Biomedical Engineering - Fifth Year Integrated Program

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Texas Austin

Program Overview

The B.S. BME/M.S. Integrated Program at The University of Texas at Austin gives Biomedical Engineering students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering in five years. It is a great option for students who want to build deeper technical and research skills while specialising in areas such as biomedical imaging, biomolecular engineering, computational biomedical engineering, or biomechanics.

Curriculum Structure

Years 1–2: Students focus on the core B.S. in Biomedical Engineering curriculum, building a strong foundation in engineering, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and biomedical design. This provides the scientific and technical background needed for more advanced Biomedical Engineering study.

Year 3: Students continue their undergraduate Biomedical Engineering studies while developing their academic interests and preparing for the integrated pathway. They can explore areas such as Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation, Cellular and Biomolecular Engineering, Computational Biomedical Engineering, and Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Biomechanics.

Year 4: Students begin incorporating graduate-level study into their degree while completing their remaining bachelor's requirements. They take 12 semester credit hours of graduate coursework, allowing them to develop more advanced knowledge and technical skills within their chosen area.

Year 5: Students complete the remaining 18 semester credit hours of M.S. coursework, bringing their graduate study to 30 credit hours. After completing the required undergraduate and graduate coursework, students graduate with both a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and an M.S. in Engineering.

Focus Areas

Biomedical Imaging and Instrumentation, Cellular and Biomolecular Engineering, Computational Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Cellular and Tissue Biomechanics, Biomedical Research and Development, Medical Imaging, Biomolecular Engineering, Biomechanics.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop advanced biomedical engineering knowledge, strengthen research and problem-solving abilities, learn to apply engineering principles to biological and medical challenges, and gain specialised expertise through graduate-level coursework.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program builds on UT Austin's professionally accredited undergraduate Biomedical Engineering education while adding advanced graduate-level engineering study. The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, giving students the benefit of recognised engineering education standards as they progress toward professional and research-focused careers.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The program is part of the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, providing students with access to a strong engineering and research environment. Students also benefit from UT Austin's interdisciplinary connections, advanced biomedical facilities, research opportunities, and collaboration with Dell Medical School, which can help them develop skills relevant to advanced biomedical engineering and research careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. BME/M.S. Integrated Program combines advanced classroom learning with practical experience in research, design, clinical innovation, and industry. Students have access to strong biomedical engineering facilities and opportunities to work on real-world problems while developing specialised skills.

Advanced research facilities: Students can work in dedicated optics labs, tissue-culture rooms, wet and dry labs, computational research labs, and electronics facilities.
Research opportunities: Students can explore areas such as biomaterials, biosensors and instrumentation, cell and tissue engineering, computational biomedical engineering, drug discovery and delivery, medical imaging, biomechanics, and neuroengineering.
Computational experience: Access to advanced computing resources supports biomedical modelling, data analysis, simulation, and other computational projects.
Design and prototyping: Students gain hands-on experience through biomedical engineering design courses and senior capstone projects, where they develop solutions to real biomedical and healthcare challenges.
Industry collaboration: Industry-sponsored projects allow students to work on practical engineering problems and develop prototypes and technical reports based on real-world needs.
Specialised equipment: Students can gain experience with advanced biomedical imaging and microscopy technologies, including confocal and multiphoton imaging systems.
Clinical exposure: Collaboration with Dell Medical School provides opportunities to connect engineering concepts with real clinical needs and healthcare applications.
Clinical Innovation and Design Fellowship: Eligible fifth-year students in the integrated program can participate in a nine-month, multidisciplinary fellowship involving engineers, clinicians, designers, and business professionals. Students work on clinical needs assessment, prototyping, and business planning.
Research or thesis pathway: Students can choose an M.S. pathway with coursework or a thesis, giving those interested in research and development the opportunity to gain deeper research experience.

Overall, the program provides a strong mix of hands-on design, research, clinical exposure, industry collaboration, and advanced graduate-level learning, helping students prepare for careers in biomedical engineering research and development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. BME/M.S. Integrated Program at The University of Texas at Austin is a strong pathway for students who want to build advanced skills in biomedical engineering, research, development, and healthcare innovation while earning both degrees in five years. The combination of undergraduate engineering knowledge and graduate-level study prepares students for roles involving medical technologies, biomedical research, medical devices, and innovative healthcare solutions.

Typical career roles include:

Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Research and Development Engineer
Medical Device Engineer
Biomedical Design and Innovation Engineer

Career support and employment opportunities:

Engineering Career Assistance Center: Students receive practical support with résumé and cover-letter preparation, interview skills, job searching, career fairs, externships, co-op and internship opportunities, networking, and access to job opportunities.
Employment outcomes: 92% of Texas Engineering undergraduates are employed or continue to graduate school after graduation, and more than 1,500 employers recruit Texas Engineering students each year.
Salary potential: The average starting salary reported for B.S. Biomedical Engineering graduates is $85,025, while the average starting monthly internship salary is $3,925.
University-industry partnerships: Texas Biomedical Engineering works with industry through sponsored research, workforce development, and collaborative senior design projects. Students can contribute to projects that address real clinical and technological challenges and develop functional prototypes.
Clinical and innovation opportunities: Collaboration with Dell Medical School connects biomedical engineering with real clinical needs. Students can gain exposure to areas such as medical-device innovation, clinical needs assessment, prototyping, and business planning.
Long-term accreditation value: The undergraduate Biomedical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, providing students with an engineering education recognised against established professional quality standards.
Graduation outcomes: Students complete both a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and an M.S. in Engineering through the five-year pathway. The M.S. can be completed through either coursework or a thesis, giving students flexibility depending on whether they want to focus on professional practice or research.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the integrated program, graduates already hold both a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and an M.S. in Engineering, providing a strong foundation for advanced professional or research careers. Students who want to continue in academia or pursue highly specialised research can progress to a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering. Potential areas for further specialisation include biomedical imaging, computational biomedical engineering, biomaterials, biosensors, tissue engineering, drug delivery, biomechanics, and neuroengineering. The Ph.D. pathway can also be considered directly after the bachelor's degree, so students do not necessarily need a master's degree before pursuing doctoral study.