Biomedical Engineering (BME)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire combines engineering, biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics to develop technologies that improve diagnosis, treatment and patient care. Students gain practical experience through project-based learning, biomedical laboratories, clinical problem-solving, 3D printing, medical imaging, implantable devices and a two-part senior capstone, with opportunities to collaborate with Mayo Clinic Health System.

Curriculum

Year 1: Students establish their engineering and scientific foundation through Calculus I and II, University Physics I and II, General Chemistry I, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Introduction to Engineering and the Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing. These courses develop the mathematical, physical and biological knowledge needed for advanced biomedical engineering study.

Year 2: The curriculum progresses into General Chemistry II, Foundations of Biology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Electric and Electronic Circuits, Computational Physics, Engineering Statistics, Differential Equations and Linear Algebra, Computer-Aided Design and Clinical Problems in Biomedical Engineering. Students begin connecting engineering methods with clinical and healthcare challenges.

Year 3: Students study 3D Printing in Medicine, Biomaterials, Medical Imaging and Biomedical Engineering Instruments and Measurements with laboratory work. Biomedical engineering electives can include Biomechanics, Cell and Tissue Engineering with Lab and Biological Systems Analysis, allowing students to explore specialized areas.

Year 4: The final year emphasizes advanced application through Medical and Implantable Devices with Lab, biomedical engineering and engineering electives, and the two-part BME Capstone I and II sequence. Students integrate engineering, scientific and healthcare knowledge to address complex biomedical problems through their culminating design experience.

Focus Areas

Medical imaging, 3D printing in medicine, biomedical instrumentation, biomaterials, implantable medical devices, biomechanics, cell and tissue engineering, biological systems analysis, clinical biomedical engineering

Learning Outcomes

Students learn to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics; design solutions while considering public health, safety, environmental, economic and societal factors; communicate effectively; work collaboratively; apply ethical and professional judgment; conduct experiments and interpret data; and acquire new knowledge throughout their careers.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The B.S. in Biomedical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and Biomedical Engineering Program Criteria.

Reputation

UW-Eau Claire highlights its close collaboration with Mayo Clinic Health System, giving biomedical engineering students opportunities for clinical research alongside physicians and scientists. The university also reports that Mayo Clinic Health System was the #1 employer of Blugold graduates in 2024–25, based on Career Services surveys and research.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The program is strongly experiential, with hands-on biomedical engineering laboratories, clinical problem-solving, 3D printing, medical imaging, instrumentation and a two-semester capstone. Students can also participate in faculty-led research, Mayo Clinic collaborations, internships, community-based service and paid undergraduate research.

Biomedical Engineering Instruments and Measurements Lab: Hands-on work with medical instrumentation, physiological measurements, signal detection, data acquisition and processing.
3D Printing: BME 301 focuses on 3D Printing in Medicine, with UW-Eau Claire students also participating in projects involving 3D-printed hearts for medical research.
Medical Imaging: Students study engineering approaches used in medical imaging and healthcare applications.
Medical and Implantable Devices Lab: Students develop knowledge of medical and implantable device technologies.
Clinical Projects: BME 320 examines clinical problems using bioinstrumentation, medical imaging, biomaterials, biomechanics and medical devices.
Research: Students can conduct research with UW-Eau Claire faculty and Mayo Clinic physicians and scientists, including paid undergraduate research opportunities.
Internships: The university identifies internship opportunities with governmental, nongovernmental and private organizations, while departmental students have interned with organizations including Phillips Medisize Corp.
Supercomputing: Students have access to advanced computing through the Blugold Center for High Performance Computing and UW-Eau Claire's partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
Capstone: BME Capstone I and II provide a two-course culminating engineering design experience.
Facilities: Students primarily use the Materials Science and Engineering Center together with UW-Eau Claire's wider science and academic facilities. A new 330,000-square-foot Science and Health Sciences Building is also being developed with integrated Mayo Clinic Health System research space.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates can enter biomedical engineering and related professional roles in manufacturing, healthcare, research, medical institutions and healthcare technology companies, or continue into graduate or professional education. The program's ABET accreditation, clinical research opportunities and Mayo Clinic collaboration provide a strong foundation for careers involving medical technologies and human-health applications.

Typical career options: Biomedical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Engineer, Biomedical Scientist, Researcher, Medical Device Manufacturer, Sales Representative, Product Development Engineer, Clinical Support Engineer, Regulatory Affairs Professional

Career and professional support

Research and clinical connections: Students can work with UW-Eau Claire faculty and Mayo Clinic physicians and scientists on biomedical research.
Industry exposure: Department students have completed internships with regional companies such as Phillips Medisize, with some internships leading to employment.
Healthcare connections: Mayo Clinic Health System and Marshfield Clinic provide important regional healthcare and professional connections.
Research funding: UW-Eau Claire offers paid undergraduate research and funding opportunities through its research programs.
Accreditation: ABET accreditation supports the program's professional engineering alignment.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates may continue into graduate school, research-focused programs or professional health education. The BME degree is also compatible with UW-Eau Claire's pre-medical track for students intending to pursue medicine.