Biomedical Engineering BS

The Biomedical Engineering BS at the University of Rochester gives students plenty of opportunities to turn classroom learning into practical experience. From hands-on laboratory work and biomedical research to internships, industry placements, and senior design projects, students can build technical skills while working with equipment and technologies used in biomedical engineering. The program also benefits from its close connection with the University of Rochester Medical Center, helping students see how engineering concepts are applied in real clinical and healthcare settings.

Students can gain practical experience through a range of opportunities:

• BME Undergraduate Educational Lab: Located in Goergen Hall, this dedicated teaching laboratory gives students hands-on experience with biomedical measurements, research equipment, instrumentation, and physiological systems. Students use the lab from BME 101 in their first year through the senior design sequence.

• MATLAB and computational tools: Students develop computational skills through courses such as BME 201P – MATLAB for Biomechanics and BME 221 – Biomedical Computation and Statistics, giving them experience with tools and methods used to analyse biomedical data and engineering problems.

• Senior Design projects: During BME 295 – BME Design Seminar and BME 296 – BME Senior Design, students apply what they have learned to substantial biomedical engineering design challenges. This gives them the opportunity to develop and work through practical solutions rather than relying only on classroom theory.

• Biomedical research facilities: Students can benefit from specialized research facilities, including the High Content Imaging Core User Facility, Cell Culture Lab, Electron Microscopy Shared Resource Laboratory, Ultrasound Lab, and UR Nano facilities. These resources support work in areas such as imaging, cell research, microscopy, ultrasound, and nanoscale biomedical technologies.

• Prototype development: Rettner Hall provides an engineering fabrication environment where students can develop prototypes. The facility includes high-performance computers and 3D printers, allowing students to move from digital designs to physical models.

• Internships: BME students are encouraged to pursue internships with local or national engineering companies and research institutions. These experiences allow students to gain workplace skills, explore potential career paths, and develop professional connections.

• Industry Practicum Co-op: Students can also choose the optional Industry Practicum Co-op Program, which provides an eight-month paid, full-time industry position related to their field. Students receive support with their résumé and career preparation while looking for suitable opportunities.

• Clinical exposure: The department has a close relationship with the University of Rochester Medical Center. Medical Center faculty contribute to BME teaching and research, giving students opportunities to connect engineering knowledge with clinical and healthcare applications.

• Undergraduate research: Students can participate in undergraduate research and research assistantships, allowing them to work with faculty on specific biomedical engineering topics. These experiences can help students develop research skills, build professional networks, and prepare for graduate school, medical school, or research-focused careers.

Facilities and research resources: Students have access to facilities and resources across the University of Rochester, including the BME Undergraduate Educational Lab, High Content Imaging Core, Cell Culture Lab, UR Nano, Rettner Hall, Electron Microscopy Shared Resource Laboratory, and Ultrasound Lab.

The Biomedical Engineering BS at the University of Rochester gives students a strong foundation for careers that combine engineering, healthcare, research, and medical technology. Graduates can move directly into professional roles or use the degree as a stepping stone toward medical school, graduate study, and other advanced education. Typical career paths include biomedical engineer, medical device engineer, research engineer, and biomedical researcher.

Students can strengthen their career prospects through a combination of university career support, industry experience, research, and professional opportunities:

• Career support: The Greene Center for Career Education and Connections supports students with internship and job searches through Handshake, networking opportunities, résumé and cover-letter guidance, interview preparation, and individual career advising.

• Internships and research: Students are encouraged to gain practical experience through internships and research assistantships. Those planning to enter the workforce can use internships to build professional experience, while students considering an MS, PhD, MD, or another advanced degree can benefit from undergraduate research.

• Industry Practicum Co-op: The optional Industry Practicum Co-op Program provides an eight-month paid, full-time industry position, giving students the chance to apply their engineering knowledge in a professional environment. Participating organizations have included Air Products, ALSTOM, Broadcom, IBM Almaden, NASA Glenn Research, NASA, and UR Clinical Trials.

• Industry and clinical connections: The department has a close relationship with the University of Rochester Medical Center. Students can pursue research and internship opportunities connected to the medical center, while senior design projects can involve companies, clinicians, and researchers working on medical devices and research instruments.

• Real-world internship experience: Recent BME students have completed internships and research experiences with organizations including Pfizer, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Zoll Medical, and Massachusetts General Hospital, giving students exposure to pharmaceutical, medical-device, and healthcare environments.

• Graduation outcomes: The Hajim School's 2025 graduate survey reported that approximately 45% of graduates were working and 47% were continuing their education, resulting in a 94% positive career outcome. This figure covers the Hajim School as a whole rather than the Biomedical Engineering BS specifically.

• Salary outlook: The official University of Rochester BME sources do not provide a specific average salary for Biomedical Engineering BS graduates. Therefore, a program-specific salary figure should not be assumed from broader engineering salary statistics.

• ABET accreditation: The Biomedical Engineering BS is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This provides an established quality benchmark for the engineering education students receive and can be valuable for students planning long-term careers in engineering.

• Entrepreneurship opportunities: Students can explore the KEY (Kauffman Entrepreneurial Year) Program, which provides an additional year focused on areas such as internships, special projects, business-plan development, research, and entrepreneurship.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Biomedical Engineering BS, students can continue into advanced study in biomedical engineering and related areas. The University of Rochester offers an MS in Biomedical Engineering and a one-year Medical Technology and Innovation program, while students interested in medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, or veterinary medicine can receive guidance from health-professions advisors. Selected students can also pursue the GEAR 3-2 BS/MS pathway, which provides a route into a Hajim School engineering master's program and includes a minimum 50% tuition scholarship in the fifth year through a teaching or research assistantship.