engineering, B.S. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill combines engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computing to prepare students to solve problems in medicine and healthcare. It is particularly suited to students interested in developing biomedical technologies, medical devices, biomaterials, physiological systems, and other engineering solutions for improving human health.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build the scientific and mathematical foundation required for biomedical engineering through courses such as MATH 231 – Calculus of Functions of One Variable I, PHYS 118 – Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity, and BIOL 101/101L – Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory. Chemistry and introductory general-education courses also establish the knowledge needed for the more specialized engineering work that follows.

Year 2: The second year introduces core biomedical engineering concepts through courses including BMME 201 – Computer Methods in Biomedical Engineering, BMME 205 – Biomedical Mechanics, and BMME 209 – Materials Science of Biomaterials. Students also develop their engineering design and manufacturing abilities through BMME 298 – Biomedical Engineering Design and Manufacturing I, while continuing advanced mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

Year 3: Students move into more specialized analysis of biological systems with BMME 207 – Biomedical Electronics, BMME 301 – Human Physiology: Electrical Analysis, and BMME 302 – Human Physiology: Mechanical Analysis. Gateway electives such as BMME 315 – Biotransport, BMME 325 – Biochemistry for Biomedical Engineers, BMME 345 – Biomedical Solid Mechanics, BMME 365 – Systems and Signals, and BMME 385 – Bioinstrumentation allow students to begin shaping their specialization.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced biomedical engineering design and professional application. Students complete BMME 697 – BME Senior Design: Product Development and BMME 698 – Biomedical Engineering Senior Design: Product Implementation and Strategy, alongside four specialization electives that allow deeper study in selected biomedical engineering areas.

Focus Areas

Biomedical mechanics, biomaterials, biomedical electronics, biotransport, biocontrols, systems and signals, biomedical microcontroller applications, bioinstrumentation, biomedical design and manufacturing, biomedical product development, physiological analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to apply engineering principles to biology and medicine, analyze and design biomedical systems, use scientific and engineering experimentation, work with modern instrumentation and fabrication techniques, solve complex healthcare-related problems, and communicate and collaborate effectively in professional engineering environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The joint UNC–Chapel Hill and NC State Biomedical Engineering undergraduate program is ABET-accredited. The department describes the B.S. as a joint UNC/NC State undergraduate degree, allowing students admitted to the program to take courses at NC State as well.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The official department describes Biomedical Engineering as one of the fastest-growing career opportunities and reports that graduates work in hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical-device and testing companies, government agencies, universities, and medical schools. The department also notes that many alumni pursue graduate study at highly ranked biomedical engineering programs.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program gives students substantial opportunities to move beyond lectures into biomedical design, fabrication, laboratory research, and real-world problem solving. Every student participates in a capstone design experience in which they develop a biomedical device or system, while the department also encourages undergraduate research and provides access to teaching, design, cell-culture, microbiology, mechanical-fabrication, and electronic-fabrication facilities.

Students can build practical experience through:

BME Senior Design: Students complete a capstone experience involving the development of a biomedical device or system, with BMME 697 – BME Senior Design: Product Development followed by BMME 698 – Biomedical Engineering Senior Design: Product Implementation and Strategy.
Phillips Hall teaching laboratories: Departmental undergraduate teaching laboratories provide hands-on facilities for biomedical engineering education.
Mary Ellen Jones design laboratories: These facilities contain mechanical and electronic fabrication tools for biomedical engineering design work.
Cell-culture and microbiology laboratories: Dedicated laboratory spaces give students exposure to biological experimentation alongside engineering methods.
BeAM Makerspace: UNC's BeAM facilities provide students with mechanical and electronic fabrication tools that can support prototyping and engineering projects.
Undergraduate research: Students are strongly encouraged to undertake research, particularly during their junior and senior years, gaining experience with state-of-the-art techniques and instrumentation. Research opportunities are available in BME faculty laboratories and across the School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, School of Pharmacy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science, and Exercise and Sport Science.
Research laboratory open houses: The department organizes laboratory open houses so students can meet faculty and explore research opportunities.
Industry internship experience: The official curriculum specifically encourages students to pursue internship experiences in industry in addition to laboratory research.
Research Triangle Park: The joint UNC–NC State department leverages industry resources in Research Triangle Park, creating additional opportunities connected to the biomedical engineering ecosystem.
Helping Hands: Students can participate in the Helping Hands experiential opportunity, which develops 3-D printed prosthetic hands.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. prepares graduates for careers across healthcare, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, testing, government, universities, and medical schools. The department also provides a strong foundation for graduate and professional education, with alumni pursuing biomedical engineering and related engineering degrees as well as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, pharmacy, public health, microbiology, sports physiology, and business/engineering management.

Typical roles include Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomedical Researcher, Clinical Engineer.

Career services: UNC's career resources can support students with career exploration, employer connections, job and internship searches, and professional development; the university's Careerolina system has historically been used for jobs and internships.
Employment sectors: Official departmental information identifies hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical-device and testing companies, government agencies, universities, and medical schools as employment destinations for graduates.
Industry connections: The joint department benefits from the resources of Research Triangle Park, while the Biomedical Engineering Society provides opportunities for speakers, industry and medical-school outreach, and mentoring.
Graduation outcomes: The department reports that graduates pursue both direct employment and advanced education, including graduate biomedical engineering programs and clinical professional schools.
Employment statistics and salary: The official sources reviewed do not provide a current Biomedical Engineering B.S.-specific employment rate or salary figure, so no unsupported program-specific figure is included.
Long-term accreditation value: ABET accreditation provides an established quality framework for the engineering curriculum and supports graduates seeking engineering careers and further professional or graduate education.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the joint department's M.S. or Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering or pursue graduate study in other engineering and related disciplines. The department also reports alumni progression into microbiology, sports physiology, public health, business/engineering management, and clinical programs such as medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, and pharmacy.