Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Virginia Commonwealth University

Program Overview

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Biomedical Engineering B.S. combines engineering, biology and medicine to prepare students to develop technologies that improve healthcare and patient outcomes. The program is well suited to students interested in areas such as cellular and tissue engineering, biomechanics, rehabilitation, biomedical instrumentation and imaging, while also offering practical exposure to clinical environments and biomedical research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students begin with the fundamentals of biomedical engineering, mathematics, chemistry, physics and biological systems. Courses such as EGRB 101 – Biomedical Engineering Practicum, EGRB 111 – Introduction to Biological Systems in Engineering and EGRB 104 – Introduction to Biomedical Engineering Laboratory introduce students to the field while developing early laboratory and practical skills.

Year 2

The second year develops the mathematical, engineering and physiological foundations needed for more advanced biomedical applications. Students progress through subjects including EGRB 203 – Statics and Mechanics of Materials, EGRB 209 – Applied Physiology for Biomedical Engineers and EGRB 215 – Computational Methods in Biomedical Engineering, while continuing their mathematics, physics and engineering preparation.

Year 3

Students move into specialized biomedical engineering topics and begin applying engineering concepts to real biological systems. Core courses include EGRB 307 – Biomedical Instrumentation, EGRB 310 – Biomechanics and EGRB 427 – Biomaterials, alongside EGRB 301 – Biomedical Engineering Design Practicum and either Biotransport Processes or Biomedical Signal Processing depending on the selected track.

Year 4

The final year focuses on advanced design, statistics, technical electives and independent project work. Students complete EGRB 401 and EGRB 402 – Biomedical Engineering Senior Design Studio, a two-semester senior design experience, while choosing technical electives that allow them to deepen their knowledge in their selected biomedical engineering area.

Focus Areas

Cellular, tissue and regenerative engineering, biomechanics and rehabilitation engineering, biomedical instrumentation and imaging.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the ability to identify, formulate and solve complex biomedical engineering problems using engineering, science and mathematics, while gaining skills in design, experimentation, communication, teamwork and professional decision-making. The program also prepares graduates to contribute to biomedical industry, clinical environments, biomedical research, graduate education and professional healthcare programs.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Biomedical Engineering B.S. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. This provides an internationally recognized quality framework for the engineering education delivered by the program.

Reputation (Employability and Official Statistics)

VCU reports that 87% of Biomedical Engineering students are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation, while 86% graduate having completed experiential learning and 75% have participated in research. The department also reports an average post-graduation salary of $68,587, with 244 undergraduate students and a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio based on its published statistics.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

VCU gives Biomedical Engineering students unusually early exposure to real healthcare and research environments. Students can participate in medical and clinical rounds from their first year, work with VCU Health clinicians, undertake undergraduate research, use advanced engineering facilities and complete a full-year senior design project; the university also provides opportunities for internships and cooperative education in biotechnology and medical-device industries.

Key opportunities and facilities include:

Biomedical Engineering Practicum: Through EGRB 101 and EGRB 301, students can participate in medical rounds at VCU Medical Center’s MCV Hospitals, visit medical research laboratories, attend medical seminars and work through case studies and medical laboratory experiences.
Senior Design Studio: EGRB 401 and EGRB 402 provide a full-year design experience where senior students apply their engineering knowledge to biomedical problems.
Clinical collaboration: Students can work with clinicians through project design opportunities involving VCU Health, connecting engineering education directly with healthcare needs.
Undergraduate research: Students can begin research early in their undergraduate studies and work with faculty on experimental and computational biomedical engineering projects.
Mechanobiology research: VCU offers a 10-week NSF Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in biomedical engineering, where students work on experimental and computational mechanobiology projects under faculty supervision.
Biomedical research areas: Faculty research covers cardiac and lung systems, rehabilitation and neuroengineering, musculoskeletal engineering, cancer, mechanobiology of disease, medical imaging and regenerative medicine.
Nanomaterials Core Characterization Facility: Students have access to advanced research infrastructure supporting biomedical and engineering research.
Engineering Research Building: The 133,000-square-foot facility expands VCU Engineering’s laboratory capacity and includes interdisciplinary research laboratories, experiential-learning facilities, study areas and the Innovation Maker Facility.
Biotech Eight: Located within the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park, this facility houses advanced research infrastructure and connects VCU Engineering with life-science companies, research institutes and laboratories.
Institute for Engineering and Medicine: The institute brings together the College of Engineering, VCU Life Sciences and VCU School of Medicine, creating an interdisciplinary environment at the intersection of engineering, medicine and life sciences.
Internships and co-ops: Engineering Career Services connects students with internships, co-ops, jobs and employers through Handshake, career fairs and dedicated career resources.
2026 Biotech/Medtech Internship Program: VCU Biomedical Engineering is partnering with Virginia-based biotech, medtech and pharmaceutical employers to support high-impact student internships.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. prepares graduates for engineering, clinical, research and biotechnology careers, with VCU alumni working at organizations such as AstraZeneca, Boston Scientific, GlaxoSmithKline, Medtronic, Merck, the National Institutes of Health and Thermo Fisher Scientific. VCU also provides dedicated Engineering Career Services, industry connections, internships and co-ops to help students move from university into professional employment.

Typical career paths include Biomedical Engineer, Research Scientist/Engineer, Clinical Scientist and Clinical Research Coordinator; VCU also identifies opportunities in regulatory affairs and biotech entrepreneurship.

Career development is supported through:

Engineering Career Services: Students receive support with résumé development, interview preparation, career advising, networking and career fairs, while Handshake provides access to jobs, internships and co-ops.
Strong employment outcomes: VCU reports 87% of Biomedical Engineering graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months, with an average post-graduation salary of $68,587.
Graduate-school progression: VCU reports that its Biomedical Engineering curriculum prepares students for graduate, medical and dental school, with opportunities to work with faculty and conduct research during the undergraduate degree.
Industry connections: Students can connect with employers through VCU Engineering’s partnerships with public and private industry, internships, co-ops and career events.
Healthcare partnerships: The program benefits from close relationships with VCU Health, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center-Richmond, Sheltering Arms Institute and the Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering.
Internship opportunities: VCU’s 2026 Biotech/Medtech Internship Program specifically connects Biomedical Engineering students with Virginia employers in biotechnology, medical technology and pharmaceuticals.
ABET value: The ABET-accredited curriculum provides a recognized engineering education foundation for professional biomedical engineering practice and further technical study.
Experiential preparation: VCU reports that 86% of students graduate having completed experiential learning, supporting the program’s emphasis on practical preparation.

Further Academic Progression: Qualified students can progress into VCU’s accelerated B.S. to M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, allowing both degrees to be completed in a minimum of five years by taking approved graduate courses during the senior year. Graduates can also pursue graduate study in biomedical engineering and related engineering or life-science fields, or use the B.S. as preparation for medical and dental school; VCU also provides a pathway toward its School of Medicine through its guaranteed-admission opportunity for eligible students.