Biomedical Engineering B.S.B.E.

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of South Florida

Program Overview

The Biomedical Engineering B.S.B.E. at the University of South Florida combines engineering, biology and medicine to prepare students to develop technologies that address healthcare challenges. The 126-credit program suits students interested in medical devices, biomedical systems, research and healthcare technology, with coursework spanning engineering fundamentals, programming, biomaterials, biomechanics, physiology, biomedical instrumentation and design.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students build the mathematical, scientific and engineering foundation needed for biomedical engineering through courses such as Calculus I and II, General Chemistry I and II, General Physics I, and Foundations of Engineering. Laboratory components in chemistry, physics and engineering introduce students to practical scientific and engineering work from the beginning of the degree.

Second Year: The curriculum moves into biomedical engineering fundamentals through BME 3009 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering, BME 3053 Computer Programming for Biomedical Engineers, and BSC 2010 Cellular Processes. Students also strengthen their engineering knowledge through Thermodynamics I, Modeling and Analysis for Engineering Systems, Organic Chemistry I and Probability and Statistics for Engineers, creating the foundation for advanced biomedical applications.

Third Year: Students begin working with specialist biomedical technologies through BME 4503 Biomedical Instrumentation, BME 4508 Biomedical Signals and Systems Analysis, and BME 4056C Biomedical Engineering Laboratory I. Courses including BME 3312 Molecular and Cellular Engineering, BME 4409 Engineering Physiology, Electrical Systems I and Materials Engineering I help students connect biological processes with engineering systems and medical technologies.

Fourth Year: The final year focuses on advanced biomedical engineering and professional design through BME 3632 Biomedical Transport Processes, BME 4057C Biomedical Engineering Laboratory II, and BME 4882 Biomedical Engineering Design I. Students then complete BME 4883C Biomedical Engineering Design II, alongside upper-level BME and STEM electives, bringing together engineering analysis, biomedical knowledge, teamwork and product design.

Focus areas

Biomedical instrumentation, biomedical signals and systems, biomaterials, biomechanics, molecular and cellular engineering, biomedical transport, engineering physiology, embedded systems, medical imaging, bioelectronics, cell and tissue engineering, biotechnology and biomedical device design.

Learning outcomes

Students develop the ability to solve complex engineering problems using mathematics, science and engineering principles; design solutions that consider health, safety, ethical and societal factors; communicate effectively; work collaboratively; conduct experiments and interpret data; acquire new technical knowledge; and use programming to solve biomedical engineering problems.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The Biomedical Engineering B.S.B.E. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Bioengineering, Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. This provides an important professional-quality framework for graduates pursuing biomedical engineering careers and further professional development.

Reputation (employability rankings)

USF does not publish a specific QS or Guardian employability ranking for the Biomedical Engineering B.S.B.E. The program does, however, have a strong applied and industry-connected profile: its senior capstone is sponsor-driven, and recent projects have involved industry partners including PainTEQ, Motiva, Novanta and Jabil Health, giving students experience with authentic medical-device challenges.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical skills through dedicated biomedical engineering laboratories, supervised research and collaborative design projects. USF's BME Instructional Lab provides 32 computer workstations, engineering software, instrumentation hardware, bioinstrumentation physiology kits, microscopes and a dedicated workspace for capstone projects, allowing students to move from engineering concepts to hands-on experimentation and prototype development.

Key practical opportunities include:

BME Instructional Lab: The facility contains both a dry lab and a BSL-2 wet lab. Students learn bioinstrumentation, physiological measurement, data acquisition, tissue culture and regenerative-medicine laboratory techniques.
Engineering software: Students have access to MATLAB, LTspice, COMSOL Multiphysics, iWorx LabScribe, SolidWorks, Spiker Recorder, AutoCAD and GrabCAD in the BME instructional laboratory.
Biomedical instrumentation: Laboratory equipment includes Keysight oscilloscopes, function generators and digital multimeters, as well as iWorx systems for blood pressure, heart sounds, spirometry, pulse plethysmography, respiration and muscle measurements.
Wet-lab experience: Students can work with Class II biosafety cabinets, inverted microscopes, CO₂ incubators, cryogenic storage and -20°C/-80°C freezers for biological and cellular laboratory work.
Undergraduate research: Qualified students can earn up to three credits through BME 4914 – BME Undergraduate Research Experience, working under faculty supervision. USF also participates in NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates.
Industry-sponsored capstone: Senior students work in teams on authentic healthcare and medical-device problems supplied by industry sponsors. Recent projects included wearable technology, minimally invasive procedures, insulin-pump systems, surgical-tool tracking and medical-device development.
Design process: The senior capstone uses the Stanford Biodesign Process, with students undertaking stakeholder interviews, requirements development, prototyping, bench testing, risk analysis, verification and validation, and design documentation.
Moffitt Cancer Center collaboration: USF students have worked with Moffitt on projects such as blood-loss measurement, 3D-printed lab-on-a-chip platforms, ventilator technology and cell-therapy delivery devices, connecting engineering study with clinical needs.
Research ecosystem: USF's wider research infrastructure includes the Nanotechnology Research & Education Center, which supports research involving sensors, actuators, bio-systems and medical products, as well as biomedical and health-focused research centers.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Biomedical Engineering B.S.B.E. prepares graduates for careers that combine engineering with healthcare, medical technology and research. USF's educational objectives specifically prepare graduates to become biomedical engineers, healthcare professionals or related practitioners and to continue developing their technical and professional knowledge through academic, industrial and research training.

Typical career directions include Biomedical Engineer, Medical Device Engineer, Biomedical Research Engineer, Clinical Engineer: the program's training in biomedical systems, instrumentation, programming, laboratory research and product design can support careers across medical technology, healthcare and biomedical research.

Industry-connected experience: USF's senior capstone is built around real industry and clinical problems, with recent sponsors including Jabil Health, PainTEQ, Motiva and Novanta.
Clinical and research exposure: The USF–Moffitt Cancer Center partnership has involved students in biomedical projects addressing cancer care, medical devices, diagnostics and clinical problems, providing experience working with clinicians and biomedical researchers.
Research preparation: Students can complete BME 4914 research experience and participate in USF's REU opportunities, which can strengthen preparation for graduate school and research careers.
Professional skills: ABET-aligned outcomes emphasize engineering problem solving, design, experimentation, data analysis, programming, communication, ethics and teamwork, giving graduates a broad professional foundation.
Industry-standard design experience: Capstone students work with requirements, prototyping, verification and validation, risk analysis, regulatory considerations and design documentation, closely reflecting real biomedical product-development environments.
Professional accreditation value: ABET accreditation provides external recognition that the B.S. program meets established engineering education criteria for biomedical engineering.
Employment and salary statistics: USF's official BME pages reviewed do not publish a specific graduate employment rate or average salary for this B.S.B.E. Therefore, an estimated salary or employment percentage should not be entered as an official program statistic. USF Career Services does provide labor-market tools with earnings information for career fields.
Long-term development: The department encourages students to pursue lifelong learning through academic, industrial and research training, supporting progression into advanced engineering roles and postgraduate study.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into advanced study in biomedical engineering and related engineering or health-science fields. USF offers an Accelerated BSBE/MSBE pathway, while research experience and the program's strong biomedical foundation can also prepare students for master's and doctoral study or other professional healthcare pathways.