Biomedical Engineering, B.A. / B.S.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of South Carolina

Program Overview

The University of South Carolina’s Biomedical Engineering B.A./B.S. combines engineering and biological sciences to prepare students to develop technologies, processes and products that can improve healthcare. Students build foundations in mathematics, anatomy, biology, chemistry and engineering while choosing between the more engineering-focused B.S. pathway, which can support future professional engineering licensure, and the broader B.A. pathway.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish a strong scientific and mathematical foundation through courses such as Calculus I, Biological Principles I and Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, followed by Fundamentals of Biomedical Systems, Essentials of Physics I and General Chemistry II. This stage introduces students to the engineering principles behind biomedical systems while developing the quantitative and laboratory skills needed for later coursework.

Second Year: The curriculum moves further into the interaction between engineering and biological systems through Cellular and Molecular Biology with Engineering Applications, Introduction to Biomechanics and Human Anatomy and Physiology for Biomedical Engineers. Students also study Elementary Differential Equations, Statistics for Engineers and Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems, strengthening their ability to analyse biological and physical processes quantitatively.

Third Year: Students begin applying their knowledge to specialist biomedical engineering topics including Introduction to Biomaterials, Biomonitoring and Electrophysiology and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory I. Further study in Biochemistry with Engineering Applications, Biotransport, Biomedical Instrumentation and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory II develops practical understanding of medical measurements, biological transport and biomedical technologies.

Fourth Year: The final year focuses on advanced modelling, biomolecular systems and professional design through Modeling and Simulation of Biomedical Systems, Kinetics in Biomolecular Systems and Senior Biomedical Engineering Design I. Students then complete Senior Biomedical Engineering Design II, combining their engineering knowledge, design skills and biomedical understanding in a substantial final design experience.

Focus areas

Biomedical systems, biomechanics, biomaterials, biomonitoring and electrophysiology, biomedical instrumentation, biotransport, biomolecular systems, computational biology and biomedical modelling, bioinstrumentation and bioimaging.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to solve complex engineering problems, apply engineering design to healthcare needs, conduct experiments and interpret data, communicate effectively, make ethical and professional decisions, acquire new knowledge independently and work effectively in collaborative teams.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. The B.S. pathway is designed to provide the educational foundation that can support pursuit of Professional Engineer licensure.

Reputation (employability rankings)

The University of South Carolina provides an established career-support structure for Biomedical Engineering students, including a dedicated four-year career plan covering internships, career fairs, alumni networking, graduate-school planning and senior design. Its official Biomedical Engineering career plan reports an average annual salary of $76,980 for USC B.S. Biomedical Engineering graduates 5–10 years after graduation, based on Gamecock GradStats data.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students at USC gain practical experience through dedicated biomedical engineering laboratories, research opportunities, internships and design work. The program connects students with research across campus, including the Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, while the BME Core Lab provides specialist facilities for teaching and research; students can also work with biomedical instrumentation, imaging systems, biomaterials-testing equipment and physiological measurement technologies.

Practical opportunities include:

BME Bioelectronics and Biomechanics Lab: Students can work with systems for measuring ECG, EEG, EMG, EOG, respiratory rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation, as well as UniVert mechanical testing systems for biomaterials.
BME Biosafety Level 2 Cell Culture Lab: Facilities include cell-culture stations, CO₂ incubators, EVOS imaging systems, Bio-Rad real-time PCR equipment and SpectraMax microplate readers with SoftMax Pro software.
Fluorescence Microscopy Lab: Students and researchers have access to a Nikon Eclipse Ti-E fluorescent microscope with NIS Elements Advanced Research imaging software, together with DNA and protein gel electrophoresis and blotting equipment.
Imaging and Autoclaving Lab: Equipment includes multi-mode microplate readers with Gen5 Data Analysis software, an iBright CL 1500 Imaging System, autoclaves, cryobiological storage and an ultra-purification system.
Biomedical Engineering laboratories and research: The university identifies the Cardiovascular Translational Research Center as a research environment where undergraduate and graduate students can participate in research training alongside scientists, clinicians and other trainees.
Senior design: The B.S. culminates in Senior Biomedical Engineering Design I and II, giving students a structured opportunity to integrate engineering and biomedical knowledge into a substantial design project.
Internships and career experience: USC's Biomedical Engineering career plan specifically encourages students to secure summer internships and participate in the university's STEM Career & Internship Fair.
Biomedical research infrastructure: USC's wider research network includes the Instrumentation Resource Facility, with capabilities covering histology, molecular analysis, flow cytometry/cell sorting, light and electron microscopy, biofabrication, small-animal imaging and image analysis.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Biomedical Engineering graduates can move into engineering, medical-device, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, research and government environments. USC specifically identifies opportunities such as Research Engineer, Development/Design Engineer, Product/Project Manager, Clinical Engineer/Coordinator, Regulatory Affairs Specialist and Quality Control/Assurance Manager, while the B.S. can also provide a foundation for graduate study and professional engineering progression.

Typical career directions include:

Research Engineer — research and development of biomedical technologies and solutions.
Development/Design Engineer — design and development of biomedical products and systems.
Clinical Engineer/Coordinator — application and management of technologies within healthcare environments.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist — supporting regulatory requirements for biomedical and medical products.

Career development and graduate outcomes:

Career planning: USC's Career Center provides a Biomedical Engineering-specific four-year career plan covering career assessment, employer research, resume development, internships, career fairs, alumni networking and graduate-school planning.
Career data: USC's official career plan reports an average annual salary of $76,980 for B.S. Biomedical Engineering graduates 5–10 years after graduation. USC also provides Gamecock GradStats, which allows students to explore alumni career paths, employers, skills and estimated salary benchmarks.
Industry connection: The Cardiovascular Translational Research Center explicitly aims to develop collaborations across disciplines, clinical partners and biomedical industry, while supporting entrepreneurial activity that can facilitate access to new therapies.
Professional value: The B.S.'s ABET accreditation provides an important professional foundation and supports the educational requirements associated with pursuing Professional Engineer licensure.
Graduate pathways: USC states that Biomedical Engineering graduates can continue into graduate studies, while the program's electives can include graduate-level BMEN courses for students admitted to an Accelerated Bachelor's/Graduate Program.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Biomedical Engineering B.A. or B.S., students can pursue graduate study in biomedical engineering and related engineering or biomedical fields, or progress toward professional programs such as medicine and law. USC also provides accelerated bachelor's/graduate opportunities in which eligible students can use approved graduate-level BMEN courses toward their undergraduate requirements.